Leicester Tigers 2017/18 Season

by Welly Thu 15 Jun 2017, 12:57 pm

First topic message reminder :

Back Room
CEO: Simon Cohen
Head of Rugby operations: Gled Glynn

1st Team
Head Coach: Matt O'Connor
Scrum Coach: Boris Stankovich
Forwards coach:
Backs Coach: Geordan Murphy

2017/18 Squad: (Sorted alphabetically)
Props: Bateman, Beaumann. Cilliers, Cole, Genge, Mulipola, Rizzo, Traynor
Hooker: Kerr, Polota-Nau, McGuigan, Thacker, Youngs,
Lock: Barrow, Fitzgerald, Kitchener, Wells
Back Row:Evans, Hamilton, Kalamafoni, Mapapalangi, McCaffrey, O'Connor, Ryan, Williams
Scrum Half: Harrison, Youngs
Fly half: G.Ford, J.Ford
Centre: Catchpole, Malouf, Owens, Smith, Toomua, Tuilagi,
Wing/Full Back: Brady, Holmes, Tait, Thompstone, Veainu,

Development Squad
Props: Betts, Grahamslaw, Heyes, Traynor
Hooker: Mahoney
Locks: Lewis, Maksymiw
Back Row: Reffell, Tuilagi
Scrum Half: White, Simmons
Fly Half: Hardwick,
Centre: Thacker,
Wing/Full Back: J.Olowofela, Worth

Leavers: Brugnara (N/A), Bryant (Jersey), Yawayawa (Glasgow)
Joiners: Grahamslaw, Hardwick, Heyes, Reffell, Traynor,

European Pool 4:
Castres
Leicester Tigers
Munster
Racing

by formerly known as Sam Wed 25 Oct 2017, 11:17 am

We do need to get Harrison and Joe Ford some game time so that they are up to speed for when we need them. I hope we are looking to give Toomua a couple of weeks off over the LV. Get Worth or the young 10/12 in as an understudy.

by **LondonTiger** Wed 25 Oct 2017, 11:51 am

Not seen anything about the scans Toomua and Genge were due to have.

Harrison and Ford should for me start the LV games and yes Toomua to be rested.

by formerly known as Sam Wed 25 Oct 2017, 11:58 am

Genge? I didn't see the game at the weekend. I knew Toomua had come off injured but not that Genge had as well.

by **LondonTiger** Wed 25 Oct 2017, 1:16 pm

Genge limped off with about 5 to go.

MOC said post game (according to press reports, I was in car) that Toomua was having a scan on his knee, Genge on his ankle.

by Guest Wed 25 Oct 2017, 3:10 pm

BBC Radio Leicester have tweeted that Toomua has bruised bone but no ligament damage. Will miss this week's match against Falcons but I doubt he was going to play it anyway tbh.

They've also said that Genge is fine and Thompstone will feature in the 23.

by formerly known as Sam Wed 25 Oct 2017, 4:42 pm

Toomua could do with some games off. We rotated Smith out of the side last weekend and now need to do the same with Toomua. If Worth is fit then Worth and Smith otherwise Tait and Smith as the centres. Maybe give Thacker a run out if he's impressed in training. Be good to see Thompstone back.

by **LondonTiger** Thu 26 Oct 2017, 9:30 am

Genge, Cole, Lenny, Ford & May in England squad - as expected really.

by king_carlos Thu 26 Oct 2017, 8:48 pm

England - Genge, Cole, YBY, Ford, May

Scotland - Hamilton

Tonga - Kalamafoni, Mapapalangi (originally to be rested but called up), Pakalani

Samoa - Mulipola

I can't decide if Logo being selected for Samoa whilst struggling to get fit for Tigers is interesting or worrying...

Veainu has been rested by Tonga.

by king_carlos Thu 26 Oct 2017, 8:55 pm

Potential AV side:

1.Bateman 2.Thacker (c) 3.Betts 4.Tuohy 5.Wells 6.Croft 7.Evans 8.O'Connor
9.Harrison 10.J Ford 11.Holmes 12.Owen 13.Catchpole 14.Thompstone 15.Worth

16.McGuigan 17.Hills 18.Cilliers 19.Maksymiw 20.Tuilagi 21.White 22.Hardwick 23.C Thacker

I'm not sure if Croft and Maksymiw are currently fit?

With Traynor, Baumann and Kerr in the squad too there is plenty of front row cover to rest Bateman, McGuigan and Cilliers if wanted.

by Welly Fri 27 Oct 2017, 8:27 am

A Thacker fit yet? He wasn’t warming up with the squad last weekend.

For me Olowofela has to be involved in the AWC games I wouldn’t want to risk BOC either what with Hamilton, Mapapalangi and Kalamafoni all on international duty.

by formerly known as Sam Fri 27 Oct 2017, 11:21 am

O'Connor could do with a little bit of game time. He's been on the bench since early season injury. Get some minutes under the belt in the first game then rest him for the other. Fred Jnr to play otherwise.

Hope to see some of the young guns stick their hands up. Hopefully Thacker and Worth are back for the games.

by Geordie Fri 27 Oct 2017, 11:26 am

Are you guys looking forward to the game on Sunday?

by Guest Fri 27 Oct 2017, 12:02 pm

Not as much as I did when it was a fairly safe 4 points! Although the obvious flipside is that an unlikely win at KP would be a big cause for celebration and a real confidence boost for the squad.

The good thing for both sets of fans is that it's unlikely to be a dull match. Both sides will back themselves to outscore the opposition and not play to simply spoil the other team's gameplan.

by Welly Fri 27 Oct 2017, 12:07 pm

Alot of Falcons fans are very confident of a win so i'm not looking forward to the game.

by formerly known as Sam Tue 31 Oct 2017, 12:16 pm

Dusty Hare returning in a scouting capacity.

by Welly Wed 01 Nov 2017, 8:12 am

Happy with that he's a good scout.

by **LondonTiger** Thu 02 Nov 2017, 1:25 pm

Leicester Mercury wrote:
Leicester Tigers are taking a familiar approach to the Anglo-Welsh Cup as head coach Matt O’Connor steps into the background for a couple of weeks.
That leaves the preparation of the side for the opening games against Gloucester and Bath in the capable hands of Geordan Murphy, who will have some pretty handy assistance.

“It’s very similar to last year,” Murphy said. “I’m assuming the head coaching responsibility and I’ve got Brett Deacon, Boris Stankovich and Anthony Allen helping out with the various parts of the team.

“It has been an interesting week. Obviously we are resting some bodies. I think the Premiership has been quite attritional this season and it is a good chance for us to blood some younger players and also play some guys who haven’t had a lot of field time.
“I think the guys are excited and looking forward to the weekend. Last year was our first stab at it and we ‘lucked’ our way through it, I suppose, but you are taking on a different responsibility and a different role so it is about developing and hopefully as coaches we are doing that every day.”
Tigers are defending the trophy they won last year, posting three wins from their four group matches before seeing off Saracens at Allianz Park in the semi-final and defeating Exeter Chiefs in the final.
Lifting the trophy, though, is not the primary concern, Murphy says. “We’re really not worried about it and we weren’t last season.
“We had an opportunity to go out last season and put in some really good performances and that is what I’m encouraging the guys to do. It is a big game at home to Gloucester. They will have some bodies who are of international class in their side. They will be coming in a rich vein of form having won a couple of games away from home both in Europe and at Bath in the Premiership last Sunday.
“They will come to win the game so for us it is about putting in performances, representing Leicester with pride and passion and we will worry about what happens at the back end of the competition later in the year.”

The Anglo-Welsh Cup is regarded as a development competition, something that applies to coaches as well as players. Taking charge of the side should assist Murphy and the other coaches as they look to continue their own progress.

“Everyone talks about development as a coach,” Murphy said. “ This is the start of my fifth season and I’ve been very lucky to be part of some great sides.
“I thought last season the Anglo-Welsh was the tonic that we needed at times in that we stuttered a little bit in the Premiership and that was probably the impetus that kicked us on. The morale and atmosphere that was created in and around that competition was really good for the club as a whole.
“From a coaching point of view it isn’t very long, it’s a block here and block there, but it is about developing.”

It is a process that appears to be moving along quite nicely at Oval Park.

by **LondonTiger** Thu 02 Nov 2017, 1:28 pm

Who do people want to see line up on Saturday?

by formerly known as Sam Thu 02 Nov 2017, 2:04 pm

Fringe and development players. Rest for anyone who started in the European games. Maybe give BOC some game time as he's been out injured a while. Hopefully Worth is fit to play again and the Harrison / Joe Ford combo will need some game time.

by king_carlos Thu 02 Nov 2017, 8:22 pm

Uncertain on Harry T, Maksymiw and Croftys fitness but hoping for the best I'd like to see:

1.Bateman 2.Thacker 3.Betts 4.Maksymiw 5.Wells 6.Croft 7.Evans 8.Fred Jnr
9.Harrison 10.J Ford 11.Holmes 12.Owen 13.Catchpole 14.Tombstone 15.Worth

16.Kerr 17.Hills 18.Cilliers 19.Tuohy 20.O'Connor 21.White 22.Hardwick 23.C Thacker

Depending on how Hills is progressing after so long out I'd be happy for Traynor to be involved.

by formerly known as Sam Thu 02 Nov 2017, 9:09 pm

I don't know if Owen will be fit. He's had hamstring problems. I'd also like to see Worth at 12 as he can distribute and kick (played 10 on loan at Notts and 12 for England under 20s) he's not had an issue with tackling hard enough. Not sure if he has the pace and footwork to play 15 at the highest level. Plus I'd like to see Olowofela given a go at 15.

by **LondonTiger** Fri 03 Nov 2017, 12:07 pm

15 Pakalani
14 Holmes
13 Worth
12 Thacker
11 Thompstone
10 Ford (c)
9 Simmons
1 Traynor
2 McGuigan
3 Cilliers
4 Wells
5 Tuohy
6 Lewis
7 Evans
8 Tuilagi

Reps - Kerr, Betts, Bauman, Maksymiw, Reffel, White, Hardwick, Olowofela

by Welly Fri 03 Nov 2017, 12:22 pm

I like that.

Don’t expect a win but good to see young players getting a chancellor

by formerly known as Sam Fri 03 Nov 2017, 12:43 pm

Gloucester Rugby:

15. Carwyn Penny; 14. Tom Seabrook, 13. Andy Symons, 12. Tom Hudson, 11. Elliott Creed; 10. Lloyd Evans, 9. Ben Vellacott; 1. Paddy McAllister, 2. James Hanson, 3. Gareth Denman; 4. Charlie Beckett (capt), 5. Freddie Clarke; 6. Ross Moriarty, 7. Jake Polledri, 8. Gareth Evans

Replacements:

16. Henry Walker 17. Cameron Orr, 18. Jack Bartlett, 19. Callum Allen, 20. Will Safe, 21. Callum Braley, 22. Charlie Chapman, 23. Reece Dunn

Didn't Charlie Beckett come through our academy or am I thinking if someone different?

The teams are fairly evenly matched. Ross Moriarty in the backrow could be a big influence for them. I like how we've got what should be a tough tight five so that we have a platform for our younger players to work from. Good game time for some of that tight five which they need.

Would prefer Worth at 12 and Thacker at 13 but that's nit picking. Overall that's a got squad and the development boys should learn from this. A few squad players will hopefully use the chance put their hands up.

by formerly known as Sam Sat 04 Nov 2017, 3:18 pm

Worth doing the Toomua impersonation and Thacker muscles his way over. Bright start ball in hand from the centres.

by Welly Sat 04 Nov 2017, 3:48 pm

Simmons has been impressive IMO aswell as Thacker.

by formerly known as Sam Sat 04 Nov 2017, 3:53 pm

Simmons has been inventive at the base. Nice mix to his game and has looked like a player with a few years first team experience. His decision making has been good.

Thacker agree and I like his combo with Worth. I think we'd see more from them if we had a flyhalf that was able to play flatter to the line. We might see a different combination in the second half as Worth was limping at the end of the first half.

I expected to see Fred Jnr making a big play then disappearing for the next few phases. It's been the opposite. He's been busy around the park but needs a few more explosive moments.

by Welly Sat 04 Nov 2017, 4:01 pm

Simmons reminds me of Youngs and White reminds me of Harrison in a way.

i'm not sold on Fred Jnr though.

by formerly known as Sam Sat 04 Nov 2017, 4:41 pm

No I'm not sold on Fred Jnr either. Beds more big carries.

Not sure how that wasn't a clear and obvious knock on. He passed to someone in front of him.

We've been to slow to use our bench and now look a little tired.

by Welly Sat 04 Nov 2017, 4:49 pm

Lineouts are a mess throughout the club.

by formerly known as Sam Sat 04 Nov 2017, 4:53 pm

Welly wrote:Lineouts are a mess throughout the club.

We look more likely to win the ball on their throw than ours.

by **LondonTiger** Sun 05 Nov 2017, 8:40 am

Lineouts and ball handling were poor. Lineout is a massive concern, not just poor throwing either. Jumper failing to catch good balls, throwing down garbage "Off the top" or completely failing to set the maul when opting for kick and drive. Excuses can be made for yesterday's team, but this has been an issue all season.

Thought Evans was excellent. Would really love to know what they were discussing on Glaws third try. Looked like a big shovel forward on the final passes from the big screen replays.

by formerly known as Sam Sun 05 Nov 2017, 2:29 pm

LondonTiger wrote:Lineouts and ball handling were poor. Lineout is a massive concern, not just poor throwing either. Jumper failing to catch good balls, throwing down garbage "Off the top" or completely failing to set the maul when opting for kick and drive. Excuses can be made for yesterday's team, but this has been an issue all season.

Thought Evans was excellent. Would really love to know what they were discussing on Glaws third try. Looked like a big shovel forward on the final passes from the big screen replays.

The ref originally wanted to check if there had been blocking in the build up, which there hadn't. He then asked about there here he forward pass but the TMO seemed a little rushed and said there was nothing clear and obvious. I think he wanted a camera angle in line with play but there wasn't one and quite frankly he didn't need one as the player was clearly in front of the passing player.

Agree on the lineout problems, it was a complete shower and for multiple reasons. I'm also unsure why we've let Rizzo out on loan when Traynor is his replacement in the squad. He was at best solid in the scrum and willing around the park.

by **LondonTiger** Sun 05 Nov 2017, 8:10 pm

I know he is a busy man, and not sure on the Companies House ruled about hiring a non-exec director, but they could do worse than invite Ben Kay to do some consultancy work on the entire lineout. It is scary that the opposition score more tries from our lineouts than we do.

by Exiledinborders Sun 05 Nov 2017, 11:00 pm

LondonTiger wrote:I know he is a busy man, and not sure on the Companies House ruled about hiring a non-exec director, but they could do worse than invite Ben Kay to do some consultancy work on the entire lineout. It is scary that the opposition score more tries from our lineouts than we do.

It seems to me that it is not Kay's end of the lineout that is the key problem. Your problem is your hookers.

by Welly Mon 06 Nov 2017, 8:57 am

Exiledinborders wrote:
LondonTiger wrote:I know he is a busy man, and not sure on the Companies House ruled about hiring a non-exec director, but they could do worse than invite Ben Kay to do some consultancy work on the entire lineout. It is scary that the opposition score more tries from our lineouts than we do.
It seems to me that it is not Kay's end of the lineout that is the key problem. Your problem is your hookers.

Nah if you watch it, it seems to be everything the jumping timing looks off the throwing looks off.

by **LondonTiger** Mon 06 Nov 2017, 10:06 am

We messed up 6 or 7 lineouts this weekend. only 1 was 100% hookers fault (McGuigans first that was always too high to be caught by the back jumper).

We have a whole variety of issues:

1) Poor throwing
2) Poor timing
3) Poor catching
4) Poor maul set up
5) Poor passing down/out to SH

Now the first two are obvious and often result in lost lineout stats, but the last 3 count as a won lineout but usually cough up the ball. Our entire lineout play is shoddy at the moment.

by formerly known as Sam Mon 06 Nov 2017, 7:07 pm

LondonTiger wrote:We messed up 6 or 7 lineouts this weekend. only 1 was 100% hookers fault (McGuigans first that was always too high to be caught by the back jumper).

We have a whole variety of issues:

1) Poor throwing
2) Poor timing
3) Poor catching
4) Poor maul set up
5) Poor passing down/out to SH

Now the first two are obvious and often result in lost lineout stats, but the last 3 count as a won lineout but usually cough up the ball. Our entire lineout play is shoddy at the moment.

Saldy this is all true. The lineout had seemed to improve in recent weeks but the only time we looked like winning one at the weekend was when they threw it in.

On a professional stand point I see no problem with a non-exec having a clearly defined short term contract with the club as long as it is disclosed to the shareholders and is no way conditional to the performance of the company or the directors.

by **LondonTiger** Thu 09 Nov 2017, 12:45 pm

Leicester Tigers (v Bath Rugby, away, Friday 7.45pm)

15 Harry Simmons
14 Jonah Holmes
13 Jordan Olowofela
12 Charlie Thacker
11 Adam Thompstone
10 Tom Hardwick
9 Ben White
1 Kyle Traynor
2 Harry Thacker (c)
3 Chris Baumann
4 Harry Wells
5 Dan Tuohy
6 Sam Lewis
7 Tommy Reffell
8 Fred Tuilagi

Replacements
16 Jake Kerr
17 Owen Hills
18 Ben Betts
19 Joe Maksymiw
20 Harry Mahoney
21 Sam Wager
22 Will Yarnell
23 Ravai Fatiaki

Bath Rugby: 15 Tom Homer, 14 Jack Wilson, 13 Max Clark, 12 Matt Banahan, 11 Levi Davis, 10 Freddie Burns, 9 Max Green; 1 Nick Auterac, 2 Michael van Vuuren, 3 Scott Andrews, 4 Levi Douglas, 5 James Phillips, 6 Matt Garvey (c), 7 Josh Bayliss, 8 Paul Grant

Replacements: 16 Jack Walker, 17 Will Vaughan, 18 Sam Nixon, 19 Elliott Stooke, 20 Zach Mercer, 21 Darren Allinson, 22 Harry Davies, 23 Darren Atkins

by Welly Thu 09 Nov 2017, 1:00 pm

Huge huge huge ask for the youngsters here.

by formerly known as Sam Thu 09 Nov 2017, 3:48 pm

Ouch. This could be a long evening for the young guns. If they come through this with a close game then hats off to them because Bath have named a far a stronger lineup.

Am I right in saying that Thompstone is the only player between 6 and 15 older than 21? Big ask. Hope Worth isn't injured and just being saved for AP action ditto Evans. Very interested to see Simmons at 15, if he looks as assured as he did at 9 last week I expect contact negotiations to begin shortly with a view to a long term deal.

by Welly Thu 09 Nov 2017, 4:25 pm

Holmes is 25

by formerly known as Sam Thu 09 Nov 2017, 5:08 pm

Ah yes I'd forgot about Holmes. Hopefully he and Thompstone can help the midfield and Simmons organisation and positioning. Keep talking and guiding them. I remember a few years back a very young Tigers team went down and played a fat more experienced Bath team and won. A George Ford was at 10 and Lewington was on the wing.

by formerly known as Sam Fri 10 Nov 2017, 9:18 pm

Our youngsters are doing fantastically well against a much more experienced Bath team and a barely competent referee.

by formerly known as Sam Fri 10 Nov 2017, 9:26 pm

I may have been generous with barely competent. He's only looking at what team now. He expects Bath to win and is reffing accordingly.

by nathan Fri 10 Nov 2017, 9:31 pm

Some dodgy calls indeed

by nathan Fri 10 Nov 2017, 9:34 pm

Bit dickish of burns there

by formerly known as Sam Fri 10 Nov 2017, 10:06 pm

nathan wrote:Some dodgy calls indeed

Very frustrating. On the upside our team shouldn't have been close on paper. MOC will be smiling inside tomorrow with the thought of the young guns pushing his first team regulars for chances. Ball in hand we were far ahead of what Bath were doing in the backs. Forwards aggression and work rate was excellent.

by **LondonTiger** Sat 11 Nov 2017, 10:32 am

Hugely impressive by the kids. Shame that Traynor and Baumman were so poor.

by formerly known as Sam Sat 11 Nov 2017, 1:04 pm

LondonTiger wrote:Hugely impressive by the kids. Shame that Traynor and Baumman were so poor.

I thought Baumann looked good in the loose. Not sure why we loaned out Rizzo and signed Traynor. Unless there was a big difference in wages it was a terrible deal. Had we provided a better platform in the tight five that game was ours.

The changes we've made to the academy setup seem to be really bearing fruit. Very impressed by the young lads and MOC will be feeling more confident about the international periods with these players chomping at the bit.

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