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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.
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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.
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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.”
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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
You ask good questions, Nick. The group who have put together the proposal to play out of Tarneit and participate in the growing of the ground’s capacity are not a bunch of white knights who have been dragged in post-crisis; they were around whilst the Rebels accummulated $23m in debt. Why do we come up with ideas that might make the franchise affordable after it’s broke and not when it might have prevented the trainwreck this offseason was? As for Gordon/Kellaway v Lolesio/Wright, they are both good options. I think the former are better rugby players but the goal kicking of Noah may be decisive when Schmiddy makes his choices. I know Harry Jones has the hots for Edmed but I think it’s one of his few poor choices and he and Jorgensen aren’t close to the other pairs. By coincidence, the wife and I went into town over the weekend to watch Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson in Long Day’s Journey into Night. Beautifully acted but it was 3.5 hours in the chair and very hard work. Like the Rebels, there were only small bursts of joy to go with a lot of bad news and a depressing story line. In the end, I was hoping it would end and I could give my sore butt a break. Again, familiar.
34 Go to commentsGood decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
3 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
5 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
34 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
5 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
5 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
3 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
9 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
5 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
34 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
9 Go to commentsWowee!
9 Go to commentsEvery team that has played a game in Africa this Champions Cup season is already out of the competition - including the SA teams. Could be a concidence.
30 Go to commentsthat should offer some experiences for Jordie.
9 Go to commentsJust remember: He is not a winger. Took Ian Foster 2 years to figure that out.
9 Go to commentsExcellent article, Nick. We (your RP colleague Brett McKay and my 8/9 Combo cohost), are going to have LSL on our podcast later this month. He has shown consistent excellence as a leader and lock. I’ll chat with you offline about a line of questioning if you have time. H
34 Go to commentsSo no Irish fan or journalist suggested JGP was as good as DuPont. Then even the guy who supposedly did is from Wales and said JGP would be the best around if it was t for DuPont. Right, so what is this story about again
19 Go to comments