Leicester next season

Now, we all know next season will de disrupted in part by the world cup, but I was thinking about what I'd like to see Leicester put out as their strongest side next season, if all players were available.

This season was pretty disappointing. I suppose there shouldn't be too much shame in losing to the eventual champs Leinster in the HC (and quite some champions they were). But in the Premiership final Sarries outplayed us, and it was the third time they'd beaten us that season so we can't say it was just bad luck, and that is less acceptable.

Having said that I'm broadly happy with the squad and the way the team is heading – we've strength in depth and some really promising young players about. We've also made some good signings My one gripe is with Cockerill not using the squad enough. I think we're better when we give fringe players a chance to play their way into the team, and give youngsters gametime. I think several players were underperforming for parts of last season: Chuter, Newby, Staunton, Grindal... and others could have done with a rest: Youngs, Flood, Hamilton, Castro...

Anyway this is how I'd like to see our strongest team line up next season:

1. Ayerza
2. Hawkins
3. Castro/Cole (rotate depending on form)
4. Deacon (really hope we makes it back for next season. If not – Slater)
5. Skivington
6. Waldrom
7. Croft
8. Crane
9. Youngs
10. Flood
11. A. Tuilagi
12. Allen
13. M. Tuilagi
14. Hamiton
15. Murphy

16. Twelvetrees
17. Young
18. Tait
19. Cole/Castro
20. Stankovich
21. Chuter
22. Slater/Kitchener
23. Mafi

One area we lack depth now is at FH. George Ford can't bulk up quick enough for me!

Looks weak

The trouble with Hamilton was that with Murphy missing most of the season (again) there was only Agiulla in the sqaud to cover fullback, and hes hardly been great.

Depth at Fly Half ...really that depends on Twelvetrees. If he can get his kicking and decision making up to standard then hes more than good enough to cover for Flood. Add another year onto Ford and Staunton in the sqaud and the depth isnt so bad.


I wouoldnt be at all suprised if Tigers have one more big signing to make for next season, under the new salary cap rules they can discount one player and get additional space for players at the world cup.

Standulstermen wrote:Looks weak

We'll see!

Don't know too much about Ulster to be honest, other than that they're no pushovers, have a few saffers and Stephen Ferris, although he spends a lot of time in crutches... oh and there's Nevin Spence who apparently dangled Tuilagi by his ankles and shook him till he cried like a schoolgirl in the Saxons-Wolfhounds games (from what I've heard, didn't see it myself!) Think it might be time to make my first trip to Belfast though...

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:I wouoldnt be at all suprised if Tigers have one more big signing to make for next season, under the new salary cap rules they can discount one player and get additional space for players at the world cup.

That doesn't come in until the season after next, 2012/13, so there is just the extra bit of room for WC cover but I'm not sure who would be available that is worth having?

Hopefully Ford will be able to step next season - he's small but not tiny for a flay half and he's used to playing against older, bigger opponents so he should be able to adapt to handling himself. I'm just desperate not to see too much of Staunton.

I wouoldnt be at all suprised if Tigers have one more big signing to make for next season, under the new salary cap rules they can discount one player and get additional space for players at the world cup.

Who would we sign? I can't think of any big names we'd be in the market for...

Hopefully Ford will be able to step next season - he's small but not tiny for a flay half and he's used to playing against older, bigger opponents so he should be able to adapt to handling himself. I'm just desperate not to see too much of Staunton.

Me too. TO be fair to Staunton, he's not a terrible player, but given Flood is the England FH, whoever is our second choice gets a lot of games, and that's without taking into account injuries to Flood...

I think a club of Leicester's stature can't afford to be playing so many games a season with a journeyman 10. I'd settle for some nervous performances from Ford/12T – at least then we'd be building for the future and working towards a position where we have quality cover for the position.

Eustace H Plimsoll wrote:I think a club of Leicester's stature can't afford to be playing so many games a season with a journeyman 10. I'd settle for some nervous performances from Ford/12T – at least then we'd be building for the future and working towards a position where we have quality cover for the position.

Agreed and in terms of the nerves issue when he came on against Gloucester and started the game at Newcastle Staunton looked far more nervous than 12trees has done at fly half for Tigers earlier in the season. OVer all he's a solid, dependable player but he does have the odd bad game and he's never going to be a great player, he also doesn't offer an option to change the game off the bench - if he comes on he is going to play like Flood but not quite as well, while 12Trees has a different style and can change the way the team is playing if plan A isn't working. That last point for me is really key if the club is to stay at the top and improve on the recent record in Europe.