Tigers confirm Tait reports

[Teh Mite]

Tait will never be up to Fodens standard - It was a disgrace he never got capped back when he was cutting the Premiership apart for Sale. He's a man who should be pushing towards his 40/50th cap by now.

Tait as a fullback is of the Abendanon/Goode model - a tricky runner and great in counter attack, but far to flakey (especially in defence) to make it at the highest levels.

 

[Draggs]

Tigers were after Morgan Stoddart to replace Murphy.
Don't know what Cockerill saw there.

 

[Teh Mite]

:blink:

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Still believe being thrown in at the international scene was Tait!

 

[Duckdee]

Hmm, anyone know what Hamilton or Tuilagi's contract status is? I really think someone must be going to make room for Tait.

Edit - Hamilton extended last April.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I presume with the rise of Manu Tuilagi at 13, Tait is taking Hipkiss spot in the squad and being used as a utility back/11-15 cover

 

[Peat]

I presume with the rise of Manu Tuilagi at 13, Tait is taking Hipkiss spot in the squad and being used as a utility back/11-15 cover

Sounds most likely to me initially.

And Bullitt, haven't seen his positioning at full-back in a while, but tackling wise I think he'd be fine. As good as Foden? Probably not, but he's still a decent shout.

 

[Duckdee]

Then that changes the target to Smith, Agulla, and Amorosino.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Then that changes the target to Smith, Agulla, and Amorosino.

Didn't Tuilagi flirt with playing on the wing early on?
The way I see it, Tigers had:
Tuilagi (More than one back position)
Hipkiss (13)

They've lost Hipkiss as a specialised 13, but gained Tuilagi as a specialist 13,
They've now signed Tait to cover their loss of a utility back (in Tuilagi nailing down the #13)

 

[Duckdee]

Smith was 13 for the start of the season, and is currently covering wing (Edit - Was until injured himself, now it's -->). Agulla has played wing, 13 and 15. And when really desperate, Amorosino in the back 3.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Who knows then,
Tigers, more than most, need several players for each position due to having so many internationals in their ranks, and especially with the WC coming up - would be daft to release any of the players you named, especially with (I presume) the salary cap being freed up by Hipkiss' departure will cover Taits transfer

I don't think they should get rid of anyone before seeing Tait play for a season....he might still be poor/might just get injured again (spends more time in the treatment room than on the pitch, it seems)

 

[Duckdee]

Keep forgetting the WC. Ag and Am will probably be going.

I'm just a big softie, and don't like the thought of players being in a squad with no future.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

To be honest, I think it's Tait who should be worried,
Cockerill isn't one to pick players on reputation rather than form - if he plays like he has done for the past 4 years then he's not going to feature much!

 

[Duckdee]

But he has a knack of getting the best out of ex-Falcons!

 

[Duckdee]

Not that anyone else cares, but Amorosino is leaving. Shame, I liked the look of him, but he'll always have that try against South Africa.

Also, Mafi is staying!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Shame to see Amorosino leaving

However that's great news about Mafi,
He was immense against Wasps the other week, and put in another good showing yesterday

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Mathew Tait completes Leicester Tigers switch

 

[Duckdee]

Hoorah! I wanna see him in the 7s.