LEICESTER TIGERS 2017/18 SQUAD/TRANSFERS/CONTRACT THREAD PART 2!!

[strawclearer]

If we're keeping OTY, McGuigan, Bateman and Thacker - we don't need another.

Ergo...........

[Hot_Charlie]

It's all very well saying we have OTY, McGuigan, Thacker and, maybe (quite excitingly) long term Kerr, but we must not lose sight of the very sad fact that we could lose our only experienced option for some time in the future due to his horrendous personal circumstances.

Bringing in an experienced international hooker may well alleviate some of the pressure on OTY week-in, week-out. Everyone is human, including OTY.

[Grimlish]

Sadly I think Hot_Charlie’s logic is the most likely cause of this rumour. If so it may not be a permanent signing and may not lead necessarily to permanent moves for the others mentioned as potentially displaced.

[drc_007]

If we're keeping OTY, McGuigan, Bateman and Thacker - we don't need another.

Ergo...........

Has Bateman played hooker for Tigers? He may have but I just can't recall him playing in that position. Even if he has, hooker is such a specialist skill set that unless he is practising regularly he can't really be considered an option.

[kpj tiger]

If we're keeping OTY, McGuigan, Bateman and Thacker - we don't need another.

Ergo...........

Has Bateman played hooker for Tigers? He may have but I just can't recall him playing in that position. Even if he has, hooker is such a specialist skill set that unless he is practising regularly he can't really be considered an option.

He arrived as a Hooker and played his entire first season there I think, only since last season has he been a prop primarily

[strawclearer]

If we're keeping OTY, McGuigan, Bateman and Thacker - we don't need another.

Ergo...........

Has Bateman played hooker for Tigers? He may have but I just can't recall him playing in that position. Even if he has, hooker is such a specialist skill set that unless he is practising regularly he can't really be considered an option.

Yes - I'd missed Kerr. Bateman is designated as 'hooker' on the website so we have Bateman, Kerr, McGuigan and Thacker in addition to Tom Youngs.

[RagingBull]

Whilst I rate McGuigan, he is not in the same league as Polota-Nau, and I could easily see him becoming our 1st choice hooker and TY having to really fight for his place. If, as suggested McG is on his way to Bristol we do need a quality, experienced hooker. The person who I am sorry for is HT who I could easily see him leaving as well.

I agree with you Trendy. Surely a no-brainer to sign a 77 cap Aussie international. McGuigan, imho, is a good squad player with potential but that is all. If we are to challenge the top teams we need more credible and experienced back up in key positions.

He's a former international. He's not been in and around the Aus squad since 2015 as far as I'm aware. He's recent career has been marred by injuries and last I heard he was second choice at the Force. He's coming to Europe for a final payday and because no Aussie franchise seems keen to sign him up.

TPN has played in 17 of the 25 test games since 2015 including 10 test this year so far and recently started in Aus win v NZ so not sure where you are getting your info from.

http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/pl ... view=match

[westwinds31]

It’s the usual ‘let’s knock a signing before he’s walked through the door’ post.

[markharbtiger]

TPN seems v highly rated in Australia - the article linked below is dated June 2017.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/tata ... 4de4515c72

[Hot_Charlie]

If we're keeping OTY, McGuigan, Bateman and Thacker - we don't need another.

Ergo...........

Has Bateman played hooker for Tigers? He may have but I just can't recall him playing in that position. Even if he has, hooker is such a specialist skill set that unless he is practising regularly he can't really be considered an option.

He arrived as a Hooker and played his entire first season there I think, only since last season has he been a prop primarily

He did, before primarily switching to Tighthead last season and now discovery the freedom of being a Loosehead. The first player to have started a Premiership match in all three front row positions.

[sam16111986]

I agree with you Trendy. Surely a no-brainer to sign a 77 cap Aussie international. McGuigan, imho, is a good squad player with potential but that is all. If we are to challenge the top teams we need more credible and experienced back up in key positions.

He's a former international. He's not been in and around the Aus squad since 2015 as far as I'm aware. He's recent career has been marred by injuries and last I heard he was second choice at the Force. He's coming to Europe for a final payday and because no Aussie franchise seems keen to sign him up.

TPN has played in 17 of the 25 test games since 2015 including 10 test this year so far and recently started in Aus win v NZ so not sure where you are getting your info from.

http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/pl ... view=match

Out of date clearly.

[trendylfj]

Do we KNOW which players are out of contract at the end of the season? There are several players who I would want to tie down for another 2 years before we get into the annual Xmas agents rumours start. Toomua and Veainu would be high on my list but I don't know who is out of contract. In fact most of the 23 who turned out on Saturday.

[MikeR]

Toomua def has another year left .

[Simon239]

Great news...Matt Toomua: ‘My mind is firmly here, I want a few good years here’https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/ ... -australia

[Clowbeck]

Jono Kitto released from his contract by the looks. I wish him well, an opportunity to reassess best career paths open to him. I was surprised he didnt move out during the summer.