Leicester Analysis

By Lawrence Aggleton
August 31 2008

Head Coach: Heyneke Meyer

EPS Players: 8 (Harry Ellis, Toby Flood, Dan Hipkiss, Tom Varndell, George Chuter, Jordan Crane, Tom Croft, Lewis Moody)

Last Season GP: 4th (Beaten finalists)

Last Season Europe: HC Group

European Group (HC): Treviso, Ospreys, Perpignan

Pre-Season: @ Biarritz L @ Ospreys W Vs Western Force

First Four: @ Gloucester Vs L Irish @ Worcester Vs L Wasps

Big Outs: Andy Goode (Brive), Ian Humphreys (Ulster)

Big Ins: Derick Hougaard (Blue Bulls), Toby Flood (Newcastle)

Key Man: Geordan Murphy

Tigers were a team that confounded all predictions last year, especially those from their own coach. The appointment of Marcelo Loffreda was not exactly a roaring success, his face clearly didn't fit in with the Leicester culture. Heyneke Meyer seems more likely to fit in. So what's that culture then? Meat, meat and more meat. A potential three-quarter line of Rabeni, Hipkiss, Erinle and Tuilagi. Props like Ayerza, Castrogiovanni and White. Hougaard will replace Andy Goode well in that respect. Flood seems a likely recruit to fulfil the role that Mauger conspicuously failed in last year. Geordan Murphy and Tom Varndell should provide the rapier skewers for the rest of the Leicester meat. The one area of concern is depth at lock and, especially at fly-half. With Flood off with the EPS, any injury to Hougaard will expose Leicester, who've lost 3 fly-halves over the summer. There's talk about signing the Fijian sensation Caucaunibuca. You've got to wonder if they wouldn't be better off looking for a fly-half or a lock.

Premiership: Meyer should get Leicester playing powerful rugby. Losing so many players to England could cost them however. Prediction: 2nd (Losing SF)

Europe: Perpignan and Ospreys away will be a challenge, but they should at least get out of their group. Prediction: HC QF