LEICESTER TIGERS 2019/20 SQUAD/TRANSFERS/CONTRACT THREAD PART 3

[Hot_Charlie]

Unlikely.

Indeed so. I think it seems less likely that a lock will step up with the arrival of Chessum.

I'd agree sadly. I thought he coped really well with rapid changes in position over the last couple of seasons. It's such a talented age group.

Archie Vanes (confirmed)
Jack Rowntree (confirmed)
Emeka Illione
Ben Muncaster
Ollie Smith

I'd say they are nailed on. I hope Kit Smith gets the nod as well but there's already five back rows in the development squad. Kit has stood out for being dominant in contact but at 18 they all have a lot of physical development left in them.

Costelow moving on will probably help Harry Glynn's chances as we don't have a 10 in the development squad anymore.

Quite possibly, and Glynn did feature a couple of times for the Extras didn’t he?

I think part of the problem developing the back 5 of the scrum is that even at 16-17 it’s very difficult to predict physically where they’re going to be aged 18-19 and a couple of years of conditioning, particularly looking at potential future lineout operators.

[westwinds31]

So difficult for locks and props to make that step up whilst still physically developing. Cameron Jordan if it is correct he is moving on may well be like Harry Wells or Calumn Green and spend a couple of years at a lower level whilst gaining experience and weight in his muscles. Like others I thought he showed promise but it is a massive step up to Premiership rugby and it is better to move rather than block the route upwards for the next Martin Johnson.

Agreed JG. You just need a break as a young lock and very few hold down a first team slot at age 21-25. It doesn’t help that clubs go down the overseas route for a quick fix international (ish) level second row. Of course now you’re expected to push, jump, catch, tackle, carry and have all the skills. In my day, I got to a ruck just as the ball was going the other way !!! Championship is fine but with most clubs going semi-pro for a year at least the opportunities will be a lot less.

[Richardfje]

Marcus Watson supposedly out of contract at wasps, he’d a real statement!

[JP14]

Marcus Watson supposedly out of contract at wasps, he’d a real statement!

Agree!

[JP14]

2017 signings
Kalamafoni - Scarlet 2020
Joe Ford - Yorkshire 2019
Holmes - Wales 2020
Ryan - Retired 2018
Owen - Falcons 2019
Malouf - Aus 7's 2018
Mapapalangi - Rouen 2019
Baumann - Aspen 2018
May - Gloucester 2020
Polota-Nau - N/A 2020
(stayers Ford, Kerr, Gigena)
13 signings 3 remained longer than 3 years (Assuming Gigena stays)

2018
Spencer - N/A 2020
Thompson - Ealing 2020
Denton - Retired 2019
Voss - Coventry 2019
Feao - Queensland 2019
(Stayers SAR, Eastmond not confirmed Cortes and Stevens)
9 signings potentially 2-4 longer than 2 years

So of the MOC signings
22 signings potentially 5 might be here next season.
22% retain rate.

Bit late on this one, quite telling, some of the signings were good but were done before MOC was appointed (i.e. Ford and Kalamafoni) obviously we were unlucky with Denton & Mapapalangi. Whether or not O’Connor or Glynn is to blame is besides the point, one is in the outback and the other has been reshuffled to a more fitting job. Looking forward to the recruitment announcements this week!

[WhitecapTiger]

2018
Spencer - N/A 2020
Thompson - Ealing 2020
Denton - Retired 2019
Voss - Coventry 2019
Feao - Queensland 2019
(Stayers SAR, Eastmond not confirmed Cortes and Stevens)
9 signings potentially 2-4 longer than 2 years

I don't know if this constitutes 'confirmation' in the eyes of some but from TRP in January this year:

https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/domesti ... -eastmond/

Despite constant rumours of a return to Rugby League, he said: “I’m happy where I am and I won’t be going back to Rugby League. We’ve got work to do here, I’m contracted beyond this season and I’m hoping to be a big part of what we do."

Although contracts don't really seem to mean much anymore.

[Wayne Richardson Fan Club]

2018
Spencer - N/A 2020
Thompson - Ealing 2020
Denton - Retired 2019
Voss - Coventry 2019
Feao - Queensland 2019
(Stayers SAR, Eastmond not confirmed Cortes and Stevens)
9 signings potentially 2-4 longer than 2 years

I don't know if this constitutes 'confirmation' in the eyes of some but from TRP in January this year:

https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/domesti ... -eastmond/

Despite constant rumours of a return to Rugby League, he said: “I’m happy where I am and I won’t be going back to Rugby League. We’ve got work to do here, I’m contracted beyond this season and I’m hoping to be a big part of what we do."

Although contracts don't really seem to mean much anymore.

That's not great news.....

[ABClub]

Quite possibly, and Glynn did feature a couple of times for the Extras didn’t he?

I think part of the problem developing the back 5 of the scrum is that even at 16-17 it’s very difficult to predict physically where they’re going to be aged 18-19 and a couple of years of conditioning, particularly looking at potential future lineout operators.

Glynn featured in all 5 of the Shield games this season. 2 starts from 12 outside Costelow and the others from the bench.

I think that's a problem across all forwards. Props that develop quickly can dominate at age grade then struggle as the progress upwards. So many talented forwards change position between 16-20 as well due to how they develop physically or simply due to less competition in other positions.

[RagingBull]

Confirmed OUT
Coaching
Phil Blake

Senior
Polota-Nau
Cortes
Hills
Spencer
Thompson
Kalamfoni
Thompstone
Viljoen
Thomas
May
Holmes

Development
Bungaroo
Eveleigh
Gilliland
Jordan
Lines
Costelow

[happywomble]

Same article also says "Joe Batley and Rory Hughes, who joined Tigers mid-season on loan agreements will also depart, while Andy Forsyth and Ifereimi Boladau returned to their respective Championship clubs earlier this season"

[RichieB]

Hopefully news of incoming shortly?

[RichieB]

Also hopefully means Gigena staying (coming back).