A glimpse at Leicester's potential backline with the addition of Kyle Eastmond
Over the past six weeks, there has been growing speculation about where former Wasps centre Kyle Eastmond will be playing his rugby in the coming season. One of the most likely destinations for the 29-year-old is Leicester Tigers, who have been searching for an explosive addition to their backline.
Eastmond has been without a club since the end of this season after having been released from the Coventry based club. This is yet another setback for the former Rugby League star who as of yet has not managed to meet the hype that originally surrounded him on his move to Union.
Since his release, there has been a great deal of speculation about where he will end up, one popular rumour is that he is set for a return to Rugby League, by joining north-west based club Warrington Wolves. Eastmond made a name for himself at St Helens, scoring all of the Saint’ points in their defeat to Leeds in the 2009 Grand Final.
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However a move to Welford Road could be just the answer that the centre is looking for as he would be joining a backline that is packed with power and pace alike. Discussion on social media has hinted at this move and it appears that a deal is looking more likely with every passing day.
https://twitter.com/neilfissler/status/1019487826726019072
We have put together a potential Tigers 2018/2019 backline if the Kyle Eastmond transfer was to go ahead. It appears to be packed with speed and creativity which the Midlands team greatly needs.
Matt Toomua has been omitted from this list due to his strong links to a move back to Australia.
15. Mathew Tait
Age appears to only be a number for the 32-year-old Leicester star who is as fast as ever coming into his eighth season at Welford Road. Tait impressively managed to chase down Wasps flyer Dan Robson this year in a foot race that many other players would have lost. There is significant competition from the likes of Adam Thompstone in this position, however it is clear that a team without Tait suffers significantly.
14. Telusa Veainu
The New Zealand born Tongan has been somewhat of a revelation since his arrival at Leicester Tigers. His speed and footwork surpass that of almost every other player in the Premiership and he simply has to be included in this backline.
13. Manu Tuilai
Tuilagi adds a different dynamic to this backline with his explosive runs and carrying. Over the past few years, it appears that teams have managed to handle his game style by man marking the 27-year-old. Nonetheless, this still takes bodies out the game which creates more space for some of the faster players on the flanks.
12. Kyle Eastmond
Eastmond acts as the perfect counterweight to Tuialgi with his pace and footwork. It would be interesting to see Eastmond creating holes that could be very quickly exploited by his partner in the midfield. The former Wasps flyer would also add a different dimension to that of Matt Toomua who lacks a step of pace on his potential replacement.
11. Jonny May
May adds some serious speed to this backline. A player like Kyle Eastmond could easily find gaps for the England star to break through. His performances for England this seasons have been impressive to say the least, none more so than his fantastic try against South Africa last month.
10. George Ford
The England 10 has struggled to win over many pundits this season with poor performances for both club and country this year. Couple that with claims that Tommua was a better choice at outside half and you have a player who is low on confidence and form. Despite this, it is evident that Ford is a player with genuine class who needs the reassurance to know that he has the backing of his team to properly control the game. We have seen his class in matches where it is apparent that he is steering the boat, and Eastmond does not seem like the player to tell Ford where to go.
9. Ben Youngs
The long-serving Tigers scrum-half was an easy pick on this list. His experience at 9 means that the likes of Holmes and Veainu can chase his kicks safe in the knowledge that they are going to land in optimum positions for competition in the air. Similarly to Ford, it could be argued that Youngs is somewhat of a confidence player so it is important that this Tigers team hits the ground running come the start of the 2018/2019 season.
Comments on RugbyPass
More useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
22 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
1 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
22 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to commentsWhere has our good friend Pecos gone!? Similar place to the Crusaders D, the abyss.
4 Go to commentsNice piece Nick. I haven’t seen much of the brumbies this year so will keep my powder dry on charlie, but clearly has the speed and footwork to be damaging in space. Similar to Samu, I’d worry about the size of our pack if the likes of Mcreight and Cale were in the b/row together. Maybe Cale could play a similar finisher role like Samu did for Rennie’s wallabies. Has Cale leapfrogged wilson in your eyes? He obviously has the lineout, but harry probably better (although not great) in the physical stuff and also has great hands in the loose. You’d have to say mcreight and valetini are shoe-ins at 7/8, so the question becomes who matches best with them at 6 and on the bench. I don’t know if he has a high enough ceiling, but id love to see wright given a shot based on how much bad luck he has had with injuries. He may also fit that no-nonsense graft/work rate irish approach…? If schmidt wants size and a 4/6 tweener then I’d probably pick Uru. On the bench I’d have no idea, Wilson if you want to give valetini a rest, and maybe hanigan/wright/uru as 6 replacements.
21 Go to commentsWho the heck is Billy Fulton?
13 Go to commentsCale has all the potential no doubt. So has Harry Wilson except for his dumb arse coach over the last few years who told him just to run at brick walls all the time. Valentini would be devastating at 6. As he was until some idiot thought oh yeah, move our best player to another position. Not mentioning any flightless or thank you names of course. I very much dislike claiming one player is the saviour, because injuries are so prevalent in the game these days as the players are bigger and faster, so the discussion should be who are at least the best two players in one position. For me it’s Harry Wilson and Cale at 8 at the moment with Valentini or Hooper from the Brumbies at 6. Great options. Seru Uru should be in the reserves too. A game changer.
21 Go to commentsScott Barrett is a card waiting to happen, Cane has been out with injury as well as playing in Japan, I think they’ll go with in-Japan-but-still-the-man Savea. Samisoni Taukeaho will be Captain after 2027, so he might get some Captain minutes against an Italy or Japan.
13 Go to commentsDissapointed that after 7 years Crusaders could not have found a coach that believed their system and improved on it. What was he expecting?
6 Go to comments