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Five Test level locks that could fit the bill as mystery Leicester Tigers signing
While Leicester Tigers Director of Rugby Geordan Murphy has poured icy-cold water over the rumoured signing of Saracens second row Maro Itoje, the Irishman did confirm that the club are finalising a deal for a player in that position.
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“That (Itoje rumour) is not true. Like everything this season, we have been attached to quite a few rumours. Maro Itoje is a fantastic player but is not in our plans at present,” said Murphy. “We actually are in the process of finalising someone in that position and we will release that when we are ready, hopefully early next week.”
Many clubs, cash strapped due to the pandemic, are off-loading their squads, leaving a glut of off-contract players desperately looking to find a home before the new season begins. Despite being hit in their collective pockets, clubs looking to acquire players are at a distinct negotiating advantage, knowing that as squad sizes contract across Europe, the more players are bound to be looking for new employers.
Likewise, there’s been a significant sea-change in attitudes the player salaries in recent months, with a widespread acknowledgement within the sport that the current financial model is broken: largely due to ever-inflating player wages. Just this week, the Myner Report into the Premiership salary cap revealed that in 2013/14, there were just five players in the league with a total cost to their employing club – including such extra costs as agents’ fees and image rights – of at least £300,000. In the space of just six years, that number had risen to 99 players. What’s more, the 24 best-paid players for the 2019/20 season cost their various clubs a total of £14million, an average of £583,000 apiece.
But who are Leicester Tigers signing in the second row? If they were looking to spend significant funds, there are a number of world-class players that going off-contract. Here are five off-contract locks that could fit the bill.
NICK ISIEKWE
The towering Saracens young gun has been linked with another of clubs following the news of the red and blacks enforced relegation; including Sale Sharks and Gloucester, but Welford Road could yet be the perfect landing spot for the 22-year-old who’s eager on add to his three England caps to date.
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DEVIN TONER
‘Big Dev’ Toner is coming off contract at Leinster, and after missing out at the Rugby World Cup, it seems his international career is drawing to a close. Leinster head coach Leo Cullen, a friend and former teammate of Geordan Murphy, last month admitted the future of Toner (and a number of other veterans) was unclear. At 33, Toner could be tempted by a year or maybe two in the Premiership.
LEONE NAKAWARA
Fired by Racing 92 last year for not turning up for the new season, Nakawara was quickly snapped up by former club Glasgow Warriors in the PRO14. That contract was only to the end of the season, however, and TOP14 clubs, hen-pecked by JIFF protocols, may look past the maverick Fijian, despite his undeniable abilities. His family are based in Fiji, where he currently resides, and he may wish to seek out employment closer to home in Japan or at a Super Rugby franchise.
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SCOTT FARDY
Fardy got a one-year extension of a contract in 2019 with Leinster, but at 35 and with no formal contract or retirement announced, it’s unclear what the future holds for the grizzled Australian. One thing is clear, he’s been in fine form for Leinster and he plays a lot younger than his age profile suggests. One more go around the block?
GEORGE KRUIS
Although the smart money is that England lock Kruis is heading to Japan, he is yet to officially confirm the move. He’s definitely leaving Saracens, but if Kruis fancied a further crack at England, he would have to stay local. Could Leicester Tigers be a good fit for a one or two year contract?
Comments on RugbyPass
SBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
6 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
11 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
11 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
6 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
11 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
11 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
11 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
11 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
11 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
11 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
11 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
11 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
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