What the re-booted Leicester Tigers starting XV could look like when the Premiership returns
With another new five players were officially confirmed by Leicester Tigers today, making it all but impossible not to cast an eye ahead to the eventual side that new head coach Steve Borthwick could field when the Gallagher Premiership returns.
Internationals Matias Moroni and Kini Murimurivalu, South African-born Kobus Van Wyk, back-rower Luke Wallace and English-born, Australian-based Guy Porter. Moroni, who can play at centre, wing or full-back, joins Tigers from the Jaguares in Super Rugby, who he has represented for five seasons and with more than 40 international appearances for Los Pumas since his Test debut in 2014.
These five will be added to the Test internationals already signed up, which of course: Nemani Nadolo, Blake Enever, Matt Scott and Shalva Mamukashvili.
Outside-back Murimurivalu joins after more than a decade in French rugby, including stints with Clermont and La Rochelle, and has represented Fiji at three successive Rugby World Cups since making his international debut in 2011.
Van Wyk, currently playing for the Hurricanes in New Zealand’s Super Rugby Aotearoa, has previously represented both the Stormers and Sharks in Super Rugby and was a member of the Springboks Under-20s Junior Rugby World Cup winning squad in 2012.
The versatile outside-back will link-up with his new team-mates at Tigers at the conclusion of the Aotearoa competition.
Wallace, who made more than 170 appearances for Harlequins from 2009-2019, arrives at Tigers after a season with Coventry in the Championship and will commence training with his new club in Leicester this week.
Meanwhile, English-born Porter signs after a debut Super Rugby season with the ACT Brumbies in Australia and a decorated club career with Sydney University, who he captained to a second successive title in 2019.
Speaking about the quintet of new signings, Leicester Tigers Director of Rugby Geordan Murphy said: “There is a great mix of experience and youth in these five additions to our group, who add valuable depth to the Tigers squad.
“Each of these men add something different, while also being the quality type of people we want representing Leicester Tigers moving forward.
“It’s a new look group of players, with an impressive coaching team leading them, that represent the values of our club and we are excited about what is ahead for us.”
The five signings take the total of additions to 18, which includes six players from the successful Tigers Academy programme who recorded a third straight Under-18 League title earlier this year.
Winger David Williams has also joined the club on loan from Nottingham Rugby for the remainder of the 2019/20 season, while 13 members of the club’s senior programme and five development squad players committed to the club with contract extensions in recent weeks.
Here’s a potential selection that factors in Leicester Tigers’ new acquisitions.
A NEW LOOK TIGERS SQUAD
1 Ellis Genge
2 Tom Youngs
3 Dan Cole
4 Blake Enever
5 Tomas Lavanini
6 Handro Liebenberg
7 Jordan Taufua
8 Cyle Brink
9 Ben Youngs
10 George Ford
11 Nemani Nadolo
12 Matt Scott
13 Matias Moroni
14 Kobus Van Wyk
15 Kini Murimurivalu
REPLACEMENTS
16 Shalva Mamukashvili
17 Nephi Leatigaga
18 Joe Hayes
19 Callum Green
20 Tommy Reffell/Luke Wallace
21 Ben White
22 Zack Henry
23 Jaco Taute/Jordan Olowofela
24th man: Harry Potter
Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments