Planet Rugby Forum

Posted: **Tue Feb 14, 2017 12:15 pm**

http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/leice ... story.html

Leicester Tigers have completed the signing of George Ford from Bath for the start of the 2017-18 season.

It is a move which will see Tigers fly-half Freddie Burns travel in the opposite direction to join his hometown club.

Ford graduated from the Tigers academy to make his first-team debut as a 16-year-old in November 2009.

He went on to make 41 first-team appearances and share in Anglo-Welsh Cup and Aviva Premiership title wins with Tigers before joining Bath in the summer of 2013.

He has since established himself at the core of a successful England squad, winning his 32nd cap in the Six Nations win against Wales last weekend.

Ford has played a prominent part at club level with Bath, including in their run to the Challenge Cup final in 2014 and Premiership final a year later.

Ford, 23, will team up with England colleagues Ben Youngs and Dan Cole as well as squad members Ellis Genge and Mike Williams on his return to Welford Road.

Burns, 26, joined Tigers from Gloucester in the summer of 2014 after starting two of England's Tests in New Zealand that year.

He passed the 1,000 points mark in Premiership rugby this season and has almost 500 points in 65 appearances for Tigers.

Tigers head coach Aaron Mauger said: "We are absolutely delighted to be able to confirm the signing of George Ford, a player we obviously know well from his time here in the academy and as a young man making the breakthrough into senior rugby.

"He has become one of the leading players in his position in Europe and is still a young man with a lot of rugby ahead him.

"We look forward to his return to Welford Road in the summer.

"While delighted to be able to bring in George, we are disappointed to lose Freddie who has been an outstanding player for us in the last three years.

"Freddie has bought totally into the Tigers ethos in his time here and he is a popular member of the squad with the players and supporters.

"Freddie has made a significant contribution on and off the field here, and we look forward to him continuing to play a prominent role with us in the remainder of the season while wishing him well when he moves to Bath in the summer."

Sad to see Freddie go, but great to have Georgie Boy back.

Would imagine we'd sign another 10 as back us seeing as Burns and Williams are both departing. Rumours of Flood coming back to reprise the 2012 combo abound.

Posted: **Tue Feb 14, 2017 12:16 pm**

That could kill his England career.

Posted: **Tue Feb 14, 2017 12:17 pm**

Hypothetically Ford Toomua and Tuilagi is a very exciting midfield.. Likelihood of it ever happening are short though.

Posted: **Tue Feb 14, 2017 12:30 pm**

covrich wrote:Hypothetically Ford Toomua and Tuilagi is a very exciting midfield.. Likelihood of it ever happening are short though.

It's odd to look at a Tigers team and think if only the forwards were better they could be very good/excellent to watch.
I hope their backs get some decent ball and they can get some fit players on the park. It could be very exciting.

Posted: **Tue Feb 14, 2017 12:30 pm**

tiggers should've got rid of cokehead 3 years ago instead of ford, everyone would be better off now

Posted: **Tue Feb 14, 2017 12:36 pm**

Akkerman wrote:tiggers should've got rid of cokehead 3 years ago instead of ford, everyone would be better off now

Cockerill readily admits he wanted to go with the more experienced Flood, who f**ked off anyway in the end, and it was a mistake.
BT Sport did an interview with him before the last Euro rounds when he started working with Mike Ford at Toulon.

Posted: **Tue Feb 14, 2017 1:29 pm**

Would have been awkward slagging off his new bosses son to be fair.

Posted: **Tue Feb 14, 2017 1:41 pm**

theo wrote:That could kill his England career.

On what basis exactly?

Posted: **Tue Feb 14, 2017 1:42 pm**

Tim. wrote:
covrich wrote:Hypothetically Ford Toomua and Tuilagi is a very exciting midfield.. Likelihood of it ever happening are short though.
It's odd to look at a Tigers team and think if only the forwards were better they could be very good/excellent to watch.
I hope their backs get some decent ball and they can get some fit players on the park. It could be very exciting.

In fairness, the Tigers forwards have started looking better in the past couple of weeks - Barrow and Hamilton in particular have stood out. Even if you discount the AW Cup, their performance last week looked a lot more impressive up front.

Also, Ford's signing is a statement of intent. Partly for wanting to play a more expansive game and partly that good players attract more good players.

Posted: **Tue Feb 14, 2017 1:42 pm**

If they want to play a more expansive game then change the pitch. It's shit.

Posted: **Tue Feb 14, 2017 1:43 pm**

Sad to see wee George go, but he's been dignified and professional about the whole thing, despite obviously wanting-out since the start of the season.

Welcome home Freddie: if he can get back to his best he should be a good fit for Bath.

Posted: **Tue Feb 14, 2017 1:49 pm**

kornboy130 wrote:
theo wrote:That could kill his England career.
On what basis exactly?

The dreaded tigers injury curse?

Posted: **Tue Feb 14, 2017 1:50 pm**

kornboy130 wrote:
theo wrote:That could kill his England career.
On what basis exactly?

A lack of decent back line options outside him might see him become a kicking 10.

Freddie really kicked on....

Posted: **Tue Feb 14, 2017 1:58 pm**

theo wrote:
kornboy130 wrote:
theo wrote:That could kill his England career.
On what basis exactly?
A lack of decent back line options outside him might see him become a kicking 10.

Freddie really kicked on....

Well I don't think anyone expects Toomua to stay broken. Manu might, but then if the Te'o rumour comes true...

Posted: **Tue Feb 14, 2017 2:01 pm**

theo wrote:
kornboy130 wrote:
theo wrote:That could kill his England career.
On what basis exactly?
A lack of decent back line options outside him might see him become a kicking 10.

Freddie really kicked on....

Ah so you just don't know the Tigers squad then.

Burns is certainly a quality player - much better than his last season at Gloucester - to suggest he hasn't developed is unfair. simply not being as good as Ford, Cipriani or Farrell isn't really the harshest criticism. Nor is he a kicking fly half.

With Tigers predicting fitness is a fool's errand but you can't argue this back line is weak by premiership, or indeed any, standards:

9.Youngs
10.Ford
11.Pietersen
12.Toomua
13.Tuilagi
14.Betham
15.Veianu

Posted: **Tue Feb 14, 2017 2:02 pm**

theo wrote:If they want to play a more expansive game then change the pitch. It's shit.

The pitch has already been widened and is absolutely fine under foot... are you living in 1998?

Posted: **Tue Feb 14, 2017 2:02 pm**

kornboy130 wrote:
theo wrote:If they want to play a more expansive game then change the pitch. It's shit.
The pitch has already been widened and is absolutely fine under foot... are you living in 1998?

Wasn't it a bit of a shambles earlier this season?

Posted: **Tue Feb 14, 2017 2:03 pm**

DragsterDriver wrote:
kornboy130 wrote:
theo wrote:That could kill his England career.
On what basis exactly?
The dreaded tigers injury curse?

Now we're talking.

Posted: **Tue Feb 14, 2017 2:10 pm**

kornboy130 wrote:
theo wrote:If they want to play a more expansive game then change the pitch. It's shit.
The pitch has already been widened and is absolutely fine under foot... are you living in 1998?

It looks shocking most of the time.

Posted: **Tue Feb 14, 2017 2:16 pm**

It was shocking last season after a concert the whole pitch has been redone last summer..

Posted: **Tue Feb 14, 2017 2:19 pm**

http://www.premiershiprugby.com/video/h ... -round-14/

This was the pitch last Saturday baring in mind it was 2 degrees in February..

Posted: **Tue Feb 14, 2017 2:22 pm**

theo wrote:
kornboy130 wrote:
theo wrote:That could kill his England career.
On what basis exactly?
A lack of decent back line options outside him might see him become a kicking 10.

Freddie really kicked on....

Freddie was deservedly 2nd choice during most of his time at Tigers. Gloucester are getting the better 10.

Posted: **Tue Feb 14, 2017 2:25 pm**

I think Freddie has been a pretty good spark in a sack of shit at Tigers where the pack is a shambles.

I get the feeling people haven't watched us all year and are making comments based on 2 years ago?

Posted: **Tue Feb 14, 2017 3:42 pm**

Tigers got a new pitch over the off season, and its excellent. Where have you been?

Posted: **Tue Feb 14, 2017 4:57 pm**

Be funny if they then announce Ford senior as the new DOR

Posted: **Tue Feb 14, 2017 5:55 pm**

Simon Cohen was asked about that - "contrary to popular belief George and Mike don't come as a pair".

Posted: **Tue Feb 14, 2017 6:47 pm**

I was told they were after a big kiwi name, certainly somebody like cotter would have been the business.

Posted: **Tue Feb 14, 2017 7:10 pm**

kornboy130 wrote:
theo wrote:
kornboy130 wrote:
theo wrote:That could kill his England career.
On what basis exactly?
A lack of decent back line options outside him might see him become a kicking 10.

Freddie really kicked on....
Ah so you just don't know the Tigers squad then.

Burns is certainly a quality player - much better than his last season at Gloucester - to suggest he hasn't developed is unfair. simply not being as good as Ford, Cipriani or Farrell isn't really the harshest criticism. Nor is he a kicking fly half.

With Tigers predicting fitness is a fool's errand but you can't argue this back line is weak by premiership, or indeed any, standards:

9.Youngs
10.Ford
11.Pietersen
12.Toomua
13.Tuilagi
14.Betham
15.Veianu

Good to see 3 of those were academy boys!!

Posted: **Tue Feb 14, 2017 10:37 pm**

maverickmak wrote:Tigers got a new pitch over the off season, and its excellent. Where have you been?

theo's been consumed by the brexit thread perhaps

its nice to have him back, BUT..

he's off playing for england a lot

he's probably going to get an injury first game up

OUR PACK ISN'T COMPETITIVE, flat track bullies don't win silverware

Posted: **Wed Feb 15, 2017 3:25 am**

Should spice up the West Country derby to have the Burns brothers going head to head.

Posted: **Wed Feb 15, 2017 11:57 am**

SaintK wrote: Good to see 3 of those were academy boys!!

Quite - I'm quietly hopeful we've turned a corner with that. Guys like Evans, Worth, Thacker (x2), Catchpole are starting to pop up a lot around the match day squad more and more and look to have potential - but what's more is we are actually playing them. Fingers crossed we are making the sensible move back to a more academ orientated squad.

Posted: **Wed Feb 15, 2017 1:34 pm**

kornboy130 wrote:
theo wrote:If they want to play a more expansive game then change the pitch. It's shit.
The pitch has already been widened and is absolutely fine under foot... are you living in 1998?

Try 2016.

Anyway. On topic, what are the thoughts about buying players' contracts out? Moneyed clubs gaining yet another advantage?

Posted: **Wed Feb 15, 2017 1:36 pm**

Torquemada 1420 wrote:
kornboy130 wrote:
theo wrote:If they want to play a more expansive game then change the pitch. It's shit.
The pitch has already been widened and is absolutely fine under foot... are you living in 1998?

Try 2016.

Anyway. On topic, what are the thoughts about buying players' contracts out? Moneyed clubs gaining yet another advantage?

Leicester are a moneyed club now????

Posted: **Wed Feb 15, 2017 1:42 pm**

happyhooker wrote:
Torquemada 1420 wrote:
kornboy130 wrote:
theo wrote:If they want to play a more expansive game then change the pitch. It's shit.
The pitch has already been widened and is absolutely fine under foot... are you living in 1998?

Try 2016.

Anyway. On topic, what are the thoughts about buying players' contracts out? Moneyed clubs gaining yet another advantage?
Leicester are a moneyed club now????

You reckon anyone other than Sarries has more in the AP?

So, yeah. What benchmark were you thinking of applying? Italian football?

Posted: **Wed Feb 15, 2017 1:44 pm**

Torquemada 1420 wrote:
kornboy130 wrote:
theo wrote:If they want to play a more expansive game then change the pitch. It's shit.
The pitch has already been widened and is absolutely fine under foot... are you living in 1998?

Try 2016.

Anyway. On topic, what are the thoughts about buying players' contracts out? Moneyed clubs gaining yet another advantage?

Not sure why I bother engaging you on this rubbish any more but i suppose your axe to grind is cute - there are links to the pitch this year in this thread and it is fine - Desso pitch was installed which has vastly improved the playing surface and has been in place all season.

Since when are we a moneyed club?

Posted: **Wed Feb 15, 2017 1:46 pm**

Torquemada 1420 wrote:
happyhooker wrote:
Torquemada 1420 wrote:
kornboy130 wrote:
theo wrote:If they want to play a more expansive game then change the pitch. It's shit.
The pitch has already been widened and is absolutely fine under foot... are you living in 1998?

Try 2016.

Anyway. On topic, what are the thoughts about buying players' contracts out? Moneyed clubs gaining yet another advantage?
Leicester are a moneyed club now????
You reckon anyone other than Sarries has more in the AP?

So, yeah. What benchmark were you thinking of applying? Italian football?

A large number of other clubs have monied backers who offset their debt or losses - Tigers do not, and have invested extensively in off-field things like the stadium redevelopment meaning no, we aren't really a monied club any more.

Posted: **Wed Feb 15, 2017 1:51 pm**

kornboy130 wrote:
Torquemada 1420 wrote:
kornboy130 wrote:
theo wrote:If they want to play a more expansive game then change the pitch. It's shit.
The pitch has already been widened and is absolutely fine under foot... are you living in 1998?

Try 2016.

Anyway. On topic, what are the thoughts about buying players' contracts out? Moneyed clubs gaining yet another advantage?
Not sure why I bother engaging you on this rubbish any more but i suppose your axe to grind is cute - there are links to the pitch this year in this thread and it is fine - Desso pitch was installed which has vastly improved the playing surface and has been in place all season.

Since when are we a moneyed club?

Since when was the last time the pitch was a disgrace as far back as 1998?

I think it's fair in the context: one of the richer AP clubs which by default only leaves T14 to rival in the NH. Didn't Tuilagi come out as highest paid player on another thread? Anyway, my query was whether buying players out of contracts was the start of a new trend (is this a precedent?) and not specifically anything to do with Tigers. But keep carrying the chip.

Posted: **Wed Feb 15, 2017 1:53 pm**

kornboy130 wrote:
A large number of other clubs have monied backers who offset their debt or losses - Tigers do not, and have invested extensively in off-field things like the stadium redevelopment meaning no, we aren't really a monied club any more.

I don't really care (see previous post) because the query was not intended to gain a mass spluttering of coffees from Indignant of Quorn.

Posted: **Wed Feb 15, 2017 2:08 pm**

Torquemada 1420 wrote:
kornboy130 wrote:
Torquemada 1420 wrote:
kornboy130 wrote:
theo wrote:If they want to play a more expansive game then change the pitch. It's shit.
The pitch has already been widened and is absolutely fine under foot... are you living in 1998?

Try 2016.

Anyway. On topic, what are the thoughts about buying players' contracts out? Moneyed clubs gaining yet another advantage?
Not sure why I bother engaging you on this rubbish any more but i suppose your axe to grind is cute - there are links to the pitch this year in this thread and it is fine - Desso pitch was installed which has vastly improved the playing surface and has been in place all season.

Since when are we a moneyed club?
Since when was the last time the pitch was a disgrace as far back as 1998?

I think it's fair in the context: one of the richer AP clubs which by default only leaves T14 to rival in the NH. Didn't Tuilagi come out as highest paid player on another thread? Anyway, my query was whether buying players out of contracts was the start of a new trend (is this a precedent?) and not specifically anything to do with Tigers. But keep carrying the chip.

I doubt it, as that money will be included in the celery cap.

Posted: **Wed Feb 15, 2017 2:20 pm**

Torquemada 1420 wrote:
happyhooker wrote:
Torquemada 1420 wrote:
kornboy130 wrote:
theo wrote:If they want to play a more expansive game then change the pitch. It's shit.
The pitch has already been widened and is absolutely fine under foot... are you living in 1998?

Try 2016.

Anyway. On topic, what are the thoughts about buying players' contracts out? Moneyed clubs gaining yet another advantage?
Leicester are a moneyed club now????
You reckon anyone other than Sarries has more in the AP?

So, yeah. What benchmark were you thinking of applying? Italian football?

Yes. Quite a few

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