LEICESTER TIGERS 2021/22 SQUAD/TRANSFERS/CONTRACTS: Aled Walters and the Philosopher's Stone

[westwinds31]

Anthony Watson's had 2 x Achilles ruptures and an ACL rupture in recent years!?

Crikey, hope the Tigers medical team take a good, long look at him before a contract is signed.

If we end up signing him, I would quite happily bow to the expertise of our medical and S&C people, who you could argue are among the best in world rugby (?). So if he comes in, it’s not a risk, or as far as we’ve done our homework and we think we can keep him fit and also improve an already world class player, as we have with many others.

[voice of the crumbie]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/spor ... rs-6906801

Ashton wanting to stay next season - no brainier for all parties surely?

No disrespect to Anthony Watson but I'd rather keep Chris Ashton.

[westwinds31]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/spor ... rs-6906801

Ashton wanting to stay next season - no brainier for all parties surely?

No disrespect to Anthony Watson but I'd rather keep Chris Ashton.

Why not have both ?

[Scott1]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/spor ... rs-6906801

Ashton wanting to stay next season - no brainier for all parties surely?

No disrespect to Anthony Watson but I'd rather keep Chris Ashton.

Why not have both ?

Yes I'm sure it will be both

[Rugbygramps]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/spor ... rs-6906801

Ashton wanting to stay next season - no brainier for all parties surely?

No disrespect to Anthony Watson but I'd rather keep Chris Ashton.

Wouldn’t have thought it’s an either or situation. Assuming we have picked up Ashton for relatively small change, that isn’t going to increase much in the current environment. Same with Watson, given his injury history, whereas it wouldn’t be a pay as you play deal, I would imagine the first year would be appearance based, then if that figure is reached an increase in the 2nd year. Unlikely to be the £300k that has been mentioned

[TigerFeetSteve]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/spor ... rs-6906801

Ashton wanting to stay next season - no brainier for all parties surely?

No disrespect to Anthony Watson but I'd rather keep Chris Ashton.

Why not have both ?

We've had Kobus Van Wyk leave, who IMO Ashton replaces.

Both Nadolo (probably leaving) and Murimurivalu (maybe leaving) are currently possibly leaving. So Watson could replace either of those.

Currently as rumored as I have it:
Centre's and back 3 (because they often cover each other e.g.Porter, Moroni & Murimurivalu)

Gopperth replaces Socino (if he goes)
Cokanasinga replaces Taute (if he retires)
Ashton replaces Van Wyk

Question is, can we afford Watson unless one of, Moroni, Murimurivalu or Nadolo leaves?

[strawclearer]

A sad reminder that, no matter the age or level, all players are one game away from their last.
https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/ ... 21941.html

[ay2oh]

No disrespect to Anthony Watson but I'd rather keep Chris Ashton.

Why not have both ?

We've had Kobus Van Wyk leave, who IMO Ashton replaces.

Both Nadolo (probably leaving) and Murimurivalu (maybe leaving) are currently possibly leaving. So Watson could replace either of those.

Currently as rumored as I have it:
Centre's and back 3 (because they often cover each other e.g.Porter, Moroni & Murimurivalu)

Gopperth replaces Socino (if he goes)
Cokanasinga replaces Taute (if he retires)
Ashton replaces Van Wyk

Question is, can we afford Watson unless one of, Moroni, Murimurivalu or Nadolo leaves?

No we can’t. Suspect that 2 of those 3 will probably leave if we need to make space for Ashton and Cokisigina.

[sam16111986]

Why not have both ?

We've had Kobus Van Wyk leave, who IMO Ashton replaces.

Both Nadolo (probably leaving) and Murimurivalu (maybe leaving) are currently possibly leaving. So Watson could replace either of those.

Currently as rumored as I have it:
Centre's and back 3 (because they often cover each other e.g.Porter, Moroni & Murimurivalu)

Gopperth replaces Socino (if he goes)
Cokanasinga replaces Taute (if he retires)
Ashton replaces Van Wyk

Question is, can we afford Watson unless one of, Moroni, Murimurivalu or Nadolo leaves?

No we can’t. Suspect that 2 of those 3 will probably leave if we need to make space for Ashton and Cokisigina.

When Kobus van Wyk signed he was scoring for fun in the SH. I suspect that we could near enough get Ashton and Phil Cockanasiga for what KVW was probably on.

[ay2oh]

We've had Kobus Van Wyk leave, who IMO Ashton replaces.

Both Nadolo (probably leaving) and Murimurivalu (maybe leaving) are currently possibly leaving. So Watson could replace either of those.

Currently as rumored as I have it:
Centre's and back 3 (because they often cover each other e.g.Porter, Moroni & Murimurivalu)

Gopperth replaces Socino (if he goes)
Cokanasinga replaces Taute (if he retires)
Ashton replaces Van Wyk

Question is, can we afford Watson unless one of, Moroni, Murimurivalu or Nadolo leaves?

No we can’t. Suspect that 2 of those 3 will probably leave if we need to make space for Ashton and Cokisigina.

When Kobus van Wyk signed he was scoring for fun in the SH. I suspect that we could near enough get Ashton and Phil Cockanasiga for what KVW was probably on.

Your probably right but suspect Watson would mean 2 of he 3 leaving.

[Leicestertinytiger]

I can see / maybe hoping that Nadolo finishes his contract and is with us next season. Would love to see Moroni stay too. In that case I can see the incoming making up the numbers for the departing players. If that’s the case then we’ve definitely upgraded in most cases.

Gopperth >>> Socino
Cokanasiga >>> Taute
Ashton >>> Van Wyk
Watson >>> Murimurivalu

[RagingBull]

Wasn’t David Williams linked as joining us full time next year also?

Moroni is interesting if he doesn’t start starting more I suspect he’s off.
Porter shift to 13 for me did seem to indicate that might be viewed as his position going forward.

I hope Moroni doesn’t go but Porter and Scott are both options that are extremely good.

[TigerFeetSteve]

Wasn’t David Williams linked as joining us full time next year also?

Moroni is interesting if he doesn’t start starting more I suspect he’s off.
Porter shift to 13 for me did seem to indicate that might be viewed as his position going forward.

I hope Moroni doesn’t go but Porter and Scott are both options that are extremely good.

Williams did a decent job here for us and has been outplaying Browning at Nottingham, plus plays 13 too, wouldn't be surprised if he comes in if we're letting some/all ofSimmons, Aspland-Robinson, Olowofela and Browning go.

[Scott1]

Is Steff Hughes not happening then?

[WildGoose]

Isn’t Ashton a short term deal that will surely go up in price next year if he re-signs? Even if he wants to be here, he’s surely not going to pay for as little in season 2?

Personally - would keep Ashton over someone new simply because we had so much turnover and the squad seems pretty settled now. Maybe that’s just perception (as KvW obviously leaving, Brink midway through the season etc shows, maybe it’s all just a trick of the mind) but it FEELS more settled