LEICESTER TIGERS 2018/19 SQUAD/TRANSFERS/CONTRACT THREAD PART 6

[Mark62]

Honest question do people who have seen him play recently feel that Tuilagi now has what it takes to play in the Premiership ahead of say Lewis or Mapapalanga.

[Scott1]

Not GP level for me yet.

[RagingBull]

I would play him at 8 ahead of Mapapalangi currently.
Lewis is more of a lock that can play 6 so isn't really compared to him.

I think next season with a good pre-season Fred would make a decent 3rd choice 8 option.

[kpj tiger]

Pat Howard is at the open training day, apparently he's been here this week helping Geordie and then he'll be back over the summer to help with pre-season

[BG01]

In the model where you have two top class players and a promising younger in each position (a model which I like a lot!), at 8 Fred would fit in nicely behind Kalamafoni and Liebenberg (and maybe Denton, although both him and Liebenberg play a lot at 6).

For me that puts him in the position next season of 'getting some gametime when there are injuries but not starting' which feels about right given his experience. I think he's good and definitely good enough to play, but I don't think anyone is suggesting he should be starting vs Exeter in a semifinal.

[Mark62]

In the model where you have two top class players and a promising younger in each position (a model which I like a lot!), at 8 Fred would fit in nicely behind Kalamafoni and Liebenberg (and maybe Denton, although both him and Liebenberg play a lot at 6).

For me that puts him in the position next season of 'getting some gametime when there are injuries but not starting' which feels about right given his experience. I think he's good and definitely good enough to play, but I don't think anyone is suggesting he should be starting vs Exeter in a semifinal.

Very interesting point, though some would say, that at the age of 22, and having had involvement with the club since the age of 18 he should be pushing to start by now.
He is older than the Curry brother and Jack Willis to name 3.

[JP14]

People develop differently Mark!

[JP14]

I noticed a young Black man being walked around the pitch today, looked young enough to be a young rugby player or could he just be a representation of a sponsor? Didn’t recognise him!

[Mark62]

People develop differently Mark!

You will generally find that if players are going to make it they are approaching the top level by their early 20s, but as you say there’s always exceptions, Let’s hope he makes it

[RagingBull]

Not every player has to be a Curry brother or a Willis they are world class players, but sometimes you just need a solid prem player.

Armand didn't make his Pro debut till he was 22.
Ewers only really started to play for Exeter regularly when he was 22/23

[CitizenSmiff]

Not every player has to be a Curry brother or a Willis they are world class players, but sometimes you just need a solid prem player.

It's been a while since we've produced a Curry brother or a Willis. Will Evans has been the closest we've come to star quality for ages and he couldn't wait to get away.

[RagingBull]

Not every player has to be a Curry brother or a Willis they are world class players, but sometimes you just need a solid prem player.

It's been a while since we've produced a Curry brother or a Willis. Will Evans has been the closest we've come to star quality for ages and he couldn't wait to get away.

Been a while since a few clubs have gotten players of that standard, point being?
Us, Gloucester, Bath, Bristol, Falcons.

[Mark62]

Not every player has to be a Curry brother or a Willis they are world class players, but sometimes you just need a solid prem player.

Armand didn't make his Pro debut till he was 22.
Ewers only really started to play for Exeter regularly when he was 22/23

I shall be more than happy if Tuilagi ends up as good as one of those 2

[Mark62]

Not every player has to be a Curry brother or a Willis they are world class players, but sometimes you just need a solid prem player.

It's been a while since we've produced a Curry brother or a Willis. Will Evans has been the closest we've come to star quality for ages and he couldn't wait to get away.

Been a while since a few clubs have gotten players of that standard, point being?
Us, Gloucester, Bath, Bristol, Falcons.

Excellent piece of business by Steve Diamond to get the Curry twins on a 4 year deal last season, no doubt at less cost than they would have been this year

[Leicestertinytiger]

https://mobile.twitter.com/mike_wilson1 ... 13/photo/1

Confirmed by the player himself, seems the Daily Fail article was on the money.