Leicester Tigers 18-19

Fixtures

Pre-Season

Saturday 11th August - Cardiff Blues (a)
Friday 17th August - Benetton Treviso (a)
Friday 24th August - London Irish (h)

Gallagher Premiership

SEPTEMBER
Saturday 1st 16:30 Exeter Chiefs (a)
Saturday 8th 15:00 Newcastle Falcons (h)
Sunday 16th 15:00 Wasps (a)
Sunday 23rd 15:00 Worcester Warriors (h)
Sunday 30th 15:00 Sale Sharks (h)



OCTOBER
Saturday 6th 15:00 Northampton Saints (a - Twickenham)


NOVEMBER
Friday 16th 19:45 Gloucester (a)
Sunday 25th 15:00 Saracens (h)
Friday 30th 19:45 Bristol (a)


DECEMBER
21/22/23 Harlequins (H)
28/29/30 Bath (A)


JANUARY
4/5/6 Gloucester (H)


FEBRUARY
15/16/17 Saracens (A)
22/23/24 Worcester Warriors (A)


MARCH
1/2/3 Wasps (H)
8/9/10 Sale Sharks (A)
22/23/24 Northampton Saints (H)


APRIL
5/6/7 Exeter Chiefs (H)
12/13/14 Newcastle Falcons (A)
26/27/28 Bristol (H)


MAY
3/4/5 Harlequins (A)
18 Bath (H)
24/25 Semi


JUNE
1st Final


European Champions Cup
12/13/14 October - Round 1
19/20/21 October - Round 2
7/8/9 December - Round 3
14/15/16 December - Round 4
11/12/13 January - Round 5
18/19/20 January - Round 6
29/30/31 March - 1/4 Finals
19/20/21 April - Semis
11th May - Final


Premiership Rugby Cup

Saturday October 27th 15:00 Saracens (a)
Saturday November 3rd 15:00 Worcester Warriors(h)
Friday November 19th 19:45 Sale Sharks
January 25/26/27 Northampton (a)
February 9th Semi-finals
March 16th Final




Squad and Coaching Team:

Head Coach: Matt O'Connor
Forwards Coach: Mark Bakewell
Assistant Coach: Geordan Murphy
Scrum Coach: Boris Stankovich
Senior Development coach: Brett Deacon
Team Manager: Teresa Carrington
Head of Rugby Operations: Ged Glyn


First Team Squad:
(as on Tigers website)

Props: Greg Bateman, Dan Cole, Gaston Cortes, Ellis Genge, Facundo Gigena, Owen Hills
Hookers: Jake Kerr, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Jimmmy Stevens, Tom Youngs
Second Row: Mike Fitzgerald, Graham Kitchener, Will Spencer, James Voss, Harry Wells
Back Row: Dave Denton, Will Evans, Sione Kalamafoni, Valention Mapapalangi, Brendon O'Connor, Guy Thompson, Fred Tuilagi, Mike Williams

Half Backs: Joe Ford, George Ford, Sam Harrison, Matt Toomua, Ben Youngs
Outside Backs: Jonah Holmes, Jonny May, Gareth Owen, Matt Smith, Matthew Tait, Charlie Thacker, Adam Thompstone, Manu Tuilagi, Telusa Veainu, George Worth


Development Squad:

Forwards: Taylor Gough, Sam Grahamslaw, Joe Heyes, Cameron Jordan, Henri Lavin, Sam Lewis, Keston Lines, Harry Mahoney, Tommy Reffell, Thom Smith
Backs: Sam Aspland-Robinson, Tom Hardwicke, Jordan Olowefela, Harry Simmons, Ben White

Thoughts on the strength of the squad and the season to come?

As others have mentioned elsewhere I am a little worried about the depth at prop. While pleased to see we have not padded out the squad with incompetents like Traynor and Baumann, the cover at tighthead looks low. I assume that Cortes is backup to Dan Cole but with the other props in the full squad being primarily LHs, should Cole be recalled to the England squad we are looking light with only Jope Heyes to step up.

Elsewhere reasonably happy, not many wingers in the full squad but Olowefela and Aspland-Robinson in the development squad should be considered ahead of bringing in any squad fillers.

With Chiefs and Wasps away in the first 3 weeks of the season a slow start is quite likely. Playing Saracens twice during international windows could be in our favour if they show last seasons IW form.

Ellis Genge's rehab well under way, but MOC suggesting he may not at until the new year.

Your starting front 5 looks strong, but there appears to be very little strength in depth. Your backrow looks much better this season and I do hope BOC gets a proper run out this year, as he could be great.

Sounds like Kitch has also had some surgery and we know Evans has as well. Hopefully those two will be fit to start the season.

Two things strike me before the season starts;

1. We need some props, at least two. A tighthead and then one that can cover both sides. We are looking woefully short and asking a 19 year old to step up and play top level is frankly dangerous.
2. We need to learn how to rotate this season. Firstly to help keep our front line players workloads manageable but also because we have a number of players with potential in the development squad and next year is an RWC year so being able to bring these guys through this year will limit the damage done during the RWC period next year when we are likely to be stretched.

HongKongCherry wrote:Your starting front 5 looks strong, but there appears to be very little strength in depth.  Your backrow looks much better this season and I do hope BOC gets a proper run out this year, as he could be great.

With 38 players it is the smallest Senior Squad I can remember us having. Injuries and international call-ups could make a real mess of things. There are some player in the development squad who are most definitely able to step up, though all backs really.

Come the autumn international we could be absent Cole, Youngs, Ford, May, Denton, (internationals), Genge (recuperation), Manu (sure to get injured again early in the season), Toomua (back in Aus for family seasons prior to signing for the Rebels). Suddenly the starting XV could look like:

Bateman, Youngs, Cortes, Kitchener, Spencer, Thompson, O'Connor, Kalamafoni, Harrison, Ford (J), Holmes, Owen, Tait, Thompstone, Veainu

Please let us replace Joe Ford with Worth or Hardwick. We simply have to back the young backs this season or next season could cause serious issues with the RWC.

Depth is a massive issue and should we not sign anyone it'll be a disaster.

Depth is an issue, but for me not a massive one in most areas.

Hooker - two solid choices in Youngs and TPN who will be available all season injuries pemitting.
Props - A real issue at TH. With Genge's injury a smaller issue at LH
Second row - Decent depth
Back row- decent depth, looking better than it has for a while.
Half backs - good depth at SH, not too bad at FH so long as Toomua and Hardwicke are ahead of Joe.
Centres - Not a huge amount of cover behind Toomua and Tuilagi, but Smith, Tait and Owen will not let anyone down. not so sure about Thacker Jr
Wings - JKust 3 in senior squad, but good cover in development squad.
FB - Heavily reliant on Veainu. Worth and Tait can both cover to a decent level.

Yeah I was thinking depth in prop where we are another injury away from a small crisis. Need at least two signings.

Worth I'm hoping will slot more into midfield and be a bit of an understudy to Toomua. He's got the physicality and a decent skill level, not the magic Toomua has but he strikes me as a Vesty mark 2 for us.

Aspland-Robinson I expect to be viewed as the long term understudy to TV.

If we drop feed the development squad backs into the first team this season then we'll have excellent squad depth for next season. Only Thacker Jr looks like he lacks the ability to step up.

Away match with Saints moved to Twickenham, in part to raise money for Rob Horne

Quoted from the BeeB

"Northampton will play their Premiership game against Leicester Tigers on 6 October at Twickenham to raise money for former Saints centre Rob Horne.

The Australia international retired in April after suffering nerve damage which left his right arm paralysed.

Horne, 28, was captaining Saints for the first time when he was injured 13 seconds into a game at Welford Road.

"I am touched by the additional gesture the club are making in staging this game," Horne said.

The reason for his retirement was disclosed as "life-changing nerve damage" at the time, but Horne has now revealed the full extent of his injury.

He added: "I suffered a brachial plexus avulsion, meaning I detached the five nerves from my spinal cord that control my shoulder, arm and hand.

Additionally,

It will act as a fundraiser for his ongoing rehabilitation costs and to ensure financial security for him and his family, after requests from both Saints and Tigers fans.

"Everyone at the club has gone above and beyond to support me and my family through an incredibly difficult time," added Horne.

"I've been humbled by the outpouring of support from both Northampton Saints supporters and many of the Tigers fans that were at that game too.

"I hope we can raise some awareness for brachial plexus injuries, as well as being treated to another chapter in this storied rivalry."

Saints chief executive Mark Darbon told BBC Look East: "We see this very much as a unique and one-off opportunity.

"We had an interesting approach from the RFU, which I'm not going to lie benefits the club financially, but it gives us this stage with which we can maximise the funds for Rob, something that we wanted to do anyway.

"The two things came together quite nicely and we feel really strongly that it's a positive decision and one that our supporter base will embrace."

Well done everybody, even the RFU

I'd forgotten what s terrible injury he'd suffered. I hope the game works out well.

Tbh the Tigers squad looks average to me, should be good to compete for top 6 if they manage their late season run as usual though.

Horne is a good guy and was a great addition to Saints during a bad season.  Those injuries are truly terrible and fortunately uncommon, even in sport.  So much so that after he was formally diagnosed, news of his injury quickly made its way around the sport medical community - people were reaching out to find the best medical approach. Even then surgical procedures may not completely correct the damage, meaning a long time, many years in fact, of therapy and work.  And the surgical procedures are very specialized. And not many people are trained for this. As we all said at the time. Real shame.

Will certainly be over for the game at HQ.

Any Intel on what Edinburgh can expect from Luke Hamilton, and what his best back row position would be?

I'm pleased you've picked up Denton. He's an out and out ball carrier with handy breakdown skills. He isn't blessed with great hands, and Kieran Read he is not, but he'll carry hard for you and he isn't slow either. Not the next Richards or Corry, but a solid signing for you guys.

yappysnap wrote:I'd forgotten what s terrible injury he'd suffered. I hope the game works out well.

Tbh the Tigers squad looks average to me, should be good to compete for top 6 if they manage their late season run as usual though.

I'm pretty happy with the squad. We could have done with ditching Fitzgerald and replacing him with a bruiser and we're also two props short. The backrow looks handy and the backs amongst the best in the league.

If we add a couple of decent props which we should have plenty of cap for given the comings and goings plus injury dispensation for Genge. Then we should be good for the top 4. First time in a long time there's a few development players of real quality on the way through. Just hope we make the most of them.

FES Hamilton is Mr 110%. He'll be a fan favourite as he's a good all rounder and is very reliable. Big work rate. Lacks the stand out skill to be a hit internationally so he'll be available a lot.

funnyExiledScot wrote:Any Intel on what Edinburgh can expect from Luke Hamilton, and what his best back row position would be?

I'm pleased you've picked up Denton. He's an out and out ball carrier with handy breakdown skills. He isn't blessed with great hands, and Kieran Read he is not, but he'll carry hard for you and he isn't slow either. Not the next Richards or Corry, but a solid signing for you guys.

If Work horse was in the dictionary (It might be CBA looking it up) a picture of Hamilton will be next to it.

A jack of all trades master of none type player will tackle, carry, the occasional turnover but not exceptional at those things, but will never give up.
Personally think he should play 6 as his best position.

Tigers squad for 7s this weekend:


1 Henri Lavin
2 Tommy Reffell
3 Thom Smith
4 Taylor Gough
5 Harry Simmons
6 Fionn Higgins
7 Charlie Thacker
8 Mike Adlard
9 Sam Aspland-Robinson
10 Jonah Holmes
11 George Worth
12 Phil Woodhead

Nice mix. Holmes, Simmons and Worth with the first team representation. Higgins and Woodhead with the sevens nous. Then a blend of development and academy. Looks alright, something for Murphy to work with. Hopefully they'll actually send Tait this year as his assistant as that always seems a missed opportunity to me.

Maybe we'll see some of the England under 20 players if they make it to the finals.

Tait training to be a pilot so it might simply be a case that he isn't interested in coaching. He was a hell of a 7s player though, had he come into the 7s circuit as it is now his career may well have taken a different path.

I like the look of that squad. Aspland-Robinson has the skill set for it as well, expect him to stand out along with Simmons and Holmes. It's a shame Olowofela isn't involved though.

In less positive news it's sounding like Toomua will be off at the end of the season and involved with Aus for the rugby championship.

Yeah I'd heard Tait fancies the pilot life. I was thinking more as a senior player helping to mentor the young lads through and help out with Murphy. Be good to have some senior lads there supporting the young lads.

None of the England under 20 lads are included so I think they must not yet be fully back in pre season. As they played more games they probably need more recovery time.

The loss of Toomua would be keenly felt. There's not many 10/12s of his quality around. Fantastic in both positions and a rock in defence. We have to be smart this season and get Worth and Hardwick up to speed. Eastmond looks set to sign and that's a good addition but we have two good prospects that can play 10 and 12 (particularly Hardwick, I think Worth might be more of a centre and fullback Vesty style). Give them time and get them up to speed for when Toomua then leaves we could have Eastmond and two young guys pushing him. That would then leave a marquee spot available post RWC and a backline in good condition, prime opportunity to reinforce the tight five.

Mike Adlard in the sevens squad might be a bit of a trial option. He's apparently got a knack of scoring length of the field tries having looked good in the Hull FC Rugby League development squad before transferring across to union.

https://www.leicestertigers.com/news/tigers-unveil-new-2018-19-kits

Kits look good. Not great but better than a lot of offerings from the last few years.

It sounds like money saved on Toomua in the short term will be used on a centre for this season. Eastmond would be about as good as signings will get at this stage. I rate Eastmond highly and his familiarity with Ford will be very useful at this point of the season. A 10.Ford 12.Eastmond 13.Manu midfield could be very interesting in attack... and defence.

In the longer term I hope his marquee spot goes to a first class second row to gel this pack together. Kitchener is a strong club player, Spencer talented and Wells developing well but a top second row would make a huge difference to this pack.

Whilst I was happy to see Twelvetrees finding his best form under Ackermann, I do feel a pang of disappointment at him re-signing with Gloucs last term. He'd be excellent as a replacement for Toomua outside of a marquee spot. Covers the same three positions, available all season, kicks well from hand and for goal, good leadership skills. He alienated a few Tigers fans when he left but I still rate 36 very highly as a Prem player.

I don't think the board will forgive him and his agent for the way the acted when he left. Was not very professional to verbally agree a contract and then announce you are leaving.

I still think we can generate replacements internally. They won't be Toomua quality but I agree with you that replacing Fitzgerald with an international class second row will do more for this club than another marquee centre.

If MOC persists with Joe Ford over Hardwick this season he should be sacked.

Youngs, Ford, Eastmond, Tuilagi, May.....

Come on Tigers, that could be some back line

Eastmond signing confirmed.

Toomua has flown out to Australia to be involved in Rugby Championship but from the story issued by Tigers looks like he will be with us during the AIs and until the end of the season.

Will be back in the rest periods for games 1 and 4 as well. Unsure how fit he'll be with the jet lag. I presume Eastmond is partly subsidized by a reduction in wage by Toomua.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Will be back in the rest periods for games 1 and 4 as well. Unsure how fit he'll be with the jet lag. I presume Eastmond is partly subsidized by a reduction in wage by Toomua.

Yeah, do not really see the point in that - other than gaining airmiles.

LondonTiger wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Will be back in the rest periods for games 1 and 4 as well. Unsure how fit he'll be with the jet lag. I presume Eastmond is partly subsidized by a reduction in wage by Toomua.

Yeah, do not really see the point in that - other than gaining airmiles.

Ensures we have an international class flyhalf in case of injury to Ford.

Though a jet lagged one who will not be able to perform at his best for us or Australia.

Let him go for the duration of the RC (so long as he is available in teh AIs) then assimilate him back into the team is my feeling.

I would agree. However, a jet lagged Toomua is still better than Joe Ford. I suspect that he won't travel back unless we actually need him.

To my mind it's a good chance to get Hardwick and Worth involved in the squad.

Jonny May, Jordan Olowefela, George Ford, Ben Young & Will Spencer named in Eddie's training squad for this weekend, with Cole, Genge & Manu listed amongst the players unavailable.

Cole and Manu are being given an uninterrupted preseason so makes sense that they continue with that rather than go away for three days.

What's the story with that young 2nd row with the strange name that signed from you lads to Connacht? Joe something. He is English Welsh and Irish qualified apparently. Is he any good?

He's a bean pole. Decent at the lineout but very raw. We've got too young locks coming through who would have put pressure on and maybe overtaken him in a year or two so moving was probably a good option. He looked solid enough when he played but didn't show anything that would suggest he's first team ready.

formerly known as Sam wrote:I would agree. However, a jet lagged Toomua is still better than Joe Ford. I suspect that he won't travel back unless we actually need him.

To my mind it's a good chance to get Hardwick and Worth involved in the squad.

What's the story with Toomua? I thought I read somewhere he sighed with the ARU? Not sure, just checking. Good player.

Leicester and ARU have reached an agreement on compensation. Tigers will get a pile of cash, while Toomua will end his contract 1 year early and will join the Rebels when the AP season ends. This way he bypasses the minimum cap rule and is eligible for selection for Aus before returning next year.

As part of the agreement, he will be available for the Rugby Championship but we believe will be with Tigers in the AIs.

Toomua played flyhalf in an Australian Probables Vs Australian Super Rugby Select game. Chieka obviously seeing him as competition for Foley.

I was hoping he'd agree to significantly reduce his salary (ARU making up the difference) for this season so we could declare another high earner as a marquee player and then have more cap space to play with. ARU buying out next year's contract there after.

So, that was next season.  Going to burn him out through the upcoming season so he is knackered for the RWC?  Good - one less quality opponent we have to worry about.

Burned out could well happen as he's supposed to be flying back to England for rounds 1 and 4 during the rest weeks. If the games don't get him the jet lag will.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, time to blood the young guns at 12.

Also, where's the frigging prop signings?!?

Only just noticed that TPN has been called up to the Aussie training camp.

doctor_grey wrote:So, that was next season.  Going to burn him out through the upcoming season so he is knackered for the RWC?  Good - one less quality opponent we have to worry about.

We have signed Eastmond.

That being said I'm perfectly fine with Tigers burning him out, might sound harsh but he is a marquee player and as long as he is fit and on form play him.

It's probably a case of "if you want him rested then we want compensation for that". ARU aren't going to pay so Tigers will demand he flies back. Same for TPN if he is selected.

formerly known as Sam wrote:It's probably a case of "if you want him rested then we want compensation for that". ARU aren't going to pay so Tigers will demand he flies back. Same for TPN if he is selected.

Cant we get fined for that though?

Not for the rest weekends. The ARU are paying to get him out of his contract early. If they want rest weeks during the season they need to pay for that as well. If we allow him additional time off for international duty during the season we could be fined by the PRL ala Saints with North.

Two prop signings announced this morning:

Campese Ma'afu as an injury dispensation for Ellis Genge

David Feao a 20 stone Tongan.


Whether either can play TH I am not sure, but we needed one of each side.

Faeo played TH for Tonga this summer.

Isn't Fe'ao able to play both sides? I certainly hope so. He's a big lad so hopefully he can throw that weight around.

Welly wrote: Faeo played TH for Tonga this summer.

I wasn't sure as in the 3 tests he was on the bench and wore 17 twice and 18 once - not that this necessarily means anything.

It would make sense for Feao to be a TH, as the Senior Squad had 4 LHs and just 2 THs, and Ma'afu is a short term replacement.

It says Ma'afu has signed for the season. Not that short term a signing. Admittedly he might not play much once Ellis is back.

Not inspiring signings but both should help round out the squad in a way we need to.

LH - Genge, Bateman, Ma'afu, Gigena, Hills
TH - Cole, Cortes, Fe'ao, Heyes