[Margin_Walker]

Interesting, I didn't notice him, but then I missed some of the build up.

Yeah, he's a relatively recent convert to prop. When he does get a chance it wouldn't surprise me if he got a run in the back row first.

[Margin_Walker]

TRP this morning has Facundo Gigena (loosehead) incoming from Leicester. Would be happy with that if true as he's a strong scrummager.

Also Tom Homer likely heading to PD2 club Montauban

[GC89]

I don't feel like I have seen too much of Gigena, but have noticed that Tigers fans seem to rate him quite highly, so would definitely be pleased with him coming in, provided it is in addition to what we already have, or as a replacement for Elrington. Dell and WGC are doing well at the moment so would want both of them to stick around.

Parton has established himself as clear first choice at full back so no issue with Homer moving on, although we would need to find a replacement, perhaps one who can also cover the wing.

[shimmieandshake]

I'm not sure Homer would necessarily be replaced. Stokes is a full back by trade, and Kerr regaining fitness will be like a new signing - I assume he covers both wing and full back, but who knows.

As for Gigena, I don't know much about him, but it looks like we need a loosehead. I feel for Elrington, but unless he makes big strides on his scrummaging, he's too much of a liability.

[Margin_Walker]

Yeah, I think we are okay for FB cover if Homer were to leave and Stokes stayed.

If Gigena were to come in, it would be interesting to see who was out the door. Elrington would be the obvious one, but who knows. Would be nice for him to get a game with a decent pack behind him, albeit he will still be our weakest scrummaging LH imo.

On an unrelated note, Atkins confirmed on that podcast the other day that he was out of contract at the end of the season and hadn't been offered an extension as it stands.

I wonder if Brand is struggling a bit too. Not aware of him being injured, but Englefield seems to be the non playing reserve 9 recently. Assuming neither of the Aussies are leaving it will be between those two for the 3rd senior spot (unless we go with 4 9s)

[SixNineOne]

On an unrelated note, Atkins confirmed on that podcast the other day that he was out of contract at the end of the season and hadn't been offered an extension as it stands.

Atkins seems like a great guy but I’m just not convinced he’s got what it takes to be a Premiership standard 10, although to be fair we haven’t really seen him operating behind the quality of pack that we’re now fielding. Assuming he goes, we’ve got to be in the market for another quality stand-off and I’m struggling to think of names who might be available, are within our price range and would want to come to us.

[Margin_Walker]

It's been a tough season for the younger guys and fringe players. After getting game time in the summer, there are no options now with no Prem Cup (so far), cancelled Challenge Cup pool games and no opportunities for loans.

Hard to stake a claim for a renewal, but assume the coaches are on top of things and are in the best place to assess potential.

[GC89]

Good point on Stokes and Kerr perhaps covering Homer's departure. Whether we need another back three player will, of course, probably depend on whether Naholo makes it back or not.

[Margin_Walker]

Yeah, will be interesting. I guess the wildcard is that we may have a fair few other emerging options in the back three even if Naholo isn't available. I've got a feeling one of Joseph (albeit likely a long term 13), Harmes and Dykes may be ready to act as cover by next season. Williams too has played there plenty.

Clearly if Stokes isn't on the scene or it doesn't work out with Kerr, another option will likely be needed.

We'll see though. It's all guesswork.

[GC89]

Yes, that is definitely true, but would still be happier with a bit more experience. It is a very young group of players if Naholo retires.

[Margin_Walker]

Yes, it would be in the back three.

Hoefully it's a moot point and Naholo's back fit again as hoped in the next month or two and can put the injury behind him.

[Margin_Walker]

With immediate effect then?

[MattM]

I think he is rehabbing after surgery. Not sure he will play this season.... He had an Instagram picture of him in a hospital but that appears to have been taken down.

[Margin_Walker]

Ah okay. Thought he was fit as there were posts on the Tigers board saying he's been in full training for the past fortnight and available for selection.

Who knows though and a hospital pic if recent would disprove that. Suggestions also that he's not got access to an EU passport as some Argies do, so would be a foreign player.

[MattM]

Hospital could have been anything to be fair but yes it's all a bit vague.

He did have to go home early last year to get his permit renewed which would suggest he doesn't have an EU passport.

[Margin_Walker]

Kepu gone. Didn't see that one coming. All the best to him and Family clearly comes first.

https://www.london-irish.com/news/club- ... P_roJ5C9wo

[shimmieandshake]

Wow. Bit of a shock with Kepu, but something has seemed amiss. Hope he's alright, good luck to him and his family.

Lovejoy and Hoskins are quality cover, but do we think Luke Green is ready to step up if one of them goes down?

[Florida]

It must be hell being stuck the other side of the world and knowing that even when you get to NZ there's a 14 day period before you can be with your family again. Really fell for the big man.

[GC89]

Don't know the ins and the outs, but definitely feel for him. A shame that it is a permanent departure as he showed some glimpses of what he could do. Hopefully a good replacement can be lined up for next season.

[Margin_Walker]

Wow. Bit of a shock with Kepu, but something has seemed amiss. Hope he's alright, good luck to him and his family.

Lovejoy and Hoskins are quality cover, but do we think Luke Green is ready to step up if one of them goes down?

Possibly. He's a decent prospect, but is still very young for a TH. Relegation is a bit less of a threat, so it wouldn't surprise me if they didn't replace Kepu this season.

Also worth noting that WGC was an occasional TH in the Championship iirc

[shimmieandshake]

Wow. Bit of a shock with Kepu, but something has seemed amiss. Hope he's alright, good luck to him and his family.

Lovejoy and Hoskins are quality cover, but do we think Luke Green is ready to step up if one of them goes down?

Possibly. He's a decent prospect, but is still very young for a TH. Relegation is a bit less of a threat, so it wouldn't surprise me if they didn't replace Kepu this season.

Also worth noting that WGC was an occasional TH in the Championship iirc

Yep, did speaks volumes during the Quins game that Hoskins played 80 when Green was benching. Rare to see a front row going 80 unless it's deemed a necessity.

But as we say, plenty of time for Green to come through, he seems an excellent prospect.

And if that's true re: WGC, good news.

[Margin_Walker]

Yeah, fair point. Made sense for Hoskins to go 80 in that game given he's probably our fittest prop (often used to go 80 in the Championship with 22 man squads) and given that the game was in the balance.

I suspect if we were either winning comfortably or Quins were out of sight, Green would have got a run to get a few minutes under his belt.

I'm not 100% on WGC having just done some research. Was going off the title of this video that I remembered seeing when he joined. Looking through some old Richmond teamsheets though, I can't find any examples of him actually playing at TH.

[Ruckinggood]

Wow. Bit of a shock with Kepu, but something has seemed amiss. Hope he's alright, good luck to him and his family.

Lovejoy and Hoskins are quality cover, but do we think Luke Green is ready to step up if one of them goes down?

Note that the chap from Leicester, Facundo Gigena, is a LHP but plays THP too so good cover should either Hoskins or LJ suffer an injury.

[SixNineOne]

I’d be much happier if I knew we had a specialist tight head lined up to replace Kepu at least for the beginning of next season. I’m not at all convinced by the prospect of a loose head who can occasionally cover at tight head. For example, WGC is shaping up very nicely at the moment and I don’t think it would do his confidence or his development much good if he were asked to switch sides and then got mullered by a Joe Marler or the like. There was talk on the Wuss board about Nick Schonert potentially being on the move, or perhaps there’s a monster Georgian out there with a name ending in kashvili just waiting to be discovered!

[Margin_Walker]

On the WGC front, was more looking at options for potentially limping through this season with 2 senior THs and cover (Green and part timers switching from LH).

I cant see us having anything less than three experienced THs come the start of next season.

As with all these things, it's all speculation and the coaching team will no doubt have it in hand.

[GC89]

Gigena confirmed.

Interesting to see how this plays out in terms of whether a loosehead makes way at the end of the season.

[shimmieandshake]

Yep, definitely pressure on Elrington. Realistically, it might be tough for him to get a game from here on out, unless he's tearing it up in training.

Tigers' SportNetwork is down currently, but interesting that they're disappointed to lose Gigena. Would be a very encouraging step, if our club is perceived us up the pecking order in terms of places players want to be...

I'm personally hoping we go down the WGC route of signing a Championship prop, or pluck another Mahu type, to replace him. And then use the excess cash to keep Rona and find a decent quality back-up to cover 10/12/13.

[Lazyboy346]

Further discussion here on the Tigers Fan Forum: https://forum.leicestertigers.com/viewt ... &start=180

As said on the Craic, I think we could get a decent championship prop in as third choice for rest of the season so we can ease Green in slowly. Oisin Heffernan at Notts would be my preference as he's been consistently good and is English and Irish qualified. Plus poaching a tighthead from under the nose of Leicester (who've been sniffing around him for a few seasons) always feels good.

With Homer likely off, Stokes can replace him and any spare money can go towards our options at 10 and centre which is probably our weakest area of depth beyond our starting combination.

[Iron Lung]

Gus confirmed as signing a contract extension, no idea how long for though. Would think until the next world cup as he has stated this is an aim for him. Great news in my opinion.

https://www.london-irish.com/news/agust ... ay/bp2826/

Particularly like the tweet:

[SixNineOne]

That’s brilliant news! Apart from his performances as a player which have been absolutely top notch, he’s a really important leader on and off the field and an all round good egg! Worth every penny.

[Margin_Walker]

Yeah, he's been a cracking signing.

Not getting any younger, but you know you'll get 50-60 minutes of high quality contribution. Does the nuts and bolts of the role well and is a huge threat when it comes to turning over ball.

Also interacts incredibly well with refs at scrum time, which doesn't do any harm.

[MattM]

Tom Homer moving on at the end of the season has been confirmed by the club.
He's been solid at the back but Parton is really owning the 15 shirt so it seems the right move for all parties.

[GC89]

Some very loose rumours of Cokanasiga coming back from Ruck.co.uk - so take with a pinch of salt.

[GHA]

Some very loose rumours of Cokanasiga coming back from Ruck.co.uk - so take with a pinch of salt.

Unless he's going to do a Scott Steele I'm not too fussed. OHC and Loader are my starters for next season, personally.

[Margin_Walker]

Ha, may well happen, but it's the Ruck...

https://www.ruck.co.uk/transfer-round-u ... -thomas/2/

HOMETIME: Reports on Twitter suggest Bath winger Joe Cokanasiga has been linked with a return to London Irish when his contract expires this summer.

Needless to say, searching for any number of keyword combinations, I can't find the reports they are referring to.

[Florida]

Still rather miffed he left us after signing a long term deal, but he's a talented kid and I'm sure I could forgive him... eventually.

Sadly it's ruck though, who now seem to report on imaginary Twitter sources.

[Margin_Walker]

It's not the most outlandish rumour, even if Ruck have plucked it out of thin air.

He's seemingly out of contract and things haven't gone as planned for him at Bath. His stock is lower than when he left, so he's probably going to struggle to get a contract at a similar level to whatever he's on now.

From our point of view he knows the setup and would get to play with his brother. He's clearly a weapon on his day, but there's a question mark over whether or not he's peaked and what his injury situation is. It's a hypothetical signing that probably makes more sense if Naholo wasn't going to be on the scene next year.

[shimmieandshake]

Ruck has an abysmal track record, as you guys have pointed out.

To be honest, I hope that continues. In terms of squad balance, and budget balance, an England-capped winger with injury issues is not what we need.

With OHC, Loader, Parton starters, Stokes in support, Kerr, Matt Williams, Naholo to return from injury, it's just unnecessary.

Even if Naholo goes, I'd be hoping to bring through academy players or pick up another option like Stokes, or an Andrew Fenby type - good, honest pros who can also cover 15.

Frees up the cash to be spent where needed; 10/12/13.

[Narbia]

Let's not forget big Joe's 100m sprint in under 10 seconds : LI to Bath.

There are other positions needing attention way before we have the extravagance of an extra winger, which we can't currently use.

A like for like replacement for Sekope Kepu would be top of the list. Then a backup #10, then, ....

[GHA]

I was a bit surprised to see someone elsewhere suggest Loader, OHC, Parton, Naholo and Cokanasiga would provide really good back three cover and depth. Not enough experience in the 15 jersey if Parton is out IMO

[Narbia]

If Parton is out, then James Stokes could stand in for him. Homer is clearly going, so why not hold onto Stokes?

All conjecture at this point about who is going and who comes in though.

[Stevie J]

Original post updated to reflect news that Huw Jones is not coming here rather he is joining Bayonne.

[GC89]

I am a big Jones fan, so slightly disappointed by that. However, that is on the assumption that Rona is going. If he stays then all is good.

[Stevie J]

Ben Meehan a target for Gloucester;

https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/s ... um-5061729

[Iron Lung]

Ben Meehan a target for Gloucester;

https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/s ... um-5061729

Departing coach goes back to old team to recruit players. Been there, done that! No thanks.

[Narbia]

Ben Meehan a target for Gloucester;

https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/s ... um-5061729

Departing coach goes back to old team to recruit players. Been there, done that! No thanks.

You've got to wonder if George Skivington has completed his own transfer to Glaws, before going shopping around LI.

Sure, they're in the market for a #9. Unless there's a huge pay-packet, not sure what's in it for Ben Meehan. Glaws have recruited a #10 who I've read certainly upped his remuneration.

[Lazyboy346]

Meehan to Gloucs isn't unrealistic. The coach knows him already so he'll have confidence in signing him. Their senior scrum half is leaving and they have two youngsters (Varney an international) and Simpson who is in his 30s. Having an EQ squad player in his late 20s who won't miss international windows makes sense, especially as they've been talking about how their squad is mostly very young and then into their 30s with not much in the middle. He'll probably rotate a lot which should prolong his career and he's presumably settled in the UK now so less disruption than moving back.

There are rumours thought that they are looking to sign Ali Price to partner Hastings which would run counter to it, as I can't imagine they'll have five senior scrum halves especially with some promising academy players for depth. Could be that Simpson is off though in which case Heinz and Simpson for Price and Meehan probably fits financially too.

[Margin_Walker]

Yeah, I could see Meehan to Gloucester being a realistic possibility if his contract is up this summer.

He's a quality player, but there may be cap factors at play. May be looking to reduce the spend on 9s next season if Englefield gets a senior deal and assuming brand is staying

[Iron Lung]

Having an EQ squad player in his late 20s who won't miss international windows makes sense, especially as they've been talking about how their squad is mostly very young and then into their 30s with not much in the middle.

All reasons we should want him to stay as well! Beyond him and Phipps we're looking at academy or just out of academy level 9s in our squad.

[shimmieandshake]

If it's true, I won't miss his attitude - the red mist incidents, and the lippy attitude to referees - and I certainly won't miss his 10 minute caterpillar kicks...

...but paradoxically, I'll miss the control those 10 min kicks give us, and, also paradoxically, given the red mist, the general composure he can bring.

Personally, I'd feel we were light at 9 without signing a replacement. Then again, we haven't seen enough of Brand / Englefield to know if they can step up. Instinct says Brand can, but Englefield won't be physically mature enough. Which runs contrary to Englefield seemingly being ahead of the two, given his travelling sub status, but there you go.

I wouldn't like it if 9 next season resembled 10 this season, with a sharp drop off as soon as Phipps/Jackson not on the field. Even more important at 9, given the energy levels required and how frequently they're substituted.