Leicester Tigers 2019-20

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Fixtures


September
13th Misc - Premiership Sevens, Pool Fixtures
14th Misc - Premiership Sevens, KO Fixtures
21st 15:00 - Worcester (a), Premiership Cup
27th 19:45 - Exeter (h), Premiership Cup

October
 5th 15:00 - Bath (a), Premiership Cup
12th 15:00 - Northampton (h), Premiership Cup
19th 15:00 - Worcester (a), Gallagher Premiership
27th 15:00 - Saracens (h), Gallagher Premiership

November
 2nd 15:00 - Gloucester (h), Gallagher Premiership
10th 15:00 - London Irish (a), Gallagher Premiership
16th 15:00 - Pau (h), Challenge Cup
23rd 20:00 - Cardiff (a), Challenge Cup
30th 15:00 - Northampton (a), Gallagher Premiership

December
 7th 15:00 - Calvisano (h), Challenge Cup
14th 13:30 - Calvisano (a), Challenge Cup
21st 15:00 - Exeter (h), Gallagher Premiership
28th 16:30 - Harlequins (a - Twickenham), Gallagher Premiership

January
 4th 15:00 - Bristol (h), Gallagher Premiership
12th 15:15 - Cardiff (h), Challenge Cup
17/18/19 - Pau (a), Challenge Cup
24/25/26 - Bath (a), Gallagher Premiership

February
14/15/16 - Wasps (h), Gallagher Premiership
21/21/23 - Sale (a), Gallagher Premiership
28/29/01 - Worcester (h), Gallagher Premiership

March
6/7/8 - Saracens (a), Gallagher Premiership
20/21/22 - Exeter (a), Gallagher Premiership
27/28/29 - Beth (h), Gallagher Premiership


April
3/4/5 - Castres (h), Challenge Cup 1/4 Final
10/11/12 - London Irish (h), Gallagher Premiership
17/18/19 - Gloucester (a), Gallagher Premiership
24/25/26 - Sale (h), Gallagher Premiership

May
8/9/10 - Wasps (a), Gallagher Premiership
15/16/17 - Northampton (h), Gallagher Premiership
29/30/31 - Bristol (a), Gallagher Premiership

June
5/6/7 - Harlequins (h), Gallagher Premiership


Squad & Coaching Team


Head Coach: Geordan Murphy
Forwards Coach: Mark Bakewell
Attack Coach: Mike Ford
Defence Coach: Phil Blake
Scrum Coach: Boris Stankovich
Senior Development coach: Brett Deacon
Team Manager: Teresa Carrington


First Team Squad:
Props (8): Greg Bateman, Dan Cole, Gaston Cortes, Ellis Genge, Facundo Gigena, Joe Heyes, Owen Hills, Nephi Leatigaga
Hookers (5): Charlie Clare, Jake Kerr, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Jimmy Stevens, Tom Youngs
Second Row (4): Calum Green, Tomas Lavanini, Will Spencer, Harry Wells
Back Row (8): Jordan Coghlan, Dave Denston, Sione Kalamafoni, Sam Lewis, Hanro Liebenberg, Tommy Reffell, Jordan Taufua, Guy Thompson
Half Backs: (8)Sam Harrison, Harry Simmons, Ben White, Ben Youngs, George Ford, Tom Hardwicke, Johnny McPhillips, Noel Reid
Outside Backs (13): Sam Aspland-Robinson, Kyle Eastmond, Andy Forsyth, Jonah Holmes, Jonny May, Jordan Olowofela, Jaco Taute, Joe Thomas, Adam Thompstone, Manu Tuilagi, Telusa Veainu, EW Viljoen, George Worth

Development Squad:
Props (3): Osman Dimen, Keston Lines, James Whitcombe
Hookers (0):
Second Row (3): Cameron Jordan, Tom Manz, George Martin
Back Row (5): Ollie Ashwoth, Sam Eveleigh, Taylor Gough, Henri Lavin, Thom Smith
Half Backs (3): Jonny Law, Jack van Poortvliet, Sam Costelow
Outside Backs (4): Joe Browning, Kyran Bungaroo, Leo Gilliland, Freddie Steward

Cam Jordan wasn't given any game time in the first team and I think he got sent off for the A team. Given the competition around him he is probably best served going to the Championship for a season and getting some game time and then trying to get a prem contract on the back of his Championship form. I think you're right he's not as physically dominant as he looked coming through age grade rugby.

I see you guys are taking Cameron Henderson, Scotland U20s lock. He was a bit of a standout in the competition this year and there is a bit of a log jam with decent locks up north, so might prove to be a decent move all round.

Will watch his progress at WR with interest.

Welly wrote: Well only 6/7 players have gotten development contracts from the U18.

On Jordan no idea just a feeling, I don't feel he's bulked up enough for Lock and Prem level, and he's not really a 6.

I've heard from a few people that Ben Muncaster and Ollie Smith v2 have contracts. Archie Vanes and Emeka Illione are surely nailed on. Bobby Singer, Jack Rowntree and Kit Smith also standouts in the forwards.

I'm guessing it's come to soon for Lynx Noumey having just converted to loosehead. Particularly with Whitcombe in the dev squad already and the impressive Tim Hoyt in his penultimate school year.

Sam Edwards, Charlie Titcombe and Harry Glynn are all good players in the backs as well.

It's a very competitive age group coming up.

So we think.

1. Muncaster
2. Smith
3. Vanes
4. ilione
5. Singer
6. Rowntree
7. Smith

That's the lot? Law and JVP in the development squad already probably makes it difficult for any 9 to come up this year.

Doubt Singer and I think one of the smiths might miss out.

Be unlucky for Singer from the reports I've seen he's been a stand out. I doubt we'd pass on Ollie Smith V2, an OC that can also play fullback and who has a strong kicking game is the kind of player we have room for in the development squad.

With Singer it will be tough
These 2 locks coming in
Martin
and with the likes of
England U17 Tandoh
Lock seems pretty well covered.

It's similar to back row.

We do seem to generate a lot of locks, opensides and scrum halfs. A massive 8 and an inside centre is what we could really do with coming through.

Unless there's a lot more signings to come it feels like we are moving towards a smaller senior squad and presumably using the older development squad players more for depth. If so it's a plan I really like long term.

Hopefully Gigena re-signs to keep some continuity in the props, they've been excellent as a unit. Batley wouldn't be a bad re-signing either.

Steward, Jack van Poortvliet and Browning (fitness permitting) are ready for game time now. The older dev squad forwards (Lines, Dimen, Gough, Lavin and Smith) are approaching the stage where they need game time to see if they will kick on as well. Plus Whitcombe, Martin and Eveleigh will be approaching PRC game time.

If the plan is strengthening the forwards and fewer internationals across the squad then it's one that's been successful elsewhere. Who we are still to bring in it at lock and back row will be vital to the makeup of the squad though.

We need a high quality lock end of story. If we fail to add well there it will be tough next season. Backrow I'm less worried about as there are some young players coming through who are either doing well already (Lewis and Reffell) or look like they could do well. A one year deal for Boladau just for some extra muscle would do if we are tight on salary cap.

We could very much do with keeping Gigena. He'd overtaken Bateman in the pecking order this season and was starting to become a really dominant scrummager. 

I like the plan of more quality and then development squad as back up. I've often said I'd like to see it and it's happening now. Chiefs have done it very successfully and Sarries have as well though they've had some erm financial assistance.

i see it was confirmed that Borthwick is joining as Head coach and Geordie is becoming Director of Rugby

GeordieFalcon wrote:i see it was confirmed that Borthwick is joining as Head coach and Geordie is becoming Director of Rugby

Was confirmed a while back. They've just confirmed that Borthwick will start on 1st July. Under Murphy the on pitch displays haven't really been good enough and improvements have been there but been far too slow in coming. The development pathways and change in ethos has been good as has the recruitment with McGinty. Hopefully Borthwick will bring back the required hard edge and some better shape in attack to drive us forward.

James Whitcomb wins National League 2 South Young Player of the season for his loan spell at Leicester Lions. Good stuff from the 19 year old. Might see him get some cup time next season.

Dan Kelly wins National League 2 North Young Player of the season following his campaign with Loughborough Students. An interesting acquisition.

Really excited for Whitcombe coming through. Lovely young bloke as well as an impressive prop. Settling at LH has worked out well for him.

Whitcombe will have a good chance to leapfrog Lines next season. Similar with Eveleigh potentially moving past Gough and Lavin.

I'm still hopeful that Jack Rowntree will get a contract. That would give us two looseheads and two tightheads in the development squad. Tim Hoyt is looking well set to get a contract the year after as well. The average age of the senior squad props is low enough that with good succession planning we can hopefully promote from within at prop.

I suspect we will bring in a squad prop (ideally one that cover both sides) whilst the development props develop for another year. We should then see several young props in their early 20s pushing on. 

Dan Cole is 33 next month and has probably got at most two years left in the tank. Joe Heyes seems to be the natural successor. I would worry though if Dan got a lengthy injury as relying on Heyes and Leatigaga plus whichever cab off the rank is next for a sustained period might be a big ask. If we could get Dimen into the Championship for a spell next season that could be the kind of development push he would need to step up the season after.

As a squad option there's been mutterings about Mulipola. At 33 he's not at his rampaging best. A more modest salary in an area him and his family know well might suit him for one final year (possibly two of he's cheap as the year after is a Lion's tour and Ellis will go). He'd cover both sides whilst Lines and Dimen get that season in the Championship with some cup games thrown in. I suppose the other option would be to get that Irish prop up at Notts on a dual registration knowing we could call him in if we ran short of cover.

Tighthead; 
Dan Cole - 32 soon to be 33
Joe Heyes - 21
Nephi Leatigaga - 26 (can play both sides)

Loosehead;
Ellis Genge - 25
Greg Bateman - 30 (31 before next season)
Facundo Gigena -25 (assuming he returns)

That does leave us in good stead on both sides. Just a little more cover in the short term and then hopefully the young guns feed in to the system and we succession plan from there. Bateman being one particularly under threat giving his scrummaging isn't as good as others and he retains his position based on his ability in the loose.

In the back of my head I often think that making injury dispensation signings at prop is easier than other positions. Matias Aguero and Michele Rizzo were both injury dispensation I believe. Christian Judge had an excellent season with Sarries coming up from the Championship as well.

I'd love to see Logo back in Tigers colours but I'd be very surprised if he can fit into the small cap space that Cortes and Hills will be filling.

Are you thinking Ben Betts by Irish prop at Nottingham? He's an odd one. A bull at U20s and looked promising for Tigers but went to Ealing and they let him out on loan to Nottingham. Trailfinders have a few experienced props that are rocks in their side. The big Saffa Jordan Els (loosie rather than tighthead) was on the radar of a few Prem clubs when he signed with Ealing.

I was thinking Oisin Heffernan. Former Leinsterman, think he's still pretty young in propping terms. I've not seen him play but heard good things.

I thought I'd read somewhere that Jordan Els had agreed a move to a Prem team but I could be wrong. Maybe Quins?

 I do agree there's a lot of talent down in the Championship. I'd like to see us dual register a few players where we think they could step up. Get them into training at Oval Park and see how they go. Dual registration with Nottingham so they can play regularly and then we can offer some opportunities and see how they go. Given Notts are probably going to be a bit part time next season then it would work well for both clubs.

There was a rumour Quins were targeting the entire first choice Ealing front row but don't think anything has been confirmed.

Heffernan is a big bloke I know that! Only seen him for Nottingham once against Falcons in January. He had a solid game but Jon Welsh was missing for Falcons, who have a big drop off after that at loosehead. A fair few former/current/future Tigers on show. Jordie Coghlan was with Nottingham that weekend, Aniseko Sio at loosehead, Jake Farnworth and Ollie Chessum on the bench. Didn't get to see much of Chessum though. Falcons of course have a few former Tigers (many Falcons academy of course) as well - Logo, Flood, McGuigan and Seb de Chaves were all there that day, signing autographs after the game for a few young Tigers fans. It was a good game, very close. Jack Spittle scored an unbelievable finish from a cross field kick.

I think most fans are in agreement about getting the youngsters to Championship clubs where possible. Whitcombe, Martin and JvP have all had valuable exposure with Leicester Lions this season (their first out of school) but ideally want them moving up through the leagues as they develop physically.

It was one of the few things I liked about this season. All the development lads were sent out to go and play senior rugby.  It's an area we were pretty shoddy in under Cockers. Going out on loan got to be like the kiss of death in the end. Lewington was scoring tries for fun at Notts and couldn't get a look in with Cockers to the point we signed Camacho as cover instead. It's then easier in the second year of the development squad to say to Championship clubs do you want to loan League 2s young player of the season, do you want to loan an England under 20 who had a couple of games for Ampthill last season. Sensible build up of players.

Falcons for my money must recruit heavily in the tight five if they want to survive. They are ok at hooker with Cooper probably returning and both McGuigan and Balmire. You need at least two good props on each side for the Prem. The most run happy side in the league Bristol are even throwing money at that department in Sinckler. The lock quality in the Prem is also pretty good as well, Rowlands a Premiership nobody has just got onto the Welsh squad. You've got to be able to pull your weight there, it's why we have struggled in previous years.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Falcons for my money must recruit heavily in the tight five if they want to survive. They are ok at hooker with Cooper probably returning and both McGuigan and Balmire. You need at least two good props on each side for the Prem. The most run happy side in the league Bristol are even throwing money at that department in Sinckler. The lock quality in the Prem is also pretty good as well, Rowlands a Premiership nobody has just got onto the Welsh squad. .

All the falcons fans would agree Sam 1000%

Hooker - We are strong...Cooper is good, Mcguigan getting better and better...Blamire looks like he could be another level.

Tightheads:
Rodney AH You - Ddespite initial reservations has been very good and hugely physical both at scrum time and carrying. Slightly injury prone. Which is a shame.
Logo - Leaving
Jon Welsh (who covers both sides) hasnt played in about 2 seasons due to injury so must surely be released.
Mike Daniels - Did ok in the championship, a squad member
Mark Tampin - Has barely played...unsure what to say.

Loosehead
All squad players who can do a job, nothing special. Brocklebank is the best of the 3
Trevor Davison
Sam Lockwood
Adam Brocklebank

Academy - Some hope in these two coming through...but after Scott Wilson went down like a damp squib, we're being more reserved.
Conrad Cade (A)
Oscar Caudle (A)


Locks
Robinson - A class prem proven player
Peterson - Really looked powerful in the championship and formed a great partnership with Robinson, but the prem is a whole other level, so we wait to see how he goes.
Barry - Barely played this season
Salmon - Signed from Exeter, dont think hes played one game
Sebastian de Charves - Played about 2 games

Academy - Montgomery will be be a good lock, athletic and lineout, but still a long way to go.
Will Montgomery (A)
Bailey Ransom (A)

Those lock options shouldn't be too bad in the Prem. They have experience there and have done a solid job. You'd probably sacrifice one for an upgrade on Paterson though.

Those props do not look up to it. Falcons will be up against it given their budget restrictions next season they can't afford to be conceding penalties and then points/territory from every scrum. If Welsh has to retire and Mulipola leaves that should free some cash up for reinvestment. There's some good props in the Championship and it should be Falcons chance to get the next Christian Judge.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-8246669/Leicester-Tigers-players-engage-lawyer-civil-war-pay-cuts.html

Seems the players are unhappy about the board telling them they were getting a pay cut without the common decency of discussing it with them first. I really do think Tom's time at the helm is numbered.

As far as I'm aware a lot of players are considering action through the RPA. It's not clear whether this action at Tigers is coming through the RPA or if the players have sought independent representation.

The RPA have been openly critical about the lack of cohesion and communication with Prem clubs response. In Wales for instance the Welsh RPA and the Professional Rugby Board agreed on wage cuts and furlough before any announcement. The same hasn't been the case in the Prem and seemingly at Tigers.

https://www.the42.ie/shane-lehane-leicester-melbourne-5085831-Apr2020/?utm_source=shortlink

Former Tiigers S&C coach talking about his time in rugby. An interesting read in terms of Tigers culture and Cockers in particular.

“Cocker came to me and said, ‘There’s not really a position there but we’ve been quite impressed with the work you’ve done, we think you’ve added value. There’s £8,000 left in the budget and some leftover gym equipment you can sell.’

That quote made me laugh. 12 years on from professionalism when he got that offer but still a lot of amateurism in the game then.

king_carlos wrote:As far as I'm aware a lot of players are considering action through the RPA. It's not clear whether this action at Tigers is coming through the RPA or if the players have sought independent representation.

The RPA have been openly critical about the lack of cohesion and communication with Prem clubs response. In Wales for instance the Welsh RPA and the Professional Rugby Board agreed on wage cuts and furlough before any announcement. The same hasn't been the case in the Prem and seemingly at Tigers.

Article on the Beeb about Genge looking to set up an independent union to help advise players. Said that although he feels RPA does a good job it is also beholden to the RFU and premiership rugby

Genge wants a body that can advise player on commercial, financial and legal subjects. Given the RPA get funding from the RFU and PRL those are the areas of likely conflict and the areas Genge thinks are possible conflicts of interest. Be interesting to see what comes from his plans.

Carlos, doesn't surprise me. The academy before the Jamie Taylor revamp was by all accounts even more of an amateur shambles.

Matt Scott signs for next season, he becomes our 5th capped centre along with Eastmond, Reid, Taute and Manu. Jonah Holmes is released from the final year of his contract (no mention of whether a fee was involved). That leaves us with just two capped back three players in Nadolo and TV.

Back three options next season includes just five senior players and only two of those are over 25. Very inexperienced back three options currently.

Following teh long list of players being released/moving on announced yesterday, today follows with Jimmy Stevens retirement.

Sadly not a surprise. He's struggled with concussion for a little while. Probably best for his long term health to look at something else. He sounds like he's got options away from rugby and he's still young and got his health. Sounds like his family are based down in Cornwall as well so a lovely part of the world to move back to.

Archie Vanes
Jack Rowntree
Emeka Ilione
Kit Smith
Sam Edwards
Harry Glynn

Confirmed school leavers getting development contracts. All hugely talented, especially Vanes and Ilione who many have huge hopes for.

I hate to be negative around a positive announcement (i.e. academy grads getting their first pro contract) but I'm amazed that Ollie Smith in particular has missed out. With Dan Kelly joining I was very excited about having two talented centres in the development squad for the first time in a while.

Ben Muncaster as well I really hoped to see in the development squad.

Jonny McPhillips has extended his contract.

Rumours that Logo Mulipola might be on his way back to Tigers.

I see no value in keeping McPhillips. He was pretty useless when he came in last season and spent half the season out on loan in the Championship. The only reason I could see to bother is that Zach Henry is a bit of a punt and we may be considering getting Hardwick a little Championship experience just to help polish up his game.

I was very surprised to see that Ollie Smith V2 wasn't staying. A goalkicking 13 or 15 with some pace sounding like someone we'd A want and B could do with in the development squad which remains short on backs particularly centres. Muncaster I am less surprised about as there was always a chance he'd be tempted northwards which I'm guessing is what's happened.

I'd guess that McPhillips will be 15 cover with us short in the back three. I'm unsure with him re-signing but largely from the players perspective. Ford, Hardwick and Henry at 10. Veainu, Steward and Worth at fullback. A lot would need to change for him to get first XV game time.

I expect that McPhillips will be in the 'academy cap' of £100k rather than the senior squad cap as well. He will still be 23 in September and I doubt he's on more than £30k pa. McPhillips, Kelly, Dimen, Chessum and Henderson will be the players the club are trying to fit in that academy ceiling of £100k. Cam Henderson might be on a lower end senior contract but I doubt it.

There's also Reid at 10 as well. We've just given Glynn a contract as well. We've got plenty of options at 10, I don't think McPhillips can defend well enough for 12 and even then we have several centres. I suspect some of the incoming back three options will be able to cover 15. Unless there's a new plan for next season whereby the fullback is going to be a playmaker (ala Alex Goode or sort of like Geordie was). Nadolo or Steward on one wing and then TV or Owolfela on the other as a power and pace style combo as McGinty mentioned.

As said, I'm guessing that McPhillips being under 24 in September and presumably on less than £30k means he's effectively being retained as a development player for depth and to see if he kicks on. If so then I don't see why that wage wouldn't be invested in Ollie Smith but then the latter might have chosen to look elsewhere or outside of rugby.

The development squad for next season by my understanding:

1.Whitcombe
2.Vanes
3.Dimen, Rowntree
4.Martin, Chessum
5.Henderson, Manz
6.Gough, Ilione
7.Lavin, K Smith
8.T Smith, Ashworth

9.Law, van Poortvliet, Edwards
10.Glynn

11.Browning
12.
13.Kelly
14.
15.Steward

A lot of talent in there. 13 forwards. 7 backs but 3 of those are scrum-halves.

I wonder if Simmons might get more game time at fullback or on the wing. He's looked comfortable at fullback before and certainly has the pace for it.

Jonny Law has played 10 in the past as well I believe.

king_carlos wrote:Jonny McPhillips has extended his contract.

Rumours that Logo Mulipola might be on his way back to Tigers.

Really?

I knew someone who was in the academy with Simmons and he mentioned that he was a fullback first and Tigers academy moved him to scrum half due to his size and skillset.

Law has covered 10 before so he could go there with Glynn at 12. We're still short on development backs. Ollie Smith V2 really is an odd one.

GF, squad filler signing. He'd cover both sides whilst our development players progress.

So, we have recruited South Africa's fitness coach.

LondonTiger wrote:So, we have recruited South Africa's fitness coach.

Head of Athletic Performance. He was with Munster before that. Fitness has been an area that's been questioned in recent times. Be interesting to see what the Aled can do.

Now if this can be followed by an innovative attack coach...

And a new attack coach, with ford switching to defence.

Never heard of the guy but he seems to have had a lot of success in the roles he's had.  Has done a lot of interesting things in terms of development as well. I guess he'll either be a roaring success or he'll be sacked before the end of the first season.

GeordieFalcon wrote:

king_carlos wrote:Jonny McPhillips has extended his contract.

Rumours that Logo Mulipola might be on his way back to Tigers.

Really?

Currently there are 4 front rows leaving (Polota-Nau, Cortes, Hills, Stevens) and only one coming in (Mamukashvili). So there's room in the squad but not sure if there's room in the cap given Cortes, Hills and Stevens won't have been on much.

For the right contract he could fit the squad well. We have depth at prop so he could be used largely as bench impact which Tigers have lacked for a while. It's the type of 2 + 2 equals rumours that I'd usually dismiss but I've heard nothing else about where Logo might sign after Falcons.

Delighted with Aled Walters. I can't say I know much about Rob Taylor but he seems to have had success in his roles. Both additions have the feel of McGinity's influence. Not names that many fans would have touted but both make the coaching staff seem more rounded.

Head coach - Borthwick
Defence coach - Ford
Attack coach - Taylor
Scrum coach - Stanko

The biggest improvement by far should still be from Borthwick coaching the forwards and lineout. Hopefully experience in the rest of the back room staff takes some pressure of his shoulders.

I like that we've hired people who are used to winning. Borthwick was part of the 6N title winning England campaigns and helped take us to a world cup final. Walters took a stodgy Bok outfit and turned them into machines under Rassie. Taylor seems to have won trophies everywhere, I'll be interested to learn about how he likes his team's to attack as all I could find was a mention to one of his team having both the best attack and defence in the competition.

A Google search suggests that Taylor was in the running for the Aussie attack job and a job within the Tahs so hopefully we've nicked a diamond from under the ARU's noses. Good to have some outside expertise coming in. All experienced coaches as well. I am hopeful.

Mulipola wasn't a revelation at the Falcons so might find it tough to get a contract at the minute. A return to Leicester which he and his fiance were happily living in pre the move to Falcons might be a good option even if the money is lower than he'd be hoping. I'd take him back on squad player wages to cover both sides and cover whilst Genge is away. 

LH - Genge, Gigena, Bateman
TH - Cole, Heyes
Both - Leatigaga, Mulipola

Would be a good stable of props with Dimen on the way through as well.

It’s amazing how fans and WRU people moan that we don’t employ our our welsh coaches, then this Welsh world class fitness coach takes up his third post outside of Wales.

I'm concerned about the affordability of this long term for Tigers but its ine heck of a coaching staff they are putting together and shows a real recognition of the need for change.
And I guess the clubs will all have to be more reliant on making the best of young talent rather than signing marquee players for the next few seasons, and a strong coaching staff is surely the best way to maximise what you have.

Borthwick won't have come cheap but coaching in South Africa doesn't pay big bucks given the exchange rate and Australian rugby is hardly rolling in cash these days.

When McGinity joined to plug the gaping hole in recruitment I was hopeful that we might be moving to a more balanced backroom staff. These appointments and Smurf moving to a more off-field role that his skills seem suited to fits that as well.

Exchange rates arent what they were now the pounds tanked!

Either way the wage bill of the backroom staff must have mushroomed, although Murphy is probably relatively low paid for a DOR given hes lucky to have a job at all still. I guess the commitment to bring in big names was part of the deal that helped secure Borthwick.

The internal promotion network was probably a very cheap coaching outfit though as we sacked MOC we've probably been paying his salary or a proportion thereof rather than a pay off. We should have cleared that now freeing up some space for a worthwhile appointment. I'm not sure if it's unsustainable to spend a bit more in the coaching staff as in total they are probably earning less than Manu or Ford and the impact could be significantly more. If the new coaching line up get us back into the European Top Tier than they will have upped our revenues and helped pay for themselves. Certainly spending money on them is better than giving into the likely relegation we'd suffer without trying to change things.

May be old news but Mapimpi has been linked to tigers.
Quality player going forward, certainly knows where the try line is.

A lot of the Boks have been told they can seek contracts elsewhere so that the South African Rugby Union can weather the Covid storm better. Some big names could be available as a result. 

I'd hope we acquired a top quality lock first but I'd not say no to Mpimpi at the right price (no more than we offered May).