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

[Puja]

Back row is just about covered at present, if Taufua goes then there's going to be some real worry. Desperately need another senior prop as well.

1) Genge / Gigena / (Whitcombe)
2) Mamukashvili / TYoungs / Kerr / Clare
3) Cole / Heyes / Leatigaga / (Dimen) / (Rowntree)
4) Enever / Lavanini / (Martin) / (Henderson)
5) Green / Wells / (Manz) / (Chessum)
6) Liebenberg / Lewis / (Ashworth)
7) Taufua / Reffell / (Gough) / (Lavin) / (K Smith)
8) Brink / Coghlan / (T Smith)

I wouldn't include Ilione as he's supposed to be studying for a medical degree in London next year so should be dual registered with a national league team. Lock isn't too bad with three of the development squad options selected as part of under 20 six nations squads. I suspect we might blood T Smith/Lavin/Gough in the end of the current season to see if they are ready to step up or see if we need to go shopping before next season.

Backs look very short of a centre of Manu/Eastmond/Reid all go though Eastmond and Reid are little loss. One centre and one fullback should see us through.

Rumours our former development lock Cam Jordan is heading over to Gloucester.

I didn't realise Brink could play 8 - that's a useful bonus. You're right that back row is mostly covered (assuming Taufua), but all it takes is a couple of injuries and then we're leaning very heavily on some young players. And what are the odds of an injury crisis at Leicester?

Rumours of us talking to Abendanon - he'd be a useful option to mentor the likes of Olowofela and Steward, but I'm not sure about the wisdom of bringing in a 34 year old outside back, especially if we're going to be paying him 1st XV wages. I haven't seen him play of late - maybe he's still in good nick - but I'm not holding out hope given he's just been released by Clermont.

Puja

[FKAS]

Abendanon played 5 of Clermont's European games this season. I presumed that they had to make cuts because of the new foreign player rules in France and that being 34 he was the one naturally to make way. No point in shedding Betham or Moala to keep Abendanon. He'd offer something different to the other backs we have, we don't have another running full back. I'd prefer we went shopping in Argentina but the English league foreign player rules make that hard and we missed out the SA and Aussie fire sales.

Brink was a flanker but from what I understand he bulked up to cover for Warren Whiteley's injury at the Lions so offers us a bit of versatility. There's as you say the annual injury crisis at Tigers but a lot of the teams in the Prem are going to be running smaller squads so I think it'll be more the norm for some development players to play more. I certainly hope we use the remainder of the season to get some game time into a couple of the younger lads before next season.

[Puja]

Abendanon played 5 of Clermont's European games this season. I presumed that they had to make cuts because of the new foreign player rules in France and that being 34 he was the one naturally to make way. No point in shedding Betham or Moala to keep Abendanon. He'd offer something different to the other backs we have, we don't have another running full back. I'd prefer we went shopping in Argentina but the English league foreign player rules make that hard and we missed out the SA and Aussie fire sales.

Brink was a flanker but from what I understand he bulked up to cover for Warren Whiteley's injury at the Lions so offers us a bit of versatility. There's as you say the annual injury crisis at Tigers but a lot of the teams in the Prem are going to be running smaller squads so I think it'll be more the norm for some development players to play more. I certainly hope we use the remainder of the season to get some game time into a couple of the younger lads before next season.

I certainly do have more faith in the current coaching crew to develop the youngsters than I did any of the previous ones going back a very long time. With luck, they'll step up to the plate.

Puja

[Mellsblue]

Rumours of us talking to Abendanon - but I'm not holding out hope given he's just been released by Clermont.

Puja

No offence intended, this is a comment on how strong Clermont are rather than how poor Leicester are (not really, you’re, sadly, a shadow of you’re former self), but, by way of example, this is akin to me being aggrieved at Goneva, on leaving Newcastle, joining Bedford. Two clubs of pedigree but one that has slipped when compared to the other.
Long story short. You’re relegation candidates, you should welcome him with open arms.

[Puja]

Rumours of us talking to Abendanon - but I'm not holding out hope given he's just been released by Clermont.

Puja

No offence intended, this is a comment on how strong Clermont are rather than how poor Leicester are (not really, you’re, sadly, a shadow of you’re former self), but, by way of example, this is akin to me being aggrieved at Goneva, on leaving Newcastle, joining Bedford. Two clubs of pedigree but one that has slipped when compared to the other.
Long story short. You’re relegation candidates, you should welcome him with open arms.

While we may currently be relegation candidates, that has as much to do with the previous coaching setups as the quality of the squad. And the aim surely has to be signing players that aren't relegation candidates with the aim of doing better. I'm not saying that a player no longer good enough for Clermont is automaticallh no good for us, but I am questioning whether signing a 34 year olf full-back who was no more than a good Prem player in his prime is the signing of a relegation candidate rather than a team with more ambition.

Mind, I am arguing from a position of little to no knowledge here, as I haven't seen any of Abendanon's recent form - FKAS seems confident and it may be that he's fit as a butcher's dog and isn't yet ready for his dotage - so it's more than likely possible that I'm arguing where there's no issue anywah. Par for the course.

Puja

[Tigersman]

I mean really currently Falcons are the ones who are massively relegation favourites IMO.
Also TBF to Abendanon in his prime he was literally European player of the season, which is slightly better than good prem player you would think.

Tigers 15 is a odd position.
We have Freddie Steward coming up so there isn't the desire to really spend big on a player in their prime for 3 years who might block Steward.
BUT we also have things like mid week games etc coming up and we need depth.
and considering he was thinking of retiring due to not getting offers I don't think he will cost much at all.

13 for example is straight forward we need a starter to replace Manu, we have Kelly coming up but he's more a unknown than Steward.

[Puja]

13 for example is straight forward we need a starter to replace Manu, we have Kelly coming up but he's more a unknown than Steward.

Isn't Scott the Manu replacement?

Puja

[Tigersman]

13 for example is straight forward we need a starter to replace Manu, we have Kelly coming up but he's more a unknown than Steward.

Isn't Scott the Manu replacement?

Puja

Well he was in the Pro 14 team of the season as a 12, and when we signed him Manu was still planned as being our 13.

[Puja]

13 for example is straight forward we need a starter to replace Manu, we have Kelly coming up but he's more a unknown than Steward.

Isn't Scott the Manu replacement?

Puja

Well he was in the Pro 14 team of the season as a 12, and when we signed him Manu was still planned as being our 13.

Fair enough - I see him more as a 13 myself, but he can do both easily enough. You're right that we do need a starting player for one of the centre positions, otherwise we're just a couple of injuries away from Scott having to play both positions at the same time.

Puja

[FKAS]

I mean really currently Falcons are the ones who are massively relegation favourites IMO.
Also TBF to Abendanon in his prime he was literally European player of the season, which is slightly better than good prem player you would think.

Tigers 15 is a odd position.
We have Freddie Steward coming up so there isn't the desire to really spend big on a player in their prime for 3 years who might block Steward.
BUT we also have things like mid week games etc coming up and we need depth.
and considering he was thinking of retiring due to not getting offers I don't think he will cost much at all.

13 for example is straight forward we need a starter to replace Manu, we have Kelly coming up but he's more a unknown than Steward.

Did you see the picture of Kelly on I think it was Instagram whilst he was training at Oval Park in stage 1? He looks an absolute unit, size of him at 19 he looks more bulky than most of the development backrow lads. I've only seen a couple of clips of him in action and he's got a bit of an outside break on him. Bit early for him to step up but I don't think it'll be a long time before he's an option, if we can pair him with Scott and Ford in the midfield so he's got guidance around him then he should be ok. He was the young player of the year in Nat2 South last season.

Steward played 13 in the European gane at homes Vs the Italians this season, Manu got subbed early after it was obvious we were giving them a kicking and TV went to 15 and Steward to 13 where he's played before so could be another centre option that Abendanon would allow us to have if centres are hard to come by. Steward another 19 year old who isn't small either.

[FKAS]

Dan Kelly

[Tigersman]

only just turned 19 as well last month!

I would like to see him on loan to Nottingham




Murphy and McGinty talking about past matters a bit and what Tigers plan is.

[Puja]

I mean really currently Falcons are the ones who are massively relegation favourites IMO.
Also TBF to Abendanon in his prime he was literally European player of the season, which is slightly better than good prem player you would think.

Tigers 15 is a odd position.
We have Freddie Steward coming up so there isn't the desire to really spend big on a player in their prime for 3 years who might block Steward.
BUT we also have things like mid week games etc coming up and we need depth.
and considering he was thinking of retiring due to not getting offers I don't think he will cost much at all.

13 for example is straight forward we need a starter to replace Manu, we have Kelly coming up but he's more a unknown than Steward.

Did you see the picture of Kelly on I think it was Instagram whilst he was training at Oval Park in stage 1? He looks an absolute unit, size of him at 19 he looks more bulky than most of the development backrow lads. I've only seen a couple of clips of him in action and he's got a bit of an outside break on him. Bit early for him to step up but I don't think it'll be a long time before he's an option, if we can pair him with Scott and Ford in the midfield so he's got guidance around him then he should be ok. He was the young player of the year in Nat2 South last season.

Steward played 13 in the European gane at homes Vs the Italians this season, Manu got subbed early after it was obvious we were giving them a kicking and TV went to 15 and Steward to 13 where he's played before so could be another centre option that Abendanon would allow us to have if centres are hard to come by. Steward another 19 year old who isn't small either.

I had entirely missed the signing of Dan Kelly! He looks very handy indeed and is just the kind of player we should be looking to get our hands on and improve. He's English as well, which I hadn't realised with him playing for Ireland U20s (born and raised here - only qualified for Ire via grandparents). I wouldn't want him as first choice yet, but I'd have no qualms with him getting a couple of games this season and he'll be an asset going forwards.

Puja


PS. As a new member, you have to have 10 posts approved by a mod before you're allowed to post freely. You're clearly not a spammer, so if you post another 6 posts (of any random stuff you like) in this thread - http://rugbyrebels.co/board/viewtopic.p ... 20#p211720 - and I'll approve them so you can post here without having to run it past me first!

[Mikey Brown]

Isn't Scott the Manu replacement?

Puja

Well he was in the Pro 14 team of the season as a 12, and when we signed him Manu was still planned as being our 13.

Fair enough - I see him more as a 13 myself, but he can do both easily enough. You're right that we do need a starting player for one of the centre positions, otherwise we're just a couple of injuries away from Scott having to play both positions at the same time.

Puja

I feel like you’re losing something by shifting him to 13, but doesn’t seem like you have a ton of options.

Somehow I’ve totally forgotten what happened with the Huw Jones talk, I’m guessing he’s re-signed for Glasgow already.

[FKAS]

Well he was in the Pro 14 team of the season as a 12, and when we signed him Manu was still planned as being our 13.

Fair enough - I see him more as a 13 myself, but he can do both easily enough. You're right that we do need a starting player for one of the centre positions, otherwise we're just a couple of injuries away from Scott having to play both positions at the same time.

Puja

I feel like you’re losing something by shifting him to 13, but doesn’t seem like you have a ton of options.

Somehow I’ve totally forgotten what happened with the Huw Jones talk, I’m guessing he’s re-signed for Glasgow already.

We were interested last time his contract was up for renewal. He signed a new deal up north until 2021 but the rumours are Glasgow might be interested in releasing him a year early in order to save some money as they have other centres and he has had some injury issues (par for the course in a Tigers signing).

Tigersman, I'd expect a few of our development players to be at Notts for the first half of next season. Notts have had substantial funding cuts so would make sense for the clubs to work together. Don't think there's any Championship games until September/October so he could make his Tigers debut before then.

[Puja]

Have split the thread cause we were taking over the whole thing with Leicester stuff. I wanna keep the Leicester chat going, but also leave room for fans of other clubs, so I thought I'd make our own thread.

Mod

[Scrumhead]

Thanks, but I don’t think you needed to do that. I think most of us our happy to talk about all teams. If I only want to talk about Quins, I can easily do that on our own forum.

[Puja]

Fair enough - I shall be less enthusiastic with my modding next time. Was concerned a multi-team thread was turning into the Leicester forum. #AllTeamsMatter

Puja

[FKAS]

Nick Abendanon won't be joining he's apparently decided to join Vannes in ProD2. Two year deal which must be hard to turn down for a 34 year old full back with a family. Two years in ProD2 mid table shouldn't be anywhere close to leaving his comfort zone.

[Cameo]

Have split the thread cause we were taking over the whole thing with Leicester stuff. I wanna keep the Leicester chat going, but also leave room for fans of other clubs, so I thought I'd make our own thread.

Mod

It's this type of modding we need on the SMB. We could have a separate thread on each Scottish qualified player and we still wouldn't catch up with the EMB.

[Puja]

Nick Abendanon won't be joining he's apparently decided to join Vannes in ProD2. Two year deal which must be hard to turn down for a 34 year old full back with a family. Two years in ProD2 mid table shouldn't be anywhere close to leaving his comfort zone.

Oh foo! You lot had just talked me into it! Can't say as I blame him for taking that - as you said, good deal for a 34 year old.

Puja

[FKAS]

Yeah I'd seen the benefit and was hoping it'd come off. Could have worked out nicely for us. Bit of an arms race in ProD2 at the minute with Perpignan signing Jeronimo de la Fuente another player of have liked to have seen in a Tigers shirt.

Mulipola joins Glaws in the short term. Be interesting to see how much he's got left in the tank because we are at least one senior prop short heading into next season and it doesn't need to be a starter.

[Puja]

Looking over a list of Premiership transfers in and out and have noted that neither Tom Homer nor Jamie Gibson have a club yet after being released. I would not say no to taking on those two, which would patch the two weakest areas in our squad.

Funnily enough, in the interview after joining Vannes, Abendanon name-checked Homer's good form as a reason for Bath not wanting to take him back, clearly unaware that Bath hadn't renewed his contract!

Puja

[Tigersman]

Not sure where to put this but very sad news coming out of the club.
https://www.leicestertigers.com/news/cl ... ylor-gough

Promising young lad.

[Puja]

Jesus. Poor sod.

Puja