Richard Thorpe from LI

[x24jue]

Just seen this on twitter

Richard Thorpe ‏@RichardJAThorpe
Thanks for a great decade of rugby London Irish. Now for a new challenge... signed with Leicester Tigers this afternoon #happylad
Retweeted by Tigers Unofficial

[x24jue]

He has now deleted it from twitter?

[CitizenSmiff]

Would be very surprised if this ended up happening, we're already stacked deep with back rowers so no need for one who rarely started in a pretty poor Irish pack.

[alex_111]

The Rugby Paper seem to think its a done deal, also mentions that we looked at the elder Waldrom

[4071]

Would be very surprised if this ended up happening, we're already stacked deep with back rowers so no need for one who rarely started in a pretty poor Irish pack.

He's a good player, and covers all three back-row positions, so would always be useful. But as you say, utility back-rowers are hardly the highest priority for this squad, given who we already have. Not going to be a first choice player, so unless Newby and Croft are out for much longer than expected it seems like a strange signing. There are enough decent players in the squad who aren't getting game time as it is.

[jgriffin]

Perhaps you ought to join the conspiracy side like Crumblies, Bill and me who suspect that all is not entirely well at Tigers HQ. The signals are that Croft, BY and Newby plus possibly other back rowers are not going to be seen this side of Xmas, and there is also the hint that the talented Mr Morris ain't a happy bunny. What money on Tait not recovering BTW?

This is turning into an 'all change' season - could be fun!

[sam16111986]

and there is also the hint that the talented Mr Morris ain't a happy bunny

Niall Morris? If he's no happy then why did he sign a contract extension at the back end of last season?

The signals are that Croft, BY and Newby plus possibly other back rowers are not going to be seen this side of Xmas

Croft will not be seen before November I don't reckon, Newby and Woods I have real doubts over their long term fitness but Crane should be good to go soon enough, he's been doing water boy duty long enough and will have a full pre season. Ben Youngs won't be seen until late November/early December time I don't reckon, hence Phibbs coming in for 4 months.

All bets are off on when Tait will be fit but I'd rather see us give de Carpienter, Cain (who looked classy in the 7s) or another young academy player a bench spot and LV Cup time over a 27 year old who has had an underwhelming career to date.

[youngtiger]

All bets are off on when Tait will be fit but I'd rather see us give de Carpienter, Cain (who looked classy in the 7s) or another young academy player a bench spot and LV Cup time over a 27 year old who has had an underwhelming career to date.

Niether of the aforementioned are even similar to Tait, so they wouldn't get game time instead of Tait anyway.

[sam16111986]

Niether of the aforementioned are even similar to Tait, so they wouldn't get game time instead of Tait anyway.

Apologies for my poorly constructed sentence. The reference to Tait and the preference of utilising those academy players were different topics. No idea when Tait will be back. I would prefer we utilised Cain, de Carpienter etc rather than signing the 27 year old Richard Thorpe.

[trendylfj]

Now confirmed by London Irish although it doesn't say which club he has gone to.
http://www.london-irish.com/news/Irish85447.ink

[jack]

Curiouser and curiouser!

[boon]

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/R ... story.html

for your info...

[Daveyboy]

I have always been impressed by him - he is not big for a back rower but he can shift.

[youngtiger]

Niether of the aforementioned are even similar to Tait, so they wouldn't get game time instead of Tait anyway.

Apologies for my poorly constructed sentence. The reference to Tait and the preference of utilising those academy players were different topics. No idea when Tait will be back. I would prefer we utilised Cain, de Carpienter etc rather than signing the 27 year old Richard Thorpe.

Fair play I've not seen much of the the other 2 so I can't really make a judgement on preference but I rate Thorpe as a pretty dynamic back-rower.

[Wayne Richardson Fan Club]

TTE's brother would float my boat more perosonally, although he has Bad Knees which I presume would make hima risky signing, for those who haven't seen him, a true NZ 7, unlucky to be playing at the same time as McCaw.