RugbyRebels

Scrumhead wrote: ↑Tue Jun 10, 2025 11:11 pm
When Wasps went under it looked as though Atkinson was their preferred 10 although I may be misremembering that.

I think you're right, Umaga was playing FB as Charlie was coming through at 10 if memory serves (it probably doesn't serve)

Danno wrote: ↑Tue Jun 10, 2025 11:20 pm

Scrumhead wrote: ↑Tue Jun 10, 2025 11:11 pm
When Wasps went under it looked as though Atkinson was their preferred 10 although I may be misremembering that.

I think you're right, Umaga was playing FB as Charlie was coming through at 10 if memory serves (it probably doesn't serve)

He was, having been pretty shaky at 10, and iirc had a couple of mares at 15, including a red card. Went downhill fast.

Moving this conversation here, cause I want to have it where it won't be swamped by the England tour stuff.

FKAS wrote: ↑Sun Jun 15, 2025 9:42 pm Incidentally someone on the Tigers offy says they asked Ilione about where he thinks his position will be and he said he's put on some extra weight to help with his carrying and to allow him play at 8 as well as 7.

He looks decent in throwing that weight about and I would **love** him to play more at 8 next season. That's where I first saw him back when he was in the U20s and it does feel like his natural position.

Puja

Puja wrote: ↑Mon Jun 16, 2025 6:10 pm Moving this conversation here, cause I want to have it where it won't be swamped by the England tour stuff.

FKAS wrote: ↑Sun Jun 15, 2025 9:42 pm Incidentally someone on the Tigers offy says they asked Ilione about where he thinks his position will be and he said he's put on some extra weight to help with his carrying and to allow him play at 8 as well as 7.

He looks decent in throwing that weight about and I would **love** him to play more at 8 next season. That's where I first saw him back when he was in the U20s and it does feel like his natural position.

Puja

what's his handling like?

Banquo wrote: ↑Mon Jun 16, 2025 6:12 pm

Puja wrote: ↑Mon Jun 16, 2025 6:10 pm Moving this conversation here, cause I want to have it where it won't be swamped by the England tour stuff.

FKAS wrote: ↑Sun Jun 15, 2025 9:42 pm Incidentally someone on the Tigers offy says they asked Ilione about where he thinks his position will be and he said he's put on some extra weight to help with his carrying and to allow him play at 8 as well as 7.

He looks decent in throwing that weight about and I would **love** him to play more at 8 next season. That's where I first saw him back when he was in the U20s and it does feel like his natural position.

Puja

what's his handling like?

Solid but nothing special. Does the basics but not seen any one handed offloads or big passing to date.

Having an 8 that's capable of the physical stuff but a genuine threat at the breakdown would be very beneficial to Tigers. Would need a substantial step up on ability to see off Tom Willis or get the bench impact role from Pollock/Earl.