Leicester Tigers Squad Review 2010 / 2011
By TigerBud
August 17 2010
As Richard Cockerill has confirmed that there will no further additions to the Leicester squad for the forthcoming season it gives a good opportunity to review the group of players that will be attempting to regain the Premiership title for the third season in a row.
Full Backs:
Players: Geordan Murphy, Scott Hamilton, Lucas Amorosino, Horacio Agulla
The re-signing of the Leicester captain Geordan Murphy and Scott Hamilton were two of the best signings the club made in the close season. Murphy is still an inspiration from the back, coming into the line late, hitting angles at speed and incredibly reliable under the high ball. Hamilton spends most of his time on the left wing, but is one of the most consistent and dependable players in the squad and will fill it at full back if needed. Amorosino, who also finds himself on the wing, will fill the Johne Murphy slot and Agulla can move there if needed.
One to watch: Amorosino will get more chances to impress this year with the departure of Johne, but it still has to be Geordan. After all these seasons with the club he’s still the man to watch next season.
Wings:
Players: Scott Hamilton, Alex Tuilagi, Lucas Amorosino, Horacio Agulla, Lee Robinson, Matt Smith, Manu Tuilagi (?)
Scott Hamilton will surely continue to be the first choice on the left wing, but it gets more interesting looking at the other side. Alex Tuilagi is the man in possession at the moment, but there are still some question marks over aspects of his game. Agulla’s ability to play full back, wing and outside centre makes him a handy option, but is new to the team and Premiership, which means it could take him some time to bed. Robinson was a surprise signing for some, but he offers a lot of the same aspects as Alex; break tackles, go forward ball and dependable ball carrier. The obvious question marks over Manu’s work permit means we can’t count him at the moment, but he does seem one of the best Tuilagi’s yet.
One to watch: Other than Manu and his work permit, Lucas is the young player looking to push on in his second season at the club. Last season he was an excellent finisher, but struggled under the high ball. If he can correct that he could be pushing Scott Hamilton all the way.
Inside Centres:
Players: Anthony Allen, Billy Twelvetrees, Jeremy Staunton, Toby Flood
With the departure of Aaron Mauger, Anthony Allen is the man in possession of the inside centre shirt at the beginning of the season. Impressive at his first season at the club and back in the Saxon’s squad his inside steps and passing has lead to some of our best tries last season. Cockerill has confirmed that Twelvetrees will get more playing time after his explosive game against Ospreys put him on the top of the messageboard complaints when not included in the 23 on match day. After that it looks as if we’ll be depending on Staunton, who came on in the slot a few times last season and Toby Flood at a push as back ups.
One to watch: Twelvetrees. Well it had to hadn’t it? Vesty moving to Bath means that he will possibly fill the versatile flyhalf/inside centre roll. With the hype he had after a few games last season, it would be good to see what he could do after a string of games under his belt.
Outside centre:
Players: Dan Hipkiss, Matt Smith, Billy Twelvetrees, Andy Forsyth, Horacio Agulla, Manu Tuilagi (?)
A debatable position at the moment. Matt Smith played well in the final before coming off and everyone knows what impact Dan Hipkiss made in the final quarter. Hipkiss will probably start as first choice for the big games, but Matt Smith’s move from the wing has been somewhat successful. Both need to look on their outside shoulders more and open space for the wing, but there’s no doubting their strength in the tackle. Andy Forsyth had an assured performance against the Springboks and could find himself in the Anglo-Welsh cup squad. Agulla is still a bit of an unknown, but can slot in the position if needed.
One to watch: Matt Smith. Can he add the few bits to his game that would take him to the next level?
Fly half:
Players: Toby Flood, Jeremy Staunton, Billy Twelvetrees, George Ford
Over the past season Toby Flood has cemented his position as number one for club and country. Standing flat on the line, he brings Allen and the wings into the game and expands the general play. The defense don’t know if he’s going to pass or jinx inside. The backline looks a lot more fluid with him in it and his kicking has improved since joining the club. Staunton is a more than adequate back up who is a better player than people like to think. He’ll score points when needed and doesn’t mind sitting on the bench to be called on if needed. George Ford is the youngest player to pull on a Tigers shirt, so this season might be one too close for him, but the club have invested a lot in him and could turn out to be a real star and competitor for Flood.
One to watch: Still Toby Flood. After missing out on the big games the season before last he showed his temprement and skills after coming back from a long-term injury. Fully deserved to take the starting slot for England too.
Scrum half:
Players: Ben Youngs, Harry Ellis, James Grindal, Sam Harrison
Whilst the question makes still remain of Harry Ellis’ knee and fitness, there is no question about the number one starter for the Tigers next season. Youngs rise to starter for club and country in one season has been meteoric. Excellent service, explosive round the break down and a good defensive boot, he could be a fixture for Leicester and England for years to come. Ellis does remain a doubt, but Grindal will do a job whilst Youngs is with England. Harrison meanwhile has impressed for the England Youths and could also see some action when it comes to the Anglo-Welsh competition.
One to watch: Ben Youngs. Can he continue where he left off last season? Didn’t shy away in the big games but defenders will be a lot more wary of him at the breakdown.
Loose head props:
Players: Marcos Ayerza, Boris Stankovich, Peter Bucknall
Marcos Ayerza continues to be the one of the best loose head props in the Guinness Premiership and Northern Hemisphere. We could be losing him next year due to salary cap issues and the lure of Argentina playing in the Tri-Nations, but his consistent work in the scrum and the loose is the one of the reasons Tigers forwards are in such high regard. Stankovich is an excellent scrummager, but doesn’t offer as much in open play. Bucknall was another surprise signing, with more fans looking towards Worcester and Matt Mullan, and wasn’t a starter for Leeds. Jonny Harris could make the step up from the Academy team, but he’s unlikely to see much action.
One to watch: In what could be his final season at the club Marcos Ayerza has gone from playing in an amateur environment in Argentina to being one of the first names on the Tigers teamsheet. Unless we manage to get Matt Mullan next year, we need to move heaven and earth to keep him.
Hooker:
Players: George Chuter, Rob Hawkins, Joe Duffey, Tom Youngs (w/ Nottingham)
Considering the fact two seasons ago we had Kayser, Davies and Chuter a lot of fans rightly see the hooker as one of the weaker sections of the squad. Chuter excelled at the end of last season after Mefin’s injury, Rob Hawkins is a bit of an unknown after serving under Mears and Dixon at Bath whilst Joe Duffey struggled in his first season at the club. Word from Nottingham is Tom Youngs will be spending the season with them again, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he popped up in a few Anglo-Welsh games.
One to watch: Rob Hawkins will be looking to push George Chuter all the way this season. Fans from Bath comment on his good work in the loose and only injury hampering his progress at the club. Tom Youngs’ development at Nottingham is well worth keeping an eye on as well.
Tight head props:
Players: Martin Castrogiovanni, Dan Cole, Julian White, Johnny Harris
Easily the deepest pool of talent in any position at the club. Picking between Castro and Cole will be extremely difficult throughout the season. Castro still offers more in the loose with the ball currently, but Dan Cole is proving to be a rock in the scrum. The try-saving tackle on Tim Payne in the Guinness Premiership was world class and his tour of Australia confirmed him first choice for England. Julian White will step in during the 6Nations and Autumn Internationals with the inexperienced Johnny Harris as back up.
One to watch: At how many clubs can a first choice England international not be considered that for is club? Dan Cole has the epitome of the Leicester way about him. He’ll get his head down and work hard and is the man to watch.
Lock:
Players: Louis Deacon, Geoff Parling, Richard Blaze, George Skivington, Calum Green
Another strong area of the squad. Louis Deacon gets a lot of flack from English fans but always puts the hard graft in for Leicester. He’s never been a flashy player but hits rucks hard, carries well and is a good line out operator. Geoff Parling was my player of the season last year after his move from Newcastle and is excellent in the lose and in the line-out. A lot of Wasps fans were upset to see George Skivington move on and as well as being dropped from the England Saxon squad, he faces tough competition to get into the Tigers first team. Calum Green is the young operator in the area and Richard Blaze will be looking to put his injury hit seasons behind him.
One to watch: It’s close between Geroge Skivington looking to make an impression in his first season and Richard Blaze coming back from injury, but it has to be Blaze. Showing so much promise in his first season injury has wrecked his progress. Can this be the season he puts it behind him and challenge Deacon for the first choice 4?
Blindside Flanker:
Players: Tom Croft, Craig Newby, Thomas Waldrom, Dan Hemingway, Tom Armes, Ben Piennar
Tom Croft has proved over the last season that he’s one of the best lineout operators in the world. Jumping at the front of the lineout in conjunction with Geoff Parling wrecked opposition ball at the source. Now showing that he can do the dirty work during the break down as well as outpacing most Guinness Premiership wings, he’s an integeral part of the team. Craig Newby will now be doing a lot more work on the openside, meaning that there’s a chance to impress for another player. With Waldrom being more on an 8, Hemingway, Armes and Piennar (some of which will be at Nottingham) could step up.
One to watch: Tom Croft is proving to be invaluable for Leicester in only a few seasons of being the first choice. I’d hope Tigers would be looking to use his pace on the outside more in the coming season, but no team would want to face him in the lineout. Tigers captain in the making.
Openside Flanker:
Players: Ben Woods, Craig Newby, Ben Piennar, Matt Everard
With the loss of Lewis Moody fans have been hoping for a specialist 7 to come in his place. With none coming it means the shirt is Ben Woods to lose. After impressing with in his first season, he was disrupted with injuries and the form of Moody at the close of the season. The only specialist openside in the squad it will come down to him to disrupt opposition ball. Craig Newby has been asked to move across from 6 to cover more at 7, but it does open a big opportunity for Piennar or Everard. It could be the season that one of them steps up into the first team reckoning.
One to watch: If Ben Piennar is confirmed in the first team squad and not with Nottingham this season then he could be the one to push Ben Woods for the starting slot. He’s had a few seasons at the club now but has been shunted between blindside and openside, but with Moody’s departure his time could have arrived.
Number 8:
Players: Jordan Crane, Thomas Waldrom, Craig Newby, Dan Hemingway
The arrival of Thomas Waldrom has given Jordan Crane the first real competition for his place since Martin Corry retired. Crane has been called one-dimensional in the past, but his performance in the Guinness Premiership final shows that he can offload in the tackle. He never takes a backward step and is the go-to man when we need to break the gain line. His control during scrums and in the tackle is also top notch, but he’ll have to keep it up with the arrival of Thomas “The Tank” Waldrom. Waldrom might start as an explosive option off the bench but I wouldn’t be surprised if he soon makes himself first choice.
One to watch: Thomas Waldrom. Although it takes a season to bed for players in the Southern Hemisphere (unless you’re Scott Hamilton) Waldrom has already joined up with the squad and will be looking to make a big impression.
Team of “ones to watch”
15. Murphy ©
14. Hamilton
13. Smith
12. Twelvetrees
11. Amorosino
10. Flood
9. Youngs
1. Ayerza
2. Hawkins
3. Cole
4. Blaze
5. Skivington
6. Croft
7. Piennar
8. Waldrom
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Next article: 2010/11 Season Preview by ChrisC
Will update the site with news stories and reports. Supporting the Tigers fans community
Email me via tigerchick "at" ymail "dot" com (No spam!)
Formerly - TigerBud
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:08:17:22:25:48 by johns.
Will update the site with news stories and reports. Supporting the Tigers fans community
Email me via tigerchick "at" ymail "dot" com (No spam!)
Don't worry about amending it, as long as people know when it was written that's fine.
Formerly - TigerBud
...