Leicester Tigers Squad Review 2011/12
By Tiger Bud
August 16 2011
World Cup years are notoriously tough on the Tigers. During the 2007 World Cup Leicester lost numerous players to International duty, which resulted in a hammering at home by Gloucester, away at Saracens and a tight home win over Worcester. Further back, in 2003, Tigers lost five out of eight games, which was the beginning of the end for Dean Richards’ reign.
At the moment there are fourteen Leicester players away with their respective international teams; from England, Manu Samoa, Argentina, Italy, Ireland and Tonga. There are certainly a few question marks over whether some of them will end up in the final squads, it’s up to Richard Cockerill to fill these gaps until the international cavalry come back from down under. The recruitment over the close season has been, in my opinion, fantastic. For the first time in a number of seasons the ‘in’s have been greater than the ‘outs’. Whilst it’s sad to see another long serving member of the Tigers family leave to the retirement home at Bath, the emergence of Manu Tuilagi and the signing of Mathew Tait has certainly softened the blow.
If players can play in more than one position then they will be listed twice. Players currently with international squads will be listed in red.
Full Back:
Murphy, Hamilton, Morris, Tait
Since Geordan Murphy first appeared in 1997 he has been a mainstay in the Leicester side, firstly on the wing before moving to his customary position at full back. The last few seasons however, he has struggled with two serious injuries. During that time Hamilton became the everpresent in his position. The man is as reliable under a high ball as the Ireland international and is seemingly unbreakable, playing an incredible 2367 minutes of rugby last year. Morris joins from Leinster and Tait completes the set.
Player to watch: After a long-term injury last season and the questions over his fitness for the World Cup the player to watch is Geordan Murphy. There were slight concerns over his form before he was injured, but if he is there to help stabilize the Tigers team during the WC he will be invaluable.
Wings:
A Tuilagi, Agulla, Tait, Smith, Hamilton, Morris, Robinson
There has been another positive that has come from the emergence of Manu; the re-emergence of Alex Tuilagi. Whether it is the responsibility of having his younger brother in the team or a great case of one-upsmanship, Alex is certainly one of the best wingers playing in the Aviva Premiership. It is the other side of pitch is where it becomes interesting. Agulla manfully held the position at the end of the season, but lacks a quick turn of pace. I believe this is where new man Mathew Tait fits in. The new man Morris and the forgotton man Robinson compete for the other places.
Player to watch: Bulked-up by England and Sale, Tait lost some of his pace and confidence over the last few years. If Richard Cockerill decides to put him out on the wing we could see a return to the quick Seven’s type player of a few seasons ago. This would add another dimension to the Leicester game.
Outside Centre:
M Tuilagi, Smith, Twelvetrees, Tait, Allen, Forsyth
The idea that Richard Cockerill doesn’t trust youth can be countered by looking at Manu Tuilagi. The young man played 1608 minutes of rugby for the Tigers last year, making the 13 shirt his own. His inclusion in the England squad is still one being debated, but I can see him traveling as a wild card down to New Zealand – there are not many players can offer what he does. Without him the obvious choice would be Matt Smith, who is a great player to have in the squad. I would like to see Allen shift over to 13 with Twelvetrees at 12, but there are also chances for Tait and academy prospect Forsyth.
Player to watch: Whether he goes to the World Cup or not, Manu is the player to watch again. After the indiscipline of the end of his season meaning he missed the final, teams will be targeting him this year. It will be up to him to keep his temper under check and take another step to becoming a world-class outside centre.
Inside Centre:
Allen, Twelvetrees, Forsyth, Staunton, Flood
One of the players who can be counted to be unlucky not to be involved in the extended England training squad is Anthony Allen. Two excellent seasons since joining from Gloucester, Allen has been a mainstay of the Tigers team. Forming an excellent partnership with Tuilagi it is good news for Leicester he’ll be around to keep the defensive line in check whilst others are away. Youngster Forsyth looks to be promoted into the first team and Staunton and Flood can play if needed.
Player to watch: There has been a lot said about William Twelvetrees, so it’s little doubt he’s the player to watch at 12 this season. During the World Cup he could create an excellent relationship with Allen. Still has some work to go, but he has undoubted talent.
Fly half:
Flood, Staunton, Ford, Twelvetrees
With Flood certain to be with England at the beginning of the season, the onus will be on Jeremy Staunton to fill the slot until he returns. After spending a series of games injured at the beginning of last season he needs to be a reliable goal-kicker to ensure the points tick over in the opening matches. Flood has had his critics since the Six Nations, but is still an excellent player going forward however his kicking has become a big concern. Twelvetrees deputized last season, but it is the emergence of George Ford at the Under 18 World Cup that has Leicester fans the most excited.
Player to watch: I believe he needs another years worth of rugby before he is ready to be considered a regular, George Ford has something special about him. Whether he can take it onto the next level is yet to be seen, but expect to see him come off the bench at some point during the year.
Scrum half:
Ben Youngs, Mickey Young, Grindal, Harrison
Another one of the exciting signings over the close season, Mickey Young will provide the first real competition to Ben Youngs since Ellis retired and Dupuy returned to France. Youngs, meanwhile, will fighting to keep his England place in New Zealand but suffered last season along with Flood after the hammering in Ireland. Young is likely to keep him on his toes, with Harrison chomping at the bit to push Grindal out of the picture completely.
Player to watch: Although his passing at times has been questioned, Mickey Young will add another dimension when Ben Youngs is away. Quick with a good eye for the gap, the former Newcastle player will be looking at the World Cup as a great opportunity to make a claim for the 9 shirt.
Loosehead Prop:
Ayerza, Stankovich, Bucknall, Harris, Brookes
Entering what will most likely be the last year at the Tigers, Ayerza has grown from being an amateur from Agentina to one of the best loosheads (or centres!) playing in the Northern Hempishere. During his absence Stankovich will be the man in possession during the first few months; arguably a stronger scrummager than Ayerza, Stankovich doesn’t offer the same pace of hands around the pitch. It will have to be seen if Cockerill’s plan is to move newcomer Brookes to the other side to accommodate Castro or Cole.
Player to watch: Ayerza will be keen to have a successful World Cup and Tigers season before possibly heading off to the Super 15. One of Richard Cockerill and Simon Cohen’s best signings, Ayerza has been a revelation at loosehead and helped modernize the Leicester front row. If he goes, he will certainly be missed.
Hooker:
Chuter, Hawkins, Tom Youngs
A position that always brings lively debate within Leicester supporters; there are plenty of questions over the strength of depth at hooker. Chuter showed lovely hands for tries against Lllanelli and Northampton, but has gone missing at points in the loose and the scrum. Rob Hawkins made an excellent impression with his first season at the club and I would have liked to have seen more of him at the end of the season. With the departure of Duffy back to Nottingham the other Youngs brother returns since moving from centre into the pack.
Player to watch: With questions over his line out throwing and his temper, Tom Youngs returns to Leicester looking to make a big impression. His field work, pace and centre skills could see him become the surprise package of the season. Whether he can rival Brits for ‘hooker who can be seen more on the wing’ is yet to be seen.
Tighthead Prop:
Castrogiovanni, Cole, Brookes, White
Arguably the strongest position in the Leicester squad, current first team internationals Castrogiovanni and Cole will now be fighting it out with Saxon international Kiernan Brookes. There will be big questions after the World Cup about the tighthead prop selection in the big games. After signing a new long-term contract last season Castrogiovanni is the man in position, but fears over losing Dan Cole at the end of the year could see the big games swing his way. Farm owner and all round nice guy Julian White will be lacing his boots if needed.
Player to watch: One of the best prospects in the country, Brookes comes from Newcastle to look to push on during the World Cup period. Whether he keeps the shirt after the internationals return will be tough, but he will get invaluable experience and could become the next player from Leicester to push for international honours.
Locks:
Deacon, Parling, Skivington, Kitchener, Slater, Mafi
Some Leicester fans are expecting Louis Deacon to hang up his boots at the end of the World Cup. Persistent back injures have lead to him nearly retiring to having nine inch nails interested into his back to relieve the pressure. Losing Deacon would undoubtedly be one of the biggest loses in recent Tigers history. Bringing so much to the line-out and unseen work around the park, Deacon is a true Tiger. After silencing his doubters during the Six Nations, it would be very sad to see him go. After a year of settling in Skivington has come on leaps and bounds along with the surprise package of Ed Slater. Injury curtailed all of Geoff Parling’s season, but it would be great to see him returning to his 2009-2010 form. Mafi is more of a 6, but a serious talent.
Player to watch: The new boy Graham Kitchener is a massive signing for Leicester. Great speed, hands and line-out skills he will be invaluable during the Tom Croftless period of the World Cup. The question over whether a Skivington/Kitchener combination have enough bulk around the park is yet to be seen, but Kitchener will certainly be up for it.
Blindside flanker:
Croft, Mafi, Waldrom,Woods, Salvi, Armes, Newby (injured), Parling, Slater, Piennar
With Croft and Mafi likely to be away at the World Cup, there are a few questions to who will fill the blindside position. Newby’s long term injury means we could see either Parling or Slater move back to cover, or Wood and Salvi fill in for the first few months. There could be a real chance for youngsters Armes or Piennar to make the step up. Piennar, who was injured during last season, really needs a season to push on otherwise we could see him head out as with Hemingway. Croft is a certain when returning and Mafi gives serious competition. With a lot of calls for a Waldrom/Crane partnership at 6/8 could see Croft move to 7.
Player to watch: Came in as injury cover last season, Steve Mafi went on to make a massive impression. A Tom Croft without the English hype, the speed and line-out skills have been excellent. A hard worker could go on to become a Tigers mainstay in the years to come.
Openside flanker:
Newby (injured), Salvi, Woods, Croft, Mafi, Piennar
Last season Craig Newby did an excellent job at openside. Many felt he lacked the terrier abilities needed to steal ball, but he easily silenced his critics before going on to lead the team at Twickenham. The news of his long-term injury has forced Leicester’s hand into the market for Julian Salvi. The former Bath man (wait, shouldn’t this be the other way round?) is more of an out-and-out openside, which has resulted in becoming a slight penalty machine. Woods needs a good season after injury alongside Ben Piennar, who seems somewhat a forgotten man for the fans.
Player to watch: Ben Woods needs a big season. With the injury to Newby and the World Cup absentees he has the chance to make a case against Salvi for either flanker positions. Injury has curtailed his previous two seasons and there are feelings of this season being an important one for the former Newcastle man.
Number 8:
Waldrom, Crane, de Carpentier, Newby (injured)
One of the biggest calls last season was the fight between Tom Waldrom and Jordan Crane in the big games. Cockerill favoured Crane, with Waldrom coming off the bench, but it is the New Zealand born forward fighting for a place in Martin Johnson’s World Cup plans. Waldrom had a massive first season, breaking tackles and being a main attacking threat. It is yet to be seen if Johnson takes Waldrom back to his country of birth, but he has certainly got a great chance. Surprise signing Richard de Carpentier has come to add further pace and youth to the position, but is more likely to be seen during the A games or coming from the bench.
Player to watch: With the hype around Waldrom has grown, Jordan Crane remains a key ingredient in the Tigers game plan. Crane’s work around the breakdown and going forward is excellent, drawing defenders in and creating spaces. With Tom Croft hanging out on the wing or Waldrom waiting in the centres, Crane gives the extra power needed up front. Along with others, I’d like to see a combination of Waldrom/Crane in the next season.
Evaluation:
During the World Cup year it is usual to see the squad expand to cover the absentees. I believe the signings that have been made over the summer have been fantastic; good, young English players with something to prove could be a surprise package waiting for teams expecting Leicester to be a push-over until the Internationals return. There are question marks over long term injury players and key positions, but we could be seeing the foundation blocks of a fantastic team.
Team to watch:
15. Murphy ©
14. A Tuilagi
13. M Tuilagi
12. Twelvetrees
11. Tait
10. Ford
9. Young
1. Ayerza
2. Youngs
3. Brookes
4. Parling
5. Kitchener
6. Mafi
7. Woods
8. Crane
Team for the World Cup period:
15. Hamilton
14. Smith
13. Allen
12. Twelvetrees
11. Tait
10. Staunton
9. Young
1. Stankovich
2. Hawkins
3. Brookes
4. Kitchener
5. Skivington
6. Slater
7. Salvi
8. Crane
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:29:13:26:20 by Stephen Bath.
I am looking forward to seeing Salvi, we have never manage to fill the huge hole left by Backy.
I believe Cockers has a much better squad than I expected to start of the season, we may well surprise a few teams however it is clear that more than ever we will be the underdogs again.
With Waldrom and Mafi (hopefully) back in the fold the back row looks better than I'd dared hope.
I'd prefer to see the creative Allen at 12 and Twelvetrees at 13 during the RWC though.
What is the "Team to Watch"?
So presuming we are willing to give him a couple weeks off in september I see no reason from our point of view to not resign him. From his POV the French have a longer season and the Super 15 teams don't pay as well and don't have the room to have 60 argentinians in the first place, 4 Aus teams can have 2 foreigners with the rebels allowed 6, I don't know how mant the SA teams are allowed but from history its not many, NZ teams only allowed NZ resident PI foreigners or others have to be approved by the NZRFU. So I have fairly logical reason for being optimistic that he'll stay.
Or the argentinians might suffer a rash of players being "injured" for parts of the 4N.
I think it is a team made up of Tiger Bud's Ones to watch.
Also this was written ages ago, hence some of the international players have since returned to the club (Waldrom, Chuter, Mafi)
Formerly - TigerBud
Quote:Stopsy
I think it is a team made up of Tiger Bud's Ones to watch.
Oh I see - confused me that did - mind it doesn't take much!
You bring up again something we haven't discussed in a while. The ability/suitability of Tom Croft at openside. He'd need to get involved far more at the break downs if he was to play at 7! Spends heaps of time loitering on the wing currently.
If Salvi lives up to expectations, our first choice backrow might not include Crofty!
6. Waldrom
7. Salvi
8. Crane
Croft and Mafi fighting for a bench slot? Now that is strength in depth!!
Foundations for a future Tigers' great era team are being dug ... fingers crossed, eh?
Crofty to Barf next year?
Nah!
'Profit Motive' .. the Vaseline of genocides.
'Reality' .. the new cynicism
One question - I know he has played on the LH side but isn't Bucknall, by preference, a TH?
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Propping is mainly about power, the side of the scrum isn't hugely important; the difference in muscle use is the same as locks (in the "Tower of Power" set up we and England use) and I've never heard anyone talk about certain players being unable to play left lock (or right lock either). You need less power to be an effective loosehead and the tactics/techniques are generally thought to be easier (obviously relatively its all bloody hard), so switch from a mediocre tighthead to a useful loosehead is not an unheard of change.
The one to watch for me is Salvi. A proper, out and out, outstanding 7 in my view.
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Thanks again for the comments!
Formerly - TigerBud
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Its not easy to play both at the same time due to the muscle bias needed, but changing from one to other wholescale is perfectly doable given a year or two. Especially going from tighthead to loosehead which is considered the easier change. Provided you have the power in the first place, which was my point.
Holford was another player who was switched to loosehead because it was felt he didn't have the power to play tighthead. (On that point he is playing for Nottingham at tighthead tonight).
The difference is bigger than between left and right wing, bigger than the difference between most positions but its not like they are completely sepearte positions, the common skills far outweigh the specialist skills.
Either way I think he'll fail to make the change a success, but that's because he's a bit rubbish rather than anything impossible about the switch.
I don't see why it has to be harder higher up the levels. The standard is higher, but so is the quality of the players.
Its mainly about attitude and preference. Some people prefer to be a versitile some people prefer to concetrate on their strengths. Some people like having one side of their head free, others prefer to have people both sides, mainly its about what's needed when If Hampson hadn't had his accident would Cole have been moved from 8 to 3 or from 8 to 1? Most top level props these days have been converted there when they are around 16-18 anyway. Very few have only played one side since childhood.