Manu Tuilagi to Saracens!

Forum to discuss everything that is Tigers related

Moderators: Tigerbeat, Rizzo, Tigers Press Office, Tigers Webmaster

Post Reply
Skin_and_Muscle
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1498
Joined: Sat Nov 22, 2008 5:53 pm
Location: London

Re: Manu Tuilagi to Saracens!

Post by Skin_and_Muscle »

This last year has demonstrated that a secured centre pairing is key to a decent attack. In some ways, it doesn't matter who is playing there; we did fairly well before Manu came along, for instance, and I think Allen has been as much, if not more, of a loss this season.

Next season I want a partnership that will get a run of games, whether that's:

Allen/Tuilagi
Allen/Tait
A.N.Other/Tuilagi
A.N.Other/Tait
Tuilagi/Tait
Tuilagi/Catchpole
Roberts/Catchpole

etc.
Noddy555
Super User
Super User
Posts: 2823
Joined: Sat Aug 24, 2013 9:32 pm

Re: Manu Tuilagi to Saracens!

Post by Noddy555 »

I find myself agreeing with you Skin and Muscle but why not give Catchpole and Tait a run at 12 & 13 for a short time. They both possess good rugby brains and a fair amount of pace. I would have Tommy Bell at Fullback to cover for the injured Niall Morris and the added bonus of that is Bell's kicking ability should Freddie Burns fail yet again in that department.
Doghashadhisday
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 888
Joined: Sat Oct 04, 2014 7:47 pm

Re: Manu Tuilagi to Saracens!

Post by Doghashadhisday »

Noddy555 wrote:I find myself agreeing with you Skin and Muscle but why not give Catchpole and Tait a run at 12 & 13 for a short time. They both possess good rugby brains and a fair amount of pace. I would have Tommy Bell at Fullback to cover for the injured Niall Morris and the added bonus of that is Bell's kicking ability should Freddie Burns fail yet again in that department.
But Catchpole and Tait are both 13's. It would be Roberts and Catchpole or Roberts and Tait. Dint we try Catchpole and Tait and Catchpole was rather absent!
Noddy555
Super User
Super User
Posts: 2823
Joined: Sat Aug 24, 2013 9:32 pm

Re: Manu Tuilagi to Saracens!

Post by Noddy555 »

Doghashadhisday I don't agree centres should be able to play both positions 12 & 13 i.e. inside and outside centre. You cannot afford to specialise in any one position these days or you will severely limit your selection options. Just like a good full back should be able to play on the wing or even at fly half. There is only really one decision that a player should make i.e. whether to be a back or a forward, and I have known quite a few flankers over the years who would even dispute that.
johnthegriff
Super User
Super User
Posts: 2013
Joined: Sat Dec 20, 2008 12:37 am

Re: Manu Tuilagi to Saracens!

Post by johnthegriff »

Will Greenwood was an excellent 12 but not so good as a 13, each position on a rugby pitch requires certain skills lucky and rare are those that possess all the skills necessary to play adequately in all backs positions or even two or three of them. Even with the skills it may be that a player has a preference for one position over another. Tim Stimpson was a superb fullback but did not like, and was not so good at playing on the wing, Geordan Murphy was excellent in both positions.
Manu when fit is a world class centre and he can and does pass he could be a 12 or a 13 but the game plan would have to adapt to his strengths it would be unwise to give him a second kicker role.
Noddy555
Super User
Super User
Posts: 2823
Joined: Sat Aug 24, 2013 9:32 pm

Re: Manu Tuilagi to Saracens!

Post by Noddy555 »

The only rider I would add to my previous post is of course the specialist position of Hooker. But even in the forwards good props and flankers can play either open or blind side positions.
L Smith
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1757
Joined: Mon May 04, 2009 6:22 pm

Re: Manu Tuilagi to Saracens!

Post by L Smith »

Noddy555 wrote:The only rider I would add to my previous post is of course the specialist position of Hooker. But even in the forwards good props and flankers can play either open or blind side positions.
...when it suits them (Corbisiero) :smt045
I refuse to have a battle of wits with an unarmed man
jauzy19
Top Cat
Top Cat
Posts: 54
Joined: Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:18 am
Location: France

Re: Manu Tuilagi to Saracens!

Post by jauzy19 »

Cagey Tiger
Super User
Super User
Posts: 2304
Joined: Thu Oct 06, 2005 2:27 pm
Location: South Lincolnshire

Re: Manu Tuilagi to Saracens!

Post by Cagey Tiger »

Should the topic title be amended to include Toulouse? :smt001
RagingBull
Super User
Super User
Posts: 13210
Joined: Sun Nov 03, 2013 12:54 pm

Re: Manu Tuilagi to Saracens!

Post by RagingBull »

If you want him next season you will prob have to pay a record transfer fee.

Mind you French press is worse than the English press for rumours.
L Smith
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1757
Joined: Mon May 04, 2009 6:22 pm

Re: Manu Tuilagi to Saracens!

Post by L Smith »

RagingBull wrote:
If you want him next season you will prob have to pay a record transfer fee.

Mind you French press is worse than the English press for rumours.
Sounds like the Toulousain board are clutching at straws in the transfer market and getting themselves linked to big names in order to appease their fans.
I refuse to have a battle of wits with an unarmed man
InGuinnessVeritas
Bronze Member
Bronze Member
Posts: 370
Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2014 10:39 am

Re: Manu Tuilagi to Saracens!

Post by InGuinnessVeritas »

For those of you who don't read French, here's a piece from Planet Rugby.
RagingBull
Super User
Super User
Posts: 13210
Joined: Sun Nov 03, 2013 12:54 pm

Re: Manu Tuilagi to Saracens!

Post by RagingBull »

Cockerill now on record saying Leicester won't sell him and are in advance talks with him.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... ilagi.html
Doghashadhisday
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 888
Joined: Sat Oct 04, 2014 7:47 pm

Re: Manu Tuilagi to Saracens!

Post by Doghashadhisday »

RagingBull wrote:Cockerill now on record saying Leicester won't sell him and are in advance talks with him.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... ilagi.html
That's Manu as good as sold then :smt003
DickyP
Super User
Super User
Posts: 2815
Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2008 8:14 pm
Location: Newark

Re: Manu Tuilagi to Saracens!

Post by DickyP »

Noddy555 wrote:I find myself agreeing with you Skin and Muscle but why not give Catchpole and Tait a run at 12 & 13 for a short time. They both possess good rugby brains and a fair amount of pace. I would have Tommy Bell at Fullback to cover for the injured Niall Morris and the added bonus of that is Bell's kicking ability should Freddie Burns fail yet again in that department.
Only reason I can think of is that Catchpole is definitely a 13 rather than a 12 (despite one appearance there last season): probably has the best outside break we've had at WR since Ollie Smith at his best..
For when the One Great Scorer comes to write against your name,
He marks - not that you won or lost - but how you played the Game."
Post Reply