Castro Commits to Tigers

[TRF_Olyy]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12321_6699900,00.html

Leicester Tigers have been buoyed by news Italy international Martin Castrogiovanni has finally agreed a new deal.

Great news for Leicester, bad news for the rest of the Aviva Premiership :lol:

 

[Teh Mite]

They should be pleased. Seemed all but certain he was off to France.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Doesn't mention how long he's sticking for, but I imagine it's a year

He's a few years younger than I thought (29, rather than 32ish) so there's still time to play in France before he retires

 

[nickdnz]

Surely Castro would be wanting to move to a place where he's not competing for the TH jersey. Can't see the need for the Tigers to continue paying for two world class tight head props.

 

[Teh Mite]

When you have a long season like the Premiership - And the fucker of the union constantly help themselves to your players the same way that Gordon Brown helped himself to the contents of my wallet - There's a lot of need for strength in depth. 10 months is a long season so to rotate with top class players in all positions is absolutely vital if any form of success is to be achieved - Especially in the forwards. That's another reason why the directors at the big clubs are so ****** off with the salary cap as they (for the most part) aren't allowed to afford a lot of top class player.

Also, knowing that someone is there to take the jersey away from you at a moments notice only serves to make you better. Gets rid of the "comfort zone".

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

He's still a very good player though not quite the force he was in his mid-20s. That said, if they can add Kieran Brookes, they'll have a formidable rotation of tightheads. Castro and Cole are quality frontline players while Brookes is a talented up and comer who'll play in the LV= Cup and while the others are on international duty.

I love Leicester's recruitment strategy. They've a very producive academy, can attract top players from around the planet and also hoover up young talent from other clubs who'll only get better. This approach will keep them near the top of the European rugby tree.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

When you have a long season like the Premiership - And the fucker of the union constantly help themselves to your players the same way that Gordon Brown helped himself to the contents of my wallet - There's a lot of need for strength in depth. 10 months is a long season so to rotate with top class players in all positions is absolutely vital if any form of success is to be achieved - Especially in the forwards. That's another reason why the directors at the big clubs are so ****** off with the salary cap as they (for the most part) aren't allowed to afford a lot of top class player.

Also, knowing that someone is there to take the jersey away from you at a moments notice only serves to make you better. Gets rid of the "comfort zone".

To add to that, now that the Premiership has 23 not 22 players per team, most teams will use two sets of props in the match, so he's pretty much guaranteed game time every week even if he is on the bench/pretty much guaranteed at least a bench spot as there's two prop spots available not one

 

[Duckdee]

As long as Cole stays, I'm happy. The rotating of the two works well.

Sounds like White is sticking around for another season, too.

 

[Teh Mite]

Wasting part of the salary cap with that idea.

 

[Duckdee]

Wasting part of the salary cap with that idea.

Keeping White? He's only on part-time, as he works on his farm.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

He could retire after the WC?
Leicester will lose both Cole and Castro throughout, so they'll need someone to hold the fort

 

[BigJoe78]

he's going bald, his powers will fade Samson style
ergo bad signing....unless he goes and see's Warney's mate at advanced hair studios

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Tigers already have a link to them through Austin Healey, maybe he can get him a discount?

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Keeping White? He's only on part-time, as he works on his farm.

Sky mentioned this and the fact that, he turns up to training earlier than all of the players, goes through the fitness routines asked and then leaves before the players arrive and then goes back home to work on the farm.

Think they also said he is on a reduced salary that hardly eats into the salary cap!