LEICESTER TIGERS 2018/19 SQUAD/TRANSFERS/CONTRACT THREAD PART 1

[Rugbyflanker]

The thing that worries me is where are these youngsters gonna get any experience? The AWC without the W isn't worth nowt! The Welsh new development sides will be playing the Irish A provinces while we will be tapping reach other on the back in a stupid,meaningless competition,we've really dropped the ball here. It only works for me if the A league is completely scrapped.

[RagingBull]

Will be interesting to see how the New expanded A league works (If it does happen).

Taking away Steve Mafi from the rumours in.

[Mark62]

The thing that worries me is where are these youngsters gonna get any experience? The AWC without the W isn't worth nowt! The Welsh new development sides will be playing the Irish A provinces while we will be tapping reach other on the back in a stupid,meaningless competition,we've really dropped the ball here. It only works for me if the A league is completely scrapped.

Tigers need to swallow some pride and start working with the country’s junior clubs to give these youngsters valuable game time.
As well as Loughborough students in Nat 1, there are also 3 local clubs playing in Nat 2 north, level 4 of the game, who I’m sure would be happy to take players on dual registration.

Still too much of a them and us scenario maybe

[TigerFranks]

Are there any updates on the futures of Traynor, Ryan, Brady, Mapapalangi, Pakalani and Cilliers? All were rumoured to be off at some stage on the forum but I haven't heard anything official on whether they are staying or not!

[JP14]

So Thompson doesn't even get on your bench JP?

It’s difficult really to be honest, we could play O’Connor at 6 and have Evans at 7 if we wanted to. Both Thompson and Evans could go on the bench but then there’s no real lock cover. Throw in Williams and Mapapalangi and we have got some serious selection headaches. However if they move Williams to his preferred position of 4 and partner Spencer (I believe that because his Instagram is williams4_mike) and then drop Kitchener... but where is Wells going to fit in all of this. Hope Bakewell is given complete reins on pack selection because I personally hope MOC doesn’t get a say on it anymore.

This is would be my ideal team for Round 1
Gengey
TPN
Coley
Wells
Spencer
Kalamafoni
O’Connor
Denton
Youngs
Toomua
May
Owen
Tuilagi
Holmes
Veainu

With: OTY, Cortes, Bateman, Williams, Thompson, Shazam, G.Ford & M.Tait.

[Rugbyflanker]

Was Spencer Wuss lineout guy?

[sam16111986]

Was Spencer Wuss lineout guy?

I think he did the job on occasion but O'Callaghan seemed to be in charge of the pack and lineout for the most part. Wells did the job in occasion last season and if he starts this season like how he played last season then I hope he gets the shirt and the more experienced names have to go and take it off him if they want it.

[JP14]

Was Spencer Wuss lineout guy?

Yes he was, we are signing a top bloke who I think could solve our second row problems (which would’ve been solved anyway by playing Williams at 4) but I’ve got concerns over his injury issues.

[Hot_Charlie]

So sounds like Keston Lines has been promoted from the U18's.
Guessing Direct replacement for Betts pretty much (Although Lines more a LH).

Aye. Looking at the Development Squad last season it was TH heavy anyway with Betts, Heyes and Grahamslaw (is he still playing both sides?).

[Leicestertinytiger]

Was Spencer Wuss lineout guy?

Yes he was, we are signing a top bloke who I think could solve our second row problems (which would’ve been solved anyway by playing Williams at 4) but I’ve got concerns over his injury issues.

Yes, Spencer called the lineout for Worcester, not O’Callaghan, so could play no.5 instead of Kitchener. He is also big enough to play no.4 also for us as the enforcer. Be interesting to see who the pairing is next season but I’d bet on Spencer and Kitchener.

[RagingBull]

So sounds like Keston Lines has been promoted from the U18's.
Guessing Direct replacement for Betts pretty much (Although Lines more a LH).

Aye. Looking at the Development Squad last season it was TH heavy anyway with Betts, Heyes and Grahamslaw (is he still playing both sides?).

Grahamslaw is a Loosehead mainly now.

[chewbacca]

Harry Wells off to Leicester Lions.

[JP14]

Don’t worry he’s still a part of the squad, thank god. But still what does this mean for his chances to start this year?

[RagingBull]

Don’t worry he’s still a part of the squad, thank god. But still what does this mean for his chances to start this year?

Shouldn't mean anything Lions train at 7PM on Tuesday and Thursday.
He isn't the first or the will be the last Tigers to get a coaching role whilst still with us.

Certainly suggests he is looking at coaching as a long term option, considering he will be 25 this season if he can get 6/7 years coaching experience before he retires it could put him on good standing.

[Mark62]

And great to see tigers players supporting the junior clubs