As September comes into the view this means the start of another season for England’s most successful club. Leicester Tigers have struggled to pick up silverware with their last success in the 2012/13 campaign as they become Premiership champions.
Last season, the Tigers promised a lot with expansive, running rugby which had a lot to do with Aaron Mauger becoming a coach. The Ex-All Black was responsible for the signings of Brendan O’Connor, Jono Kitto and Telusa Veainu who have helped Leicester tigers adapt into a more expansive type of play. However, at a club with such high expectations, anything which does not result in silverware will be considered a defeat.
The likes of Niki Goneva, De Chaves, De Villiers and Tommy Bell will certainly be a loss to the club. As 20 players leave the club only 7 signings have been completed so far. These signings, however, do reflect a change within the Leicester squad as these years transfers certainly reflects quality other quantity.
Matt Toomua will be a huge bonus to the Tigers as no one has made the no. 12 their own since the retirement of Anthony Allen. In the third test between England and Australia Toomua stood out as Australia’s standout player. A Toomua- Tuilagi midfield is a centre partnership which no team on this planet would want to face.
George McGuigan’s transfer from Newcastle Falcons will make on an interesting battle for the No.2 shirt as he competes with Tom Youngs and Harry Thacker to start. McGuigan toured with the England Saxons this summer as they beat South Africa 2-0 in the series and looked very promising in both games when he played.
This year will be as difficult to call as ever due to the competitiveness of the Aviva Premiership. The likes of Saracens, Exeter, Wasps, Northampton and Sale will all be looking to lift the trophy at Twickenham in May but the Tigers squad is the strongest in a long time. Leicester Tigers are not the force they were but with this team, they could put that squad as they want to go a step further in both Europe and domestically.
