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

[mol2]

Aside from losing the new attack coach, could some of the departures be Borthwick asserting himself and opting for his own team.
We still don’t know why Boris left, but if Ford does go then it does start to fall in place if appointments take place. The only bit that doesn’t add up is the timing.

[jgriffin]

Pure speculation, but for people with young families, relocating to NZ and finding lower paid work there is a no brainer. As for ford, half the posters on here (especially BigDan50) should be applauding, given their postal history.

[JP14]

Pleased with the confirmation of de Bruin and also the retention of Williams for the upcoming season.

[Tiglon]

De Bruin looks like a good signing, and Williams is a smart move considering international callups.

[Traveller]

Might be worth taking a few pinches of salt with this Ford-Wales speculation. The journalist lists "a selection of the potential candidates" - i.e. a list of people who might be considered by Wales. No assertion at all that any of them are being considered or would be interested. The final name he lists is Sean Edwards...

He describes Mike Ford's most recent experience as "spells with Dallas Griffins and Germany". It sounds like he hasn't actually heard that Ford joined Leicester and is currently employed.

In short, it's a piece of idle speculation based on shoddy research and zero inside info.

Teach me to read an article before commenting. Smack on own hand.

[TigerFeetSteve]

So at one point we were rumoured to be looking for the following:

Project LH
Project TH
Fly half
Left Wing
Outside Centre

Since then we've signed
Bonilla (Fly Half)
Williams re-signed (Winger)
de Bruin (covers both sides of the scrum)
Wigglesworth (Scrum Half)

To my mind spending a bit more getting only one prop who is a bit more developed and covers both sides does the same job, also allows a bit more leeway to develop a bit of game time for the development guys if no Championship season is played. (Plus a 7 month contract probably leaves a bit more cap availability elsewhere)

Wigglesworth and Williams both help on the winger front, Wigglesworth as it means Simmons is more free to be a back 3 player if needed.

That leaves an outside centre, plus since then Lavannini has been injured.

The only remaining signings I think we would see are these.
Outside centre probably more important than a Lock, but wouldn't say no if a short term Lock given Martin is injured too.

What are others thoughts here?

[ay2oh]

We were rumoured to be after the Scottish centre Huw (can’t remember his second name).

[LE18]

We were rumoured to be after the Scottish centre Huw (can’t remember his second name).

Jones.

[strawclearer]

Aside from losing the new attack coach, could some of the departures be Borthwick asserting himself and opting for his own team.
We still don’t know why Boris left, but if Ford does go then it does start to fall in place if appointments take place. The only bit that doesn’t add up is the timing.

Borthwick brings a style and an intensity which will suit some - but not others.

[kk20gb30]

Borthwick has to be allowed his own people to do things his own way.His call, his decisions as ultimately it is his head on the block , so to speak.

[TigerFeetSteve]

Rory Underwood has left the board of directors with immediate effect.

[strawclearer]

Rory Underwood has left the board of directors with immediate effect.

Great servant of the Club; absolute legend - and maybe the right move for both parties. Thanks Rory!

[LE18]

What is going on at Tigers, is there internal strife, why are we suddenly getting these resignations, something does not feel right to me?

[RagingBull]

I mean a Scrum Coach, a Backs coach who is leaving on compassionate basis and a Non exec BOD isn't exactly crazy.

IDK maybe because I wouldn't mind seeing all the BOD who have been involved in the previous seasons mess up's go.
From sounds of it Stanko and Taylor are both back in New Zealand IF true IMO it's pretty understandable from my eyes at least.

[Wayne Richardson Fan Club]

I think a lot of us would rather be in NZ right now.
It would be good to know why Boris & to some extent "Rod" left, if it was because of Covid why not just say?

As for Rory a member of the first team when I started watching Tigers, Barry Evans & him were fantastic to watch, how we used to laugh on the terrace when on a pre International weekend Rory would get a tight hamstring after about 50mins, replaced with the crys of see you at Twickers next week Rory echoing across the Crumbie.
For those who never got to see him (or Barry) play in the flesh...bad luck.