LEICESTER TIGERS 2020/21 SQUAD/TRANSFERS/CONTRACT THREAD EPISODE IV: A New Hope

[ABClub]

Ryan Bower has rejoined.
there is our Loosehead

Remember Ryan from my time at John Cleveland College, always seemed like a decent lad and I'm glad to see him back

Bower keeps the depth of good scrummagers, won't cost a lot and won't block the path of the young props coming through if they start pushing for PRC game time. Fits that gap in the squad well.

1.Genge, Gigena, Bower, Whitcombe
2.Youngs, Mamukashvili, Kerr, Clare
3.Cole, Heyes, Leatigaga, Dimen

Looks strong. Particularly with Leatigaga able to play both sides and Heyes likely to keep improving quickly.

Montoya coming in for 2021/22 means that front row recruitment is already off to a flying start for the next contract cycle as well!

[FrontRowUnionMember]

@RagingBull are you still expecting a centre and possibly a couple of projects?

[Leicestertinytiger]

Bower seems very strong in the scrum, also good on the defensive side of things as a good tackler with big work rate. Carrying side seems non-existent though.

Great for squad depth, glad we’ve looked at players like him and Clare to fill out the front row positions.

[Mark62]

Egerton tweeting Gigena not here till December

[TigerFeetSteve]

Egerton tweeting Gigena not here till December

Link to Egerton's tweet

https://twitter.com/EgertonSport/status ... 65602?s=19

[kk20gb30]

Squad depth vitally important.A solid signing taking everything into context.

[CrumblingTerrace]

Bower for Bateman is a downgrade, but probably not a huge one.

I hope Leatigaga is used as 3rd choice LHP.

[JP14]

So Edgerton is saying that Gigena is staying in Argentina to play for the Pumas in the Rugby Championship?

[JP14]

Bower for Bateman is a downgrade, but probably not a huge one.

I hope Leatigaga is used as 3rd choice LHP.

Ahh yes because Bateman was in such terrific form last season.

[johnthegriff]

I would say that Ryan Bower is an upgrade on Bateman as a prop but possibly not so effective with the ball in hand and twenty yards to go. he was good for us in the Academy and development, but with Ayerza ahead of him his chances of Premiership game time were few and he has done well at Worcester. Both Leatigaga and Heyes can play both sides, I think we can now put out three good/ reasonable front rows before we use our talented youngsters Whitcombe, Vanes, Dimen, however I do expect them to be getting some game time.

[sapajo]

So Edgerton is saying that Gigena is staying in Argentina to play for the Pumas in the Rugby Championship?

Looks that way, which means when he eventually returns he would have been absent from the club for some 10mths.

[RichieB]

So Edgerton is saying that Gigena is staying in Argentina to play for the Pumas in the Rugby Championship?

Looks that way, which means when he eventually returns he would have been absent from the club for some 10mths.

Hopefully it will help him to get match fit if nothing else.

[wormus]

Bower for Bateman is a downgrade, but probably not a huge one.

I hope Leatigaga is used as 3rd choice LHP.

Ahh yes because Bateman was in such terrific form last season.

Agreed he had a good season and his LTTV interviews were good BUT he would not commit to Tigers in the time of need and decided to walk. Whereas Bower has committed to a return to Tigers and with the competition from the young upcoming players he will ideally fill the void and help mentor the lads.

[JP14]

I was being sarcastic??

[Mark62]

So Edgerton is saying that Gigena is staying in Argentina to play for the Pumas in the Rugby Championship?

I’m assuming the same will stand for Moroni too.