1
Leicester confirm 10 senior player departures but no word on Mike Ford's rumoured exit
Leicester Tigers have confirmed the exit of ten players following the completion of their 2020/21 campaign but there is no update concerning the rumoured exit of assistant coach Mike Ford, the father of out-half George. The ex-England and Ireland assistant arrived at Leicester in March 2019 as a senior coach at a time when the club was battling against Premiership relegation.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ford has since occupied the attack and defence briefs and despite the general improvement with Leicester securing a sixth-place Premiership finish this term following successive eleventh place finishes, it has now been claimed by The Rugby Paper that his contract has been cancelled with rugby league’s Kevin Sinfield, the current Leeds Rhinos boss, linked with a switch to the union code at Leicester.
Whatever the veracity of that claim, the playing squad will again undergo much change at a club that has had a revolving door in recent times as it attempts to re-establish itself as a powerhouse of the English game.
A statement on the latest raft of player departures read: “As already announced during the season, Tomas Lavanini (Clermont), Luan de Bruin (Edinburgh) and Johnny McPhillips (Carcassonne) will leave the club after agreeing to deals elsewhere for the 2021/22 season. As confirmed earlier this month, the club and Zack Henry agreed on an early release for the fly-half from his current contract to join the French club, Pau.
“Front-rowers Ryan Bower and Darryl Marfo and back-rowers Jordan Coghlan and Sam Lewis are among the forwards who will leave at the end of June. Among the backs, Joaquin Diaz Bonilla and Ben White will also depart. Development squad members Ollie Ashworth, Osman Dimen, Henri Lavin and Kit Smith will also leave Tigers this summer.
"I don’t want to get panned for saying rugby should be a winter sport but…"
– Canny perspective here from the 2019 World Cup finalist ⬇️https://t.co/7xgHPrIgg1
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 15, 2021
“Six members of the senior squad departed Tigers during the 2020/21 season after agreeing to early releases with the club. Those players were Blake Enever, Facundo Gigena, Jake Kerr, Shalva Mamukashvili, Jordan Taufua and Luke Wallace. Tom Hardwick also left in March of this year. Leicester have also said farewell to long-serving matchday doctor Martin Newey, who has retired from his role within the medical team after 20 years on the touchline for the club.”
Club boss Steve Borthwick added: “I want to thank each individual for their contribution to Leicester. I’m grateful to all of those players, coaches and staff who have contributed to what we are building at this club and thank them for their efforts and support in the early stages of the journey we are on at Tigers. I wish them well in what comes next in their careers.”
ADVERTISEMENT
“You’re just waiting on the news each day, you are waiting for your agent to call"
– Back on the Scotland scene after a fine season at Leicester, Matt Scott has impressively moved on from last year's angst when he had no offer for ages w/@heagneyl 👨💻 https://t.co/yHfh4NLQyC
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 13, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
I do think the media in NZ treated him badly. Sam is a legend. He is humble, a great rugby mind and leader. What happened in the final could happen to anyone. The margins is so fine these days. I lay blame at the feet of the coaching staff and NZ rugby. The stats tell’s all. The AB’s was the worst disciplined side in the WC with more red and yellow cards than anyone else. Problem is NZ rugby is not training their players to play safer. And thats the danger a fast game brings. More yellow and red cards. But Sam Cane in my eye was and still is a great ambassador for the game, that just had a stroke of bad luck.
2 Go to commentsI hope Jim and co. Add this to their list of icebreaker questions they can ask all their guests going forward. So we can eventually hear what everyone thinks about this subject. “What do you think Ireland meant…”
120 Go to commentsHe’s a dominant personality. That might be both a good and bad thing in team dynamics. Certainly it ruined Smith’s first crack at 10 with Owen at 12. BTW, Bristol flatter to deceive. When things really matter, they tend to deliver less rather than more. Farrell would have been good for them
35 Go to commentsGot a lot of over the top abuse from Crusader fans, in particular, who thought every 7 they had was miles better. Now we will see if anyone is better? Laid his body on the line every game so finishing early makes sense. A lot of life left after rugby.
2 Go to commentsA poor decision to appoint Carley as not only is Pearce a better referee but also importantly speaks French.
2 Go to commentsHe is 100 % on the mark. Malicious arrogance with a lack of respect for the other teams mostly the south. they must learn from True rugby nations like the Boks and Kiwis
120 Go to commentsThis Outiniqua boy has played sublime rugby and deserves a spot in BI LIONS team. Well played son
4 Go to commentsI don’t like to see players miss big matches but this ban looks to be tailored to allow him to compete in the final. In principle a suspension for a very dangerous tackle in a semi should warrant missing the relevant final. Done now. One the flip side having both teams with very strong squads/teams available for the final will add to the occassion hopefully.
1 Go to commentsTalent to burn and a huge engine..hope he gets a shot at higher honours
2 Go to commentsIf anything like his dad he has a bright future, Soane was the best ball carrying props ive ever seen using a combination of pace power and footwork.
1 Go to commentsThose who saw Sharks vs Clermont and Ox N'Che vs Rabah Slimani should have a good idea of the best scrumagers… May be not the best props…
2 Go to commentsIt's been an unusual era of unpopular, highly competitive, domineering, fairly big fly halves in the home nations with Farrell, Sexton and Biggar. Russell is different in personality and player I think. I'd rank Sexton first of the three because he is just as good a game controller but also has a great passing game. And his competitiveness never seems to cause problems with refs.
35 Go to commentsThank goodness he wasn't born in Scotland, he'd have been a great candidate for the Scottish Barbarians. I wouldn't put it past them to push for a “where the player was conceived” rule 😂
2 Go to commentsOwen Farrell is one of the most polarising figures in the game. His entire attitude on the field (and sometimes off of it) smacks of arrogance and he is about as brash as Donald Trump in a political debate. Yet behind that facade is a calculating, determined and powerful leader who drives any team forward with an Iron will. You are right in that he gets better in the heat of battle and in the face of overwhelming odds. He develops a narrow focus and he delivers his best in a way that few others can. He is one of Englands great performers who sacrificed alot for the team and who often bears the weight of responsibility of leadership alone on the field and in front of the media. Despite what many think of him he is a fantastic game manager with a good rugby brain. He will be sorely missed from the international stage
35 Go to commentsAlways proud of the effort, Sam. The All blacks never stop fighting, never just roll over. He didn’t get anywhere near the respect he earned, but that’s due to results, not commitment to the cause. Have fun dominating in Japan!
1 Go to commentsNot sure why Papali’i thinks Scott Robertson needs his help to select the next All Black Captain. In my view, Papali’i would be well advised to have a good hard look at his own game, and to reflect on how fortunate he is to even wear the black jersey. Rather than shouting at his team mates at every set piece, standing in the mid-field pointing and holding his arms out and flopping to the ground at the back of every second or third ruck, may I suggest he would be far better employed actually doing something on the field. Seriously, watch him for 10 minutes during a game - not much happens. When was the last time he was first to a breakdown, or actually made a turnover? If Robertson is half the Coach I think he is, Papali’i will not be anywhere near the AB’s this season.
11 Go to commentsHiding coming up for Saders.
1 Go to commentsDagg really does go down some rabbit holes doesnt he? In the name I guess.
6 Go to commentsHey Brett I’m one who is looking forward to seeing JS back on the rugby field. I was under the impression that a large portion of his contract was via a third party so RA isn’t having to foot the bill My big concern is around the Tahs and what is happening there, why are so many players bailing. Is it the program, the coaches or the culture. Joe Schmidt recently said he had been at the Tahs all week and DC is a good coach. Something doesn’t gel , 10 front row forwards in a season that’s not bad luck
16 Go to commentsIncorrect title. He hasn’t said Furlong is one of the best scrummagers. He said he is one of the best props.
2 Go to comments