LEICESTER TIGERS 2021/22 SQUAD/TRANSFERS/CONTRACTS: Lord of the Mauls

[Wayne Richardson Fan Club]

The obvious gap for 7's in Wales is probably Scarlets but only as McLeod seems to be on a horrendous injury run & "Cubby" Davies hasn't played for some time due to concussion...(you fear the worst there), Cardiff have about 4 teams worth of backrow next season.
You wouldn't blame him if he wants to go home, but we should certainly offer him a contract that makes him think hard before going, even if he was in Wales there is no guarantee as Basham looked good in the Autumn & Morgan is everywhere when he plays.

[ABClub]

The obvious gap for 7's in Wales is probably Scarlets but only as McLeod seems to be on a horrendous injury run & "Cubby" Davies hasn't played for some time due to concussion...(you fear the worst there), Cardiff have about 4 teams worth of backrow next season.
You wouldn't blame him if he wants to go home, but we should certainly offer him a contract that makes him think hard before going, even if he was in Wales there is no guarantee as Basham looked good in the Autumn & Morgan is everywhere when he plays.

One start and 4 bench apps in the last 3 seasons. It really doesn't look good there, sadly.

Going back as far as 2018/19 I remember Scarlets fans mentioning that his performances had declined a bit though. Even without the concussions it seemed that the way he plays his rugby had caught up with the rest of his body a bit anyway. Cubby was in that Moody mould of always putting his body where it hurts and doing everything at 100%.

He's a fantastic Sevens player, part of me still holds out hope he could get another couple of years out of his body on the circuit and target the 2024 Olympics.

[RagingBull]

Looking at his highlihts piece Robinson has played 6 more than I thought
https://twitter.com/Cardiff_AndrewF/sta ... 6964477952

[ABClub]

Looking at his highlihts piece Robinson has played 6 more than I thought
https://twitter.com/Cardiff_AndrewF/sta ... 6964477952

Going through his career he was entirely a 7 with Bristol and predominantly a 7 with Cardiff but he has covered 6 a handful of times and even has a couple of starts at 8 in more recent years. Most importantly he's just a good player who should suit Sinfield's defensive systems given his high tackle count.

I wouldn't be opposed at all to Robinson staying with van Staden maybe covering 8 more when needed.

[Scott1]

Great highlight reel,have a feeling we will sign him FT especially with losing MVS for a few weeks in the RC and AI. Makes sense.

[Leicestertinytiger]

Also has been used as a jumper in the lineout sporadically. He seems to be very much in the same mould as MVS - which is a good thing and I’m sure he’ll fit in. I’ve no doubt if he smashes it we might see him here still next season.

[Offside]

He has got the turnover timing of a 7. The snap second decision making. If he can allow Tommy a break and MVS can share 8 with Wiese we will be set well. 6 and locks then have depth too.

[fentiger]

Highlights from Robinsons first Tigers training session:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX_BPvucKvk

[ABClub]

Re Wiese and van Staden's availability I'm really interested to see where Nienabar goes with the Boks back row.

At 8 they've got the young Evan Roos and Elrigh Louw who look extremely talented on top of Wiese.

The emergence of Salmaan Moerat at lock might see Mostert used more at blindside if P-S du Toit is unavailable. Then they've got young Ruan Nortje in that PSdT lock/blindside mould who I could see featuring for them sooner rather than later. That's before mentioning Jacques du Plessis as well. At Montpellier he looked like PSdT mark 2. He's struggled a bit with injury since returning to the Bulls but if du Plessis can string some game together.

There's a lot of quality in the back five of the scrum for the Boks. Kwagga Smith was used to cover both blindside and 8 recently when Vermeulen or PSdT were absent. I do wonder if they might move towards longer term specialist 8s (Wiese, Roos and Louw would then be competing) and more similar blindside cover in Mostert, Nortje or du Plessis.

Then they've got Kolisi at openside with Smith and van Staden as versatile back-ups, ideal bench players.

Lots of good players and only so many squad places. The next couple of Boks squads will be really interesting to see who Nienabar is investing in.

[Scott1]

Be interesting to see which way SA go. Their best BR for me is still PSDT,Kolisi,Vermuelen but Duane is 35 now and won’t last forever. I believe Dan Du Preez played in the RC so he’s still in the mix too. And there’s a great chance for their SA based players against England later on in the year as the game is outside the European window. With Mostert being able to cover lock when he’s started at BF they’ve also used 3 BR players on the bench in a 6/2 split before

[Old Hob]

Highlights from Robinsons first Tigers training session:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX_BPvucKvk

He doesn't just look like his Dad - he's a clone!

[Scott1]

Highlights from Robinsons first Tigers training session:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX_BPvucKvk

He doesn't just look like his Dad - he's a clone!

Is it me or has he got a Zach Mercer shape about him?

[fentiger]

Highlights from Robinsons first Tigers training session:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX_BPvucKvk

He doesn't just look like his Dad - he's a clone!

Is it me or has he got a Zach Mercer shape about him?

Not just you, him and Mercer could be brothers, especially when wearing scrum caps!

[Rugbygramps]

Re Robinson stats have him at 1.85 metres and 105 kg. That’s around 6 ft 2 and 16 half stone in old money similar size to Craig Newby who covered across the back row.

With regard to Reffell, I’m a big fan and the parts of his game that are good, turnover work tackling, pitch coverage are top drawer. However there are areas of his game IMO only where he falls short of international level, in particular his physicality and back line link play. A move to Wales would be a huge mistake I feel, but we will have to see

[OakhamTiger32]

A 7 that can cover 6 and 8.. sounds ideal. Don’t know much about him to be honest but from the highlights reel he looks fantastic and the turnover stats a few seasons back were very impressive. Just who we need and as people have mentioned I really could see us taking him longer term if he settles in, which I’m sure he will.

Chessum - 4, 5, 6, 8
Martin - 4, 5, 6, 8
Van Staden - 6, 7, 8
Liebenberg - 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Robinson - 6, 7, 8

And then there’s the likes of Dolly, Murimurivalu etc who provide emergency cover.

Some great options in the pack with good cover.