Owen Williams Confirmed to Gloucester

[SirGordonRamsey]

So the battle of Freddie and Owen is officially coming to an end, although this debatably happened when Freddie began playing 15.

Where does this leave us?

Do we need a second string 10, or invest in youth?

Is it possible to declare Sam Harrison as a potential bench 10, or wait on Toomua's return as replacement 10?

[strawclearer]

I'd like a similar set-up to what Sarries had with Farrell / Hodgson so - let's bring back Toby Flood who's out of contract this summer, I think.

[SirGordonRamsey]

I'd like a similar set-up to what Sarries had with Farrell / Hodgson so - let's bring back Toby Flood who's out of contract this summer, I think.

That works when Farrel has to go off to England so experienced Hodgson steps in, but I doubt Freddie will get that chance for sometime, so will always be around.

I do like the your idea and think it would work well with Flood.

[sapajo]

Why does Freddie have to be No1? No room for sentimentality as we have recently seen. If we can sign Ford that would be brilliant but please let it be a quality 10 and not leave this specialist slot vacant or filled by Harrison or Toomua. Nothing wrong having 2 top quality No 10's afterall it's not done Wasps, Bath or Saracens any harm now has it

[BeeJ]

Would the initiator of this thread care to explain exactly where it has been confirmed Owen Williams is going to Gloucester?

The only confirmed movement from Leicester to Gloucester I can find is Fraser Balmain and here's the evidence.

[ABClub]

http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/leice ... story.html

BeeJ, Crowson reporting it in the Merc as a done deal. From the way he's written the article I'd gather it's about to be officially announced.

[G.K]

Will the last player to leave Leicester Tigers please turn off the lights...

[mol2]

Why does Freddie have to be No1? No room for sentimentality as we have recently seen. If we can sign Ford that would be brilliant but please let it be a quality 10 and not leave this specialist slot vacant or filled by Harrison or Toomua. Nothing wrong having 2 top quality No 10's afterall it's not done Wasps, Bath or Saracens any harm now has it

They would have to be pretty special for Freddie not to be better!

[ellis9]

Will the last player to leave Leicester Tigers please turn off the lights...

It's ok, I believe Monday is going to be a magic Monday!

[ABClub]

Will the last player to leave Leicester Tigers please turn off the lights...

It's ok, I believe Monday is going to be a magic Monday!

Any reason for thinking that beyond a hunch, ellis?

It would certainly liven up the start of next week!

[ellis9]

I heard it from someone in the know. However, don't shoot the messenger if it doesn't happen!

[Hot_Charlie]

I can't see why people are so concerned. Ok, he leaves a sizeable gap in the squad (our only long-range kicker for a start) but he isn't anywhere near worth the alleged £300K+ Glaws are finding in their salary cap (within our squad).

There are plenty of other capable, probably cheaper, 10s out there. A look at our normal hunting grounds in the West Midlands and the North East would reveal two of them; one of them is "less raw" than the other. The other option of course is Oli Bryant being promoted from the development squad, giving 10 options of Burns, Toomua, Bryant. Maybe not enough perhaps.

[ABClub]

I heard it from someone in the know. However, don't shoot the messenger if it doesn't happen!

It would fit the timing of magic Monday last season.

Who would the main suspects be do we think?

Kalamafoni is the obvious one.
Thacker re-signing hopefully another.

[SirGordonRamsey]

I can't see why people are so concerned. Ok, he leaves a sizeable gap in the squad (our only long-range kicker for a start) but he isn't anywhere near worth the alleged £300K+ Glaws are finding in their salary cap (within our squad).

There are plenty of other capable, probably cheaper, 10s out there. A look at our normal hunting grounds in the West Midlands and the North East would reveal two of them; one of them is "less raw" than the other. The other option of course is Oli Bryant being promoted from the development squad, giving 10 options of Burns, Toomua, Bryant. Maybe not enough perhaps.

Maybe he's not worth the 300k but as Rugby moves closer to Football it wont matter what they're worth as long as you have the talent, to attract similar or better player we will need to be showing we can offer a similar amount.

http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/leice ... story.html

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugb ... t-12433684

Freddie doesnt need to be the starting 10, but seeing as he will always be a contender you either choose a worse young one or have someone thats going to be challenging for the 10 shirt.

[Hot_Charlie]

I think it certainly shows those in certain positions, in this case 10, may be more "valuable" than others.