Leicester Tigers Thread 2015/16 A New Beginning Part 1

[Welly]

First topic message reminder :


2015/16 Senior Squad ATM:
Coaches: Cockerill (DOR), Mauger (HC), Hansen (Defence + Skills Coach), Blaze (Ass. Forwards), Murphy (Ass. Backs)
1/3) Ayerza, Balmain, Brugnara, Cole, Mulipola, Pasquali, Rizzo
2) Youngs, Ghiraldini, Bateman, Thacker
4/5) De Chaves, Fitzgerald, Kitchener, Slater
6/7/8) Crane, Croft, Fonua, McCaffrey, O'Connor, Pearce, Williams
9) Harrison, Kitto, Youngs
10) Burns, Williams
12/13) Bai, Loamanu, Roberts, Smith, Tuilagi
11/14) Benjamin, Betham, Camacho, Goneva, Thompstone,
15) Bell, Morris, Tait

2015/16 Development Squad: Oliver Byrant, Jake Farnworth, George Tresidder,  Will Owen

2015/16
Greg Bateman (Exeter)
Mike Williams (Warriors)
Mike Fitzgerald (Chiefs)
Opeti Fonua (Welsh)
Brendon O'Connor (Blues)
Peter Betham (NSW Waratahs)
Lachlan McCaffrey (London Welsh)
Jono Kitto (Bay of Plenty + Cheifs Development Squad)

Transfers Out 2014/15:
Paul Burke (N/A)
Phil Blake (N/A)
Neil McCarthy (Glous)
Tom Price (Scarlets)
Geoff Parling (Exeter)
Neil Briggs (Sale)
Julien Salvi (Exeter)
Pohe (USC)
Brad Thorn (Retirement)
Peterson (Glasgow)
Hamilton (Coventry)
Bristow (Wasps)
R.Williams (?)
Whetton
Hepetema (BoP)
Allen (Retirement)

[broadlandboy]

Think they can play a limited number of games as I believe that is where we went over the cap when Manu broke through, they hadn't planned for his wages to be included but because of the number of games played they were.

[LondonTiger]

Oh plop plops

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/34662841

[Welly]

Shouldn't be out long.

[formerly known as Sam]

On the offy it's being said it's the lowest grade hamstring pull so should be two or three weeks. He needs a couple of weeks off to fully recover anyway so I don't think it is a big problem. As long as he's back in a couple of weeks then that will work.

[Big]

Okay, what's going on... 3 from 3, this isn't how we are supposed to start the season. And on paper it was a strong Wasps side today. Not sure that Aaron chap understands how we do things up here.

[nathan]

haha, i know and we are at the top of the table (discounting the cheats)

[Big]

Yes. Just spotted your comment on the other thread, I would have responded there had I seen it first. I was obviously really pleased we had Mauger coming back, but honestly expected this season to be about rebuilding and next season back in business. I don't want to read too much in to 3 games, but it really is looking good so far.

[yappysnap]

Some very good attacking rugby from tigers today.

Do people think JDV may spoil that a bit though?

[Welly]

Some very good attacking rugby from tigers today.

Do people think JDV may spoil that a bit though?

nope.

Current 12's so far are Smith, Bai, Roberts (By the looks of it).

JDV prob a similar attacking level at least.

I think he could be the making of Manu though.

Both had major injuries But JDV has powered though his to gain 100 + international caps without Manu's raw ability.

Him and Mauger = No excuse for Manu to not develop into the 13 everyone wants him to be (IMO).

[nathan]

Some very good attacking rugby from tigers today.

Do people think JDV may spoil that a bit though?

as a player playing he has lost a bit of pace, but also as a player he has so much experience to offload to the team which is what i think the most valuable bit will be.

[yappysnap]

That's true, he could be really good for Manu and your 10's too. How long is his contract?

[nathan]

That's true, he could be really good for Manu and your 10's too. How long is his contract?

Just 6 months i think

[yappysnap]

Ah shame

[Welly]

Cockers said option for it being longer If it goes really well and JDV wants to stay.

[formerly known as Sam]

JDV is a perfect short term replacement for Allen. Should allow the team to play as it has been doing but with a little more organisation.

Matt Smith was terrific today. His tackle count must be massive as he was everywhere cutting down the Wasps back line and did a steady job in attack. Disappointed by Fonua who was too upright in contact and struggled to control the ball at the base of the scrum. Jordan Crane really helped our scrum with his control at the base and those neat hands for the winner.

Plenty of work to do with supporting lines, clear outs and set piece but early indicators are we will at least be nice to watch this season.

[maverickmak]

Good start to the season. Plenty of firepower to come back in.

Pleased with how the new guys are all fitting in. I think we've been really clever with our signings. Letting the likes of Parling and Salvi go, and bringing younger men in for (probably) less money and room to develop, without noticeably decreasing the quality.

Fonua terrifies defences, but need to work on his ball protection or be ready to help clear the rucks when he breaks a tackle. McCaffrey a right nuisance again at ruck time.

[George Carlin]

Just getting them in early:
https://www.606v2.com/t61096-champions-cup-pool-4-leicester-tigers-v-stade-francais-13-november

[formerly known as Sam]

Fonua has very little control of the ball at the base. Three times on Sunday we lost scrum penalties because he lost control and twice got turned over as their back row swarmed over Harrison. Crane offered the rock solid control we needed when he came on.

McCaffery looks an astute bit of business. Nuggety player that just needs to improve his handling to be a real hit at this club.

[killer938]

Agree, though do wonder how much game time he will get once O'Conner starts playing. Can he play 8 to give a back row in the same style as Hooper and Pocock?

[king_carlos]

I've been really impressed with McCaffery. When he first signed I questioned whether we would be better off trying to give Thacker or Owen gametime at 7 given Croft and Williams would strong options next to them. I know that a guy with McCaffery's experience would be a stronger option but I questioned how much better he'd be and whether it would be worth not giving the youngsters game time.

Thankfully he has played excellently however and gives us not only a good option at 7 until O'Connor is available but also a good option to rotate through the whole back row to keep guys fresh. With the injuries at second row and Williams featuring there this is especially useful.

Fonau I was disappointed with. I know we signed him almost solely for his carrying but his work around the rest of the pitch was even further behind what I had hoped for. Then on top of that he was too upright in contact as fkaS says which made him far less effective with ball in hand. He still needs to get more match fitness IMO.

[formerly known as Sam]

Well O'Connor has played some 8 in the ITM cup and McCaffery has already 8 for us so we could see a little bit of double open side action Australia style. Add Croft or Williams at six depending on opposition. Something to consider when playing Irish teams in Europe.

[king_carlos]

It turns out that Fonau broke his arm on Sunday and will be out for 6-8 weeks.

In brighter injury news Cockers has stated that Mulipola, Slater, Kitch and Youngs will be fit for the Exeter game.

Whether they will be selected is of course another story. Given Balmain is currently covering LH I'd presume Logo will start. I'd then expect one of Kitch/Slater on the bench along with Youngs.

[Welly]

Kitch to start and maybe Slater on bench.

Youngs will play IMO, and Logo will prob play.

Considering stade is next week a bit of rotation and game time for some would be much needed thing.

[king_carlos]

1.Logo
2.Youngs
3.Cole
4.Fitzgerald
5.Kitch
6.Croft
7.McCaffery
8.Crane/Pearce

9.Youngs
10.Williams

11.Goneva
12.Smith
13.Betham
14.Thompstone
15.Tait

16.Bateman
17.Brugnara
18.Balmain
19.Slater
20.Williams
21.Harrison
22.Bai
23.Veainu

Something like that then Welly?

Given we have the first round of ECC coming up it will be a big call between Crane and Pearce given how assured Crane was when he came on against Wasps. Personally I'd be tempted to go for Crane.

I hope O'Connor is rushed in too quickly with McCaffery playing well.

[formerly known as Sam]

Wouldn't be surprised to see Croft rested. He was excellent vs Wasps and will be needed vs Stade. Given his previous with injuries and our bountiful options in the backrow rotating him out or to the bench for Pearce or Williams might be a good call.

[LondonTiger]

Ghiraldini injured?

[formerly known as Sam]

He was injured playing for Italy. Not heard anything since.

[Welly]

would rest Croft and maybe Fitzgerald, Betham and Harrison.

Fitzgerald, Tait, Betham, Croft, and Harrison (Till sunday) are only players to not be subbed so far.

I want a win on Saturday but a win V Stade @ Home week is something desire more.

Would go with
1) Mulipola
2) Youngs
3) Balmain
4) Barrow (Looked good on sunday)/De Cheves
5) Kithcner (Been out less than Slates)
6) Williams
7) MccCafrey
8) Crane
9) Youngs
10) Williams
11) Goneva
12) Bai/Smith
13) Smith/Veainu
14) Veainu/Thompstone
15) Tait

16) Thacker/Bateman
17) Brugnara
18) Cole
19) Slater
20) Pearce
21) Kitto
22) Bell/Bai/Catchpole
23) Thompstone/Catchpole

Would be my team.

Doubt it would be the case but that would be some nice rotation and i feel could challenge Exeter.

[formerly known as Sam]

Asking a lot for another big game from Balmain.

Logo, Youngs, Cole
Barrow, Kitchener
Pearce, Crane, McCaffery
Kitto, Williams
Bai, Smith
Veainu, Tait, Goneva

Bench; Brugnara, Bateman, Balmain, Slater, Williams, Youngs, Bell, Thompstone.

Sub the front row after 50 minutes and give Slater at least 20 minutes. I'd take a LBP from the weekend but we can't lose momentum now by taking a hiding.

[king_carlos]

On the upside it looks like the rumoured signing of Matias Aguero as injury dispensation for Rizzo is going to come through and he will be registered by Friday.

On the downside, Logo is going to be out for 4 to 6 weeks with knee trouble.

Aguero will likely come straight onto the bench against Stade given Brugnara scrummaging issues and possible ban for his kick on Sunday.

[formerly known as Sam]

Probably have Balmain and Pasquali on the bench for the Stade game. Might mean that Ayerza will have to try and play for at least 70 minutes. Don't know how much time Aguero has had in the country with his new team mates.

[king_carlos]

That's what I was thinking as well when I first heard about the signing fkaS.

Having read the Mercury article on the imminent signing it sounds like the coaches were quite insistent on it being pushed through by Friday.

It is also interesting to note that Aguero has already been registered with our ECC squad - Mulipola has been removed to make room.

http://www.epcrugby.com/matchcentre/leicester_tigers.php?section=3

With Kubriashvili likely to start for Stade at TH and Ayerza returning from injury I can see why the coaches would be concerned about Balmain covering LH.

[formerly known as Sam]

To be fair Balmain has covered fairly well. He struggled at Chiefs where the first decision went against him and then after that he seemed to cop the blame at most of the scrums. He did a good job vs Cooper-Wooley and Wasps.

[king_carlos]

He's done better than I'd have expected. Especially given that I can't imagine he'd have trained there during pre-season at all with Ayerza, Logo and Rizzo expected to be available alongside Brugnara, Sio and Parr.

I wouldn't want him covering for a returning Ayerza in a ECC match against Kubriashvili though. Especially with the other injuries around him.

What is the news of the Canadian prop Sears-Duru does anyone know?

Last I heard he was about to be signed on a short term deal after the RWC. is he at the club now and has there been any news of how he has showed up or whether he will stay with the club for the season?

[maverickmak]

On evidence of the season so far, delighted with our recruitment. Everyone one of them has made a strong impression. In terms of ins and outs, I think we've got great value for money.

[formerly known as Sam]

We've signed well. It's a much better squad this year though there's an awful lot of work still to do. Certainly helps that Smith is back and playing his best rugby for years, he's a rock in our midfield at the minute.

[Geordie]

Hows big Dom going?

How has Kitchener been playing?

[formerly known as Sam]

Kitchener has a rib injury picked up in the last game of pre season. Not seen him yet but expectation is high after his heroics last season and the new regime should really suit him.

Barrow was poor vs Chiefs where he got regularly smashed in the physical exchanges. A much improved performance vs Stade but he's down the pecking order at the minute and is probably about fifth choice. He needs to make a statement soon as with Slater match fit again and Kitch not far away he may find himself turning out at A league level soon.

[maverickmak]

He had a strong game against Stade. It probably helped that it was the strongest team we had put out, but the pack really dominated the vast majority of the game.

Considering he's back from a bad injury way ahead of schedule, I've been pretty impressed.

[formerly known as Sam]

Our game plan allowed us to dominate Stade and our backrow made life easier on our tight five. Barrow is a work in progress and if he can back up the Stade performance with a couple more like it then I'll start to be impressed.

[king_carlos]

Delighted to see that Kitch has been named in a very strong development side for tonight against Gloucester.

fkaS - Thacker will feature at hooker with Owen at blindside and Will Evans at openside. It looks like the odds of Thacker getting game time at 7 as discussed on the Treviso thread just got even smaller with Evans forcing his way in at 18!

15 George Worth
14 Christian Loamanu
13 Jack Roberts
12 George Catchpole
11 Gonzalo Camacho
10 Jacob Umaga
9 Jono Kitto
1 Tiziano Pasquali
2 Harry Thacker
3 Aniseko Sio
4 Joe Maksymiw
5 Graham Kitchener
6 Will Owen
7 Will Evans
8 Laurence Pearce

Replacements
16 Jake Farnworth
17 Matt Parr
18 Dan Hogan
19 Sebastian de Chaves
20 Fred Tuilagi
21 Ben White
22 Oli Bryant
23 Paolo Odogwu

Good to see Kitto, Camacho and Loamanu getting game time but the later two do mean that Odogwu is on the bench. It's also really pleasing to see Bryant on the bench.

Interesting to see Catchpole at 12 with Roberts at 13 too - hopefully a mistake in the team sheet as I'd much rather them the other way round!

[formerly known as Sam]

I'm unsure why Pas is at 1 and Sio at 3 as you'd expect that to be the other way round.

Great to see Kitch back getting game time. He was outstanding last season and the sooner he's back the better.

Thacker plus Evans and Owen. That's a lot of menaces around the breakdown. Going to need the rest to bring their carrying games to allow them room to do their thing. Owen and Bryant have been getting some games for Doncaster.

[king_carlos]

Given the other 5 forwards around them they should have the carrying!

Pearce and Kitch especially at development level should be wrecking balls. Pasquali and Sio are big boys who carry as well. Plus Loamanu on the wing and Roberts is a pocket rocket.

Yep I was confused about Pasquali and Sio as well. I seem to remember that on a few occasions last season the development side ran out with a slightly different make-up to what was announced so I'm hoping that the props and centres were just announced wrongly.

The only reason I could see Pas being tried at LH is because of the worries with Brugnara's scrummaging? With Aguero now signed surely that would be overkill however - especially to Brugnara's confidence. With Logo out Pas is also 3rd choice loose head so that would make even less sense on that count!

Am I right in thinking Fred Tuilagi is a prop however? I've just realised he has been named covering back row.

[Guest]

Props the right way round here. Seems to have been a typo rather than experimentation.

[king_carlos]

31-18 loss I've heard but without much information surrounding it.

Apparently we were absolutely dominated up from by an experience Gloucs side. Nick Wood and Lindsay were in the Gloucs front row from what little I've heard via text from a mate at the game.

Any more light you can shed on individual performances Fuzzy?

[nathan]

Pulled hammy for tait

[LondonTiger]

Pulled hammy for tait

3 weeks for that?

Excellent try saving tackle that caused it.

[nathan]

Hope so or sooner, what did he always have problems with? Was it his groin or hamstring?

[formerly known as Sam]

Hope we move Bell to 15 next week as TV was limping and then getting treatment at the final whistle and we need him for the Munster games. Bad luck for Taity he has been good this season.

[LondonTiger]

Hope so or sooner, what did he always have problems with? Was it his groin or hamstring?

Groin I think

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