Manu to Racing 92? No! - Re-signed for Tigers!!!

[Scott1]

Who said Rugby League?! Help my eyes and ears are bleeding

[BFG]

If you have watched a lot of rugby league BFG that explains why most of the things that you post is negative and hardly ever constructive

Well that's just odd, I've always been against sacking coaches and so on but it can't be ignored that Leicester are not in a good place.
This squad are playing badly and by past comparisons look very poor and that also can't be ignored, but they could be a lot better in my opinion.
Is it more constructive to passively ignore or find solutions!
I think that you misinterpret my intentions, which are to try and make a contribution to make Leicester better, whether I can do that from a keyboard is unknown, but I'll give it a good go which is more than you are doing!

[jgriffin]

I think you hit the nail on the head with 'system'. To'omua at 10 worked because Shazam hit a purple patch that gave MT both room (SH sniping for once) and time (speed of delivery). BY gives neither at times, and works better with Ford I suspect.
Systems-wise, our old up-the-jumper is a system sorely missed, the relentless pressure; alas it didn't always suit some egos in the backs I suspect. Also the edge gained from practice ground was deemed oldskool, it suddenly had to be fancy-dan moves all round.
As for the kick-but-no-chase...... unless the whole line closes down space fast, why not chase best Moody style? Pressure wins games IMO, and that has gone along with the confidence to play very tight.

[Dangerous4]

Suggest that you start watching another sport BFG as it would appear that you know nothing about rugby

Could you be a little more specific please as I would welcome a cogent demolition of BFG's points.

The only thing I can see in BFG's post to really argue with is to say that it is no coincidence that Leicester have had the two worst seasons in history since GF returned. To be fair to GF the coaching turmoil has been a disaster, I'm not at all sure that we have sufficient specialist coaches and the general team malaise is palpable. I would suggest this is not all attributable to the Ford factor. I may be wrong.

Apart from that I would like somebody competent and bi-optic to tell me where BFG is wrong.

Thank you.

Quite right
+1

[Dangerous4]

Like a lot above I think we should be out hunting other options

We should be looking for what we can get for the same money.

If we find someone good we should go for it as otherwise we will be left recruiting poor options.

If that means he doesn’t get a contract or we make a choice for him then that’s life; if we try and recruit because he is leaving we will pay more for less (ability / choice)

At his best a world class player however he has a history of being injured (although his new build looks good)

In reality if it’s that hard a choice and hadn’t already signed on the dotted line (which I can understand) it is likely he will follow the money

Exactly. Does he not understand the position he is putting the club in, by delaying his decision? Remember the club has stood by him despite his injury record.

[strawclearer]

From MSN's interview with Manu:

“It’s a lot to consider. I’m back with England and I loved playing at Cardiff, even though we lost. I love playing at the Tigers too. I need to take some time after this campaign, put everything on the table and make the right decision.”

So far Eddie Jones, the England coach, has made no concerted attempt to influence Tuilagi’s decision, other than to make jokes about the player eating baguettes and croissants.

“We’ve not really spoken about it … there’s nothing to be spoken about because I haven’t made a decision,” said Tuilagi, insisting reports he had already signed were premature.

“When I saw that [piece saying he had signed] I didn’t know what to say really. I haven’t made a decision yet, so everyone [in the squad] is cool about it.”

This week’s retirement of Mathew Tait, his Leicester clubmate who also suffered a catalogue of injuries, however, has reinforced just how precarious top-level rugby careers can be.

“You see a lot of players retiring through injury and yesterday it was a good mate of mine, Mathew Tait. I never would have thought he’d be gone that early [aged 33]. Now all of a sudden he’s retired. I have to take all that stuff into consideration and do the right thing.”

One potential compromise might be to go to France for two seasons and then, in a perfect world, return for one last tilt at a World Cup before the next tournament in France in 2023.

Chris Ashton and James Haskell have already proved it is possible for England players to have their gâteau and eat it, and Racing’s offer exceeds anything Leicester can afford.

As things stand Tuilagi seems genuinely in two minds. “I haven’t thought too far ahead. At the moment I’m still committed to Tigers and England and all my focus is here and on trying to finish [the Six Nations] on a high.”

[DeadlyDunc]

Who in world rugby will replace Manu, an alternative can be got but you can't replace him.
That a club like Racing92 want him says it all.
I think that you mostly back up my point regarding systems etc.
Regarding your Toomua and Hardwick comment, in the context of the two games the timing of the error against Wuss was a very big one, but then you do like taking things out of context and stretching them don't you.

Pot Kettle Black

I'd fully expect that on here.
Maybe you'd like to have a go at explaining our league position and how we are going to climb up the table in the future.
I read comments saying that we have powderpuff forwards (which is tripe) that are ruining a stellar fly half who deserves a pay bump, then I also read that we can't buy in the best forwards because they are too costly, so perhaps you'd like to have a go at making some sense of it all!

The problem isn't any number of people arguing how we think (some individually some collectively) can improve things and climb the table, the problem comes when people are so absolute in their own view that anyone else's is "tripe" and that they are categorically right when none of us know enough of anything that goes on at Tigers to be certain of anything.

I don't necessarily disagree with everything you say, but i don't think it is unfair to suggest there are a minority of posters that take snippets out of a post and do what you suggest RB is doing in by "taking things out of context and stretching them" hence my Pot Kettle Black comment.

For the record I find RB one of the most consistent posters of factual arguments rather than opinion to which you clearly have a different view and one that you are entitled to have even if i disagree.

To answer your question about improving this, we need more dynamic ball carriers, particularly in the forwards, better ruck & breakdown work to secure faster ball particularly in the forwards, better & more consistent set piece (the scrum aside) and if we get the above then we'd have a back line that can cause damage if we vary our game in the course of games.

At the moment we don't have forwards that can dominate games and have half backs that need dominant forwards to play at their best as illustrated any number of times in a Tigers shirt and in a England shirt.

All in all, we need better forwards so you'll argue that is tripe and in doing so no doubt see it as further confirmation bias of your own opinion.

[BFG]

Pot Kettle Black

I'd fully expect that on here.
Maybe you'd like to have a go at explaining our league position and how we are going to climb up the table in the future.
I read comments saying that we have powderpuff forwards (which is tripe) that are ruining a stellar fly half who deserves a pay bump, then I also read that we can't buy in the best forwards because they are too costly, so perhaps you'd like to have a go at making some sense of it all!

The problem isn't any number of people arguing how we think (some individually some collectively) can improve things and climb the table, the problem comes when people are so absolute in their own view that anyone else's is "tripe" and that they are categorically right when none of us know enough of anything that goes on at Tigers to be certain of anything.

I don't necessarily disagree with everything you say, but i don't think it is unfair to suggest there are a minority of posters that take snippets out of a post and do what you suggest RB is doing in by "taking things out of context and stretching them" hence my Pot Kettle Black comment.

For the record I find RB one of the most consistent posters of factual arguments rather than opinion to which you clearly have a different view and one that you are entitled to have even if i disagree.

To answer your question about improving this, we need more dynamic ball carriers, particularly in the forwards, better ruck & breakdown work to secure faster ball particularly in the forwards, better & more consistent set piece (the scrum aside) and if we get the above then we'd have a back line that can cause damage if we vary our game in the course of games.

At the moment we don't have forwards that can dominate games and have half backs that need dominant forwards to play at their best as illustrated any number of times in a Tigers shirt and in a England shirt.

All in all, we need better forwards so you'll argue that is tripe and in doing so no doubt see it as further confirmation bias of your own opinion.

Well we have one of the strongest tight heads in world rugby in Cole, two of the best dynamic loose heads you will find in Genge and Bateman, a strong dynamic hooker who will run through walls and some say is still international quality in Youngs, two excellent younger locks in Wells and Spencer who are both mobile and very strong physically who both have great engine's, experience in Kitchener and Fitzgerald, two of the best opensides in the league in BOC and Evans, one of the most physical blindside flankers in the league who Bath have seen fit to sign in Williams and a two excellent options at No8 both of which are workaholics and one which is a big strong controlling tight player in Kalamafoni and the other is as dynamic as you will ever find in Thompson, let alone others not mentioned, and that's powderpuff!
You are entitled to your opinion but I completely disagree and don't apologise for it!
Our structure lets them down in my opinion!

[Scuttle]

I'd fully expect that on here.
Maybe you'd like to have a go at explaining our league position and how we are going to climb up the table in the future.
I read comments saying that we have powderpuff forwards (which is tripe) that are ruining a stellar fly half who deserves a pay bump, then I also read that we can't buy in the best forwards because they are too costly, so perhaps you'd like to have a go at making some sense of it all!

The problem isn't any number of people arguing how we think (some individually some collectively) can improve things and climb the table, the problem comes when people are so absolute in their own view that anyone else's is "tripe" and that they are categorically right when none of us know enough of anything that goes on at Tigers to be certain of anything.

I don't necessarily disagree with everything you say, but i don't think it is unfair to suggest there are a minority of posters that take snippets out of a post and do what you suggest RB is doing in by "taking things out of context and stretching them" hence my Pot Kettle Black comment.

For the record I find RB one of the most consistent posters of factual arguments rather than opinion to which you clearly have a different view and one that you are entitled to have even if i disagree.

To answer your question about improving this, we need more dynamic ball carriers, particularly in the forwards, better ruck & breakdown work to secure faster ball particularly in the forwards, better & more consistent set piece (the scrum aside) and if we get the above then we'd have a back line that can cause damage if we vary our game in the course of games.

At the moment we don't have forwards that can dominate games and have half backs that need dominant forwards to play at their best as illustrated any number of times in a Tigers shirt and in a England shirt.

All in all, we need better forwards so you'll argue that is tripe and in doing so no doubt see it as further confirmation bias of your own opinion.

Well we have one of the strongest tight heads in world rugby in Cole, two of the best dynamic loose heads you will find in Genge and Bateman, a strong dynamic hooker who will run through walls and some say is still international quality in Youngs, two excellent younger locks in Wells and Spencer who are both mobile and very strong physically who both have great engine's, experience in Kitchener and Fitzgerald, two of the best opensides in the league in BOC and Evans, one of the most physical blindside flankers in the league who Bath have seen fit to sign in Williams and a two excellent options at No8 both of which are workaholics and one which is a big strong controlling tight player in Kalamafoni and the other is as dynamic as you will ever find in Thompson, let alone others not mentioned, and that's powderpuff!
You are entitled to your opinion but I completely disagree and don't apologise for it!
Our structure lets them down in my opinion!

Quick suggestion......Instead of the Big Boot at half-time on Saturday lets have you 2 on the pitch to sort this out. I guarantee the bars would be empty and the stands full at half time instead of the other way around for the Big Boot.

[Scott1]

BFG come on mate,the front 5 bar Genge is almost always in negative for metres carried,Kala although a prolific carrier hardly ever beats the first man and will average close to a metre per carry. BoC and Evans as well as Thompson have games where they average 5m per carry but all our blindsides average poorly too. These are facts too I'm afraid ,the stats are very easy to find but just by watching our games you can tell how poor collectively a pack we have bar scrum time.

[Scott1]

Wuss game (just an example,runs then metres)
Gigena 3/2
Youngs 4/1
Cole 6/7
Wells 5/2
Kitchener 1/3
Fitz 6/2
Williams 3/7
Kala 11/28

And this isn't a one off either! In fact this is very rare with 3 of the pack having positive for metres gained! I kid you not!

[JP14]

This is isn’t the first time BFG has acted like this under fire.

Regarding squad I still think our squad is better than the one we had in 14/15

[DeadlyDunc]

This is isn’t the first time BFG has acted like this under fire.

Regarding squad I still think our squad is better than the one we had in 14/15

Well the depth in quality terms has been :censored: for a while to be frank.

One mitigating factor in forward performance is that the likes of Genge, Spencer, Thompson, Denton, BOC, Evans & Youngs have all been injured for reasonable periods which has stretched resources. If these players had been fit for periods then we may have had a platform for the likes of Youngs and Ford to work off.

As has been common with Tigers over a period, the first XV is of top quality but the players in reserve, in large parts, aren't up to scratch.

[h's dad]

Ok h’s dad I will tell you why bfg is talking rubbish. He says in his post that ford did not perform for bath despite the players he had around him. BFG obviously didn’t, watch bath much as he had many outstanding games in particular an away game in Toulouse when the bath backs led by Ford ripped the french team apart.
Ford has been one of if not the stand out player for Tigers this season and unlike some players never shirks a tackle despite being the smallest player on the pitch.
Also asking why the top two sides were not interested in him is pathetic. Ever heard of the salary cap ?
If you can’t get behind one of our best players why not go and support someone else

Ok, Despite his dad building the team around him, Bath's performance overall was lacklustre, resulting in his dad getting the sack.
BFG didn't say George shirks tackles, he certainly tries his best but frequently gives more yards than a better defender would do. Try reading what other people write.
Ever heard of marquee players?
And as for your last hypocritical sentence, try reading what you have written about BY when you clearly simply do not understand what he is doing. If I can understand it, it is not difficult so perhaps you should try watching a simpler game.

[mol2]

I guess he's working out whether the extra cash will be worth it as he will likely have to give up his England career and whether he will adjust to life in France.

Wait and the offers might improve but dither too long and options and offers will go away.