Leicester Tigers 2016/17 thread.

[Welly]

First topic message reminder :

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

[LondonTiger]

I almost liked the new home kit - but just too many things that grate.

The red round the collar is horrid, the red and white on the shoulders at the top of the sleeves make it look as if the sleeves are torn, and the bottom should have been green.

Finally the way the seam joins at the shoulders means the colours do not match up. the whole thing looks cheap.

[formerly known as Sam]

It looks alright, can't quite put my finger on why it doesn't look quite right. LT you're definite on that. The away kit is OK (at least it's not another black or white option) but the training ensemble is a bit dour. As an aside why is the training vest the players wear not being sold?

I sense the kits first outing won't be a positive one. The academy boys we've sent up north look likely to be out gunned though young Tuilagi might leave a couple of opposition players feeling bruised and battered.

[Welly]

yeh it is something like
1 19 year olds
3 17 year olds
and the rest are 18.

[formerly known as Sam]

I tuned in at 14-0 down and two yellow cards already. We've recovered well from that and are now 26-14 up. Not cohesive but it is committed and there's some good athletes there.

[Welly]

Tigers soooo lucky there.

[formerly known as Sam]

Miracle try saving tackle from Simmons (I think they said). Two late tries by Wuss but still a bonus point win at 26-24.

[formerly known as Sam]

Tigers soooo lucky there.

Especially since the Wuss player who was taking the kicks had plenty if Championship level experience. He shouldn't be missing those.

We need to stop kicking the ball away. It's a high risk strategy in sevens. Be interestin to see how Odwugu does against us.

[formerly known as Sam]

Odogwu scores a hat full as our boys are out on their feet with back to back games.

[Welly]

They is a huge jump in phycial development between 17/18 and 20 + and it is telling

[king_carlos]

Club sevens tournaments have a similar issue to A-team games where all the clubs use them for different purposes. Often it's a case of which side has an average age a couple of years older, so are much more developed. It's a real issue, amongst many, with trying to set-up a proper A-league structure.

I'm really pleased to see that Yayayawa has signed signed for Nottingham on a dual registration deal for the season. It's the best situation for him and the club as it will allow him the game time to keep developing. Hopefully a full year dual registration is sign that more development squad players will be going out to Champ sides for real game time.

[Welly]

Think
Thacker
Freddie
White
are also Dual registered in the championship as well.

[king_carlos]

As for the kit. At first look I really liked it, the traditional colours are mostly great and H&B as the new primary sponsor isn't too intrusive on the front of the shirt - something that ruins many kits.

When you look at it for a bit longer the issues start to jump out at you though. The colours on the sleeves don't bother me so much as the sleeves matching up with the rest of the shirt are often an issue with hooped jerseys. If you look at pictures of Johnson, Rowntree, etc in most of the old cotton hooped jerseys that fans hark back too, the sleeves clash terribly!

The misshapen red patch around the collar looks ridiculous though and the red stripe at the bottom of the shorts looks tacky/cheap IMO. It's a shame as had they made it solid green up to the white of the collar and completely white shorts then I'd have really loved it.

[king_carlos]

Think
Thacker
Freddie
White
are also Dual registered in the championship as well.

That's fantastic news if the case Welly. Are you aware of who with?

Off the top of my head I'd hope that Bryant, Hills and Maksymiw get dual contracts as well. As a prop Hills needs to play to keep learning, especially as a scrummager. Bryant and Maksymiw should get a LV game time but beyond but will need more than that over the season. If Bryant were to force his way into first team selection then it would raise questions about why Roberts was re-signed and where Catchpole is going.

Will Owen will also need either first team chances or Championship game time this year to avoid stalling his career.

[Welly]

Owen is at Knights

I think the others are the same aswell can't remember.

Bryant is prob mainly covering 10 this season and Catchpole covering Wing and 13 with Roberts 12/13
could see the LV cup team being
9) Harrison/Kitto
10) Williams
11) Brady
12) Smith
13) Roberts
14) Catchpole
15) Tait/Worth

21) Kitto/White/Simmons
22) Bryant
23) Yawyayawa

And that is if we are going the experienced way.

[formerly known as Sam]

They is a huge jump in phycial development between 17/18 and 20 + and it is telling

Agreed. The jump in experience from those extra years at senior level is also telling. The boys did well all in all. On paper we should have won anything so to get a bonus point win and nearly a losing bonus in the last one is an alright result.

I'm hoping Worth is given more game time this season, Tait isn't getting any younger and his speed is fading. If we can nurture Worth through then we have a like for like utility back replacement.

[Welly]

Watching Hardwick play i feel like we might not miss Umaga that much only 16/17 so quite a bit left development wise.

I mean personally I could see Thacker replacing Roberts next season depending on how they develop.

[DaveM]

So Leicester are getting a hybrid pitch then? If so, excellent news.

[formerly known as Sam]

Of sorts. Irritatingly it's not going to be ready in time for the pre season double header so that is now a single header with a game against Nottingham at Oval Park in the afternoon and then a game vs Ospreys at WR in the evening.

[DaveM]

Of sorts. Irritatingly it's not going to be ready in time for the pre season double header so that is now a single header with a game against  Nottingham at Oval Park in the afternoon and then a game vs Ospreys at WR in the evening.

Slowly but surely the mudbath is disappearing from the AP.......

[broadlandboy]

Fonua to Falcons http://www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk/news/story/leicester-powerhouse-opeti-fonua-joins-newcastle-falcons

[formerly known as Sam]

I hope we're bringing somebody in to replace Fonua. Doesn't have to be like for like but I'd like to see another backrow option given the number of games and attrition rate of AP backrow players. We have Tuilagi Jnr amongst others out in loan this season so doesn't have to be a long term option.

Current options;

6. Williams, Croft
7. BOC, Evans
8. McCaffery, Hamilton

[broadlandboy]

BOC played quite a bit at 8 just before joining us last year in the NZ cup(can't remember name of comp)

[formerly known as Sam]

ITM cup, he played 8 whilst captaining the side and I think they reached the final (can't remember if they won or not).

I'm coming from more of a how many actual players do we have available and can we deal with the injuries than backrow players generally pick up. We have two good options in all three positions and players that can cover. In the locks we have four first team locks two that can cover six and I suppose the return of Wells makes that five locks. Still a touch light and we have no backrow coming through the academy who is AP ready. Unless Owen or Tuilagi Jnr are more ready than we know, both are out on Championship loan duty.

[Geordie]

Does it mean Thacker maybe more of a back rower this season?

[LondonTiger]

Does it mean Thacker maybe more of a back rower this season?

Probably not. We do not have an issue at 7, it is cover at 8 that looks a little light.

[formerly known as Sam]

Unless BOC will move to 8 more frequently with Thacker in at 7 with Evans? We do have four first team hookers at present so that could be more of an option than moving Ed back there.

[Geordie]

Going with the Aussie approach of 3 7's in the back row!

[formerly known as Sam]

Probably two and the one of Williams, Hamilton or Croft.

[LondonTiger]

Going with the Aussie approach of 3 7's in the back row!

Tonight we are!!!

[formerly known as Sam]

Going with the Aussie approach of 3 7's in the back row!

Tonight we are!!!

Bizarre we've gone from having only a solitary openside in the squad and worrying over whether he'd remain fit to having four good quality options to the point we've got three in the backrow and one on the bench.

Concern from tonight is that Burns went off after only 20 mins and no Owen Williams in the squad.

[LondonTiger]

Concern from tonight is that Burns went off after only 20 mins and no Owen Williams in the squad.

Doesn't look as if it was an injury for Freddie, more a case of being (really) eased back in.

[Welly]

Yeh we where playing 3 10's on Friday
Freddie - First 20
then
Hardwick
then
Bryant


Similarly Thacker came on @ 7.

[formerly known as Sam]

Good to see Hardwick getting a runout, we clearly rate him.

Given we have four fit first team hookers it made sense to get Thacker some game time at 7. Do we know if he took lineout duties given his darts are better than both McGuigan and Bateman whilst both those lads would be far more use as lifters and rolling maul options.

Any news on an 8? There were rumours earlier in the summer that Toulon wanted to offload Gorgodze and now rumours Saints are trying to bring back Manoa. Clearly the market is still open and we wouldn't have released Fonua without a plan B would we?

[Geordie]

http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/37047228

High praise for Genge...

[LondonTiger]

Bit of a nothing story GF.

First because it is based on a one line response to a throwaway question in a radio interview, and second because what would a back ever know about props

Genge may well be potentially world class but many a slip betwixt cup and lip.

[Geordie]

But Mauger has been part of a side with many top quality props.

[formerly known as Sam]

It's also sort of stating the obvious. Genge has plenty of potential as seen by some of his performances last season and his quick promotion to the England squad.

JPP is in the country and should be meeting up with the squad which is good news as well.

[nathan]

Looks like the turf is just being laid.

https://twitter.com/leicestertigers/status/765890434400980993

[LondonTiger]

JPP is in the country and should be meeting up with the squad which is good news as well.

Apparently he flew to Italy with the squad at the weekend for the training camp and friendly.

[LondonTiger]

Looks like the turf is just being laid.

https://twitter.com/leicestertigers/status/765890434400980993

A new, fully natural turf pitch is being installed at Welford Road in time for the start of the season.



The Eclipse Turf System pitch will be in place for the home game against the Ospreys next Friday (August 26) following a significant investment by the club.

The previous top turf has been removed since the end of last season and improvements made to the drainage, while the club has also taken the opportunity to install a sprinkler system to assist the groundstaff in the maintenance of the new surface.

Developed and installed by Lincolnshire-based County Turf, the pitch features natural turf held together by a sub membrane.

Ged Glynn, head of rugby operations at the Tigers, said: "The previous pitch has served us very well but everything has its lifespan and the Board gave the go-ahead to replace it with a new surface.

"County Turf is a very well respected name within the industry with clients across the UK and elsewhere in Europe, and the Eclipse system produces a hard-wearing and very consistent surface which is obviously important to us.

"This is completely natural turf, which is what we prefer at Welford Road. The only artificial element is in the membrane beneath the surface which keeps the turf tight and stable and reduces the possibility of divets and damage."

A section of turf was installed at the Oval Park training ground during last season to allow the playing and coaching staff to assess its credentials before getting the go-ahead to install the new pitch at Welford Road.

When I looked at the webcam earlier this week (http://www.leicestertigers.com/fans/multimedia/webcams.php) it was all subsoil. Now it looks very green.

[Geordie]

When you ply your 3 7 style back row...what is the carrying ability like. Im assuming more mobile rather than Hard direct carrying.

[LondonTiger]

When you ply your 3 7 style back row...what is the carrying ability like. Im assuming more mobile rather than Hard direct carrying.

I will probably be proven wrong, but come the big games the 6 shirt will be worn by someone bulkier - initially Mike Williams. McCaffery at 8 does not maybe offer the all out boshing ball carrying, but he is certainly physical.

[formerly known as Sam]

Very mobile GF. Evans isn't much in contact but he has gas and a range of offloads (the left hand round the back offload to the right on his debut as he was pushed into touch was exceptional). BOC and McCaffery have experience playing at 8 so they are more bulky options but tend to pick lines at pace rather than running directly into contact. Thacker you know is just a nightmare to put down though he doesn't often get the offload away he will drag defences out of line and commit numbers. So there's options to carry there, plus Williams and Hamilton as much bigger carriers that can hit things from 6 and 8 if we need.

There's some good impact carriers that can come off the bench, particularly for the front row with McGuigan/Thacker, Genge/Balmain and Mulipola. Tiring defences won't appreciate them carrying hard. There's a lot of concern on the offy about our backrow carrying options but I like the intelligent and mobile approach.

[LondonTiger]

And last season the big number 8s lost the ball in contact so often it was painful, literally for Fonua I guess.

[Geordie]

Interesting that we seem to be going the completely other way with real physicality.

[formerly known as Sam]

And last season the big number 8s lost the ball in contact so often it was painful, literally for Fonua I guess.

They'd crash into contact make some metres and the pop, out would come the ball and it was turnover time. Much swearing was caused by this.

GF, it's a useful tactic. Particularly in bad weather. It has been noticeable that at the sharp end of the season our big packs have been run round and/or unable to dominate physically. I think the big horrible pack and flying wingers will keep Falcons up. I don't think that would help us end our barren run in terms of silverware though. Teams like Racing, Toulon and Sarries are delighted when you opt to run into contact. Especially in close games.

[LondonTiger]

Tonight's friendly being streamed:

http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/25204.php#.V7bdP5grKUk

[formerly known as Sam]

Be interesting to see how much game time Burns and Manu get. Given that Hamilton and Roberts have been in the Mercury so I'd assume they are likely to start.

[LondonTiger]

Euro fixtures out.

Glagow away
Racing home
Munster away

Then reversed

[LondonTiger]

Decent run out last night, and it seemed in the second half we had worked out a legal way to stop the lineout drive.

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