LEICESTER TIGERS 2021/22 SQUAD/TRANSFERS/CONTRACTS: Lord of the Mauls

[Scott1]

He would be finished with me!

[anz3001]

He would be finished with me!

That probably seals the deal, he’s probably in the car now.

[Scott1]

He would be finished with me!

That probably seals the deal, he’s probably in the car now.

Hahaha any sharper and you'd cut yourself

[ABClub]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/53081107

Worth keeping in mind that Sale got their long term renegotiated contracts sorted before that deadline as well. So a significant proportion of their bigger name players will only have 75% of their wages count towards the cap whilst it is at a reduced ceiling.

[TigerFeetSteve]

Ford moving depends on a few things

1. How did he REALLY take his dad leaving, did it upset him, and what was his dad's take on it?

2. Was he after the captaincy we gave to Ellis? He was VC last year was he not, now he's not even that.

3. What does he gain by moving there? Is it proximity to the North to switch codes, or is he super great mates with Manu?

4. How did he feel about his paycut, does how he feel mean he'd go elsewhere going forwards as a preference?

[Old Hob]

Ford moving depends on a few things

1. How did he REALLY take his dad leaving, did it upset him, and what was his dad's take on it?

2. Was he after the captaincy we gave to Ellis? He was VC last year was he not, now he's not even that.

3. What does he gain by moving there? Is it proximity to the North to switch codes, or is he super great mates with Manu?

4. How did he feel about his paycut, does how he feel mean he'd go elsewhere going forwards as a preference?

5. How does he feel about Freddie Burns' return and any rising talent from the squad?

[Tigers86asw]

Interesting that the article implies that the draw of Sale is due to family connections. Be surprised if they can offer that much more than us.

Other question is who has leaked this? Tigers have been as tight as drum since Borthwick came in so this will rock the boat, it coming so soon after McGinty has announced he is leaving can’t be a coincidence. Tigers will want it sorted sooner rather than later no doubt.

[northerntiger]

Suspect it came from Sale, given that the telegraph saying they were ‘confident’. That of George’s agent trying to up a new deal with us.

[Tigers86asw]

Wasnt Richard Wilks Ford’s agent?

[RichieB]

Obviously no one in the club wants him to leave (yet). However it is the natural course of events for most players in professional sport. Having waxed lyrical about the strength of the squad very recently, perhaps losing such a key player such as Ford highlights the fact that it is a never-ending job.

IF he leaves, who is the next taxi on the rank currently at the club? Burns - Hegarty - Lancaster? None ideal in my opinion and certainly not as accomplished as Ford. Maybe only ‘adequate’ to get by until Lancaster develops or we find a direct replacement.

Who knows? I’m sure Borthwick will be all over it.

[RagingBull]

The thing is if Ford leaves do you play him still?
Or look to the future and give burns and Lancaster time?

[Dokie]

Obviously no one in the club wants him to leave (yet). However it is the natural course of events for most players in professional sport. Having waxed lyrical about the strength of the squad very recently, perhaps losing such a key player such as Ford highlights the fact that it is a never-ending job.

IF he leaves, who is the next taxi on the rank currently at the club? Burns - Hegarty - Lancaster? None ideal in my opinion and certainly not as accomplished as Ford. Maybe only ‘adequate’ to get by until Lancaster develops or we find a direct replacement.

Who knows? I’m sure Borthwick will be all over it.

Judging by his performances for Nottingham, like Browning, Lancaster is a long way away from prem level.

[RagingBull]

At least we have a pack most 10’s would love to play behind.

[ABClub]

The thing is if Ford leaves do you play him still?
Or look to the future and give burns and Lancaster time?

If he's performing then play him for me. We are in a great position to top the Premiership table for the regular season and have a great chance to reach the last 16 for the Champions Cup. From the knockouts anything can happen.

Without wanting to be harsh, whether they get game time or not Freddie and Lancaster shouldn't be replacing Ford. If he goes then we will need a top signing to replace him.

[ay2oh]

Ford is a one off and we won’t get anyone near his quality. If he decides to go there’s nothing we can do about it apart from use the cap space to strengthen other areas of the squad .
Burns is no Ford but there is no point in signing an average player we might as well just go with what we have.