LEICESTER TIGERS 2018/19 SQUAD/TRANSFERS/CONTRACT THREAD PART 6

[Scott1]

I sure hope we get Lavinini,makes Etzebeth look soft! We need some monsters in the pack

[FrontRowUnionMember]

Looks a decent list, although I’d question the need for 4 new centres, Taute, Reid, Viljoen and Forsyth (admittedly Forsyth is allegedly dual registered). I think switch one centre for a full back, because we’re an explosive outside back short, maybe Blommetjies is on unofficial trial rather than loan.
Couple of previously mentioned players missing, maybe that’s what RB is alluding to.
Luke Wallace, Charlie Clare and Charlie Walker. Jordan Coghlan also mentioned previously, plays 7 predominantly.

Ma’afu - Leatigaga
Polota-Nau? - Clare
Kitchener - Lavanini
Fitzgerald - Green
Williams - Taufua
O’Connor - Wallace/Coghlan
Evans - Liebenberg
Toomua - Reid
Owen - Taute
Smith? - Viljoen
Sarto/Thompstone? - Walker?
Tait - Blommetjies

If so, that’d round the squad out nicely for me.

[BG01]

Looks a decent list, although I’d question the need for 4 new centres, Taute, Reid, Viljoen and Forsyth (admittedly Forsyth is allegedly dual registered). I think switch one centre for a full back, because we’re an explosive outside back short, maybe Blommetjies is on unofficial trial rather than loan.
Couple of previously mentioned players missing, maybe that’s what RB is alluding to.
Luke Wallace, Charlie Clare and Charlie Walker. Jordan Coghlan also mentioned previously, plays 7 predominantly.

Ma’afu - Leatigaga
Polota-Nau? - Clare
Kitchener - Lavanini
Fitzgerald - Green
Williams - Taufua
O’Connor - Wallace/Coghlan
Evans - Liebenberg
Toomua - Reid
Owen - Taute
Smith? - Viljoen
Sarto/Thompstone? - Walker?
Tait - Blommetjies

If so, that’d round the squad out nicely for me.

Taute and EWJ both can and do play FB (and Reid plays 10), so I think the plan is probably that we're expecting not all 4 of them to play centre the whole time

[Scott1]

Fitzgerald confirmed off? Shame if so,I like him. Williams always had the physical tools but Fitzy has the attitude and application. Very good squad player and worth keeping imo. A SH coming in when Harrison goes to Oz or sticking with Youngs,White,Simmonds?

[RagingBull]

Wouldn't hold any breaths on Walker and Wallace coming just yet.
Might happen but unlike most of the ones named not a done deal. Or anything close to one last I heard.

Taute isn't really a 15 anymore IMO, lost the gas needed for it. 100% a good 12 or 13 option though.


Clare would be replacing Stevens if he comes. Or at least a back up option to Stevens should we give him more time.
If Polota-Nau goes expect a biggers Hooker coming in.

Interesting George McGugian linked to in the Rugby Paper I don't think anything is in it over Agent trying to bump his price elsewhere though as he's linked to London Irish (Along with Jonny Williams)

[Mark62]

Fitzgerald confirmed off? Shame if so,I like him. Williams always had the physical tools but Fitzy has the attitude and application. Very good squad player and worth keeping imo. A SH coming in when Harrison goes to Oz or sticking with Youngs,White,Simmonds?

With Law coming through too, there is enough quality there

[RagingBull]

and Van Poortvliet. (Playing for the England U18 today)

With Sam Edwards in the U17's.

[JP14]

I assume RB means bigger name than Polota-Nau rather than size, doubt we could afford Marx or Chat, some good Aussie hookers around at the moment. Intriguing...

[RagingBull]

I assume RB means bigger name than Polota-Nau rather than size, doubt we could afford Marx or Chat, some good Aussie hookers around at the moment. Intriguing...

Not so much bigger name than him, just a bigger name than Clare.

[kpj tiger]

I assume RB means bigger name than Polota-Nau rather than size, doubt we could afford Marx or Chat, some good Aussie hookers around at the moment. Intriguing...

Would love to see Bongi Mbonambi in a Tigers shirt

[Scott1]

Any clue to what league he plays in RB?

[RagingBull]

I'm just speaking out loud Polota-Nau is on around 350,000 maybe.
I'm sure there is plenty of Super rugby hookers out of contract that could be signed for a fraction of that, maybe one with International caps and only just coming into his prime potentially.

[Scott1]

Tolu Latu?

[FrontRowUnionMember]

I’d be less concerned about replacing TPN. I think his salary could be better used elsewhere, when you consider Youngs is a solid first choice, and Kerr is improving week on week as 2nd choice. Having Stevens and Clare as 3rd/4th choice isn’t bad. Though I’m sure there was talk of a Fijian hooker, Dolokoto??

Was it case of either/or for Wallace and Coghlan, or was that just unsubstantiated rumours.

[RagingBull]

Dolokoto was never linked to us. Just someone saying it would be good if we signed him.