Who, realistically, would you like to see at tigers 2013/14

[mol2]

Beyond that, maybe a bit mroe cover at 15 with Murphy confirmed retiring, and hamilton yet to be confirmed either way.

He (Hamilton) was interviewed on Radio Leicester and I think the only thing left to be done on the deal was the visa/work permit.

[FrontRowUnionMember]

Tigers Unoffy has tweeted "The Rugby Paper links current Toulon prop Davit Kubriashvili as a replacement for Castro"

Perhaps a part ex deal for Castro anyways the speculation mounts

Beyond that, maybe a bit mroe cover at 15 with Murphy confirmed retiring, and hamilton yet to be confirmed either way.

He (Hamilton) was interviewed on Radio Leicester and I think the only thing left to be done on the deal was the visa/work permit.

That sorts that out then.
Kubriashvilli would sort the prop issue if true too.
Just a proper fetcher of a 7 now please.

[kpj tiger]

That sorts that out then.
Kubriashvilli would sort the prop issue if true too.
Just a proper fetcher of a 7 now please.

IMO Salvi and Gibson will work well enough whilst George Oliver develops into a first team player which from his 5 minute cameo against Scarlets i have no doubts he will

[glenn]

Is kurtley beale still available?

[sam16111986]

I doubt we'll get another 7. Salvi is excellent, Gibson is a direct replacement for Newby, Briggs can play 7 and hooker and then there's the young lad Oliver. That's more options than we had this season.

I like the look of the Test lad, he's big strong, quick and good under the high ball. A bit of mentoring from Geordie and he could be a classy Kiwi style 15. Can't see us being that ambitious though.

Isn't the Georgian prop at Toulon known for being a touch iffy against technical scrummagers?

[rich1576]

Pat Howard as backs coach. Him and Geordie would be awesome together. I believe he's out of a job at the moment as well.

[sam16111986]

I thought Pat Howard had a lucrative position as the performance director of Aussie Cricket. Add to that he moved back to Oz for a reason and is unlikely to want to work under his old assistant.

[rich1576]

I thought he had left his post with Cricket Australia after the bust up with vice-captain Shane Watson. If not, then I think it will only be a matter of time

[h's dad]

IMO Salvi and Gibson will work well enough whilst George Oliver develops into a first team player which from his 5 minute cameo against Scarlets i have no doubts he will

Unfortunately I think George will be out with his knee injury for probably most of next season.

[Mersey Tiger]

Thanks h's dad.

Given that everyone has been singing George's praises it is very disappointing to hear that he has a long-term injury. Does anyone have any information on this: when he got injured? what the injury might be?

If Tigers see him as definitely one for the future then it is likely that his absence for (most of) next year will influence their recruitment policy - or more likely their retention policy. It could determine whether they give one of the backrowers everyone talks about - Noone, Thorpe and Brett Deacon - an extra year.

Does anyone have any (solid) info about George's situation?

[FrontRowUnionMember]

How about Kurt Baker, NZ Sevens try scoring machine. Also got Super 15 experience, Fullback primarily, but very capable Winger or Centre. Only 24. Would solve our lack of depth issue at fullback, whilst also offering cover at centre with Forsyth and Symons both gone.

[stevetelcom2000]

Some more local players (Leicestershire). Don't need work permits.

[sam16111986]

Ouch poor George. Hope he's back in a Tigers shirt again soon. I only saw him in those 5 mins against the Scarlets but the tenacity he showed was class, he was either the tackler or the first man in everytime. Good body positions and looked to be a menace, right way to make an impression.

I'd rather we looked at Pohe and Catchpole rather than replace Symons and Forsyth. The young lads will only play in the LV Cup so give them a go. Similar with Tahir el Mahdi who looked good in the sevens the other year and another Tigers fan I kniw raves about the other winger Williams A welsh man with good feet. A specialist fullback aside I wouldn't really want to see anymore backs signings.

[The Boy Dave]

The trouble with the young lads is risking their bodies surviving the physicality of the men's game and as we have seen with some recently it can be a big risk to their health when throwing them in. I am all for youngsters being given opportunities but you have to be sensible about it. I'm sure the youngsters would all disagree but you only have to look at Matt Tait's career to date to see the risk involved in nurturing young players. There are a few young bloke's that get serious injuries earlier in their career's. Players like Parling and Crane and even older ones like Croft and Ayerza when it goes slightly wrong. Then you see battle hardened wise men such as Salvi and know it is a man's game. I would love to see more involved but you can't overexpose them for their own benefit and you can't over rely on them for your own benefit if you are the DoR planning for a long hard season. I know someone will probably get criticized for bringing in a couple of so called seasoned journeymen but there is a method in the madness, IMO!

[sam16111986]

Physicality is an issue but these guys are 20ish they are close to maturity they need game time. The likes of Catchpole, Purdy and Pohe have played age grade rugby for England and for our A league side. They are ready to cover centre and wing in case of emergency or LV Cup. I'd put money on Pohe weighing in substantially more than Allen and Bowden.

These guys aren't first, second or even third choice (thanks to Matt Smith covering everywhere) in practice so why bring in another player just to push them further down the ladder.