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

[RichieB]

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

Some very telling words in our DORs quote..

"The type of character we want in our environment". Nuff said!

[ABClub]

David Williams has been really impressive with Nottingham. That's a good signing in the circumstances. I'd take Jack Spittle from Notts as well very happily. Top performing Championship wingers have often stepped up to the Premiership well.

[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.

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

Yes my mistake, there's also Steward. I'm sure he will be a good future prospect, but would you put anyone one of those names as your nailed on 1st choice quality fullback. It is such a key role in both attack and defence.

[RagingBull]

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.

Yes my mistake, there's also Steward. I'm sure he will be a good future prospect, but would you put anyone one of those names as your nailed on 1st choice quality fullback. It is such a key role in both attack and defence.

Sometimes you got to give a player a chance first before desiring whether or not they can be first choice.

[sam16111986]

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.

I knew he wasn't the player he was hence cheap but hadn't realised he'd fallen that far. I was thinking one year contract and then rotate him with Taute alongside Scott. Like you I remember him as a good defender at 12 and that's something we could do with. I suspect he'll try and get another one year deal if there's one going just to keep the income up.

[FrontRowUnionMember]

You’d hope that between McGinity and his contacts, plus Walters and Taylor coming from Southern Hemisphere roles, there’d be some under the radar gems that they’re aware of. Not to mention Borthwick’s time with England may have some sway with those deemed longer term prospects, players in age grade they’ve kept an eye on etc.

Following some quick google work, Taylor could be the key here. He coached in Australia most recently in the NRC, the tier directly below Super Rugby. Plus he coached age grade in the NPC, and started out his coaching education alongside Scott Robertson (Crusaders), and Andre Bell who’s part of the Fiji coaching setup. They must be good for contacts.

The likes of Veianu and Mafi were relatively unheralded when we picked them up.

Agree with Ragingbull, prop to replace Bateman (1), back row (7/8), a specialist centre (12/13 not a 10/12) and a utility outside back (13/14/15).
Four players to replace the 5/6 that have been stood down.
Someone else raised a similar thing I was thinking yesterday, there was a suspicion that there was still another back 5 (replacing Spencer, Thompson and Kalamafoni with only Enever and Brink so far) and back 3 player (replacing May, Holmes and Thompstone with only Nadolo and Potter so far) yet to come. Will this still be the case?

[Scott1]

I like the idea of Simmonds at 15

[Mark62]

David Williams has been really impressive with Nottingham. That's a good signing in the circumstances. I'd take Jack Spittle from Notts as well very happily. Top performing Championship wingers have often stepped up to the Premiership well.

Well Jonah Holmes did pretty well out of it

[happywomble]

Isnt Nick Abendanon after a club?

[Mark62]

Isnt Nick Abendanon after a club?

He left Clement, not sure what’s happened after that. A number of posters at the time said he would be a great short term replacement

[Hot_Charlie]

I like the idea of Simmonds at 15

IIRC he played a couple of matches there in the LV Cup. Certainly remember him playing there against Bath.

Good to see Dave Williams back. The type of prudent signing we can expect in the short term whilst McGinity does his work.

[MCC1964]

Isnt Nick Abendanon after a club?

He left Clement, not sure what’s happened after that. A number of posters at the time said he would be a great short term replacement

Attlee or Freud?

I’ll get my coat........

[MCC1964]

Isnt Nick Abendanon after a club?

He left Clement, not sure what’s happened after that. A number of posters at the time said he would be a great short term replacement

“There were two options back in the Premiership and a few things in France’s Pro D2, but there’s nothing for me in the Top 14. I’d been looking forward to going back to the UK for one last big challenge in top-flight rugby, but that looks over now.”

“It’s a shame because the body is definitely not ready to stop and I feel I’ve got a lot to give a team. I’ve still got the motivation and if something was to come up in the Top 14, my wife and I would strongly consider staying because we love the way of life here.“

“My in-laws live outside Bath, my parents are in the Cotswolds and I still have many friends in the Bath area, so if we ever did settle back in England that’s where we would probably want to go.”

[Mark62]

Isnt Nick Abendanon after a club?

He left Clement, not sure what’s happened after that. A number of posters at the time said he would be a great short term replacement

“There were two options back in the Premiership and a few things in France’s Pro D2, but there’s nothing for me in the Top 14. I’d been looking forward to going back to the UK for one last big challenge in top-flight rugby, but that looks over now.”

“It’s a shame because the body is definitely not ready to stop and I feel I’ve got a lot to give a team. I’ve still got the motivation and if something was to come up in the Top 14, my wife and I would strongly consider staying because we love the way of life here.“

“My in-laws live outside Bath, my parents are in the Cotswolds and I still have many friends in the Bath area, so if we ever did settle back in England that’s where we would probably want to go.”

Depends on where in the Cotswolds Stow is less than an hour away

[Chobbsy]

After the excitement of seeing the new signings for next season to add to a decent back bone of a team, losing high profile players and maybe more to follow, I am feeling pretty forlorn now :(.

All thoughts of relegation next season had left me, those horrible thoughts are starting to creep back in