Leicester Tigers 2017/18 Season

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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

That looked harsh to me - the ball actually touched both hands as he tried to catch it?

What's the point in asking to see the replay if you don't bother watching it? One arm? Both are out from the body and are coming back towards him at point of contact with the ball.

Hmmm - no call from the TMO this time for the foot in touch?

Why can they check everything for Wasps but not check that touch decision for Tigers? Wade clearly in touch before making the pass.

How can he look at a replay to swap a knock-on call but not look for a touch call?

Agreed, poor decision. Okay for it to be a pen as it could have stopped a try but nothing more as he was trying to catch it. Problem is if you just give a knock on (which it basically was) then everyone will try it on every attack when defending. So pen and nothing more for me..

Wasps miles offside at the last ruck

Well that was entertaining ...

End to end and plenty of blown chances.

Great bit of entertainment and good to see th Tigers forwards are improving nicely. Bakewell is certainly earning his money.

Ellis Genge still looks quality even in his first game back. After the lack of bite from England surely he's going on tour this summer.

Yep Genge has to get on the tour for me ...

and to think if it was up to Sam Tait wouldn;t have been on the bench.

The top 4 contest is really hotting up! Can you just all start losing please....I really want top 4

Welly wrote: and to think if it was up to Sam Tait wouldn;t have been on the bench.

I know, he certainly made me eat my words there. One of his best games in a while for us, certainly in the last couple of seasons.

For all the grief MOC gets he put Simmons in with Tigers behind and 20 minutes left.

Maybe his youth policy is changing.

Welly wrote: For all the grief MOC gets he put Simmons in with Tigers behind and 20 minutes left.

Maybe his youth policy is changing.

Hope so, but I don't think he had much choice as Youngs is injured. But it's still great to see him trust him and he will of picked up so much from that

nathan wrote:

Welly wrote: For all the grief MOC gets he put Simmons in with Tigers behind and 20 minutes left.

Maybe his youth policy is changing.

Hope so, but I don't think he had much choice as Youngs is injured. But it's still great to see him trust him and he will of picked up so much from that

Well obviously he had to play him in the 23, he didn't have to play him for 20.
Even if Harrison was tired some coaches would of still flogged him for 80.

i don't expect him to play once Youngs is fit this season, but can see him having a big part to play next season.

Harrison looked a little uncomfortable as he came off. I don't know of that encouraged the change or not. Good to see him bringing on all of Evans, Wells and Simmonds. All three played well, Evans really took the the speed out of the Wasps breakdown when he came on.

I hope MOC is learning and listening because all three of those plus some others should be playing a greater role next season. It's a lot cheaper to keep them and develop them than release them and sign foreign replacements. The top teams in our league are built on homegrown talent and we need to follow suit.

We've apparently signed some 19 stone second row from Jersey until the end of the season, Voss. Interesting to see how he gets on.

Apparently it's now confirmed that Mafi is heading back to tigers

Don't think it's official but it's one of those. Unofficial official if you know what i mean.

Same with Aspland-Robinson.

There'll be a magic Monday or wonder Wednesday or whatever soon you'd have thought. Hopefully with Logo extending his stay.

Perhaps Terrific Tuesday, Thrilling Thursday or Fantastic Friday.

Bakewell for signing of the season?

Also i really do feel like MOC has turned a new leaf over the young players.
Evans, Simmons and Olowofela on the bench.

Evans getting 20 minutes and at a massive point of the game played out of his skin.


Club seems to be in a good spot, Bakewell has taken off the coaching pressure MOC had put himself under, got a nice mix of experianced coaches (Bakes and MOC) and young coaches coming up (Stanko, Deacon, Murphy, Allen, Blaze) in charge of the Academy, A league and AWC squads. Our Academy is in it's best spot for a long time.
5 Eng U20's with one captaining it
1 Wales U20 also captain
and U18 prem champs.

Come along way since that Glous game.

Vast improvements, very positive.

Pre and post Bakewell is like night and day in our forwards play.

At the start of the season I thought Tigers and Quin's had similar issues with their squads and tactics. Has just bringing in this guy Bakewell sorted everything for you or has there been other changes over the season too?

Pretty much all I can think of.

I think MOC has grown as a head coach this season. He's got a lot brighter in using the development squad and realising the potential in our academy. I think he'll be smarter with our signing because of it.

The in field improvements are Bakewell though he's been a revelation.

Taf has also been a great signing on and off the field, shame to lose Thacker but with Mahoney and Kerr coming up i it isnt a big loss.

Welly wrote: Taf has also been a great signing on and off the field, shame to lose Thacker but with Mahoney and Kerr coming up i it isnt a big loss.

McGuigan is likely to be gone as well. The pair of them have shown a lot of promise previously and Thacker can change a game on his own. MOC seems to want a bigger front five though. I would have liked to see us make more use of Harry, in a pack that aren't great at the breakdown and that are a little one dimensional in carrying he offers something else. Why I like Evans as well, he made a real difference yesterday including ball in hand.

Thacker might make a difference ball in hand but at hooker size does matter.

Maybe play him at 7 but isn’t he better than bOC? And is he a better prospect than Evans at 7?

Has MOC chosen to use younger players more, or has his hand been forced?

I guess he chose to release Kitto as we had two very good young options to fight for third choice SH, but really the presence of Evans, Simmons and Olowefela was largely due to a lack of alternatives being fit. The two backs barely featured, but Evans got a 20 minute run out and as against Wasps made a huge difference. However should Williams of BOC be fit next week they will probably slot in ahead of Evans.

Should Tait be unable to complete return to play protocols before next week it will be interesting to see what happens with the bench. Lenny may be back demoting Simmons, but other than Joe Ford all the senior backs will be injured or banned, thus will we see Worth or Hardwicke, or will it be Ford Sr?

LondonTiger wrote:Has MOC chosen to use younger players more, or has his hand been forced?

I guess he chose to release Kitto as we had two very good young options to fight for third choice SH, but really the presence of Evans, Simmons and Olowefela was largely due to a lack of alternatives being fit. The two backs barely featured, but Evans got a 20 minute run out and as against Wasps made a huge difference. However should Williams of BOC be fit next week they will probably slot in ahead of Evans.

Should Tait be unable to complete return to play protocols before next week it will be interesting to see what happens with the bench. Lenny may be back demoting Simmons, but other than Joe Ford all the senior backs will be injured or banned, thus will we see Worth or Hardwicke, or will it be Ford Sr?

He could have easily picked Brady instead of Olowofela or Joe Ford and have smith at 23 for this must win game both have alot more experience than Olowofela, Hardwick was training with the team interesting enough instead of playing for the Students.
 
Youngs coming back will demote Simmons but whilst Simmons has been solid Youngs is B&I lions quaility so of course he will play.
Evans who knows but again would be tough to not pick BOC as he was largely the best flanker in the league before his injury IMO.

It's not picking top class senior players playing well over youth that's my issue it's selecting senior players who are only picked because they are older even if they are fairly average. Which we where doing alot of really. If a player wants to go because he has top quality in front of him so be it, but if he wants to go because he is behind 2 fairly average 27+ years old then that is a club issue.  

He has chosen to play them or at least have them as next in line when we have had a few chances to bring in a journeyman mid season signing like we tend to do with injuries and on the whole outside of props he hasn't looked at them.

Part of my statement is also from what i hear about the squad next season as well.

I have no issue with Lenny coming back in. I thought Brady was crocked?

As to BOC - I thought he had two good games before his injury, but the rest of the season he had been poor (again just my opinion). My main issue really is that our back row looked unbalanced against both Wasps and Bath till Evans came on. Hamilton is most definitely not a 7.

I do agree with your thoughts though. Perhaps the failed journeymen at prop have helped move MOC along?


after 3 consecutive TBP wins in matches on the road, it would be nice if we coudl see the same at WR on Saturday. Not sure I could cope with the tensions of a match like last week.

LondonTiger wrote:I have no issue with Lenny coming back in. I thought Brady was crocked?

As to BOC - I thought he had two good games before his injury, but the rest of the season he had been poor (again just my opinion). My main issue really is that our back row looked unbalanced against both Wasps and Bath till Evans came on. Hamilton is most definitely not a 7.

I do agree with your thoughts though. Perhaps the failed journeymen at prop have helped move MOC along?


after 3 consecutive TBP wins in matches on the road, it would be nice if we coudl see the same at WR on Saturday. Not sure I could cope with the tensions of a match like last week.

Brady been playing in the A team so assume he is fit.

Taking into account the strong rumours of Logo moving on, Mafi coming back all but confirmed I believe we are sat at below with next seasons squad.

1.Genge, Bateman, Gigena
2.Youngs, TPN, Kerr
3.Cole
4.Fitzgerald, Spencer, Voss
5.Kitchener, Wells, Mafi
6.Williams, Denton, Mapapalangi
7.O'Connor, Evans
8.Kalamafoni, Thompson

9.Youngs, Harrison
10.G Ford, J Ford

11.May, Holmes
12.Toomua, Smith
13.Tuilagi, Tait, Owen
14.Thompstone, Malouf
15.Veainu, Worth

That is with the below up in the air contract wise as far as I'm aware.

Rizzo - If Logo is off I'd like to keep Rizzo on a 1 year contract
McGuigan - Rumored to Falcons
Cilliers - Mixed rumours of heading back to SA and having 1 year left on his contract (which doesn't mean much these days!)
Hamilton - Heading North
Ryan
Brady
Catchpole
Pakalani

Aspland-Robinson is now confirmed in.

Gaston Cortes the Bristol tight head is apparently signed but yet to be announced as well. I know nothing of him if any others do?

Mahoney, Lewis, F Tuilagi, Simmons, White, C Thacker, J Olowefela and Worth recently re-signed from the development squad. I believe that Reffell and Hardwick are still in contract but I may be wrong? Hopefully Heyes and Grahamslaw are added to these re-signings, they are strong prospects in key positions.

Cilliers will be staying if Logo goes IMO,
Pretty sure the U18's grads are all in contract so Heyes and Grahamslaw are still in contract.

Malouf is off.

The tighthead situation is a concern. We're possibly a little light in loose head cover as well. I'd expect both Genge and Cole to feature internationally so we'll need four senior options each side. If that's Traynor and Knight/Baumann that's not ideal but it'll do.

Knight or Baumann as third choice tighthead would worry be significantly. Cilliers and Logo have both had injury problems so if only one is retained then there's a large chance the third choice will see significant game time. We need the scrum with the way we play. Can we ask the Munster scouts for some pointers about SA recruitment? They always find some bargains. There's got to be a big bok or two that want to scrummage in the AP, I fear we've already missed out on the Championship props.

Knight would be better than Baumann TBF.

Wouldn't be surprised if Heyes will be viewed by Tigers more next season, he will be 20 next season Paul Hill made his International debut at 20 and Painter looked good the other day. (and i rate Heyes more than Painter).
Genge, Bateman, Gigena, Hills, Grahamslaw
Cole, Cilliers, Cortes, Heyes, Knight
Would be liveable IMO.

Paddy Ryan over Knight and I would be happy enough then next season with Cilliers prob off end of it look to invest in a top prop.

Hills and Heyes could do with some dual reg time, get some rugby against experienced pros at a lower level and then come back into the fold for LV time. Cole always points to his season with Nottingham as a defining part of his development and I see no problem in us doing similar again. Particularly if there's four senior options on each side.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Hills and Heyes could do with some dual reg time, get some rugby against experienced pros at a lower level and then come back into the fold for LV time. Cole always points to his season with Nottingham as a defining part of his development and I see no problem in us doing similar again. Particularly if there's four senior options on each side.

They've been doing Dual reg time. Can't see the club letting them go to champ team though with the expanded A league and the problems they had with Champ clubs.
Cole went to Bedford i think.

I stand corrected on Coley. The club need to get something sorted in the Championship, there's a big difference between league 1 rugby with Loughborough University and the Championship.

formerly known as Sam wrote:I stand corrected on Coley. The club need to get something sorted in the Championship, there's a big difference between league 1 rugby with Loughborough University and the Championship.

The club just don't want to work with champ clubs on the whole.
Mainly because the champ clubs have their own agenda.

I'd forgotten about the Malouf rumours. Is that a similar case to Mafi and Cortes where he's signed a contract but it hasn't been announced?

1.Genge, Bateman, Gigena
2.Youngs, TPN, Kerr
3.Cole, Cilliers, Cortes
4.Fitzgerald, Spencer, Voss
5.Kitchener, Wells, Mafi
6.Williams, Denton, Mapapalangi
7.O'Connor, Evans
8.Kalamafoni, Thompson

I'd be happier with those props if Rizzo remained for another season. Then we could look to move Rizzo and Cilliers on, using cap from both to invest in a long term understudy/replacement for Cole.

I rate Mahoney as highly as Heyes, would happily see both get used next season. Grahamslaw (recently switched to prop) and Hills (injuries) are harder to judge but the expanded A-league will hopefully help development.

Mafi hasn't signed a contract yet.

Thacker has been recovering from surgery Sam.
and I agree with the back row balance.

Although can't compare Thacker and Cowan-Dickie IMO, Cowan-Dickie is great at the breakdown but is also bigger than all our 2's bar TPN (whose only 2kg heavier) so gives nothing away in size department either.

I'm not fussed by size for size sake. I am more concerned at our inability to turn the ball over and to offer something other than carrying hard into contact. With no Thacker, no BOC, no Evans we are too one dimensional. I think Wells could offer something more and I was hopeful Mapalangi would develop into someone who could. Hamilton can sometimes.

I'm concerned that MOC hasn't done more to give our pack more facets of ability. Leaves us open to results like last weekend.

Despite my annoyance over the return of Jimmy Stevens he has been named in the Championship Dream Team.

Rumours on the offy that signings wise there is another prop coming in but after that there will be development squad promotions to replace other leavers.

In the backs I think that would be a great move. I'd be more than happy with the club investing in youth by promoting any/all of White, Simmons, Hardwick, Charlie Thacker, Worth and Olowofela to the senior squad. All are capable of playing a first team role next season if surrounded by the quality players.

With the Mafi deal falling through it would be strange if another lock isn't being looked at though. Perhaps a case of keeping the cap available in case the right player becomes available over the summer?

Should have put a bid in for Olmstead. He'd be cheap and he's quality....who is at home at 6 also. Cant believe we let him go...

We still might sign him, who knows. Since the Mafi deal has fallen through all we know is that a prop is on the way in. I imagine we're surveying the market to see who's available and how much they'll cost.

Lock isn't an area of desperate need as we'll have Spencer, Kitch, Wells, Fitz and then Williams who can step in there. There's a couple of England age grade academy players coming through, Cameron Jordan has already played in the LV and looked physically comfortable at that level at only 18.

Prop is more worrying but the prop on the way in can allegedly play both sides which will help.

LH: Genge, Bateman, Gigena
TH: Cole, Cilliers, Cortes

The academy prospects behind them aren't quite so hoepful. Well Heyes might well be but at 18/19 he's a bit young to be parachuted into the first team just yet. Hills the loosehead in the development squad is injury stricken so who knows what'll happen with him.

To be honest two new props might be better for us that a prop and a lock. Fitz can be replaced next summer when the post RWC exodus takes place.

George Catchpole announces his retirement. He is a bright lad and right to do it now when he has time to properly forge a new career path rather than continue to fight the injuries.