LEICESTER TIGERS 2020/21 SQUAD/TRANSFERS/CONTRACT THREAD EPISODE V: Borthwick Strikes Back

[AViewFromLe2]

Personally think we're in a nice place with a lot the positions in the pack, especially at lock. Green & Wells are 2 really solid Prem performers & i think benefitting from Borthwick's guidance. We then have some really good young project locks in Henderson, Martin & Chessum with all 3 likely to have more of a part to play in the next few years, and can only improve. Do think we need a top quality, international lock to come in for Lavanini. A Kruis type signing really would be a brilliant addition for so many reasons.

Back row I think we're looking good, and will look even better if Van Staden does come in. My concern for the squad is that it is slightly bloated, especially around the 3rd or 4th choice players in some positions. I do think we need to lose a couple from the lower end of the squad to free up some cash and allow us to make a targeted signing rather than just bringing in someone to make up the numbers.

[FrontRowUnionMember]

, we are there or thereabouts in the pack.
Front Row - If De Bruin does indeed leave, I’d hope for another addition here, as I see Van Wyk as Gigena’s replacement. TH is a bit of a puzzle, we have one starter option in Cole, Heyes is now a match day regular justifiably, but in such an attritional position, if he had to have a run of games as a starter if Cole was out, I’d be slightly concerned. Couple of games, I’m fine, but 3-4 or more, maybe slightly more uneasy. I think he needs another season of increasing minutes first. I also look at the balance of development props, Whitcombe is the only LH, then we have Dimen, Rowntree and Hurd at TH. Hooker I’m ok with, unless anyone else leaves.
Second Row - just add a genuine starter level lock to replace Lavanini. With Wells and Green experienced operators, plus the talents of Martin, Henderson and Chessum I’m fine with that.
Back Row - minor alterations, we have Reffell, Wallace and Van Staden all capable of starting at 7. Liebenberg and Wiese at 6 and 8 respectively, then Brink able to cover all. Perhaps need one more specialist 6 or 8.

[sam16111986]

For next season we've got;

1. Genge, Leatigaga (plays both sides), van Wyk (rumoured), Whitcombe
2. Montoya, Youngs, Clare, Kerr
3. Cole, Heyes, Hurd, Dimen
4. ?, Wells, Chessum
5. Green, Henderson
6. Liebenburg, Martin, Lewis
7. Van Staden (rumoured), Reffell, Wallace
8. Weise, Brink, Smith
9. Youngs, Wigglesworth, JVP, White
10. Ford, Henry, McPhillips
11. Nadolo, Owolfela
12. Scott, Porter
13. Moroni, Taute, Kelly
14. Van Wyk, Potter
15. Steward, Murimurivalu, Worth

There's some squad players that we are unsure about but I'm generally assuming if we've bothered to loan them out they are going to be retained. Expect Coghlan who is a bit of a favourite at Notts and probably sweetened the arrangement.

We look a bit young up front but there's a lot of talent there and the budget has to be reduced somewhere. If van Wyk and van Staden both come in I think we are almost there. An experienced lock and then I'd hope we'd only be looking at bargains in the Porter/Potter category or the taking chances on development players like Kelly and Henderson, particularly if that development player could be a flyhalf.

Part of the problem from previous seasons has been that we've chopped up the squad every season. Try and keep it continuous and build of we can. Obviously if we do lose an experienced player that I've assumed is staying then we will need to go shopping. Otherwise keep building and use the young guys, they are showing improvement and potential.

[Jimmy Skitz]

Isn't Martin a second row?

[RunTigerRun]

For next season we've got;

1. Genge, Leatigaga (plays both sides), van Wyk (rumoured), Whitcombe
2. Montoya, Youngs, Clare, Kerr
3. Cole, Heyes, Hurd, Dimen
4. ?, Wells, Chessum
5. Green, Henderson
6. Liebenburg, Martin, Lewis
7. Van Staden (rumoured), Reffell, Wallace
8. Weise, Brink, Smith
9. Youngs, Wigglesworth, JVP, White
10. Ford, Henry, McPhillips
11. Nadolo, Owolfela
12. Scott, Porter
13. Moroni, Taute, Kelly
14. Van Wyk, Potter
15. Steward, Murimurivalu, Worth

There's some squad players that we are unsure about but I'm generally assuming if we've bothered to loan them out they are going to be retained. Expect Coghlan who is a bit of a favourite at Notts and probably sweetened the arrangement.

We look a bit young up front but there's a lot of talent there and the budget has to be reduced somewhere. If van Wyk and van Staden both come in I think we are almost there. An experienced lock and then I'd hope we'd only be looking at bargains in the Porter/Potter category or the taking chances on development players like Kelly and Henderson, particularly if that development player could be a flyhalf.

Part of the problem from previous seasons has been that we've chopped up the squad every season. Try and keep it continuous and build of we can. Obviously if we do lose an experienced player that I've assumed is staying then we will need to go shopping. Otherwise keep building and use the young guys, they are showing improvement and potential.

I’d have Simmons in ahead of Olowofela at 11, he has impressed and I’d be very surprised (and disappointed) if he left. I think SAR will stay too so adds plenty of back depth.

[sam16111986]

Isn't Martin a second row?

Lock that's been playing 6 for us. Mobile enough for both.

Good point on Simmonds. He could be handy fullback cover as well if Steward starts getting England recognition.

[Tigers86asw]

Lynagh has signed an extension at Quins.

[OakhamTiger32]

Isn't Martin a second row?

Lock that's been playing 6 for us. Mobile enough for both.

Good point on Simmonds. He could be handy fullback cover as well if Steward starts getting England recognition.

I would like to see Martin and Henderson getting a bit more time at lock as they could be really good options. Especially with a potentially world class back row of Liebenberg Van Staden Wiese and Reffell, Wallace, Brink all waiting in the wings.

Would definitely have Simmons in ahead of JO as mentioned above.

Lots of players can cover multiple positions which will also help. Leatigaga (LH & TH), Martin (lock, back row), Wells (lock, back row), Lewis (lock, back row), Porter (wing, centre), Nadolo (wing, centre), Potter (wing, full back), Taute (centre, full back), Worth (centre, full back), Murimurivalu (wing, full back)

[sam16111986]

Isn't Martin a second row?

Lock that's been playing 6 for us. Mobile enough for both.

Good point on Simmonds. He could be handy fullback cover as well if Steward starts getting England recognition.

I would like to see Martin and Henderson getting a bit more time at lock as they could be really good options. Especially with a potentially world class back row of Liebenberg Van Staden Wiese and Reffell, Wallace, Brink all waiting in the wings.

Would definitely have Simmons in ahead of JO as mentioned above.

Lots of players can cover multiple positions which will also help. Leatigaga (LH & TH), Martin (lock, back row), Wells (lock, back row), Lewis (lock, back row), Porter (wing, centre), Nadolo (wing, centre), Potter (wing, full back), Taute (centre, full back), Worth (centre, full back), Murimurivalu (wing, full back)

All very true. Which was sort of behind my post about not really needing a lot of additions this summer. A good quality second row, ideally one who could also mentor our younger locks is the only real requirement. I'd rather allocate funds to retain our best young talent on long term deals.

[OakhamTiger32]

Lock that's been playing 6 for us. Mobile enough for both.

Good point on Simmonds. He could be handy fullback cover as well if Steward starts getting England recognition.

I would like to see Martin and Henderson getting a bit more time at lock as they could be really good options. Especially with a potentially world class back row of Liebenberg Van Staden Wiese and Reffell, Wallace, Brink all waiting in the wings.

Would definitely have Simmons in ahead of JO as mentioned above.

Lots of players can cover multiple positions which will also help. Leatigaga (LH & TH), Martin (lock, back row), Wells (lock, back row), Lewis (lock, back row), Porter (wing, centre), Nadolo (wing, centre), Potter (wing, full back), Taute (centre, full back), Worth (centre, full back), Murimurivalu (wing, full back)

All very true. Which was sort of behind my post about not really needing a lot of additions this summer. A good quality second row, ideally one who could also mentor our younger locks is the only real requirement. I'd rather allocate funds to retain our best young talent on long term deals.

Agreed. If Van Wyk and Van Staden are inbound then the only area I would really like to see strengthened is lock. A world class lock to mentor the young lads as you say would be perfect. Maybe a big impact centre but i reckon that will take up too much cap and the players we have are starting to gel. Scott, Moroni and Porter can all get the job done for me and with Taute and Kelly I reckon we will stick as we are in the centres.

[TigerFeetSteve]

If Bonilla leaves we definitely need another Fly half. With Ford possibly away with England for large parts and Hardwick seemingly beyond redemption, that would leave us only Henry & McPhillps.

I think we could have done with some of the planned midweek games to have come a bit sooner so we could see if Diaz Bonilla can get up to speed before the main contract period, as it is it's a gamble, but cannot be him leaving unless he gets replaced.

[sam16111986]

If Bonilla leaves we definitely need another Fly half. With Ford possibly away with England for large parts and Hardwick seemingly beyond redemption, that would leave us only Henry & McPhillps.

I think we could have done with some of the planned midweek games to have come a bit sooner so we could see if Diaz Bonilla can get up to speed before the main contract period, as it is it's a gamble, but cannot be him leaving unless he gets replaced.

The foreign player rule makes it somewhat pointless to keep Bonilla. If we can fish around for an age grade or former age grade flyhalf that's not getting a look in at his club then that would be what I'd look for. We need cover but we have other viable options so taking the chance in a younger player with a potentially high ceiling would be much preferable to a Joe Ford style signing. Better yet if we can get that fourth choice on loan to Notts and playing regularly so they are developing and match sharp should we need them.

[LE18]

If Bonilla leaves we definitely need another Fly half. With Ford possibly away with England for large parts and Hardwick seemingly beyond redemption, that would leave us only Henry & McPhillps.

I think we could have done with some of the planned midweek games to have come a bit sooner so we could see if Diaz Bonilla can get up to speed before the main contract period, as it is it's a gamble, but cannot be him leaving unless he gets replaced.

The foreign player rule makes it somewhat pointless to keep Bonilla. If we can fish around for an age grade or former age grade flyhalf that's not getting a look in at his club then that would be what I'd look for. We need cover but we have other viable options so taking the chance in a younger player with a potentially high ceiling would be much preferable to a Joe Ford style signing. Better yet if we can get that fourth choice on loan to Notts and playing regularly so they are developing and match sharp should we need them.

Sounds like we need to sign Hardwick, oh wait a minute........

[Tigers1213]

Tiiiiiigers

[Wayne Richardson Fan Club]

The Hardwick situation is a sorry affair all round.