LEICESTER TIGERS 2020/21 SQUAD/TRANSFERS/CONTRACT THREAD Part 2

[kpj tiger]

For purely sun speculation and off the top of my head players without contracts elsewhere still.
Not knowing who else might be available I would take as short term replacements with potential to extend
Bateman - Someone like Mulipola
Taufua - IDK someone like Gibbins or Dominiko Waqaniburotu
Manu - JJ Engelbrecht or Robert Ebersohn
Reid - I think Henry coming up doesn't need replacing
Eastmond - Again short term don't think needs replacing
Veainu - Niyi Adeolokun or Tom Homer (Pipe dream but potentially Savea, who NZ don't seem very quick to pick up currently)


But will see what Murphy, Jan and Borthwick says about this hopefully tomorrow.

Honestly if Taufua is gone it seems like the perfect scenario for both Tigers, Eddie & the RFU to try to get Hoskins Sotutu, I would have thought Taufua's wages (even with the 25% reduction) would be hard to resist for a 21 year old on Super Rugby money, as for the Manu sized gap in the squad i've always been a fan of Vince Aso at the Hurricanes, would be a fair bit cheaper than Manu as well

[TigerFeetSteve]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/53267375 ?

That would be a nice coup, mate over in NZ rates him, not seen him myself

[RagingBull]

Assuming he wants to play for England

[Longshanks]

For purely sun speculation and off the top of my head players without contracts elsewhere still.
Not knowing who else might be available I would take as short term replacements with potential to extend
Bateman - Someone like Mulipola
Taufua - IDK someone like Gibbins or Dominiko Waqaniburotu
Manu - JJ Engelbrecht or Robert Ebersohn
Reid - I think Henry coming up doesn't need replacing
Eastmond - Again short term don't think needs replacing
Veainu - Niyi Adeolokun or Tom Homer (Pipe dream but potentially Savea, who NZ don't seem very quick to pick up currently)


But will see what Murphy, Jan and Borthwick says about this hopefully tomorrow.

Honestly if Taufua is gone it seems like the perfect scenario for both Tigers, Eddie & the RFU to try to get Hoskins Sotutu, I would have thought Taufua's wages (even with the 25% reduction) would be hard to resist for a 21 year old on Super Rugby money, as for the Manu sized gap in the squad i've always been a fan of Vince Aso at the Hurricanes, would be a fair bit cheaper than Manu as well

The main obstacle could be not knowing how much money is going to be available once compensation, legal fees and contractual obligations have been met.

[kpj tiger]

Assuming he wants to play for England

If money played no object then its a no brainer for him to go for NZ, No8 isn't a locked down position for them now Reid has retired + he is NZ born and bred.

That said he seemed pretty open minded in a recent article I read in regards to which International side he would like to represent, when you add a hefty wage increase plus the potential for £25,000 a game for England that may be enough to sway his mind, maybe its unlikely but I don't think its impossible

[Moose]

As has been said though, it's a finite career, and ££s talk, hence the reason we're having the discussion in the first place. Sotutu may be tempted to play for England over NZ it pays off financially.

[Wayne Richardson Fan Club]

If Taufua is gone that is the priority fill, followed by new knees for Taute.
Prop needs looking at but that is very much tied in with Gigena.
We could do with some pace maybe in the backs, but there is some youngsters that need to be given a crack, Vince Aso is a good shout, got a bit of toe as well, but I am sure we can find an outside back in NZ at a reasonable price, not a project or a pension case either.

[chipnchase]

Nothing to worry about, just bring the academy players through over the next three years once they announce a ring fenced premiership

[Scuttle]

Whatever has gone on is really none of our concern. It should remain Private and confidential and will follow its course to a conclusion at some point in time.

It's too late to lock the stables door the the Horse have bolted and and gone into next doors field.

The trouble is there's a Raging Bull in next door's field.

Sorry. That was bad !!

[RichieB]

Leicester Tigers have welcomed outside-back David Williams to the club on loan from Nottingham Rugby.

[rich1576]

What worries me is that with Veainu and Holmes gone, we only have Worth as a dedicated full back. Yes Taute and Olowofela can supposedly play there, but I would them as more centre and wing.

[sam16111986]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/53267375 ?

That would be a nice coup, mate over in NZ rates him, not seen him myself

Saw a bit of him in the games after lockdown. It's not if he plays international rugby it's when. Seems to have the lot. Wouldn't the be the first time we've seen a one season wonder though. Second season is always tougher. He'd be a risk but one worth taking if we could whether he wants to is a completely different matter. Unless his mum is from Leicestershire we might be a tough sell.

For purely sun speculation and off the top of my head players without contracts elsewhere still.
Not knowing who else might be available I would take as short term replacements with potential to extend
Bateman - Someone like Mulipola
Taufua - IDK someone like Gibbins or Dominiko Waqaniburotu
Manu - JJ Engelbrecht or Robert Ebersohn
Reid - I think Henry coming up doesn't need replacing
Eastmond - Again short term don't think needs replacing
Veainu - Niyi Adeolokun or Tom Homer (Pipe dream but potentially Savea, who NZ don't seem very quick to pick up currently)


But will see what Murphy, Jan and Borthwick says about this hopefully tomorrow.

Honestly if Taufua is gone it seems like the perfect scenario for both Tigers, Eddie & the RFU to try to get Hoskins Sotutu, I would have thought Taufua's wages (even with the 25% reduction) would be hard to resist for a 21 year old on Super Rugby money, as for the Manu sized gap in the squad i've always been a fan of Vince Aso at the Hurricanes, would be a fair bit cheaper than Manu as well

Matt Proctor allegedly wanted £400k to move to Scotland before signing for Saints and getting the salary he wanted. I can't find the interview with the coach that said it now but was making the point that signings Kiwis wasn't as cheap as you think. Kiwis also count as foreign players if they don't have a second nationality ala Taufua with Samoa or Sotutu with England/Fiji.

A cheap international centre would be someone like Alex Dunbar who I think is still looking for work have been released by Brive.

[sam16111986]

What worries me is that with Veainu and Holmes gone, we only have Worth as a dedicated full back. Yes Taute and Olowofela can supposedly play there, but I would them as more centre and wing.

Steward as well. Simmons can play there as I think can Zach Henry. Certainly another body in that position would help though.

[Wayne Richardson Fan Club]

Leicester Tigers have welcomed outside-back David Williams to the club on loan from Nottingham Rugby.

Some very telling words in our DORs quote..

[ABClub]

A cheap international centre would be someone like Alex Dunbar who I think is still looking for work have been released by Brive.

I've been a big fan of Dunbar for much of his career but injuries really caught up with him, hence struggling for contracts recently. The physicality and ruck work has really reduced with injuries. A few Glasgow fans I know have been half waiting to hear about an early retirement for a few seasons now. A real shame as he was a rock at 12 at his best.

Shortly before the loan deal with Falcons I saw him live in a Scottish Premiership game trying to get some game time for fitness. He was probably the 3rd most effective centre on the pitch in a semi-pro game. The two who outshone him were a Scotland age grade player and a former BUCS star so very talented young players but shouldn't be outplaying an international.