Martin Castrogiovanni signs for Toulon

[fleabane]

If true, you can't blame Castro for wanting to top up his pension. He stuck with us when his last contract was up, (remember the wigs and masks at WR?), and he has been a brilliant player for the club.

Stay or go, a true Tiger Legend.

[CitizenSmiff]

He stuck with us when his last contract was up, (remember the wigs and masks at WR?), and he has been a brilliant player for the club.

Aye, he stuck with us when we needed him and all kinds of money was being thrown his way, you couldn't ask for a better model of modern professionalism. If he does go I'll certainly raise a glass and wish him all the best for the future.

[Big Dai]

Huh! He's not a patch on Darren Garforth!


.................Typical of the roundabout that professional rugby has become. This and his departure will sadden me.

I don't blame anyone for bettering their pension. If he goes good luck to him.

.................I still remember the crash dive at the Millenium. Made my 50th!

[fleabane]

A bit more info here:

http://tinyurl.com/cqu9wk2

[old one eye]

It will be sad if he does go, but good luck to him, he deserves his big pay day after sticking with Tigers the last time his contract was due for renewal.

[Hull Fan]

Fair play, good luck Castro (if you go) you will always be a Tiger legend.
Now i've got to tell a 9 year old daughter that her favourite player may be leaving.

[FrontRowUnionMember]

Interesting if true, as this would give them Castro, Hayman (arguably the best tight head of the last decade, and recently extended his contract) plus Kubriashvilli who is a quality tighthead in his own right. Three tightheads of such calibre will be hard to keep happy in terms of playing time. Fingers crossed he stays, because he is a Tigers legend and still a top class tighthead, but I would not begrudge him one last big move if it is in his best interests (though as stated above I only see financial rewards as I don't see any more game time on offer).
In terms of where it would potentially leave us, we would still have Cole, who is my opinion is right up amongst the best in the world right now, then the younger options of Brookes (who came with quite a reputation and a fair bit of experience relative to his age, but has struggled to comeback from his long term injury) and Balmain (who has burst into the picture this year with some steady set piece work and impressive carrying). We also have Mulipola as a tighthead option, given that is where he started his Tigers career, but that would leave us lighter over at loosehead with only Ayerza and Stanko. Harris and Bower at loose and tight respectively have yet to make the grade.

[mol2]

I fear this is yet another example of how the salary cap is killing the ability of England's big clubs from competing for players with the French sides.

If the salary cap produced opportunities for young English players as a spin off it might be doing some good but may clubs seem to spend it on proven journeymen from overseas. In reality it means that clubs who develop players end up losing them as their worth (in salary terms) climbs. What for? So that poorer sides can get ever closer to the big sides? It is a slide to wards bottom and not race to the top. Sure none of us benefit from sides spending beyond their means and going bust but those that are financially sound should be allowed to run their businesses how they choose.
Why should Tigers, Quins, Stains and Sarries accept being held back so that Wasps, Exeter, Irish and the like can be in with a chance of beating the top sides come the 6N. At what cost? A low standard premiership that doesn't prepare players for Europe let alone international duty.
The risk - imprudent sides go bust - which is an issue for their employees and debtors. Too bad history suggests there are quite a few sides with ambition in the lower divisions who are ready to take their place.

[sapajo]

Interestingly Martin Crowson has tweeted today "Castro is under contract at @LeicesterTigers for another year and Toulon would have to pay a huge transfer fee to get him this summer."

[longlivethecrumbie]

Interestingly Martin Crowson has tweeted today "Castro is under contract at @LeicesterTigers for another year and Toulon would have to pay a huge transfer fee to get him this summer."

They seemingly aren't short of a few £s so I wouldn't put it past them buying him out of the remainder of his contract with us. I hope not, but it wouldn't surprise me

[jgriffin]

Interestingly Martin Crowson has tweeted today "Castro is under contract at @LeicesterTigers for another year and Toulon would have to pay a huge transfer fee to get him this summer."

They seemingly aren't short of a few £s so I wouldn't put it past them buying him out of the remainder of his contract with us. I hope not, but it wouldn't surprise me

Exactly what I said to Mrs G yesterday - they have enough funds to do this!

[MrPartridge]

Agree with all the sentiments on here...Tigers legend but his best years are behind him. Frankly, Tigers have a good track record of 'off-loading' the players 'on the slide'. It is a sign of good management. There aren't too many Tigers who have left the club and become a huge success elsewhere.. and that includes some of the younger players like Hipkiss.

[TigerCam]

Yep, time to get shot. Castro is past his SBD, going by this season's form and with all the new blood available then time to get rid of the old stock. If the Tigers are really interested in Corbiserio then maybe that is one of the reasons?

[TigerLad]

Yep, time to get shot. Castro is past his SBD, going by this season's form and with all the new blood available then time to get rid of the old stock. If the Tigers are really interested in Corbiserio then maybe that is one of the reasons?

I cant see us signing Corbisiero, we have Ayerza so we dont need him. Also I hear he is off to Northampton to replace Tongasomething.

[fleabane]

"Tongasomething"? Bit disrespectful?