happywomble wrote: ↑Mon Apr 06, 2020 3:39 pm
Rumoured leavers - Viljeon, McPhillips, Thomas - Didnt these three all join last season so would have thought they would be on more than a year contract?
McPhillips and Thomas were 1 year contracts I believe. Tigers needed depth and they needed a club. Thomas is rumoured back to the regions and McPhillips didn't tear up trees on loan in the Championship.
Viljeon was a 2 year contract but there's been rumours he might leave early given he's struggled for game time. I think he could be a strong fullback given his huge boot but at 13 he lacked the physicality to be up to much in attack or defence at Prem level. With Steward coming through at 15 and Worth getting game time at centre I can't see Viljeon getting many more chances next season.
happywomble wrote: ↑Mon Apr 06, 2020 3:39 pm
Rumoured leavers - Viljeon, McPhillips, Thomas - Didnt these three all join last season so would have thought they would be on more than a year contract?
McPhillips and Thomas were 1 year contracts I believe. Tigers needed depth and they needed a club. Thomas is rumoured back to the regions and McPhillips didn't tear up trees on loan in the Championship.
Viljeon was a 2 year contract but there's been rumours he might leave early given he's struggled for game time. I think he could be a strong fullback given his huge boot but at 13 he lacked the physicality to be up to much in attack or defence at Prem level. With Steward coming through at 15 and Worth getting game time at centre I can't see Viljeon getting many more chances next season.
Cheers ABC! Very useful. Shame for Viljoen, as he did look fairly handy when down in SA and I would have thought the harder dryer tracks at the end of the season may have suited him.
Issue at 12 is Manu, Taute, Reid, Eastmond and now Nadolo (played 12 for Fiji a fair bit) all being in contract.
I hope we see Hardwick get game time at 12 outside Ford next season. He certainly has the strength in defence to play there.
I hope to see Worth get more chances in the centre as well. He's solid at fullback but given he's not quick for a back three player he's unlikely to be more than solid. His passing game and strength in contact could be seen more in midfield.
Reid looking so average here after being strong in an outstanding Leinster side is a pretty clear indication of how bad the structure in the backs is. McGinity mentioned targeting 'power on one wing and pace on the other'. Perhaps an indication that we will be using a simpler attacking game plan next season.
Genge, Lavanini, Liebenberg, Taufua, Brink, Manu and Nadolo is a big step up in ball carrying from where we were a couple of years ago. I think we will see a pretty direct game plan to start with under Borthwick. Strong set-piece (hopefully...) and then a lot of hard running.
I've just had a text on my phone regarding 5 big names exiting, because I don't subscribe to that source I did not open it but say Jonny May's name mentioned as signing for someone, but I could not read more.
LE18 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 06, 2020 6:14 pm
I've just had a text on my phone regarding 5 big names exiting, because I don't subscribe to that source I did not open it but say Jonny May's name mentioned as signing for someone, but I could not read more.
LE18 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 06, 2020 6:14 pm
I've just had a text on my phone regarding 5 big names exiting, because I don't subscribe to that source I did not open it but say Jonny May's name mentioned as signing for someone, but I could not read more.
happywomble wrote: ↑Mon Apr 06, 2020 3:39 pm
Rumoured leavers - Viljeon, McPhillips, Thomas - Didnt these three all join last season so would have thought they would be on more than a year contract?
McPhillips and Thomas were 1 year contracts I believe. Tigers needed depth and they needed a club. Thomas is rumoured back to the regions and McPhillips didn't tear up trees on loan in the Championship.
Viljeon was a 2 year contract but there's been rumours he might leave early given he's struggled for game time. I think he could be a strong fullback given his huge boot but at 13 he lacked the physicality to be up to much in attack or defence at Prem level. With Steward coming through at 15 and Worth getting game time at centre I can't see Viljeon getting many more chances next season.
Cheers ABC! Very useful. Shame for Viljoen, as he did look fairly handy when down in SA and I would have thought the harder dryer tracks at the end of the season may have suited him.
Viljoen did come with promise, but had a mare at home against Sarries and hasn’t had a look in since in the Prem. I don’t think his kicking game was a good as we thought it would be either; I think we hoped for someone who could bang over a 55-60m pen, or punt a penalty from one 22 to the other.
Mark62 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 06, 2020 5:04 pm
With the proposed law change a decent kicking 12 ala Reid or Hardwick will become invaluable
Absolutely. If Borthwick can sort out the lineout and quicker ball at the breakdown (a hallmark of forwards he's coached) then the backs should be able to fall into shape much better.
With the scrum already strong the lineout becoming a weapon is crucial. Scrum penalty, kick to touch and launch the lineout may not be new age rugby but it's extremely effective and something to build from. Particularly if we can launch Manu, Nadolo and Taufua from good lineout ball.
In Ford, Hardwick, Reid and Henry we will have 4 strong goal kickers next season as well.
Mark62 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 06, 2020 5:04 pm
With the proposed law change a decent kicking 12 ala Reid or Hardwick will become invaluable
Absolutely. If Borthwick can sort out the lineout and quicker ball at the breakdown (a hallmark of forwards he's coached) then the backs should be able to fall into shape much better.
With the scrum already strong the lineout becoming a weapon is crucial. Scrum penalty, kick to touch and launch the lineout may not be new age rugby but it's extremely effective and something to build from. Particularly if we can launch Manu, Nadolo and Taufua from good lineout ball.
In Ford, Hardwick, Reid and Henry we will have 4 strong goal kickers next season as well.
Absolutely also the new law should mean wingers have to sit deeper to cover, so a decent passing 10 and 12 combo getting the ball wide will increase options
