Tigers confirm Tait reports

[TRF_Cymro]

Leicester Director of Rugby Richard Cockerill has confirmed reports linking Sale's England international Mathew Tait with a move to the Tigers.

Cockerill revealed that terms have been agreed with the 24-year-old utility back.

"He is keen to come and we are keen to have him here," Cockerill told the Leicester Mercury.

"We have agreed terms with Mat but that is still to be signed off. There's a good possibility it will happen.

"It is a slight gamble for him to come to us - and for us to sign him, too.

"But he is 24 and has 38 England caps, so there is still a lot of rugby left in him."

Tait's arrival could reportedly pave the way for Dan Hipkiss' departure from Welford Road.

Sale are already losing England fly-half Charlie Hodgson to Saracens this summer.

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3823_6706246,00.html​

 

[Teh Mite]

Let's hope he can stay injury free and deliver this "potential" he's had for years but never delivered on.

I'd laugh if he mullers Henson in contact at Welford Road! :lol:

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Aye, hopefully he finds the form he was showing at Falcons
Has been average at best at Sale, and is apparently on one of the highest wages of all the players, so not too gutted to see him move on, despite him being one of my favourite players (when on form)

 

[Teh Mite]

I'd expect better then Newcastle form TBH - Nobody ever performs to a decent standard there.

That 1 run he did in the WC final. I'd expect 3-4 of those per match and a much better match/try ratio if he ever lives up to this mythic which was created to surround him.

 

[Teh Mite]

At the same time Hipkiss confirms "**** this for a game of soldiers, I'm off".

 

[Duckdee]

At the same time Hipkiss confirms "**** this for a game of soldiers, I'm off".

Best thing for him, wouldn't be getting regular 1st XV action if he stayed.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Tis true,
Though it could be argued that he wouldn't at Bath (where he's apparently off to) with Hape/Barkley/Banahan all regularly playing 13
London Irish could be a good shout, with Mapusua off

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Hipkiss wow san, just out of curiosity when I have seen him play he has impressed, bit of a surprise he is not in more regular England contention!

 

[Koyamaibole]

Sad he's leaving Sale, but I doubt he'll get much game time, what with Manu Tuilagi playing so well, but if he plays at his best they've got a good player. Shame that never happened for us.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Apparently he's being signed as FB cover,
Odd choice considering he hasn't really played 15 since joining Sale, so will be around two years when he moves to Welford Rd
His kicking game ain't the best either, but his broken field running is decent so should be alright on the counter

 

[Peat]

Hipkiss is poo.

I imagine Tait will be asked to be versatile a lot of the time and will get his game there with the long time intention being him relearning full-back and taking it from the aging Geordan Murphy. He could certainly be very good there I think. Fingers crossed its the making of him.

 

[Teh Mite]

I wouldn't be entirely shocked if Dusty Hare attempts to bring Hipkiss to Saints.

 

[Peat]

I can't see the point in bringing in one specialist 13 at considerable expense simply to back up another specialist 13.

 

[Teh Mite]

World cup cover as Ansbro will be on his way. Rumour has it Ansbro's headed north anyway.

 

[Peat]

World cup cover as Ansbro will be on his way. Rumour has it Ansbro's headed north anyway.

I understand that Saints need another 13 if Ansbro goes, but one who plays 13 and only 13 makes no sense to me. A player who can cover wing and therefore will see more use seems far more likely.

 

[Teh Mite]

Hipkiss to Bath confirmed


Hipkiss opts for Bath

Centre to join Moody and Vesty at the Rec

Hipkiss: Off to Bath


Leicester and England centre Dan Hipkiss has confirmed he has agreed a two-year deal to move to Bath at the end of the season.
The 28-year-old will team up with former Tigers Sam Vesty

and Lewis Moody

after deciding to bring an end his 14-year association with Leicester.

Hipkiss,

who has been capped 13 times, said: "I started playing for Leicester when I was 15, so will have had 14 years here by the end of this season.
"I have always wanted to try something different, and feel that this is the right time to do that. I've had a great time with Tigers, but really want to try something new in my career, and feel that I will be able to do that with Bath,

especially after the good reports from Lewis Moody and Sam Vesty about the club.
"When you think about moving clubs, you look at those with ambition, and you can see that there is that in abundance at Bath, especially since the take-over from Bruce Craig and the consequent developments at Farleigh House.
"These tie in with my own ambitions, as I want to continue to be successful, and feel that Bath is the right place for me to succeed in these ambitions."
Hipkiss scored the winning try in the Premiership final last season and Bath coach Steve Meehan is delighted to have recruited a proven winner.
Meehan added "Dan is clearly a very experienced and skilful player, both of which will make him a valuable addition to our squad.
"He has played a lot of international rugby, and that experience will be great in helping some of our younger players develop, as well as bringing fresh ideas.
He is a very ambitious player, and we are certain he will fit in very nicely here at Bath."






Bath are slowly becoming the Leicester rejects' retirement home.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Tait has officially left Sale now, just a matter of time until the Tigers press release

 

[Teh Mite]

I dearly would love it if Tait became this wonder centre like he was made out to be all those years ago by joining a top club.

I suspect he'll end up being a bench warmer however.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Tigers want him as a fullback anyway, which is a poor choice considering his subpar kicking, and having not played there for years

 

[Peat]

Tigers want him as a fullback anyway, which is a poor choice considering his subpar kicking, and having not played there for years

I don't think Ben Foden's a master kicker, and he was dicking around thinking he was a scrum-half until fairly recently. Tait has a season to learn from Geordan Murphy and on paper, he has most of the raw attributes...