2015/16 Squad/Contracts/Rumours Thread Part 2

[WhitecapTiger]

in tandem with the likes of JDV and Toomua he could become truly works class in the Nonu mould

I'm assuming this is an auto-correct mistake?

Thanks Whitecap, I was obviously over excited

No worries fentiger, good to be excited by this. Made me laugh, in a good way

[MICKW]

Cockerill will be getting a headache about selection, if all the players become available.

1. Ayerza. Mulipola Aguera
2. Youngs. Ghiraldini. Bateman
3. Cole Rizzo. Balmain
4. Slater. De Chaves. Barrow
5. Kitchener Fitzgerald. Beckett
6. Croft. Crane. Owen
7. O'Connor. Williams. Thacker
8. McCaffrey Pearce. Fonua
9. Youngs. Harrison. Kitto
10. Williams. Burns. Bell
11. Goneva. Thompstone. Camacho
12. De Villiers. Bai. Roberts
13. Tuilagi. Smith. Catchpole
14. Betham. Veainu. Benjamin
15. Tait. Morris. Loamanu
Great to see our real first playing.

[longlivethecrumbie]

Cockerill will be getting a headache about selection, if all the players become available.

1. Ayerza. Mulipola Aguera
2. Youngs. Ghiraldini. Bateman
3. Cole Rizzo. Balmain
4. Slater. De Chaves. Barrow
5. Kitchener Fitzgerald. Beckett
6. Croft. Crane. Owen
7. O'Connor. Williams. Thacker
8. McCaffrey Pearce. Fonua
9. Youngs. Harrison. Kitto
10. Williams. Burns. Bell
11. Goneva. Thompstone. Camacho
12. De Villiers. Bai. Roberts
13. Tuilagi. Smith. Catchpole
14. Betham. Veainu. Benjamin
15. Tait. Morris. Loamanu
Great to see our real first playing.

If, rather than when though. I can't remember the last time we had nobody on the treatment table

[trendylfj]

I have to say that next year's squad is the best I have seen for many many years. It has real strength in depth and we should be able to compete with the best that the rest of Europe has to offer - it is young, dynamic and offers real promise for the future (if we can keep them all happy with good rotation)

[L Smith]

Superb signing.
Cannot wait to see him tearing it up at Welford RD.
Any comments from the 'sack Cockers' brigade?
You know who you are

[Doghashadhisday]

Superb signing.
Cannot wait to see him tearing it up at Welford RD.
Any comments from the 'sack Cockers' brigade?
You know who you are

Sack Cockers before the player gets injured prior to arrival and misses the whole of the season.

[trendylfj]

just read it is a 3 year deal - http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union ... kzbxo.html

[DCATsOLDMAN]

An exciting signing. Hopefully this will encourage Manu and YBY to sign new contracts.

[BIttySmalls]

I cannot express how excited the Toomua signing makes me. Especially with the type of rugby we are currently playing. Totally buzzing!!!

Not very often will something make me want a celebration drinky on a school night, however this announcement was followed by a beaming smile and three pints of Birra Moretti.

[FrontRowUnionMember]

Players out of contract next season:
Leo - could go either way, but with Bateman, Thacker and Farnworth in reserve behind Youngs, workable.
Rizzo - can't see him signing again, maybe Sears-Duru on trial was with a view to this. Brugnara and Sio also on the books.
Brugnara (?) - think he'll stay, seeing some game time already.
Tiz (?) - think he'll stay, already getting into matchday squad.
Slater - think he'll stay
Croft? - think he'll stay
Crane? - could go either way, based on impact of Fonua and development of Pearce.
Loamanu - think he'll go, has been overlooked this season.
Youngs - think he'll stay
Bai - probably retained as a player/coach, more emphasis on coach, but emergency backup as player.
JDV - depends how the season goes, personally think he'll go, but may take over Bai's role as steady backup.
Manu - think he'll stay
Smith - think he'll stay
Goneva - depends how the season goes, may have one last big contract abroad
Thompstone (?) - if he maintains his current form, will probably get a new deal
Benjamin (?) - needs a run of games, or else time to let go. Not seen anywhere near enough of him given the time he's been on the books.
Camacho - much like Benjamin, depends of proving fitness and what he does once fit.

The obvious shift in style of play, should be more than enough to lure some of those into renewing contracts.

Ayerza, Brugnara, Rizzo/Sears-Duru?, Sio
Youngs, Bateman, Thacker, Farnworth
Cole, Mulipola, Balmain, Pasqualli
Slater, Barrow, Maksymiw
Kitchener, Fitzgerald, De Chaves
Croft, Williams, Beckett
O'Connor, McCafferey, Owen
Fonua, Pearce, Crane?
Youngs, Harrison, Kitto, Tresidder
Williams, Burns, Bryant
Goneva?, Thompstone, Benjamin/Camacho?
Toomua, Roberts, Bai/JDV?
Tuilagi, Smith, Catchpole
Betham, Veianu, Odogwu
Tait, Morris, Bell

That's only allowing for one signing in Toomua, maybe another hooker, lock, a winger and 13? Depends on how things pan out for Crane, Benjamin, Camacho, Bai, JDV etc?

[Coops]

Superb signing.
Cannot wait to see him tearing it up at Welford RD.
Any comments from the 'sack Cockers' brigade?
You know who you are

Sack Cockers before the player gets injured prior to arrival and misses the whole of the season.

That's why he's been signed now - he'll get injured whilst completing the documentation, need a full season to recover and then with Tigers next season!

[Noggs]

Superb signing.
Cannot wait to see him tearing it up at Welford RD.
Any comments from the 'sack Cockers' brigade?
You know who you are

Sack Cockers before the player gets injured prior to arrival and misses the whole of the season.

That's why he's been signed now - he'll get injured whilst completing the documentation, need a full season to recover and then with Tigers next season!

There's nothing like an optimist and clearly you're nothing like an optimist

[Iain]

Signing Toomua is probably the most exciting signing we have made since we signed Aaron Mauger. Next season already feels exciting!

[JackFlashJonny]

Signing Toomua is probably the most exciting signing we have made since we signed Aaron Mauger. Next season already feels exciting!

Tell me about it..and this season is already exciting enough now..

My only gripe is there isn't a classic supporters shirt I can buy to wear as the home one is disgusting

And if that is my only gripe..Good times

[Hinckley Bob]

So, does that mean no SBW then?