Leicester Tigers 2016/17 thread.

by Welly Fri 10 Jun 2016, 12:47 pm

2016/17:
Director of Rugby: Richard Cockerill
Head Coach: Aaron Mauger
Assistant Backs Coach: Geordan Murphy
Assistant Forward Coach: Richard Blaze
Defence and Scrum Half Coach: Scott Hansen
Head of Rugby Operations: Ged Glynn
Team manager: Matt Cornwall

2016/17 Senior Squad: (Confirmed So Far) (Blue = EQP)
Hookers: Bateman, McGuigan, Thacker, Youngs
Props: Ayerza, Balmain, Brugnara Cilliers, Cole, Genge, Mulipola, Rizzo
Locks: Barrow, Fitzgerald, Kitchener, Slater
Back Row: Croft, Fonua, Hamilton McCaffrey, O'Connor, Williams
Scrum Half: Harrison, Kitto, Youngs
Fly Half: Burns, Williams
Centre: Catchpole, Roberts, Smith, Toomua, Tuilagi
Back 3: Betham, Brady, Pieterson, Tait, Thompstone, Veainu
Squad number: 37, EQP: 24, Academy products: 8

Transfers
IN: (7)
McGuigan (Newcastle Falcons), Cilliers (Montpelier), Genge (Bristol), Hamilton (Agen), Toomua (ACT Brumbies). JP Pieterson (Sharks), Brady (Sale)

OUT: (12)
Ghiraldini (Toulouse), Pasquali (Treviso), De Chaves (London Irish), Crane (Bristol), Pearce (Sale), Bell (London Irish), Baikeinuku (retirement), De Villiers (Retirement), Benjamin (retirement), Morris (N/A), Camacho (N/A), Goneva (Newcastle Falcons)

Not Sure: (No official confirmation of leaving or Staying) 3
Aguero, Sio Loamanu,

Rumours:
Harry Wells (Bedford) Lock/6

2016/17 Development Squad: (15)
Bryant, Evans, Hills, Lewis, Mahoney, Maksymiw, J.Olowofela, R. Olowofela, Owen, Simmons, Thacker, Tuilagi, White, Worth, Yawayawa

Transfer
IN: (7)
Lewis, Mahoney, J.Olowofela, R. Olowofela, Simmons, White, Yawayawa

OUT: 11
Odogwu (sale), Beckett (Glous), Povoas (Coventry), Tresidder (Rotherham Titans), Douglas, Farnworth, Galletly, Hogan, Murrin, Nairn, Priestley-Nangle.

Academy
Academy Head Coach/forwards Coach: Brett Deacon
Academy Backs Coach: Anthony Allen

by formerly known as Sam Fri 10 Jun 2016, 5:24 pm

Brugnara is probably EQ by now and it's unlikely he'll be an international for Italy or England anytime soon.

Evans surely now a first team option. He finished the season ahead of Croft in the pecking order.

by **LondonTiger** Sat 11 Jun 2016, 7:50 pm

Brugnara been here since he was 16.

Will Evans MotM for U20s today.

by Welly Sat 11 Jun 2016, 7:52 pm

I didn't know if U20's was the Italian second when he played for them or if it is the Italian A team?

by formerly known as Sam Sat 11 Jun 2016, 8:51 pm

I presume the Italian A team.

Unsurprised about Evans, he's a quality young player and the under 20s is made for players like him who have developed early to shine.

by **LondonTiger** Wed 15 Jun 2016, 9:43 am

Well after his MotM display on his U20 debut, Evans gets another go today. Not been so excited by one of our academy lads for quite some time.

by formerly known as Sam Wed 15 Jun 2016, 10:21 am

He does look set to have a stellar career. Let's hope we have him tied down to a long term contract. Seems a skillful and mobile player very much the required thing in the modern game. Interesting that there's already reports of Eddie keeping an eye on him. He could be touring with the Saxons next summer insread of having a second JWC at this rate.

by **LondonTiger** Thu 16 Jun 2016, 9:56 am

With the Lions touring and England going to Argentina in what may be treated as a development tour, will the Saxons have a tour next summer?

by formerly known as Sam Thu 16 Jun 2016, 10:30 am

Good point. Previously they took an extra large squad to Argentina and rotated heavily. They may do that again. In which case he might get a look in.

by **LondonTiger** Thu 16 Jun 2016, 10:45 am

He needs to get regular game time for us first. With BOC having had a summer off he is unlikely to have the same level of niggles.

by formerly known as Sam Thu 16 Jun 2016, 11:49 am

I hope not LT. BOC when fit made a positive impact last season. I think the ability to rotate him at Evans will be a benefit to us. As will the ability to rotate Hamilton and McCaffery at 8 and Williams and Croft at 6. Sarries have shown that pre planned rotation is a great way to staying fresh and competitive over the course of a season and we should be looking to emulate that.

by Welly Thu 16 Jun 2016, 12:42 pm

TBF I can see him playing a fair amount it says a lot that he was picked ahead of more experienced players for the SF on the bench.

I can see O'Connor also playing a few times at 8 aswell this season which would allow a 7 on the bench.

Horses for courses
We want a tackling workhorse to come on: Hamilton/McCaffrey
We want a big ball carrier on the bench: Fonua
We want a poacher on the bench: Evans
We want a line out leader and a more open/faster option: Croft

Looking at that our back row is starting to look really balance ATM.

Also he will def be starting in the LV cup.

by formerly known as Sam Thu 16 Jun 2016, 8:54 pm

If we don't give Evans chances come next summer there will be a queue of clubs offering him plenty of them. On form he may well pish himself in to a position where we struggle to drop him. Cockers is a big fan of people taking their chances and staking a claim. Evans certainly did that last season.

We rotated more last season and I think we will this season. Welly j agree with the horses for courses selection as well. We have good options and I think we will use them at different times.

by king_carlos Thu 16 Jun 2016, 11:47 pm

I hope that rotation allows the LV cup side to mix more experience into key combinations. We learnt much more about what Evans could do in stronger sides this season rather than thrown into threadbare sides in crisis. Similar with Roberts showing up very well alongside Betham against Bath.

1.Genge
2.McGuigan/Thacker
3.Balmain
4.Wells
5.Kitch/Slater/Barrow/Fitz
6.Croft/Hamilton
7.Evans
8.Fonau

9.Harrison/Kitto
10.Burns/Williams/Toomua

11.Brady
12.Bryant
13.Roberts/Catchpole
14.Thompstone
15.Tait/Worth

Wells will have much better chance of shining alongside one of our excellent core of 4 locks.

Similarly we would learn much more about Bryant if he's at 12 outside Burns/Williams/Toomua than we will with a 10.Bryant 12.Roberts 13.Catchpole.

by Welly Sun 19 Jun 2016, 7:48 pm

Brugnara is in the Emerging Italy squad for a tournament V Namibia, Uruguay, Argentina XV, Spain.

Started yesterday V Namibia.

so def won't be EQP now., and well done to him COS must be having one eye on him.

Sounds like
Hogan
Nairn
Are off i think.

Worth and Evans def staying.

by king_carlos Tue 21 Jun 2016, 11:08 pm

Others have probably noticed already but it's just occurred to me that Ayerza isn't in the Arg squad for their summer tests. I could still see their experienced players being added for the Rugby Championship but it's good that he's getting a decent break.

by Welly Tue 21 Jun 2016, 11:11 pm

king_carlos wrote:Others have probably noticed already but it's just occurred to me that Ayerza isn't in the Arg squad for their summer tests. I could still see their experienced players being added for the Rugby Championship but it's good that he's getting a decent break.

Don't they also rest the European players in the summer tests historically?

Although they did say anyone not playing super rugby would not be picked at all. (Like England).

by **LondonTiger** Wed 22 Jun 2016, 12:19 pm

Just had a call from the ticket office to tell me my season ticket had changed in price.

Been reduced by £50

by **LondonTiger** Thu 23 Jun 2016, 10:44 am

Welly,

Any idea when Toomua's contract with us starts? Just wondering when we will see him.

by BamBam Thu 23 Jun 2016, 10:50 am

He's starting against England on Saturday Wink

by **LondonTiger** Thu 23 Jun 2016, 12:04 pm

BamBam wrote:He's starting against England on Saturday

Yup. Just wondering if he may be included in the 4Ns squad for Aus. If he is contracted to us by then, then he does not have enough tests to meet the criteria for overseas based players. Even if not playing in the 4Ns, the Super Rugby season does not finish until 6th August - so we are unlikely to see him playing for us until maybe October at the earliest?

by formerly known as Sam Thu 23 Jun 2016, 2:09 pm

I'd expect him to be in the team by end of October start of November. That's the norm for players heading over from Super Rugby.

There were rumours that Australia Rugby wanted to do a deal to keep him. I hope his playing this weekend isn't a hint that he's been persuaded to try and duck out of his contract with us.

by lostinwales Thu 23 Jun 2016, 3:38 pm

Reading the GAGR forums about the upcoming game there was some reference to Toomua's wife which indicates that the move may be as much to do with what she wants as his career. I'd guess that you are safe to assume that he is coming.

by Welly Thu 23 Jun 2016, 9:07 pm

From what i gather the rumours where nothing more than chieka jokingly saying he will be on the phone to him every couple weeks asking to come back.

Toomua and Perry both said this is more to exploring new things as a newly married couple now basically, and how the schedule fits more with each others. (I expect after the 3 years he will go back to Aus)

by Welly Wed 29 Jun 2016, 8:38 pm

Updated the Development squad.

by formerly known as Sam Wed 29 Jun 2016, 10:37 pm

Looks like we're hanging on to some good talent. Worth, White, Thacker, Tuilagi etc are all possible first team options in the future.

by king_carlos Fri 01 Jul 2016, 2:59 pm

Surprised that Hogan has been released, he was always highly rated and props are usually given time.

It will be interesting to see whether Beckett is used as a flanker or aspiring tight head by Gloucs.

I'm glad to see Will Owen stay but he is going to need decent game time, probably on loan, this season if his career isn't going to stall for good.

It's a really promising development squad that room has been made for though!

1.Ayerza, Genge, Rizzo, Brugnara
2.Youngs, Thacker, McGuigan, Bateman
3.Cole, Logo, Balmain, Cilliers
4.Slater, Barrow, Maksymiw
5.Kitchener, Fitzgerald, Wells
6.Williams, Croft
7.BOC, Evans, Owen
8.Lachie, Hamilton, Fonau

9.Youngs, Harrison, Kitto, White
10.Burns, Williams

11.JPP, Thompstone
12.Toomua, Smith, Bryant
13.Tuilagi, Roberts, Catchpole
14.Betham, Brady
15.Veainu, Tait, Worth

It's a very nicely balanced squad with a lot of depth in the front row compared to this season. Genge is only going to keep getting better, Rizzo will be like a new signing and Cilliers is a smart pick up. Hopefully we'll see more of Logo this season as well after a deserved rest.

I still think we might see anther outside centre come in for depth or a winger if Betham is going to be used at 13 again. I'm happy with Roberts and Catchpole getting game time though.

by formerly known as Sam Mon 18 Jul 2016, 10:59 am

New club captain, Tom Youngs. An indication the club believe his international career to be all but finished?

by **LondonTiger** Mon 18 Jul 2016, 1:58 pm

formerly known as Sam wrote:New club captain, Tom Youngs. An indication the club believe his international career to be all but finished?

My read is that the club believe that his international career is probably over, and that Slater is not viewed as a definite starter

by formerly known as Sam Mon 18 Jul 2016, 3:34 pm

Given the options at lock none of our four choices should consider themselves definite starters. Also Ed has had injury issues and lengthy recurring ones at that, might be a good idea to take some expectation off his shoulders and let him focus on being 100% fit.

I suspect it also says something about Tait probably not being as regular a starter as he has been previously as he's taken the role a few times.

by **LondonTiger** Mon 18 Jul 2016, 3:42 pm

Tait has covered as skipper (almost by dint of being last senior player standing), but not sure he was a contender as OTY was skipper in the matches between RWC and his injury (when Slater unavailable).

I am just hoping we do not break too many players during pre-season.

by formerly known as Sam Mon 18 Jul 2016, 5:57 pm

Starting the season with a squad not decimated by injury would be nice. Given Toomua and Peterson are likely to be late arrivals we need to keep the backs unbroken especially.

by Welly Fri 22 Jul 2016, 2:35 pm

Pitch completely gone.

New surface going to be put in.

by formerly known as Sam Fri 22 Jul 2016, 8:55 pm

Deso surface?

by **LondonTiger** Fri 22 Jul 2016, 9:48 pm

The season ticket bumf I got today just had Simon Cohen saying that the Granby developments would limit capital spend (and delay MMulti story plans) but that a new pitch was being laid. My assumption was that cost would mean just turf - but who knows.

by broadlandboy Fri 22 Jul 2016, 9:57 pm

Not Desso but a hybrid, more info
http://www.rugbynetwork.net/boards/read/s103.htm?106,15697578,page=1
http://forum.leicestertigers.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=43570

by nathan Sat 23 Jul 2016, 2:49 pm

Good video of how they will lay the pitch. Judging by the webcam, they haven't started yet, it's all brown.

http://www.countyturf.co.uk/eclipse-hybrid-turf

by formerly known as Sam Sat 23 Jul 2016, 5:17 pm

You sure that's not just a picture of last season's pitch?

by Welly Sun 24 Jul 2016, 12:32 pm

Really am liking the set up of our current squad
BUT i can see a few leavers next season already potentially
Bateman - would prob be 4th choice.
Rizzo - @34 will only have a couple seasons left at most.
Brugnara - If no game time could see him following Pas
Balmain - Similar to Brugnara in terms of game time he could well be behind Logo and Cilliers
Slater - Obvs has England desires and could find himself behind Barrow, Kitch and maybe even Fitz
Croft - Similar to Slater and could be behind Williams.
Fonua - on a fair amount of money and will need to show something this season.
Harrison - I don't know how many season he will be here behind Youngs an excellent player who should be given more chances, would depend if he is offered a starting job elsewhere like Exe or Sale say.
Williams - Wales lure could be too strong would depend on the welsh clubs needing a 10.
Roberts - Prob last chance aswell and will be behind Toomua and Smith most likely.
Tait - Looked a like things where catching up to him last season.

Fortunately we are already well cover imo potentially.
Bateman - N/A we could prob handle a season with 3 Hookers and Mahoney as a 4th if really needed.
Rizzo - Would we need another LH if we have Ayerza, Genge and Logo and Cilliers being able to cover both sides.
Brugnara- Hills straight swap.
Balmain - Betts straight swap.
Slater - Difficult one would you bring up senior academy player? or try and find a Thorn equse signing to give them another year development?
Croft - IMO move Hamilton or locky mainly to 6 and use his and fonua (If he goes) to get Beaumont or Morgan or another 8.
Fonua - Bring up Fred jnr.
Harrison - similar to Ed would you bring up Simmons (who would be 19/20) or White (Who is 18/20) or sign a stringer type 9? Would depend on Kitto's development i guess.
Williams - Could see him staying but also going it is 50/50 ATM, if he goes personally would love to see us go for Francis at the Blues if has signed another year for them.
Roberts - Thacker straight swap.
Tait - Worth straight swap.

Would still need another back but we should have the cap to play with.

This is all looking very much in the distance future re contracts, and alot of things change. But i have to say i'm really confident on the clubs future squad wise.

by formerly known as Sam Sun 24 Jul 2016, 1:36 pm

Slater if finally fit and in form will keep Barrow out of the side. Locks, in particular enforcers and in particular those with a history of knee trouble need to be rotated and so the pair of them should both see a lot of rugby this season.

I'd happily see us replace Fonua with Fred Jnr. With Hamilton and Locky as options at 8 we are seemingly well stocked and could use a younger option to keep them honest. We like having a third good jumper at six and I think Williams and Croft are a step up on Hamilton and Locky so I'd presume both of them will see more rugby as opposed to being left out. Croft is a realist and a Leicester boy, I wouldn't be surprised to see him stay until he retires. May head to a Japanese club but not another AP one.

Key to this season will be rotation. With the return if the LV and a full international season we'll need to managed what we have carefully. In previous seasons we've been decimated by injuries and have leaned heavily on certain players, there should be no need for that this season.

by king_carlos Sun 24 Jul 2016, 10:39 pm

With the depth added in several positions and versatility of many players it looks like a squad built with rotation in mind. Hopefully a smaller injury list will allow that to be a reality this season.

With Croft not starting as regularly Slater and Kitch still have a key advantage in the line-out over Fitz and Barrow. That could also see the two of them vying for one spot if the locks are being rotated as we will need one of them on the pitch to call the line-out.

Brugnara I think will be off. Baltrain will probably depend on how much Ayerza and Logos game time is managed for the season. If Marcos is having more breaks then Logo will be at loose head more which should open opportunities. If Logo is being used sparingly himself then that will leave more opportunity.

1.Logo 2.McGuigan 3.Balmain

That front row would be a very different one to what we've fielded for a few season. The extra bulk could be interesting to see, especially against weaker sides when we need to pick up BPs more regularly than last season.

by **LondonTiger** Mon 25 Jul 2016, 9:29 am

Don't forget Genge, KC

by king_carlos Tue 26 Jul 2016, 1:15 am

I was thinking of the front row we could field during rotation LT. Ayerza is one of my favourite players but I honestly see Genge clocking as many minutes this season as Marcos does. The game time he had last season was too much for a guy at the closing stage of his career following his RWC game time. I hope he is managed very carefully this year.

Last season (and for a few in fact) our squads have too often missed out on the TBPs necessary to push for a home semi. It's been especially frustrating watching our pack struggle to break down weaker sides when one or two key names are removed from the forwards.

I'm hoping the extra depth in the front row will allow us to keep more consistent set-piece dominance whilst rotating. Evans emerging and Hamilton coming in should offer more rotation in the back row as well.

Extra bulk and big ball carriers can be extremely effective in breaking down stubborn defences. Fonau might be a blunt instrument but if placed behind a big pack with a reliable set-piece and other big ball carriers he should be very effective against sides with less depth. Hopefully we see more of that kind of rotation this season.

by formerly known as Sam Wed 27 Jul 2016, 10:13 am

Agree on the Ayerza and Genge rotation. Mutually beneficial to get that going as early in the season as possible.

Our sevens side is up and it's looking young.

Leicester Tigers squad
1 Sam Lewis
2 Harry Mahoney
3 Charlton Kerr
4 Harry Simmons
5 Ben White
6 Sam Yawayawa
7 Jordan Olowofela
8 Freddie Tuilagi
9 Tommy Reffell
10 Tom Hardwick
11 Ollie Russell
12 Andy Brown

Kerr is in the England Sevens development programme but I'm not sure whether any of the others have an real sevens experience.

by Welly Wed 27 Jul 2016, 2:11 pm

New Home Kit is really nice IMO.

The away shirt not so much.

by formerly known as Sam Wed 27 Jul 2016, 4:52 pm

Got a link there Welly? I know they were doing the promo pics today.

by Welly Wed 27 Jul 2016, 5:00 pm

formerly known as Sam wrote:Got a link there Welly? I know they were doing the promo pics today.

No link my brother has pics on his phone, So nothing to show really.

also everyone has been told to not show anyone till saturday.

by formerly known as Sam Wed 27 Jul 2016, 5:52 pm

I guessed they'd be releasing them in time for the sevens squad to run round in them.

by **LondonTiger** Thu 28 Jul 2016, 7:44 am

Welly wrote:New Home Kit is really nice IMO.

The away shirt not so much.

Must be better than the beige one of a few years ago. And the orange one was very marmite.

by formerly known as Sam Thu 28 Jul 2016, 11:13 am

Away shirts tend to divide opinion. They often tend to attempt something more out there to attract a younger crowd and have a more traditional home shirt but how often that works I'm not sure. Last year's offerings were ok and I wouldn't have minded persevering woth those for another season.

I saw the SuperDry offerings firsthand he other day and they look the business. Eye wateringly expensive mind. Hopefully inspiration has been drawn from those.

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