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

[jgriffin]

I would guess we have a bungey tied to Ryan O for after the Olympic 7s.

[Leicestertinytiger]

We will see.
The latest rumour was that Chieka was going to try to shoehorn him into the Squad by getting him to sign a deal with a Aus team for the 20/21 season.
I certainly don't see him leaving this season as he has just moved back from Aus to UK which if he was planning on staying in Aus this season would make no sense other than to build air miles.
If he goes 19/20 he will be missed BUT with it being after the world cup there should be quite alot of players on the market and with his Marquee spot I would back us to get a good replacement.


So far the development squad is looking like next season from what I can tell.
Hookers: Mahoney
Props: Grahamslaw, Heyes, Hills Lines
Locks: Jordan, Lewis
Back Row: Gough, Lavin, Reffell, Smith, Tuilagi
Scrum Half: Simmons, White
Fly Half: Hardwick
Centre: Thacker
Wing: Olowofela
Full Back: Worth

Would imagine 1 or 2 players that I have missed as well.

Always thought Purcell looked good, but I guess we are stacked in the backrow. Also would stick Martin in for the second row.

[RagingBull]

We will see.
The latest rumour was that Chieka was going to try to shoehorn him into the Squad by getting him to sign a deal with a Aus team for the 20/21 season.
I certainly don't see him leaving this season as he has just moved back from Aus to UK which if he was planning on staying in Aus this season would make no sense other than to build air miles.
If he goes 19/20 he will be missed BUT with it being after the world cup there should be quite alot of players on the market and with his Marquee spot I would back us to get a good replacement.


So far the development squad is looking like next season from what I can tell.
Hookers: Mahoney
Props: Grahamslaw, Heyes, Hills Lines
Locks: Jordan, Lewis
Back Row: Gough, Lavin, Reffell, Smith, Tuilagi
Scrum Half: Simmons, White
Fly Half: Hardwick
Centre: Thacker
Wing: Olowofela
Full Back: Worth

Would imagine 1 or 2 players that I have missed as well.

Always thought Purcell looked good, but I guess we are stacked in the backrow. Also would stick Martin in for the second row.

Martin only just turned 17 last month so is still a U18.
Purcell was playing for Nottingham U19 v our U17 so assume he has gone to them.

[johnthegriff]

I would think that Academy covers age 16 to 18, players that are still at school or college to complete A level studies. Development squad by and large is the next three years unless a player progresses into Premiership contention, if they have not achieved that status by age 21 a tough decision has to be made regarding a further contract, sometimes, for example Harry Wells, they maybe released to a club in a lower division to give time for further development and then return, others just go to seek their fortune elsewhere

[JP14]

I have been told that Tigers will release a full list of departures once everything has been finalised.

[RagingBull]

So with the players who have finished the academy are
Willo Bicknell, George Dickinson, Andre Dunn, Jacob Fewtrell, Zack Godfrey, Taylor Gough, Jamie Harding, Cameron Jordan, Dave Koelman, Joe Latham, Henri Lavin, Keston Lines, Will Poland, Xander Purcell, Thom Smith, Sam Wager and Will Yarnell.

We have kept on
Keston Lines (1/3 mainly 1)
Cameron Jordan (4)
Henri Lavin (6/7/8)
Taylor Gough (6/7)
Thom Smith (8/6)
Andre Dunn (12/13) Subject to clearing up some immigration stuff.


Will start a new thread once the New Academy intake is announced on the website.

[ellis9]

Pat Cilliers has joined London Irish.

[drc_007]

I would think that Academy covers age 16 to 18, players that are still at school or college to complete A level studies. Development squad by and large is the next three years unless a player progresses into Premiership contention, if they have not achieved that status by age 21 a tough decision has to be made regarding a further contract, sometimes, for example Harry Wells, they maybe released to a club in a lower division to give time for further development and then return, others just go to seek their fortune elsewhere

Can't help but feel that getting regular playing time in a lower division might be a better route than the occasional A-team game.

[kpj tiger]

So with the players who have finished the academy are
Willo Bicknell, George Dickinson, Andre Dunn, Jacob Fewtrell, Zack Godfrey, Taylor Gough, Jamie Harding, Cameron Jordan, Dave Koelman, Joe Latham, Henri Lavin, Keston Lines, Will Poland, Xander Purcell, Thom Smith, Sam Wager and Will Yarnell.

We have kept on
Keston Lines (1/3 mainly 1)
Cameron Jordan (4)
Henri Lavin (6/7/8)
Taylor Gough (6/7)
Thom Smith (8/6)
Andre Dunn (12/13) Subject to clearing up some immigration stuff.


Will start a new thread once the New Academy intake is announced on the website.

Alex Shaw's small write-up on the Tigers intake

Leicester Tigers – Andre Dunn*, Taylor Gough, Cameron Jordan, Henri Lavin, Keston Lines and Thom Smith

Tigers are another team, like Quins, sitting on a very impressive U17 group and that may account for their slightly smaller intake, despite lifting the U18s title earlier this year.

An entire back-row has been contracted in the form of Gough, Lavin and Smith, Jordan (lock) is a player with a bright future and Lines (loosehead) will hope to live up to the lofty expectations of any Leicester prop.

Dunn (centre) is not officially a part of this group just yet, due to an immigration issue, but once that is cleared up he will join the team and could well be a player to keep an eye on in the seniors as soon as this coming season.

[RagingBull]

Pat Cilliers has joined London Irish.

Things are going to get interesting now.

[Leicestertinytiger]

Pat Cilliers has joined London Irish.

Things are going to get interesting now.

Maybe we’re going to be signing two THs. I think I heard somewhere that Tigers like to have normally seven senior props in the squad. All we have at the moment is Genge, Bateman, Gigena, Cole and Cortes.

[Rugbyflanker]

Feao and Ryan imminent?

[Leicestertinytiger]

Feao and Ryan imminent?

Quite possibly! Fingers crossed! Cilliers was never fit anyway and was rumoured to be on some fair wedge.

[kpj tiger]

Feao and Ryan imminent?

Quite possibly! Fingers crossed! Cilliers was never fit anyway and was rumoured to be on some fair wedge.

Does raise the question if we were intending on letting Cilliers go why was Mulipola allowed to leave as well?

[chewbacca]

Somewhat concerning. Now short of props and any imports are already missing pre-season. Another transition year ?