Leicester Tigers 2017/18 Season

by Welly Thu Jun 15, 2017 7:57 am

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 Welly Sun Nov 12, 2017 10:33 am

I'm quite happy with the way MOC is building the team TBH.
TPN v Wales shows he can be a great ball carrier, would be a shame to lose either McGuigan or Thacker but neither have exactly but their hand up so far this season.

If we look a bit at next season for me the key signings we need to make is still
1. A big number 8 ball carrier.
2. A quality centre option maybe a 13 that can play wing in the big carrier mould.
3. A Lock. (Ian Henderson?)

Guess the biggest thing would be cap.
Rizzo + Kitto cap for TPN is a good bit of business IMO we could do with Rizzo but TPN fills a bigger need for next season aswell IMO, Logo staying fit would be massive.

by formerly known as Sam Sun Nov 12, 2017 1:21 pm

TPN will have a bigger and better impact than Rizzo (as long as he stays fit). I'm not sure whether hooker is a particular need though if he can help our lineout then he'll be worth every penny. I am getting increasingly concerned about our propping resources though, Logo can't stay fit and after him and Genge our looseheads are mediocre. Hills is young and has had a lot of injuries and Traynor can't seem to scrummage. Tighthead is mildly better but if we could land a loosehead and offload Traynor (I presume Rizzo won't return) that would be better.

If we could offload Fitzgerald and land Henderson as a replacement then that would be some incredible business. Wells and Big Joe should be kept on, Wells as looked particularly good this season and I'm still a fan of Barrow and Kitch.

Not sure about an 8 as Mapapalangi and Kalamafoni have been doing the business nicely. Agree about the need for an impact back option though is Pakalani can provide this then excellent, if not an 18 stone unit ala Alex Tuilagi or Rabeni would be nice.

by carpet baboon Sun Nov 12, 2017 2:21 pm

Welly wrote: I'm quite happy with the way MOC is building the team TBH.
TPN v Wales shows he can be a great ball carrier, would be a shame to lose either McGuigan or Thacker but neither have exactly but their hand up so far this season.

If we look a bit at next season for me the key signings we need to make is still
1. A big number 8 ball carrier.
2. A quality centre option maybe a 13 that can play wing in the big carrier mould.
3. A Lock. (Ian Henderson?)

Guess the biggest thing would be cap.
Rizzo + Kitto cap for TPN is a good bit of business IMO we could do with Rizzo but TPN fills a bigger need for next season aswell IMO, Logo staying fit would be massive.

Errrrrrrrr hands off

by nathan Mon Nov 13, 2017 3:25 am

Bateman resigns for tigers

by Welly Mon Nov 13, 2017 4:07 am

formerly known as Sam wrote:TPN will have a bigger and better impact than Rizzo (as long as he stays fit). I'm not sure whether hooker is a particular need though if he can help our lineout then he'll be worth every penny. I am getting increasingly concerned about our propping resources though, Logo can't stay fit and after him and Genge our looseheads are mediocre. Hills is young and has had a lot of injuries and Traynor can't seem to scrummage. Tighthead is mildly better but if we could land a loosehead and offload Traynor (I presume Rizzo won't return) that would be better.

If we could offload Fitzgerald and land Henderson as a replacement then that would be some incredible business. Wells and Big Joe should be kept on, Wells as looked particularly good this season and I'm still a fan of Barrow and Kitch.

Not sure about an 8 as Mapapalangi and Kalamafoni have been doing the business nicely. Agree about the need for an impact back option though is Pakalani can provide this then excellent, if not an 18 stone unit ala Alex Tuilagi or Rabeni would be nice.

Bateman for me has been excellent at LH.

by formerly known as Sam Mon Nov 13, 2017 4:47 am

I'd forgotten about Bateman when I wrote that Welly. I blame sleep deprivation. He's been a very good squad addition for us. Kicked on really nicely since Stankovitch joined as scrum coach.

Williams and Bateman signing new contracts is good we need to keep both. There will be at least one more, I'm hoping for TV.

by Welly Mon Nov 13, 2017 5:01 am

TV 3 year deal as well from what i hear.

by formerly known as Sam Mon Nov 13, 2017 5:31 am

TV confirmed as staying. Great news. He has been an extraordinary signing. Players that can change a game and score a try from nothing are tough to find and to keep. Yahoo

by Welly Mon Nov 13, 2017 6:03 am

Matt Toomua staying till end of 2020 season.

by **LondonTiger** Mon Nov 13, 2017 6:05 am

Mike Williams extends his contract too.

by nathan Mon Nov 13, 2017 6:18 am

Happy news day for me, especially Toomua and TV

by Welly Mon Nov 13, 2017 6:19 am

more to come.

by Guest Mon Nov 13, 2017 6:35 am

The 12 o'clock news could be TPN, I'm sure they've made an announcement during a previous Magic Monday on a player that had already been officially confirmed.

If it's not him I'm not sure who the club would find to be a more important announcement than Veainu and Toomua. Genge signing a 10 year extension or possibly an announcement that the Samoan witch doctor worked and Manu will never again be injured.

It's already the best Twitter popcorn thingy they've done, if a top class lock is announced I'm going to cry.

by Welly Mon Nov 13, 2017 7:07 am

Dan Cole.
A tigers legend!
Personally i'm glad they put his re-signing as the top billing.

by Guest Mon Nov 13, 2017 7:13 am

Yeah I was completely wrong about the club not being able to top the Veainu and Toomua news. Really happy a deal has been done and given the possibility that Cole will be phased out of the England squad after the WC his value for Tigers is going to increase.

Fantastic day.

by nathan Mon Nov 13, 2017 7:37 am

I think he needs a bit of a rest though. Thought he look knackered for England

by formerly known as Sam Mon Nov 13, 2017 8:56 am

I didn't think Dan needed to start vs Argebtina. Hopefully he'll make only a sub appearance or get a week off against Samoa.

Brilliant news on the re-signings all players we need to keep hold of and all players who'd have offers to go elsewhere. The Toomua deal is epic for our backline and Cole should be a one club man this deal helps that

by Sgt_Pooly Tue Nov 14, 2017 5:14 am

https://www.606v2.com/t66680-leicester

Full set of managers bar Tigers on the fantasy league. Still have 45m to spend which equates to 2 world class players if any of you are interested?

by **LondonTiger** Thu Nov 16, 2017 8:54 am

Tom Croft retires.

With yet another neck injury the only sensible option. Classy retirement statement to go with a classy player. Hope we can give him a great sendoff on Sunday.

by TightHEAD Thu Nov 16, 2017 9:17 am

by TightHEAD Thu Nov 16, 2017 9:18 am

Just joking guys, Great player.

wish him well for the future.

by formerly known as Sam Thu Nov 16, 2017 9:21 am

LondonTiger wrote:Tom Croft retires.

With yet another neck injury the only sensible option. Classy retirement statement to go with a classy player. Hope we can give him a great sendoff on Sunday.

One of my all time favorite Tigers. Legend of the club and at his peak one of the best in the world. Sensible decision is to retire and move on to the next chapter with his family. I hope he remains part of the club in an off the field role because he has always represented us excellently.

by TightHEAD Thu Nov 16, 2017 9:24 am

Thinking of it, in past season Baths recruitment policy would have been to signed him for a year or two.

by jimbopip Thu Nov 16, 2017 9:29 am

formerly known as Sam wrote:
LondonTiger wrote:Tom Croft retires.

With yet another neck injury the only sensible option. Classy retirement statement to go with a classy player. Hope we can give him a great sendoff on Sunday.

One of my all time favorite Tigers. Legend of the club and at his peak one of the best in the world. Sensible decision is to retire and move on to the next chapter with his family. I hope he remains part of the club in an off the field role because he has always represented us excellently.

I agree with all of this. I had the pleasure to chat with him after the Tigers v Glasgow match at Welford Road and he seemed a decent bloke. Just wish he had played for Scotland.

by No 7&1/2 Thu Nov 16, 2017 9:34 am

Quality player. Real shame but he did get the chance to make a big impact on the highest stages.

by formerly known as Sam Thu Nov 16, 2017 12:56 pm

No 7&1/2 wrote:Quality player. Real shame but he did get the chance to make a big impact on the highest stages.

He did but at 31 he had time to make some more great Welford Road memories and he's been robbed of some seasons due to injury. Given the way our lineouts been going the world's best lineout jumper would be handy right about now.

by Welly Thu Nov 16, 2017 1:10 pm

Massive shame.

wonderful player to watch in his prime.
Opens up for Steve Mafi i guess now.

by king_carlos Thu Nov 16, 2017 8:04 pm

A fantastic player who provided Tigers, England and Lions fans with some excellent memories.

He may not have been everyone's idea of a 6 but in the right packs he was a fantastic loose forward. His line-out work and covering defence was second to none I've seen.

His try against Quins in '13 will live long in the memory.

Hopefully he stays involved in some capacity. We couldn't half use a full time line-out coach at the minute.

by lostinwales Fri Nov 17, 2017 7:40 am

I'll miss Croft. One of my favourite players

by LuvSports! Fri Nov 17, 2017 2:45 pm

Lewis Moody's take on Croft.
http://richard-mills-sports.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/lewis-moody-tom-croft-was-unique-talent.html

by formerly known as Sam Sun Nov 26, 2017 9:28 am

Brady makes his return for the A league today. Also sees Argentina prop Facundo Gigena play at loosehead. Presume he's on trial. He's 23 with five Super 18 games and a solitary international appearance against Chile in which he scored and earned himself a Super Rugby contract. Could be a handy acquisition if he fits in and shows up well. Traynor certainly hasn't shown up well.

by nathan Sun Nov 26, 2017 1:11 pm

Took my nephew who enjoyed the game, although I think he enjoyed counting the water boys and doctors more. Enjoyed the game, thought wuss was going to get on top at the breakdown but tigers stepped it up and started clearing them better. Some dangerous runners too.

by formerly known as Sam Sun Nov 26, 2017 1:21 pm

How did the scrums go? Did the England under 18 tighthead and Argie loosehead show up?

Good to see our younger less experienced side notch up a bonus point win with the opposition not grabbing any points until the 57th minute.

by nathan Sun Nov 26, 2017 1:26 pm

Yeah I think it went well, can't remember losing any on our own feed and our 7 ran it from the back most of the time. Not sure if he was packing down at 8 or not in place of tuilagi

by Welly Sun Nov 26, 2017 1:31 pm

Olowofela the 15 is prob the most exciting backline academy player we have had in a while IMO.

Considering he looks as thin as a rake from a distance he is surprisingly strong, if he can bulk up in a couple years could see him being a mainstay of the team.

If i was MOC i would be tempted to replace a few squad players with these development players.

by nathan Sun Nov 26, 2017 1:32 pm

Didn't know that was his name but he made a fair few breaks an looked an exciting player

by formerly known as Sam Sun Nov 26, 2017 1:45 pm

I was impressed with Olowofela against Bath, his pace and footwork were very impressive. His positioning looked a bit iffy in that game but that's fixable at his age and you can't teach the step and speed he's got.

I agree Welly. We should be using these development players to fill out the squad so we can focus the available summer cap for quality and quantity. When they've been given their chance they have been desperate to show up well and keen to put their bodies on the line.

by **LondonTiger** Tue Nov 28, 2017 5:22 am

Any news on Matt Toomua?

by hugehandoff Tue Nov 28, 2017 5:26 pm

Manu available again.....how long will he last this time? Good luck to him as he certainly desserves it.

by **LondonTiger** Wed Nov 29, 2017 5:02 am

The Rugby Paper wrote:1. Marcos Ayerza – Consistently one of the best in the world for the last ten years. A true gentleman of the game who represented club and country with huge pride.

2. Tom Youngs – I played at centre with him and how he turned himself into a Lions hooker was truly inspirational. Never a backward step taken with the team’s interests always put first.

3. Dan Cole – Unbelievable work-rate for a tight-head prop, truly world class. It’s a shame he’s dull as dishwater off the field and he really needs to smile more.

4. Louis Deacon – First name on the team sheet. Always put you at ease when you looked over and saw him running out with you.

5. Tom Croft – Had to get him in somehow and I know how much he dislikes pushing in the row. On his day one of the best lineout forwards in the world and had pace to burn. Such a shame he’s had to retire early.

6. Craig Newby – Great over the ball, around the park, 100 per cent in everything he did. Could have played in the backs and indeed he did in one European game.

7. Lewis Moody – One of England’s great opensides. Fearless, with absolutely no respect for his personal safety. Went to a decent school (Oakham) as well!

8. Martin Corry – My first Leicester captain so he was always going to make an impression. Made ball carrying look very easy and great at getting the best out of his players.

9. Ben Youngs – Been the barometer of the Leicester team for years. When he plays well the team generally wins.

10. Dan Carter – The ultimate fly-half. One of those who always has time on the ball and with decision-making skills people can only dream of.

11. Vereniki Goneva – The closest player I have seen to being unplayable. Pace and power with ball skills to match. Makes very good defenders look extremely ordinary.

12. Anthony Allen – I played with Pat Howard and Aaron Mauger but this guy’s sheer class edges it. Should have got 50 caps, made the whole team better and everyone else’s job easier.

13. Manu Tuilagi – Very glad he plays at Leicester and it will be great to see him have a long run of games. The most destructive player I have seen with ball in hand and defensively not someone you want to be running at.

14. Alesana Tuilagi – Lightning quick with unbelievable ball skills and as destructive as Manu with ball in hand. One of the best finishers I have seen, from anywhere on the pitch.

15. Geordan Murphy – The most skilful player I have come across by some distance. Changed the outcome of a game single handedly on many, many occasions.

Matt Smith's Dream Team. Has to be made up of people you have played with or against.

by formerly known as Sam Wed Nov 29, 2017 6:18 am

That's a pretty good dream team that. Dan's out of contract at Racing soon, maybe we can have a word and he can have a little part time job coaching and filling in for Ford.

My mate's dad had a chat with Manu at the weekend and he's raring to go. Which game he'll be back for the physio will decide as they want to make sure he comes through contact training and is 100% before he's back out there. He's got bags of power and pace when fit and in form so hopefully he can get a run of games together and show people that he's still got it.

by formerly known as Sam Wed Dec 06, 2017 11:28 am

Genge out for two months following shoulder surgery. Rizzo recalled to cover.

by **LondonTiger** Wed Dec 06, 2017 11:29 am

Rizzo needed as Traynor has sucked.

by formerly known as Sam Wed Dec 06, 2017 1:21 pm

LondonTiger wrote:Rizzo needed as Traynor has sucked.

Sucked hard. Hopefully with Logo back we won't need Traynor as much. Just need Bateman and Cilliers to recover and be available and our propping options will be ok once again. Traynor and Baumman fill me with dread.

by eirebilly Wed Dec 06, 2017 1:23 pm

I was reading this interview with DOC and Stringer today on the hand of Back incident.

Its actually nice to read that there is no malice held against Back by the players, in fact, they even said that if given the chance they would have tried it as well. He would have been adored in Munster if he was a Munster player after doing that.

by formerly known as Sam Fri Dec 08, 2017 7:06 am

Leicester Tigers (v Munster Rugby, away, Saturday 7.45pm)

15 Telusa Veainu

14 Adam Thompstone

13 Matt Smith

12 Mathew Tait

11 Jonny May

10 George Ford

9 Ben Youngs

1 Kyle Traynor

2 Tom Youngs (c)

3 Dan Cole

4 Mike Fitzgerald

5 Graham Kitchener

6 Valentino Mapapalangi

7 Luke Hamilton

8 Sione Kalamafoni

Replacements

16 Harry Thacker

17 Logovi’i Mulipola

18 Chris Baumann

19 Dom Barrow

20 Mike Williams

21 Sam Harrison

22 Joe Ford

23 Nick Malouf

Traynor starts :-( .

by XR Fri Dec 08, 2017 7:12 am

Geordan Murphy linked with the vacant Blues post. What's he like?

by formerly known as Sam Fri Dec 08, 2017 7:46 am

gcBlues wrote:Geordan Murphy linked with the vacant Blues post. What's he like?

He's been skills coach and assistant backs coach for a while. At odd times has been backs coach but never really had free reign nor has he really guided our attack to anything special. Could go either way if he took the job. As his family are very well settled in Leicester and he has pretty much got a job for life I'd be surprised if he left particularly for a poisoned chalice like the Cardiff Blues though Scully and Roberts are there who were too relatively unknown players that seemed to flourish under his guidance.

by Welly Fri Dec 08, 2017 7:53 am

formerly known as Sam wrote:
gcBlues wrote:Geordan Murphy linked with the vacant Blues post. What's he like?

He's been skills coach and assistant backs coach for a while. At odd times has been backs coach but never really had free reign nor has he really guided our attack to anything special. Could go either way if he took the job. As his family are very well settled in Leicester and he has pretty much got a job for life I'd be surprised if he left particularly for a poisoned chalice like the Cardiff Blues though Scully and Roberts are there who were too relatively unknown players that seemed to flourish under his guidance.

Is cardiff a poisoned chalice? Not like they are expected to win anything currently.

by XR Fri Dec 08, 2017 8:16 am

Welly wrote:
formerly known as Sam wrote:
gcBlues wrote:Geordan Murphy linked with the vacant Blues post. What's he like?

He's been skills coach and assistant backs coach for a while. At odd times has been backs coach but never really had free reign nor has he really guided our attack to anything special. Could go either way if he took the job. As his family are very well settled in Leicester and he has pretty much got a job for life I'd be surprised if he left particularly for a poisoned chalice like the Cardiff Blues though Scully and Roberts are there who were too relatively unknown players that seemed to flourish under his guidance.

Is cardiff a poisoned chalice? Not like they are expected to win anything currently.

A few seasons back I would have said it was, but I don't think so anymore. Danny Wilson has done a good job to instill a sense of pride and team ethos in the players which wasn't there (and likely left when Dai Young did). We've got a lot of promising young players coming through as well which may be enticing.

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