Re: Transfer news, rumours, speculation, insinuations, and outright transfer slanders - Season 2025/26
Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2025 7:54 pm
Double post
The RugbyRebels Messageboard
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Interesting comments. Wrt genetic freaks:FKAS wrote: ↑Sat Sep 13, 2025 4:01 pm
Pretty much every player on an NFL roster is a genetic freak. That's what their game is based on. Being easy to direct and reliably able to run scripted routes are key skills. In theory that translates well to rugby but in reality in rugby you get more touches with a greater emphasis on beating the man to make ground, in the NFL it's better to be predictable and make safe yardage.
Ted Hill would probably find similar issues to LRZ, his size and speed are unusual in the small talent pool that rugby has, in the US where the population is 340m it occurs more regularly. Most tightends are similar in height and weight to Hill (if not marginally heavier) they are all pretty quick and know the game inside out. Hill might off an extra little bit of speed on the average tight end but would require a lot more coaching.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desmond_Watsonloudnconfident wrote: ↑Sun Sep 14, 2025 7:59 pmInteresting comments. Wrt genetic freaks:FKAS wrote: ↑Sat Sep 13, 2025 4:01 pm
Pretty much every player on an NFL roster is a genetic freak. That's what their game is based on. Being easy to direct and reliably able to run scripted routes are key skills. In theory that translates well to rugby but in reality in rugby you get more touches with a greater emphasis on beating the man to make ground, in the NFL it's better to be predictable and make safe yardage.
Ted Hill would probably find similar issues to LRZ, his size and speed are unusual in the small talent pool that rugby has, in the US where the population is 340m it occurs more regularly. Most tightends are similar in height and weight to Hill (if not marginally heavier) they are all pretty quick and know the game inside out. Hill might off an extra little bit of speed on the average tight end but would require a lot more coaching.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/William ... _football)
335lbs playing weight - at full back.
!FKAS wrote: ↑Sun Sep 14, 2025 8:24 pmhttps://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desmond_Watsonloudnconfident wrote: ↑Sun Sep 14, 2025 7:59 pmInteresting comments. Wrt genetic freaks:FKAS wrote: ↑Sat Sep 13, 2025 4:01 pm
Pretty much every player on an NFL roster is a genetic freak. That's what their game is based on. Being easy to direct and reliably able to run scripted routes are key skills. In theory that translates well to rugby but in reality in rugby you get more touches with a greater emphasis on beating the man to make ground, in the NFL it's better to be predictable and make safe yardage.
Ted Hill would probably find similar issues to LRZ, his size and speed are unusual in the small talent pool that rugby has, in the US where the population is 340m it occurs more regularly. Most tightends are similar in height and weight to Hill (if not marginally heavier) they are all pretty quick and know the game inside out. Hill might off an extra little bit of speed on the average tight end but would require a lot more coaching.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/William ... _football)
335lbs playing weight - at full back.
Dudes 6ft6 and 434lbs (at draft weighed in at more than that), nearly 200kg or 31 stone.
The Refrigerator was a defensive tackle, I think early in his career they used him on offense. Just blitz over from short range or block for the running back.loudnconfident wrote: ↑Mon Sep 15, 2025 10:55 am!FKAS wrote: ↑Sun Sep 14, 2025 8:24 pmhttps://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desmond_Watsonloudnconfident wrote: ↑Sun Sep 14, 2025 7:59 pm
Interesting comments. Wrt genetic freaks:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/William ... _football)
335lbs playing weight - at full back.
Dudes 6ft6 and 434lbs (at draft weighed in at more than that), nearly 200kg or 31 stone.
Tho Mr Watson was a nose tackle... The Refridgerator was a back...
Balls. That's not ideal, especially so close to the season. I wonder what's happened there - whether he's had a job offer in league or if he's fallen out with somebody or what?FKAS wrote: ↑Mon Sep 15, 2025 4:03 pm Oh feck;
"Leicester Tigers can confirm that Mike Forshaw has left his role as Defence Coach for personal reasons.
Forshaw joined Leicester Tigers in the summer after three seasons with the Welsh national team. Prior to that, he worked with Sale Sharks and Connacht Rugby.
Speaking about his decision, Forshaw said: “I really enjoyed the time at the club, although it was short, and it’s a shame that I can’t give the commitment that is needed to the role at this time.”
“I want to wish everyone all the best for this season and the future. They are a great group of players, a great group of coaches, and I wish them all the best.”
Head Coach Geoff Parling added: “It’s sad to lose someone of Mike’s experience as he’s been a valuable member of the coaching team.”
“On behalf of everybody at Leicester Tigers, I want to thank Mike for his work throughout the pre-season and wish him and his family well.”
Anthony Allen will take on responsibility for defence, with Alex Davies adding skills to his current role as the club’s kicking coach. "
It reads more like there's illness in the family or something similar that means he needs to step away more than a career led move.Puja wrote: ↑Mon Sep 15, 2025 5:26 pmBalls. That's not ideal, especially so close to the season. I wonder what's happened there - whether he's had a job offer in league or if he's fallen out with somebody or what?FKAS wrote: ↑Mon Sep 15, 2025 4:03 pm Oh feck;
"Leicester Tigers can confirm that Mike Forshaw has left his role as Defence Coach for personal reasons.
Forshaw joined Leicester Tigers in the summer after three seasons with the Welsh national team. Prior to that, he worked with Sale Sharks and Connacht Rugby.
Speaking about his decision, Forshaw said: “I really enjoyed the time at the club, although it was short, and it’s a shame that I can’t give the commitment that is needed to the role at this time.”
“I want to wish everyone all the best for this season and the future. They are a great group of players, a great group of coaches, and I wish them all the best.”
Head Coach Geoff Parling added: “It’s sad to lose someone of Mike’s experience as he’s been a valuable member of the coaching team.”
“On behalf of everybody at Leicester Tigers, I want to thank Mike for his work throughout the pre-season and wish him and his family well.”
Anthony Allen will take on responsibility for defence, with Alex Davies adding skills to his current role as the club’s kicking coach. "
Puja
Only a 1 year contract while they look for a permanent successor though (although you'd expect he might get an interview if he makes a decent fist of it). What a beggar's muddle for Quins - I don't envy them having watched Tigers experience this kind of coaching merry-go-round the last few years.
Good deal for Newcastle getting Liam Williams in. Gets them much needed experience.
Chessum did pretty well in the Lions tests and felt like the obvious leader in the Tigers squad so good to see him get it.Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Wed Sep 24, 2025 12:33 pm Feels like a positive move, if not just lock favouritism. Shame the Lions tests didn’t go quite as hoped for him, but he’s really kicked on recently.
Is his younger brother back in the mix yet?
Looks like an AI generated image for an Italian hooker if you Google him as well.
Made me think of the novelist, who has an even more Italian name... Valerio Massimo Manfredi.
https://warringtonwolves.com/news/2025/ ... hing-role/fivepointer wrote: ↑Sat Sep 13, 2025 5:00 pm https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... gvp25kx9eo
Bringing in Blackett strikes me as a very good move.