Leicester Tigers 2016/17 Squad/Transfers/Contract thread 3

[RagingBull]

Head Coach: Matt O'Connor
Assistant Backs Coach: Geordan Murphy
Assistant Forwards Coach: Richard Blaze
Team Manager: Matt Cormwell

Senior Squad: (New Signing, Academy Promotion)
Hookers: Greg Bateman, George McGuigan, Harry Thacker, Tom Youngs
Props: Marcos Ayerza, Fraser Balmain, Pat Cilliers, Dan Cole, Ellis Genge, Logovi'i Mulipola, Michele Rizzo,
Lock: Dom Barrow, Mick Fitzgerald, Graham Kitchener, Ed Slater, Harry Wells
Flankers: Tom Croft, Will Evans, Brendon O'connor,Mike williams,
Number 8: Luke Hamilton, Lachlan McCaffrey,
Scrum Half: Jono Kitto, Sam Harrison, Ben Youngs
Fly Half: Freddie Burns, Owen Williams,
Centre: Peter Betham, Jack Roberts, Matt Smith, Matt Toomua, Manu , Maxime Mermoz
Back 3: Tom Brady, George Catchpole, JP Pietersen, Mathew Tait, Adam Thompstone, Telusa veainu,

2016/17:
Rumours
IN
Scott Higginbotham (6/8) - SIGNED FOR QUEENSLAND REDS
Carl Fearns (Lyon) (8/6/7) - SIGNED FOR GLOUS
George Ford (Bath) (10) - SIGNED FOR TIGERS
Pablo Matera (Jagures) (6/7/8) - RE-SIGNED FOR JAGURES
Ben Morgan (8) - RE-SIGNED FOR GLOUS
Sione Kalamafoni (Glousceter) (6/8)
Toby Flood (Toulouse) (10/12)
Jonah Holmes (Yorkshire) 11/15
Joe Ford (Yorkshire) 10
Geoff Parling (Exeter) Lock
Napolioni Nalaga (Clermont) (11,14,6,13)
Valentino Mapapalangi (Manawatu) (8,6,4,5)

OUT
Riccardo Brugnara (1) - N/A
Oli Bryant (10/12) - Worcester Warriors (The Rugby Paper)
Fred Tuilagi (8) - Various people.

Signings:
Re-Signed
Peter Betham
Graham Kitchener
Dominic Barrow
Will Evans
Jono Kitto
Greg Bateman
Mike Fitzgerald
Brendon O'Connor
Matthew Tait
Michele Rizzo
Harry Thacker
Harry Wells
Matt O'Connor

Confirmed IN
George Ford (Bath)


Leavers:
Fonua (Newcastle Falcons) for the 2016/17 season
Hansen (N/A) - 2016/17 season.
Cockerill - 2016/17 season (Toulon)
O.Williams - 2017/18 season (Gloucester)
Balmain - 2017/18 season (Gloucester)
Roberts - 2017/18 season (Cardiff)
Mermoz - 2017/18 season (Newcastle)
Burns - 2017/18 season (Bath)
Mauger - 2016/17 (N/A)

2015/16 squad leavers:
Aguero (Provance), Bai (retirement), Bell (Irish), Benjamin (retirement), Camacho (N/A), Crane (Bristol), De Chaves (Irish), JDV (Retirement), Ghiraldini (Toulouse), Goneva (Falcons), Loamanu (Provance), Morris (Leinster), Pasquali (Treviso), Pearce (Sale), Sio (N/A),
2016/17 Squad signings:
Cilliers (Montpelier), Genge (Bristol), Hamilton (Agen), Mcguigan (Falcons), Pietersen (Natal Sharks), Toomua (ACT Brumbies), Harry Wells (Bedford)

2016/17 Academy Graduates:
Will Evans

Number of players: 41.
Number of EQP: 27.
Number of Academy products: 12

2016/17 Development squad:
Head of Transition: Ged Glynn
Head Coach/Forwards Coach: Brett Deacon
Back Coach: Anthony Allen
Ben Betts, Riccardo Brugnara, Oli Bryant, Owen Hills, Sam Lewis, Harry Mahoney, Joe Maksymiw, Jordan Olowofela, Ryan Olowofela, Will Owen, Harry Simmons, Charlie Thacker, Fred Tuilagi, Ben White, George Worth, Sam Yawayawa

2015/16 Leavers:
Charlie Beckett (glous), Wesley Douglas (N/A), Jake Farnworth (coventry), Alex Galletly (N/A), Dan Hogan (N/A), George Murrin (N/A), George Nairn (N/A), Polo Odogwu (Sale), Oliver Povoas (coventry), Stone Preistly-Nangle (Bedford), George Tresidder (Rotherham).
2016/17 academy promoted:
Sam Lewis, Harry Mahoney, Jordan Olowofela, Ryan Olowofela, Harry Simmons, Ben White, Sam Yawayawa

2016/17 Signings
Ben Betts (Munster) Tighthead

2017/18 Signings
Josh Fenner (Queensland schools) - Lock/6

[strawclearer]

As always - thanks for all your efforts with this, RB. Much appreciated!

[ABClub]

Please can we have an announcement of Harry Thacker re-signing on a long term contract soon. Pretty please...

[RagingBull]

MO saying us and Galsgow are looking at Napolioni Nalaga of Lyon.

Personally would love this signing like a bigger Goneva really covers 13 and Wing so can cover Manu.


Doubt it will happen but would be great.

[strawclearer]

MO saying us and Galsgow are looking at Napolioni Nalaga of Lyon.

Personally would love this signing like a bigger Goneva really covers 13 and Wing so can cover Manu.


Doubt it will happen but would be great.

I've no doubt he's wonderful but I'm kinda hankering for the days when we attracted 20-somethings rather than 30-somethings...

(yes - I know GF is still only 23 just!)

[RagingBull]

MO saying us and Galsgow are looking at Napolioni Nalaga of Lyon.

Personally would love this signing like a bigger Goneva really covers 13 and Wing so can cover Manu.


Doubt it will happen but would be great.

I've no doubt he's wonderful but I'm kinda hankering for the days when we attracted 20-somethings rather than 30-somethings...

(yes - I know GF is still only 23 just!)

Could be wrong but in the last 2 seasons we have signed way more 20 somethings than 30 somethings...............

So not sure on your point TBH.

[Mark62]

Please can we have an announcement of Harry Thacker re-signing on a long term contract soon. Pretty please...

Simple question. Why ?

[ABClub]

Please can we have an announcement of Harry Thacker re-signing on a long term contract soon. Pretty please...

Simple question. Why ?

Thacker is always a contentious issue that can derail threads, so giving my opinion with a bit of caution:

I think he's a huge talent that could thrive in the back row.

He is an excellent carrier who is very hard to put down and has a good eye for a gap - try vs Saints being a standout example.

His handling skills, pace and footwork give him potential to be an excellent link-man. His miss pass thrown to Manu from his weaker hand which set-up Betham's try against Gloucs last season would have made most centres proud.

His excellent darts could still be utilised with him at 7. Even as an openside throwing in is still his best role in the line-out given his height.

His line-speed and work rate in defence is very good. He uses his height well to make effective chop tackles, quickly return to his feet and get back in the defensive line. A key skill for a back rower.

He is an academy graduate who plays with the passion and intensity that we need from our forwards. He's also a natural leader which is something this squad needs.

He could offer a very good alternative to Evans for years to come with a horses for courses selection available between their contrasting skill sets.

[Mark62]

Please can we have an announcement of Harry Thacker re-signing on a long term contract soon. Pretty please...

Simple question. Why ?

Thacker is always a contentious issue that can derail threads, so giving my opinion with a bit of caution:

I think he's a huge talent that could thrive in the back row.

He is an excellent carrier who is very hard to put down and has a good eye for a gap - try vs Saints being a standout example.

His handling skills, pace and footwork give him potential to be an excellent link-man. His miss pass thrown to Manu from his weaker hand which set-up Betham's try against Gloucs last season would have made most centres proud.

His excellent darts could still be utilised with him at 7. Even as an openside throwing in is still his best role in the line-out given his height.

His line-speed and work rate in defence is very good. He uses his height well to make effective chop tackles, quickly return to his feet and get back in the defensive line. A key skill for a back rower.

He is an academy graduate who plays with the passion and intensity that we need from our forwards. He's also a natural leader which is something this squad needs.

He could offer a very good alternative to Evans for years to come with a horses for courses selection available between their contrasting skill sets.

All the points you make are valid. However with those skill sets he could transfer to 9 or 12 which would be his best bet imho. He is simply not big enough to play in the fwds at Premiership level , had he been playing Friday night, he would simply have got blown away by their back row
Athletic is the way forward, but up front it must be big and athletic.
Two examples, Worcester hooker yesterday, from California 20 stone, mobile fit, great Scrummager and arrows like Phil Taylor.
Ardie Savea playing for the Canes at 7 was awesome. Big, immensely powerful, great hands, and the speed of his brother.
Maybe 2 extreme examples, but I'll ask the question I always do. If he's as good as his supporters say, and there are many, why has their not been a queue of clubs looking to sign him. As far as I'm aware only Worcester have expressed interest?

[tigerburnie]

Sio is at Leicester Lions in Nat2n RB

[L Smith]

When do we expect another Magic Monday?

[ABClub]

All the points you make are valid. However with those skill sets he could transfer to 9 or 12 which would be his best bet imho. He is simply not big enough to play in the fwds at Premiership level , had he been playing Friday night, he would simply have got blown away by their back row
Athletic is the way forward, but up front it must be big and athletic.
Two examples, Worcester hooker yesterday, from California 20 stone, mobile fit, great Scrummager and arrows like Phil Taylor.
Ardie Savea playing for the Canes at 7 was awesome. Big, immensely powerful, great hands, and the speed of his brother.
Maybe 2 extreme examples, but I'll ask the question I always do. If he's as good as his supporters say, and there are many, why has their not been a queue of clubs looking to sign him. As far as I'm aware only Worcester have expressed interest?

I don't think Harry has the out right pace to be an excellent 12. He has the acceleration but not the pace. To play 9 he would need to develop a kicking game again and lose a lot of bulk - something he may not want to do after how much effort must have gone into how he's changed his physique.

We would also lose his defensive skills and work rate around the fringes.

Taufete'e is third choice hooker at Warriors behind Annett and Bregvadze. Two players who aren't enormous for their position but are excellent hookers technically. Before some says it yes they are still bigger hookers than Harry!

Ardie Savea is an interesting one. He's actually smaller than his brother and most opposition back rows he plays against. He does however have incredible fitness, a wingers pace and a great rugby brain.

On the queue of clubs issues, we don't know if there have been or not. We also don't know if Harry has been talking to them or not, what position he wishes to play for us or other clubs, or for that matter what his exact wishes for game time are with us or other clubs.

I think there is still room for players such as Thacker in the right side. I also think that he could be a huge asset to the club for a decade if used in an effective role that suits his skills.

[RagingBull]

When do we expect another Magic Monday?

Next Wednesday

[Mark62]

Maybe we could the Savea brothers on a bulk discount.

[wormus]

Please can we have an announcement of Harry Thacker re-signing on a long term contract soon. Pretty please...

Simple question. Why ?

Thacker is always a contentious issue that can derail threads, so giving my opinion with a bit of caution:

I think he's a huge talent that could thrive in the back row.

He is an excellent carrier who is very hard to put down and has a good eye for a gap - try vs Saints being a standout example.

His handling skills, pace and footwork give him potential to be an excellent link-man. His miss pass thrown to Manu from his weaker hand which set-up Betham's try against Gloucs last season would have made most centres proud.

His excellent darts could still be utilised with him at 7. Even as an openside throwing in is still his best role in the line-out given his height.

His line-speed and work rate in defence is very good. He uses his height well to make effective chop tackles, quickly return to his feet and get back in the defensive line. A key skill for a back rower.

He is an academy graduate who plays with the passion and intensity that we need from our forwards. He's also a natural leader which is something this squad needs.

He could offer a very good alternative to Evans for years to come with a horses for courses selection available between their contrasting skill sets.

Well if Kitto is such a bad scrum half why not train and convert Harry Thacker to become a No.9? based on the above assessment of his skill set.