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)

[king_carlos]

Tait was a groin injury that made him consider retirement at one point, yes. I seem to remember a few people saying that it was a similar injury the one keeping Manu out when he was first injured.

Looking swiftly ahead to Sixways after a gutsy and vital win. I'm delighted to see that Cockers has confirmed that Owen, Freddie and Nikki will all be fit for selection at the weekend. JDV should also be at the club this week I believe?

With the double header against Munster coming up I'd like to see a few of the pack rested/benched who have played either most of 7 games so far (Fitzgerald) or guys who haven't had much of rest since the RWC or last season (Ayerza, Youngs, O'Connor).

1.Aguero
2.Ghirildini/Bateman
3.Balmain
4.Slater
5.Kitchener
6.Croft
7.McCaffery
8.Crane

9.Harrison
10.Williams

11.Goneva
12.Smith
13.Betham
14.Thompstone
15.Veainu/Bell

16.Youngs/Bateman
17.Ayerza
18.Balmain
19.Barrow
20.Williams
21.Youngs
22.Burns
23.Bell/Bai

Coley did get a bit of a rest on the bench for Treviso but I'd like to see the same happen again to keep Balmain firing and DC fresh.

[formerly known as Sam]

McCaffery has played an awful lot of rugby but did get a rest against Treviso. I wouldn't mind seeing both open sides given a rest and us bringing in Will Owen. With Croft and Crane they'll be experience around him and Pearce on the bench for added muscle.

I'd have Mike Williams covering lock from the bench as he offers more impact than Barrow and we might need that on a wet day in Worcester.

[LondonTiger]

While I want us to do well against Munster in two week, we absolutely have to beat Worcester.

Happy to rotate players in for the visit to Sixways - but want the best impact bench we can manage.

[king_carlos]

Owen would be a bold call but given I've complained about youngsters not getting a chance in recent seasons I wouldn't be upset by it. If Owen was at 7 then I'd want Williams at 6 to keep physicality in the back row. I really like the new edge to our pack. Then Crofty could offer impact and experience from the bench when needed.

If we are considering a young back rower then I'd prefer Thacker at 7 personally though.

6.Williams 7.Owen/Thacker 8.Crane
20.Croft

Agree about the bench LT. If we keep Ayerza, Cole and possibly OTY (depends on Leo's fitness) on the bench then we already have huge impact there in the last 20/30 minutes. Similarly YBY and Burns as fresh half backs late in a game offer a lot of impact.

[Welly]

Need to try and get maximum points from Wuss IMO.

would go with
1) Ageuro
2) Leo/Bateman
3) Cole
4) Kitchener/Williams (Depending on citing or not)
5) Slater
6) Williams/Croft (I would like Williams to play V his old team).
7) McCaffrey
8) Crane
9) Youngs (Same as O'Connor
10) Williams (If fit)
11) Goneva (If Fit)/Catchpole
12) Smith
13) Betham
14) Thompstone
15) Veainu

16) Youngs/Bateman
17) Ayerza
18) Balmain (I would like to see Balmain play with our starting LH more)
19) Barrow/Williams
20) Williams/O'Connor/Croft
21) Harrison
22) Burns/Bell
23) Bell/Catchpole/Bai

With A league tonight maybe
1) Brugnara
2) Thacker
3) Hogan
4) Myskmsiv
5) De Chaves
6) Beckett
7) Owen
8) Pearce
9) Kitto
10) umaga
11) Odogwu
12) Bryant
13) Loamanu
14) Camacho
15) Worth

16) Farnworth
17) Parr
18) Pas
19) Galletly/Povas
20) Fred Tuilagi
21) White
22) Roberts
23) Douglas

[formerly known as Sam]

Carlos, Will Owen played England under 20s last year at 7. Played in Kings of the North has played a bit on loan in the Championship. I figure we need to throw him into a game this season even if it is only a rotation one off. Currently we're asking a lot of our sevens and playing them in tandem so they aren't resting.

[Welly]

Leicester Tigers Development XV (v Sale Jets, Welford Road, Monday 7pm)
15 George Worth
14 Sam Yawayawa
13 Jack Roberts
12 Oli Bryant
11 Paolo Odogwu
10 Jacob Umaga
9 Jono Kitto (c)
1 Riccardo Brugnara
2 Harry Thacker
3 Tiziano Pasquali
4 Joe Maksymiw
5 Sebastian De Chaves
6 Will Owen
7 Will Evans
8 Laurence Pearce

Replacements
16 Jake Farnworth
17 Aniseko Sio
18 Dan Hogan
19 Harry Wells
20 Fred Tuilagi
21 George Tresidder
22 Matt Riddington
23 Lewis Winterbottom

[formerly known as Sam]

Well if they're playing tonight they're unlikely to start on Saturday.

Bryant at 12 is good to see. His distribution is a class apart and I'd like to see the service he can offer our flying back line from 12. Though Smith brought out the miss pass a couple of times vs Bath.

[king_carlos]

Carlos, Will Owen played England under 20s last year at 7. Played in Kings of the North has played a bit on loan in the Championship. I figure we need to throw him into a game this season even if it is only a rotation one off. Currently we're asking a lot of our sevens and playing them in tandem so they aren't resting.

I rate Owen and agree that I'd like him to be given a game in the first team this year.

During pre-season I had a few chats here about our need to test young/fringe players alongside first choice picks to see how they get on. Too often in recent seasons when youngs guys have got a go it has been in scratch sides that give them little chance to shine.

Now we have better depth of quality I think it's really important to start seeing guys such as Roberts, Catchpole or Bryant being given AP chances in partnerships such as 12.Smith/JDV 13.Catchpole or 12.Roberts/Catchpole 13.Tuilagi. Similarly on the flank to see someone such as Beckett alongside O'Connor or Owen alongside big Mike Williams.

However in the discussion of Owen or Thacker I'd just rather that Harry got the chance as he's been around the senior squad that bit longer. Plus on a windy/rainy day at Sixways I feel that Harry's all action style could feature strongly at 7 if surrounded by a big pack.

As you say with both starting tomorrow it feels unlikely that they will start anyway!

[king_carlos]

Is Lewis Winterbottom on the bench any relative of Peter out of interest?

It's interesting to see that Catchpole, Loamanu and Camacho don't feature there. I wonder if they are being considered for the trip to Sixways.

I'm also slightly surprised to see Kitto given the captaincy ahead of De Chaves. I knew he was highly rated by Hansen but he must have made a quick impact at the club.

[nathan]

Manu back for boxing.... Probably

[Guest]

The last thing we need is Manu throwing more punches.

[nathan]

Day 

[LondonTiger]

Is Lewis Winterbottom on the bench any relative of Peter out of interest?

Not son.

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/glossop/news/amazing-news-lewis-winterbottom-1146464.html

[formerly known as Sam]

Young lad stepping up quick. Coaches must have seen something in him. One to keep an eye on.

Manu may be nearly fit but the coaches don't want to throw him into the Munster double header. Shame he couldn't make Worcester this weekend. Nothing on JDV seen yet?

[broadlandboy]

YBY tweeted on Saturday that JDV was at training & looking forward to working with him

[LondonTiger]

Ben Youngs, Manu and Ed Slater out of contract at the end of the season. Any other "major" names in that situation?

[formerly known as Sam]

I think Croft only signed a one year at the end of last season as both sides were unsure over his fitness levels. Smith maybe as well. Given how both have started the season we should get some contracts in front of their agents pronto.

Youngs I imagine will stay particularly if Croft (the best man at his wedding) signs on for another season. Playing at his club with his best mate and his brother and on a good contract should do it.

Slater is a Leicester boy and as long as he keeps starting I think he'll stay though I imagine he'll be in demand and if Sarries are looking at locks they will definitely be passing a contract to his agent.

Manu who knows.

[Welly]

Out of contract i think
LH: Mulipola, Rizzo, Ageuro, Brugnara, Sio
H: Leo
TH: Pas
L: Slater
BR: Crane, Pearce, Croft
SH: Youngs
FH: N/A
C: Roberts, Manu
B3: Goneva, Veainu, Benjamin, Loamanu, Camacho, Thompstone, Bell

[formerly known as Sam]

Well TV has got to be a priority with the form and ability he's shown. Real sparkle in his feet.

Loose head situation looks complicated, all bar Marcos being out of contract. I wonder how many clubs will be watching our start to the season and be keeping an eye on players that have been quiet in the last couple of seasons but are now looking more prominent.

[king_carlos]

Agreed LH will be the tough one to judge.

Logo is reportedly on Toulons radar. If so there is a good chance a contract too good to be turned down will be put in front of him. From there would be we look to re-sign both Rizzo and Aguero or would we trust Brugnara to kick on with his scrummaging?

I'd expect us to re-sign - Brugnara/Sio, Pas, Slater, Crane, Pearce, Croft, Veainu, Thompstone, Bell

I hope they resign but am not certain we will keep them - Logo, Leo, Youngs, Manu, Goneva

I'm uncertain about - Rizzo, Aguero, Roberts, Benjamin, Loamanu, Camacho

As said above Rizzo and Aguero will likely depend on what happens to Mulipola.

Roberts and Benjamin are talented and good offensive weapons but both struggle with injury. If Goneva goes then I'd hope that we'd keep Benjamin.

As for Camacho and Loamanu, at the moment I think they will be heading elsewhere. It's a shame that neither have featured as we hoped when they signed but injury has played a big part in them not being able to. Hopefully they get a chance to show something before the season is out but it's feeling unlikely at current.

[formerly known as Sam]

Loamano doesn't seem to be a hit with Mauger. He was a good option in the centre at the end of last season but I think the new back line emphasis on pace seems to have left him behind.

[Welly]

Radio Leicester Twitter saying they understand that Manu has signed a new contract with Leicester

[lostinwales]

Radio Leicester Twitter saying they understand that Manu has signed a new contract with Leicester

Now on the beeb
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35006841

[formerly known as Sam]

Good news. He's a Leicester boy and should be playing at Leicester.

[LondonTiger]

Hopefully that will persuad Youngs and Slater that we have real ambition and prospects.

Hopefully it does not distort the salary structure and cause resentment.

[bluestonevedder]

Great news.

Fingers crossed he can keep fit now and repay the faith shown in him.

[nathan]

Surely can't be true, £450,000!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-3346313/Manu-Tuilagi-agrees-new-three-year-contract-Leicester-deal-make-one-highest-paid-rugby-players-world.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

[formerly known as Sam]

If Saili can get 500k Euros at Munster then it is entirely plausible. I hope that the full salary is dependent on him meeting a number is games played in a season.

[yappysnap]

That Worcester deal must be cowpat, I don't believe they'd want to spend that much or could, or that Manu is worth it.

Great for Tigers though, I'm pleased to see Manu staying at Leicester.

[formerly known as Sam]

You'd have thought Worcester would be looking for some front row reinforcements next summer before a new OC.

[nathan]

is a bit worrying that neither Manu or Leicester have confirmed the signing.

[king_carlos]

Agreed there nathan.

I've still only read 'agreed' rather than signed.

Plus the Mercury is still yet to confirm anything - I know many feel they aren't as reliable anymore but Crowson is still there and what he reports tends to be solid.

Given how many places are reporting it I'd wager it's true but given how long the pantomime over this contract has gone on for I will have doubts until it is stated in black and white!

[yappysnap]

Does Manu want to be at Tigers? Given all the pantomimes over contract and Cockers comments about him having his head turned by wealthy clubs offers is he still committed to the club or busy looking for his next biggest pay cheque?

Seems very unleicester actions

[Guest]

I think he does. I'm sure that he had better offers elsewhere and would've taken them if he didn't really want to stay.

It's just an agent doing what an agent does. It's not pretty but his job is to get Manu as much money as he can and he did that quite well. He told a poster on the Tigers board back in early October that he would be staying.

[formerly known as Sam]

Manu should be heading into his prime now and with his injury history needed a good contract to help his financial future, let's face it he isn't going to be a coach or commentator when he retires. A three year deal on good money at Tigers is what he was after and if a weekend in Tolouse and some leaked contract offers from other AP clubs is what it took then his agent was going to do that. That's business.

From my point of view Manu is the most explosive centre in the country and possibly in the world. Injury and some iffy backs displays from Tigers have meant we haven't seen that in a while but with Mauger in charge this could be a huge season for him. Added to that he's a Tigers boy who has always been keen to show his affection for the fans so he's staying where he belongs as far as I'm concerned.

[nathan]

So manu hasn't actually signed a contract

http://m.leicestermercury.co.uk/Cockerill-says-Leicester-Tigers-reached-limit/story-28304154-detail/story.html

[Guest]

Sent by Freddie to a poster on another board, Cockerill will be fuming.

It looks like the deal was signed on Friday but the club were reluctant to confirm it. I reckon this was because they didn't want to add credibility to the rumour that the deal was £450k a year as it could lead to other players, mainly YBY, asking for more.

[formerly known as Sam]

I think Cockers was keen just to stop the media asking questions about his players. I think he also wanted to unveil Manu at a press conference ideally with Slater and Youngs as well. That would be the perfect Christmas present for a lot of Tigers fans.

[Guest]

Slater and Burns both signed extensions. Burns is an interesting one as I thought he was already contracted until the end of the 16-17 season.

[broadlandboy]

IIRC Williams contract is due to run out 17 season so both 10's would have been up for renewal at the same time, possibly causing problems,this eases that for the club

[LondonTiger]

Ben Youngs too

Oh happy day

[Guest]

Suppose we can expect a proper announcement for Manu in the next few hours then.

[formerly known as Sam]

Nice to see some new contracts announced as an early Christmas present. Really great news and increases the feel good factor going into the double header with Munster.

Now if Manu a day Burns could also get match fit...

[HongKongCherry]

A pretty good day for you lot.

Whilst Manu and Youngs are no doubt on a decent wedge, its nice to see neither could have their head turned by Sarries and Bath.

[LondonTiger]

A pretty good day for you lot.

Whilst Manu and Youngs are no doubt on a decent wedge, its nice to see neither could have their head turned by Sarries and Bath.

Manu re-signing not official yet.

With Youngs it was less about the money and far more about whether Leicester would be playing in a way that best gave Youngs the chance to play for England. The player recruitment, plus the evolving method of play seems to have done the trick.

[HongKongCherry]

A pretty good day for you lot.

Whilst Manu and Youngs are no doubt on a decent wedge, its nice to see neither could have their head turned by Sarries and Bath.

Manu re-signing not official yet.

With Youngs it was less about the money and far more about whether Leicester would be playing in a way that best gave Youngs the chance to play for England. The player recruitment, plus the evolving method of play seems to have done the trick.

It is now

http://www.planetrugby.com/news/leicester-keep-hold-of-tuilagi/

[formerly known as Sam]

Manu is official. It's on the website. Staggered article release.

Youngs was on a fair wedge already so I doubt it was money. Playing with his brother in an attacking Tigers team is what he wants. Stodge like last season wasn't going to help him keep the England shirt and push his Lions credentials. What Tigers are attempting to do this season will.

[BamBam]

That is brilliant news for you guys, good to see the euros and salary cap cheat cash not having a big factor either

[LondonTiger]

shame that Logo and Niki will probably be leaving but really glad we are putting the money into EQP players.

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