LEICESTER TIGERS 2018/19 SQUAD/TRANSFERS/CONTRACT THREAD PART 7

[LE18]

I think you should all discount Denton, if we have him next season great, but I really think that he is going to have to retire from the rumours I have heard.

[FrontRowUnionMember]

Potentially four further back row additions then, Liebenberg and Coghlan who we already know about, plus replacements for O’Connor and Denton?
Big squad reshuffle. Possibly needed in some places (not all), but ultimately going to be a whole lot of settling in.

[Mark62]

I think you should all discount Denton, if we have him next season great, but I really think that he is going to have to retire from the rumours I have heard.

And if that is the case, as hard as it may seem, the decision needs making now.
Maybe a years sabbatical with a guaranteed contract after that if his health is proved

[Scott1]

Is Wilson to Sale sealed?

[Leicestertinytiger]

So what do people still want?

This is based on Denton playing some part next season which will be like a new signing. For me considering that Viljoen, Liebenberg and Coghlan are still likely to be confined, I still think we need the following:

An experienced lock, someone along the lines of Donnacha Ryan, who can come into the pack and add some leadership and nous.

A backrower, preferably an openside, in order to replace Evans and BOC. Maybe Wallace can fill this roll I don’t know or a signing from super rugby.

A back three player who can offer some experience over the likes of Olowofela and SAR. Walker would have been a good shout but now he’s gone Zebre. Wouldn’t mind Bloomitjes being signed up for next season if the coaches have been impressed in training.

Even then hoping we have an improved coaching structure I think the aims should be getting top 6 and nailing our home form. Anything else would be a bonus.

[BigDan50]

There is no point in making all these signings unles we improve our coaching set up.
Murphy has not improved our skills in all the time he has been a coach with us and in my opinion should be asked to stand down from his position, he could then go to the lower leagues and learn his trade there, not returning until he proves he is a decent coach which he definitely is not at this present time.
We need a head coach who has had no association with Tigers and let him bring in his own team, also someone who would not listen to the cartel of players that seem to have to much influence within the club.

[RagingBull]

Potentially four further back row additions then, Liebenberg and Coghlan who we already know about, plus replacements for O’Connor and Denton?
Big squad reshuffle. Possibly needed in some places (not all), but ultimately going to be a whole lot of settling in.

Would be surprised unless some are project signings.
Got to factor that the likes of Liebenberg, Lavanini and Taute are most likely on price increases over the outgoing players being replaced.

I reckon Tigers are most likely eyeing up around 6 more players roughly and that if certain players do go.

I do also anticipate Tigers leaving some cap available for RWC bolters.

[FrontRowUnionMember]

Potentially four further back row additions then, Liebenberg and Coghlan who we already know about, plus replacements for O’Connor and Denton?
Big squad reshuffle. Possibly needed in some places (not all), but ultimately going to be a whole lot of settling in.

Would be surprised unless some are project signings.
Got to factor that the likes of Liebenberg, Lavanini and Taute are most likely on price increases over the outgoing players being replaced.

I reckon Tigers are most likely eyeing up around 6 more players roughly and that if certain players do go.

I do also anticipate Tigers leaving some cap available for RWC bolters.

Fair comment. Wonder if Liebenberg is effectively the Denton replacement?

Ma’afu - Grahamslaw/Hills/Lines?
Stevens - Clare
McMillan - Mahoney?
Cortes? - Leatigaga
Kitchener - Lavanini
Fitzgerald - Green
Voss - RWC bolter/project/old head at Lock?
Williams - Taufua
Mapapalangi? - Coghlan
O’Connor - Wallace or similar?
Evans - Reffell
Denton - Liebenberg
Toomua - Reid
Smith - Taute
Owen - Viljoen
Thompstone? - a RWC bolter or PI winger?
Tait - Blommetjies?

Does that look about right?
Some bigger earners coming in at certain positions, but also some squad promotion to balance the books.

[RagingBull]

Voss will be replaced by Lewis.
Ma'afu was injury signing so not in the cap I believe.

[CitizenSmiff]

So what do people still want?

With Harrison likely departing I'm very nervous about our options at 9; neither White or Simmons are really ready for the big time yet and we need somebody to push Youngs for his shirt if we want to see him at his best ever again. Hopefully a specialist openside to replace the two that are leaving as well, the tactic of playing two 6s and a lock in the back row has made us look daft several times this season whenever Super Guy has been injured.

[JP14]

As I’ve said multiple times before, go for Takulua!!

[sam16111986]

So what do people still want?

With Harrison likely departing I'm very nervous about our options at 9; neither White or Simmons are really ready for the big time yet and we need somebody to push Youngs for his shirt if we want to see him at his best ever again. Hopefully a specialist openside to replace the two that are leaving as well, the tactic of playing two 6s and a lock in the back row has made us look daft several times this season whenever Super Guy has been injured.

White has developed nicely this season and Simmonds has looked sharp when given chances previously. At some point we have to take the plunge and back then or we'll lose them. With a couple of the academy 9s looking like they could be good as well there is little point spending money on another 9.

Similar at 7 (I hope), Reffell has looked good enough when he's played this season. He was unlucky to pick up an injury during the 6N period whilst he was captaining Wales. If the coaching staff feel that the development 7 is able to be third choice of be happy with those three options. I think Coghlan can go in at 7 as well as he's pretty mobile and combative in all departments from what I've seen. If there's a high quality 7 available then different matter but just a squad man? I'd rather back the younger lads.

[BG01]

So what do people still want?

With Harrison likely departing I'm very nervous about our options at 9; neither White or Simmons are really ready for the big time yet and we need somebody to push Youngs for his shirt if we want to see him at his best ever again. Hopefully a specialist openside to replace the two that are leaving as well, the tactic of playing two 6s and a lock in the back row has made us look daft several times this season whenever Super Guy has been injured.

White has developed nicely this season and Simmonds has looked sharp when given chances previously. At some point we have to take the plunge and back then or we'll lose them. With a couple of the academy 9s looking like they could be good as well there is little point spending money on another 9.

Similar at 7 (I hope), Reffell has looked good enough when he's played this season. He was unlucky to pick up an injury during the 6N period whilst he was captaining Wales. If the coaching staff feel that the development 7 is able to be third choice of be happy with those three options. I think Coghlan can go in at 7 as well as he's pretty mobile and combative in all departments from what I've seen. If there's a high quality 7 available then different matter but just a squad man? I'd rather back the younger lads.

I definitely agree at 9.

On 7, I think we're in real danger of meeting the limits of 'backing the younger lads'. We're potentially losing 6 of our back row options, and replacing with 4 viable senior options (Coghlan, Liebenberg, Reffell, Taufua). Potentially a couple of Gough, Lavin, and Smith will come up from development and Eveleigh will come in to development, but none of them will play non-AWC rugby. And Lewis and Wells are needed at lock. The most obvious thing to do is bring in a 7. The alternative is bring in a 6 and have Taufua as a 7. I'd be keen that we only brought in one more player though - someone between Thompson and Reffell, such as Wallace - to make sure that Reffell, Tuilagi (if he's around!), and the other youngsters get gametime.

Now, if any of BOC/Denton/Mapapalangi stay then ignore all of that, I think we'll be fine.

2018/19: Denton, Evans, Fitzgerald, Kalamafoni, Mapapalangi, O'Connor, Thompson, Tuilagi, Williams; Gough, Lavin, Smith
2019/20: Coghlan, Kalamafoni, Liebenberg, Reffell, Taufua, Thompson, Tuilagi; Gough, Lavin, Smith, Eveleigh

[RagingBull]

From what I gather Fred tuilagi is off.

[kpj tiger]

From what I gather Fred tuilagi is off.

Seems a shame as he was finally showing some good form, that said I guess it potentially opens a spot in the dev squad for the likes of Ollie Ashworth