Development Squad
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Re: Development Squad
It doesn't sound unreasonable. Of the current crop Evans has got into the team ahead of other back row options, Maksymiw hovers on the edge of the squad and Bryant has stepped up in a crisis. Worth was talked about at the start of the season and played today, so that may be a sign of things to come for him. Ben White is still an academy player, is he not? So that's three or four.
Sadly I think for the 20/21/22 year olds, some of them need to move on or, as we may be seeing with Charlie Beckett, try a positional switch. Players like Farnworth, Owen and Tressider just haven't been able to get into match day squads.
Sadly I think for the 20/21/22 year olds, some of them need to move on or, as we may be seeing with Charlie Beckett, try a positional switch. Players like Farnworth, Owen and Tressider just haven't been able to get into match day squads.
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Re: Development Squad
None can complain as in fairness no-one has done here what the likes of Itoje (21) and Billy Vunipola (23) has, or Slade (23) and Nowell (23) and so on.
If you look around at the likes of Adam Hastings (19) and Joe Cokanasiga who is younger again it puts it into perspective.
There is a standard to be maintained otherwise you have to go out and find it with the likes of Barrow, Genge and McGuigan.
I think they have had the opportunity to develop but haven't really grabbed anything else.
If you look around at the likes of Adam Hastings (19) and Joe Cokanasiga who is younger again it puts it into perspective.
There is a standard to be maintained otherwise you have to go out and find it with the likes of Barrow, Genge and McGuigan.
I think they have had the opportunity to develop but haven't really grabbed anything else.
Cheery chappy
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Re: Development Squad
I think this is the harsh reality of it all once we are 20 and older you have to start showing something.The Boy Dave wrote:None can complain as in fairness no-one has done here what the likes of Itoje (21) and Billy Vunipola (23) has, or Slade (23) and Nowell (23) and so on.
If you look around at the likes of Adam Hastings (19) and Joe Cokanasiga who is younger again it puts it into perspective.
There is a standard to be maintained otherwise you have to go out and find it with the likes of Barrow, Genge and McGuigan.
I think they have had the opportunity to develop but haven't really grabbed anything else.
As we have to make room for the likes of
Yawayawa (Who does look very good in the limited time i have seen him play)
White
Simmons
etc
so they can then get more game time in say LV cup and A league games and see if they have potential. 3/4 is a respectable amount to bring up (and more than what we usually do if the case).
Who knows maybe the freed up cash could go towards trying to keep Umaga?
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Re: Development Squad
I think the harshest reality is the level and physicality of the mens game.I think this is the harsh reality of it all once we are 20 and older you have to start showing something.
As we have to make room for the likes of
Yawayawa (Who does look very good in the limited time i have seen him play)
White
Simmons
etc
so they can then get more game time in say LV cup and A league games and see if they have potential. 3/4 is a respectable amount to bring up (and more than what we usually do if the case).
Who knows maybe the freed up cash could go towards trying to keep Umaga?
All the young players are obviously good young players but you don't truly find out until crunch time comes.
What are considered by some to be lesser players when young can sometimes thrive in the mens game, it's a real mixed bag and why I am not keen on elite youth rugby whilst the rest are discarded.
One thing that would be very sad is if young players are released in bulk earlier and earlier for funds to be freed up to keep very young individuals, and if agents etc are creeping into the equation also then I'm not sure where that ends!
Cheery chappy
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Re: Development Squad
I'm not saying that tigers are doing that but it could be a off shot for it.The Boy Dave wrote:I think the harshest reality is the level and physicality of the mens game.I think this is the harsh reality of it all once we are 20 and older you have to start showing something.
As we have to make room for the likes of
Yawayawa (Who does look very good in the limited time i have seen him play)
White
Simmons
etc
so they can then get more game time in say LV cup and A league games and see if they have potential. 3/4 is a respectable amount to bring up (and more than what we usually do if the case).
Who knows maybe the freed up cash could go towards trying to keep Umaga?
All the young players are obviously good young players but you don't truly find out until crunch time comes.
What are considered by some to be lesser players when young can sometimes thrive in the mens game, it's a real mixed bag and why I am not keen on elite youth rugby whilst the rest are discarded.
One thing that would be very sad is if young players are released in bulk earlier and earlier for funds to be freed up to keep very young individuals, and if agents etc are creeping into the equation also then I'm not sure where that ends!
This current group has about 10 or so players who are 21 now either they will be brought up or not by now.
Unfortunately I think agents will start to come into play nowish @U18 level the increase exposure from the likes of six nations and U18 league mixed in with name like Umaga who has gotten press already from NZ media and unfortunately the pro game can take its hold on them.
Re: Development Squad
Odogwu on the face of it is a surprise. But we've only seen him in a couple of cameos at the start of the season really. The coaching staff will have seen far more, and I trust their judgement on extensive knowledge over mine on very limited knowledge.
Plus we have absolutely no idea what goes on behind the scenes and whether something non-rugby related is a catalyst.
Plus we have absolutely no idea what goes on behind the scenes and whether something non-rugby related is a catalyst.
Re: Development Squad
I make the current list of development players something like this:RagingBull wrote:
I'm not saying that tigers are doing that but it could be a off shot for it.
This current group has about 10 or so players who are 21 now either they will be brought up or not by now.
Unfortunately I think agents will start to come into play nowish @U18 level the increase exposure from the likes of six nations and U18 league mixed in with name like Umaga who has gotten press already from NZ media and unfortunately the pro game can take its hold on them.
Code: Select all
Name Date of Birth Position Age
Riccardo Brugnara 26/12/1993 Prop 22
George Catchpole 22/01/1994 Centre/Wing 22
Harry Thacker 18/02/1994 Hooker 22
Tiziano Pasquali 14/07/1994 Prop 21
George Tresidder 27/09/1994 Scrum Half 21
Ed Milne 28/11/1994 Number 8 21
Jake Farnworth 31/01/1995 Hooker/Flanker 21
Will Owen 30/03/1995 Flanker 21
Oliver Bryant 08/05/1995 Fly Half 21
Joe Maksymiw 20/09/1995 Lock 20
Charlie Beckett 03/11/1995 Lock 20
John Hargreaves 02/04/1996 Fly Half 20
Oliver Povoas 18/05/1996 Flanker 19
Charlie Thacker 10/08/1996 Centre 19
Owen Hills 25/08/1996 Prop 19
Dan Hogan 25/08/1996 Prop 19
Jamie Jack 08/09/1996 Prop 19
William Sutton 05/10/1996 Full Back 19
George Worth 08/10/1996 Centre 19
Stone Priestley-Nangle 27/10/1996 Number 8 19
Wes Douglas 28/11/1996 Wing 19
Aubrey Grimes 18/12/1996 Flanker 19
Charlie Harvey 20/12/1996 Lock 19
Joe Green 20/01/1997 Lock 19
Will Evans 28/01/1997 Flanker 19
Munraj Atwal 08/02/1997 Lock 19
Paolo Udogwu 18/02/1997 Wing 19
Emilio Fusco 11/05/1997 Scrum Half 19
Fred Tuilagi 09/06/1997 Number 8 18
I think Harry Thacker & George Catchpole might also count as "First XV" squad now.
On that basis all but three is pretty harsh. Evans, Worth, Odogwu, Bryant, Brugnara & Pasquali have all featured for the first team this year and none are particularly old for their positions (Pas is same age next year as Cole & Balmain were when making their break throughs for instance).
Most of the other "older" ones have played for the First XV before at a young age and shown potential.
Some releases are inevitable but releasing everyone on that list save 3 players would be the definition of throwing the baby out with the bath water.
Goooooodeeeeeyyyyy!
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Re: Development Squad
This is the current Development squad
http://www.leicestertigers.com/rugby/le ... _squad.php
Charlie Beckett
Oliver Bryant
Wesley Douglas
Will Evans
Jake Farnworth
Alex Galletly
Owen Hills
Daniel Hogan
Joe Maksymiw
George Murrin
George Nairn
Paolo Odogwu
Will Owen
Oliver Povoas
Stone Priestley-Nangle
Charlie Thacker
George Tresidder
Fred Tuilagi
George Worth
So on your list
Catchpole
Thacker
Brugnara
Tiz (who is leaving I believe)
Are senior players now.
Leavers already before season started.
Fusco
Atwal
Harvey
Grimes
Sutton
Jack
Hargreaves
Milne (Although on loan to rosslyn whilst studying)
http://www.leicestertigers.com/rugby/le ... _squad.php
Charlie Beckett
Oliver Bryant
Wesley Douglas
Will Evans
Jake Farnworth
Alex Galletly
Owen Hills
Daniel Hogan
Joe Maksymiw
George Murrin
George Nairn
Paolo Odogwu
Will Owen
Oliver Povoas
Stone Priestley-Nangle
Charlie Thacker
George Tresidder
Fred Tuilagi
George Worth
So on your list
Catchpole
Thacker
Brugnara
Tiz (who is leaving I believe)
Are senior players now.
Leavers already before season started.
Fusco
Atwal
Harvey
Grimes
Sutton
Jack
Hargreaves
Milne (Although on loan to rosslyn whilst studying)
Re: Development Squad
Very few front row players are ever likely to be playing at premiership level until their early 20s and only a handful of forwards - simply a case of developing the physical strength required. There are exceptions like Itoje but I would call him one of those once in a generation players who have both the physical attributes at a young age with the talent and game sense to match.
With backs it's a bit easier as speed is more of a requirement and that arrives earlier than strength. Ability is a different thing. Skills are learned early and experience can be gained. If you haven't the skill by your late teens you probably never will have it.
With backs it's a bit easier as speed is more of a requirement and that arrives earlier than strength. Ability is a different thing. Skills are learned early and experience can be gained. If you haven't the skill by your late teens you probably never will have it.
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Re: Development Squad
Wonder if Milne is classed as a development player or since he is on loan maybe not? Would be nice to bring him up from Rosslyn next season.
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Re: Development Squad
Is it me, or has it gone quiet on which Development (and Academy) players are being retained and which are being released?
I know that some have definitely departed (e.g. Umaga) but given the original post to this thread, I would have anticipated a general club announcement by now. After all, any players being released will need time to seek fresh opportunities, and I do not believe that the club would be so unkind as to "lead them on" and then release them when it is too late for them to contact other clubs. (No doubt the club would actively support such players to find new clubs anyway).
News and even rumours are welcomed!
I know that some have definitely departed (e.g. Umaga) but given the original post to this thread, I would have anticipated a general club announcement by now. After all, any players being released will need time to seek fresh opportunities, and I do not believe that the club would be so unkind as to "lead them on" and then release them when it is too late for them to contact other clubs. (No doubt the club would actively support such players to find new clubs anyway).
News and even rumours are welcomed!
Neil Back is the Greatest!
Re: Development Squad
Did he play for Leicester at all this season? I was pretty impressed with the little I saw of him tbf, particularly the Sale LV cup gameRagingBull wrote:Wonder if Milne is classed as a development player or since he is on loan maybe not? Would be nice to bring him up from Rosslyn next season.
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Re: Development Squad
With mMauger it is not just about you playing ability but your attitude. Do you have the right ethos. Remember he was part of a group that changed the Mindset of the All Blacks that set them on a course for 2 world cup wins back to back.
If such a drastic clear out has occurred, then maybe it is about saying, look you guys are just not made of the right stuff to be a Tiger and we are going to start afresh with a new group of youngsters and start at the bottom and work up.
If that is the case I'm all for it. I have thought for some time that our back up players and emerging youngsters were just not good enough. 1 under 20 England player whilst Sarries have about 5 says it all.
If such a drastic clear out has occurred, then maybe it is about saying, look you guys are just not made of the right stuff to be a Tiger and we are going to start afresh with a new group of youngsters and start at the bottom and work up.
If that is the case I'm all for it. I have thought for some time that our back up players and emerging youngsters were just not good enough. 1 under 20 England player whilst Sarries have about 5 says it all.
Re: Development Squad
Like mightyouse, I have total and unquestioning faith in The Club.
Whatever happens, The Club is always in the right.
Whatever happens, The Club is always in the right.
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Re: Development Squad
Hmm.. not quite what I said..