How is Leicester’s squad looking ahead of the restart?

[Tigersman]

er It's hard to judge french club games as they rotate a lot more generally between home and away.

The thing with the squad is they don't even need to gel that quickly.
Realistically with 10 points off top 4 we have the longest pre-season ever.

There is certainly the question of Borthwick's head coach ability.
BUT every coach does have to start somewhere and 8 years of International forwards coaching experience now is most likely the time to try it.

Again not 100% sure what people are expecting?
Should tigers have signed 7 less players and bring in 3 world class players to play half the games again?

Brink, Wiese and Wallace gives us so much more power in the back row, as a entire squad, which has been a massive downfall of ours as a example of strengthening up areas.

[Banquo]

er It's hard to judge french club games as they rotate a lot more generally between home and away.

The thing with the squad is they don't even need to gel that quickly.
Realistically with 10 points off top 4 we have the longest pre-season ever.

There is certainly the question of Borthwick's head coach ability.
BUT every coach does have to start somewhere and 8 years of International forwards coaching experience now is most likely the time to try it.

Again not 100% sure what people are expecting?
Should tigers have signed 7 less players and bring in 3 world class players to play half the games again?

Brink, Wiese and Wallace gives us so much more power in the back row, as a entire squad, which has been a massive downfall of ours as a example of strengthening up areas.

I'm asking what you as Tigers fans are expecting, I have no skin in the game. It just seems like a lot of work to get to being a functioning team.(wasn;t Wallace last seen in the Championship btw?).

[Epaminondas Pules]

er It's hard to judge french club games as they rotate a lot more generally between home and away.

The thing with the squad is they don't even need to gel that quickly.
Realistically with 10 points off top 4 we have the longest pre-season ever.

There is certainly the question of Borthwick's head coach ability.
BUT every coach does have to start somewhere and 8 years of International forwards coaching experience now is most likely the time to try it.

Again not 100% sure what people are expecting?
Should tigers have signed 7 less players and bring in 3 world class players to play half the games again?

Brink, Wiese and Wallace gives us so much more power in the back row, as a entire squad, which has been a massive downfall of ours as a example of strengthening up areas.

Williams had power, its just that he had little else (which is a tad harsh) and Wallace is hardly powerful in the same light. Kalamafoni was powerful but almost entirely alone in carrying at times. Add in that we just kept going one out once we failed to break teams in two phases and we ended up with a bit of a shit show that played into opposition defensive hands.

[Puja]

It will be nice to have an actual back row for once.

Puja

[Epaminondas Pules]

er It's hard to judge french club games as they rotate a lot more generally between home and away.

The thing with the squad is they don't even need to gel that quickly.
Realistically with 10 points off top 4 we have the longest pre-season ever.

There is certainly the question of Borthwick's head coach ability.
BUT every coach does have to start somewhere and 8 years of International forwards coaching experience now is most likely the time to try it.

Again not 100% sure what people are expecting?
Should tigers have signed 7 less players and bring in 3 world class players to play half the games again?

Brink, Wiese and Wallace gives us so much more power in the back row, as a entire squad, which has been a massive downfall of ours as a example of strengthening up areas.

I'm asking what you as Tigers fans are expecting, I have no skin in the game. It just seems like a lot of work to get to being a functioning team.(wasn;t Wallace last seen in the Championship btw?).

As squad fill it somewhat annoys me. We let Will Evans go previously, for whatever reason(s), have some good young backrowers (Refell, Smith, Ilione) and then sign Wallace. We've already got squad fill in the backrow and go and sign another one. Meh.

[Tigersman]

er It's hard to judge french club games as they rotate a lot more generally between home and away.

The thing with the squad is they don't even need to gel that quickly.
Realistically with 10 points off top 4 we have the longest pre-season ever.

There is certainly the question of Borthwick's head coach ability.
BUT every coach does have to start somewhere and 8 years of International forwards coaching experience now is most likely the time to try it.

Again not 100% sure what people are expecting?
Should tigers have signed 7 less players and bring in 3 world class players to play half the games again?

Brink, Wiese and Wallace gives us so much more power in the back row, as a entire squad, which has been a massive downfall of ours as a example of strengthening up areas.

Williams had power, its just that he had little else (which is a tad harsh) and Wallace is hardly powerful in the same light. Kalamafoni was powerful but almost entirely alone in carrying at times. Add in that we just kept going one out once we failed to break teams in two phases and we ended up with a bit of a shit show that played into opposition defensive hands.

Kalamafoni wasn’t powerful that was his issue.
He didn’t make any yards after contact pretty much.

[Tigersman]

er It's hard to judge french club games as they rotate a lot more generally between home and away.

The thing with the squad is they don't even need to gel that quickly.
Realistically with 10 points off top 4 we have the longest pre-season ever.

There is certainly the question of Borthwick's head coach ability.
BUT every coach does have to start somewhere and 8 years of International forwards coaching experience now is most likely the time to try it.

Again not 100% sure what people are expecting?
Should tigers have signed 7 less players and bring in 3 world class players to play half the games again?

Brink, Wiese and Wallace gives us so much more power in the back row, as a entire squad, which has been a massive downfall of ours as a example of strengthening up areas.

I'm asking what you as Tigers fans are expecting, I have no skin in the game. It just seems like a lot of work to get to being a functioning team.(wasn;t Wallace last seen in the Championship btw?).

You are asking but you seem to have your own idea.
Not sure your point on the championship.

[Epaminondas Pules]

er It's hard to judge french club games as they rotate a lot more generally between home and away.

The thing with the squad is they don't even need to gel that quickly.
Realistically with 10 points off top 4 we have the longest pre-season ever.

There is certainly the question of Borthwick's head coach ability.
BUT every coach does have to start somewhere and 8 years of International forwards coaching experience now is most likely the time to try it.

Again not 100% sure what people are expecting?
Should tigers have signed 7 less players and bring in 3 world class players to play half the games again?

Brink, Wiese and Wallace gives us so much more power in the back row, as a entire squad, which has been a massive downfall of ours as a example of strengthening up areas.

Williams had power, its just that he had little else (which is a tad harsh) and Wallace is hardly powerful in the same light. Kalamafoni was powerful but almost entirely alone in carrying at times. Add in that we just kept going one out once we failed to break teams in two phases and we ended up with a bit of a shit show that played into opposition defensive hands.

Kalamafoni wasn’t powerful that was his issue.
He didn’t make any yards after contact pretty much.

One of his biggest issues was carrying on behalf of most of the pack on his own.

[Scrumhead]

Of course. My point is that a team of players that are good but not quite test standard can do very well if the nucleus of the side that plays together regularly and they’re coached well. Exeter were the most convenient example.

Lots of unknowns with Tigers and Borthwick, but I can see it working.

[Banquo]

er It's hard to judge french club games as they rotate a lot more generally between home and away.

The thing with the squad is they don't even need to gel that quickly.
Realistically with 10 points off top 4 we have the longest pre-season ever.

There is certainly the question of Borthwick's head coach ability.
BUT every coach does have to start somewhere and 8 years of International forwards coaching experience now is most likely the time to try it.

Again not 100% sure what people are expecting?
Should tigers have signed 7 less players and bring in 3 world class players to play half the games again?

Brink, Wiese and Wallace gives us so much more power in the back row, as a entire squad, which has been a massive downfall of ours as a example of strengthening up areas.

I'm asking what you as Tigers fans are expecting, I have no skin in the game. It just seems like a lot of work to get to being a functioning team.(wasn;t Wallace last seen in the Championship btw?).

You are asking but you seem to have your own idea.
Not sure your point on the championship.

I do, but wondered what Tigers' fans expectations were as that's going to be important in Borthwicks future. The championship point is obvious- you have signed a championship player and looking at him as a 1st choice openside.....

[Tigersman]

er It's hard to judge french club games as they rotate a lot more generally between home and away.

The thing with the squad is they don't even need to gel that quickly.
Realistically with 10 points off top 4 we have the longest pre-season ever.

There is certainly the question of Borthwick's head coach ability.
BUT every coach does have to start somewhere and 8 years of International forwards coaching experience now is most likely the time to try it.

Again not 100% sure what people are expecting?
Should tigers have signed 7 less players and bring in 3 world class players to play half the games again?

Brink, Wiese and Wallace gives us so much more power in the back row, as a entire squad, which has been a massive downfall of ours as a example of strengthening up areas.

I'm asking what you as Tigers fans are expecting, I have no skin in the game. It just seems like a lot of work to get to being a functioning team.(wasn;t Wallace last seen in the Championship btw?).

As squad fill it somewhat annoys me. We let Will Evans go previously, for whatever reason(s), have some good young backrowers (Refell, Smith, Ilione) and then sign Wallace. We've already got squad fill in the backrow and go and sign another one. Meh.

I mean it’s pretty clear why we signed Wallace if you look at the tigers news.
Ilione is also studying medicine in his early years in London.

[Tigersman]

I'm asking what you as Tigers fans are expecting, I have no skin in the game. It just seems like a lot of work to get to being a functioning team.(wasn;t Wallace last seen in the Championship btw?).

You are asking but you seem to have your own idea.
Not sure your point on the championship.

I do, but wondered what Tigers' fans expectations were as that's going to be important in Borthwicks future. The championship point is obvious- you have signed a championship player and looking at him as a 1st choice openside.....

No he isn’t lol.

[Banquo]

You are asking but you seem to have your own idea.
Not sure your point on the championship.

I do, but wondered what Tigers' fans expectations were as that's going to be important in Borthwicks future. The championship point is obvious- you have signed a championship player and looking at him as a 1st choice openside.....

No he isn’t lol.

He isn't what, lol?

[Tigersman]

I do, but wondered what Tigers' fans expectations were as that's going to be important in Borthwicks future. The championship point is obvious- you have signed a championship player and looking at him as a 1st choice openside.....

No he isn’t lol.

He isn't what, lol?

Signed as 1st choice openside.

[Banquo]

No he isn’t lol.

He isn't what, lol?

Signed as 1st choice openside.

ah ok, I thought as you'd called him out specifically, that was your expectation., Apols.

[Epaminondas Pules]

I'm asking what you as Tigers fans are expecting, I have no skin in the game. It just seems like a lot of work to get to being a functioning team.(wasn;t Wallace last seen in the Championship btw?).

As squad fill it somewhat annoys me. We let Will Evans go previously, for whatever reason(s), have some good young backrowers (Refell, Smith, Ilione) and then sign Wallace. We've already got squad fill in the backrow and go and sign another one. Meh.

I mean it’s pretty clear why we signed Wallace if you look at the tigers news.
Ilione is also studying medicine in his early years in London.

Yes, cause we let Thompson go......for some reason. Mind, apparently Wallace offers something unique.......

[Tigersman]

As squad fill it somewhat annoys me. We let Will Evans go previously, for whatever reason(s), have some good young backrowers (Refell, Smith, Ilione) and then sign Wallace. We've already got squad fill in the backrow and go and sign another one. Meh.

I mean it’s pretty clear why we signed Wallace if you look at the tigers news.
Ilione is also studying medicine in his early years in London.

Yes, cause we let Thompson go......for some reason. Mind, apparently Wallace offers something unique.......

Well Wallace is 5 years younger
But actually wasn’t the player I was referring about.
We was going into the season with
Taufua, Reffell, Gough.
Unfortunately that had changed.

[Puja]

er It's hard to judge french club games as they rotate a lot more generally between home and away.

The thing with the squad is they don't even need to gel that quickly.
Realistically with 10 points off top 4 we have the longest pre-season ever.

There is certainly the question of Borthwick's head coach ability.
BUT every coach does have to start somewhere and 8 years of International forwards coaching experience now is most likely the time to try it.

Again not 100% sure what people are expecting?
Should tigers have signed 7 less players and bring in 3 world class players to play half the games again?

Brink, Wiese and Wallace gives us so much more power in the back row, as a entire squad, which has been a massive downfall of ours as a example of strengthening up areas.

I'm asking what you as Tigers fans are expecting, I have no skin in the game. It just seems like a lot of work to get to being a functioning team.(wasn;t Wallace last seen in the Championship btw?).

As squad fill it somewhat annoys me. We let Will Evans go previously, for whatever reason(s), have some good young backrowers (Refell, Smith, Ilione) and then sign Wallace. We've already got squad fill in the backrow and go and sign another one. Meh.

Smith and Ilione are 18. They're not ready for regular Premiership appearances, which is what we'd be demanding of them if we hadn't signed Wiese, Wallace, et al. Our back row stocks are currently Liebenberg, Brink, Taufua, Wallace, and Wiese, which is hardly overstocking. Reffell will get plenty of games with that. Smith and Lavin will probably get games, if they're good enough. What they won't get is relied upon as first choice due to injuries.

Puja

[Scrumhead]

Wallace is a good player. As I said on the other thread, I’d happily have had him back at Quins.

He’s been signed as a back up IMO. Now Taufua is staying, I’d expect him to be first choice at 7 with Reffell as second choice.

[Epaminondas Pules]

I mean it’s pretty clear why we signed Wallace if you look at the tigers news.
Ilione is also studying medicine in his early years in London.

Yes, cause we let Thompson go......for some reason. Mind, apparently Wallace offers something unique.......

Well Wallace is 5 years younger
But actually wasn’t the player I was referring about.
We was going into the season with
Taufua, Reffell, Gough.
Unfortunately that had changed.

What's happened to Taylor has been truly horrific.

[Epaminondas Pules]

I'm asking what you as Tigers fans are expecting, I have no skin in the game. It just seems like a lot of work to get to being a functioning team.(wasn;t Wallace last seen in the Championship btw?).

As squad fill it somewhat annoys me. We let Will Evans go previously, for whatever reason(s), have some good young backrowers (Refell, Smith, Ilione) and then sign Wallace. We've already got squad fill in the backrow and go and sign another one. Meh.

Smith and Ilione are 18. They're not ready for regular Premiership appearances, which is what we'd be demanding of them if we hadn't signed Wiese, Wallace, et al. Our back row stocks are currently Liebenberg, Brink, Taufua, Wallace, and Wiese, which is hardly overstocking. Reffell will get plenty of games with that. Smith and Lavin will probably get games, if they're good enough. What they won't get is relied upon as first choice due to injuries.

Puja

Thom Smith is 20. I guess you mean Kit.

Our backrow stocks are:
Liebenberg,
Brink
Taufua
Wiese
Coghlan
Refell
Wallace
Lewis
....then
Smith
Lavin
Ashworth
.....and then
Ilione
Smith

[Puja]

As squad fill it somewhat annoys me. We let Will Evans go previously, for whatever reason(s), have some good young backrowers (Refell, Smith, Ilione) and then sign Wallace. We've already got squad fill in the backrow and go and sign another one. Meh.

Smith and Ilione are 18. They're not ready for regular Premiership appearances, which is what we'd be demanding of them if we hadn't signed Wiese, Wallace, et al. Our back row stocks are currently Liebenberg, Brink, Taufua, Wallace, and Wiese, which is hardly overstocking. Reffell will get plenty of games with that. Smith and Lavin will probably get games, if they're good enough. What they won't get is relied upon as first choice due to injuries.

Puja

Thom Smith is 20. I guess you mean Kit.

Our backrow stocks are:
Liebenberg,
Brink
Taufua
Wiese
Coghlan
Refell
Wallace
Lewis
....then
Smith
Lavin
Ashworth
.....and then
Ilione
Smith

I was thinking of Kit, yes - had forgotten Thom. And isn't Lewis being seen as a second row going forwards (not that that distinction has meant much to Leicester across the last few years)?

As with so much of this conversation, it will come down to how good Borthwick et al are. If TSmith and Lavin are ready and good enough for first team rugby, then Coghlan and Wallace *shouldn't* provide significant obstacles. However, we've both known Tigers coaches who would pick literally anyone other than an academy player, so it'll depend on what the new guys are like.

Puja

[Epaminondas Pules]

Smith and Ilione are 18. They're not ready for regular Premiership appearances, which is what we'd be demanding of them if we hadn't signed Wiese, Wallace, et al. Our back row stocks are currently Liebenberg, Brink, Taufua, Wallace, and Wiese, which is hardly overstocking. Reffell will get plenty of games with that. Smith and Lavin will probably get games, if they're good enough. What they won't get is relied upon as first choice due to injuries.

Puja

Thom Smith is 20. I guess you mean Kit.

Our backrow stocks are:
Liebenberg,
Brink
Taufua
Wiese
Coghlan
Refell
Wallace
Lewis
....then
Smith
Lavin
Ashworth
.....and then
Ilione
Smith

I was thinking of Kit, yes - had forgotten Thom. And isn't Lewis being seen as a second row going forwards (not that that distinction has meant much to Leicester across the last few years)?

As with so much of this conversation, it will come down to how good Borthwick et al are. If TSmith and Lavin are ready and good enough for first team rugby, then Coghlan and Wallace *shouldn't* provide significant obstacles. However, we've both known Tigers coaches who would pick literally anyone other than an academy player, so it'll depend on what the new guys are like.

Puja

I think Lewis is, though insomuch as Wells can also play backrow.I think.

The last bit is what worries me most. I hope it is changing. I really do.

[FKAS]

Wallace is a good player. As I said on the other thread, I’d happily have had him back at Quins.

He’s been signed as a back up IMO. Now Taufua is staying, I’d expect him to be first choice at 7 with Reffell as second choice.

Agreed. Wallace will be a squad option given the opportunity to push on for more. With Taufua able to play across the backrow and they've talked up Brink as similar there could be some rotation. Some rotation would probably help things along nicely after the last few seasons.

[Tigersman]

Lavin has a pretty nasty injury playing for Yorkshire so will be rusty.
Wiese isn’t here till Next season
Brink isn’t doing contact training till next month
Mid week matches
I suspect the back row will get a lot of rotation the rest of this season and player might be able to stake a claim


The big thing I like about Taylor is his CV is built around that age of 18-22.