Thursday 25 June 2009

Start of a new era...


Well it's been ages since I last posted something. And after reading what I wrote before, i was just regurgitating information. So here's the start of an actual blog that has my opinion.

Tigers have announced today the signing of 28 year old former Tigers scrum half James Grindal from Newcastle. After thinking about this since lunch I think it is a smart move from RC. Grindal knows about the Leicester ethos from his time with the club as a youngster. As backup he is a good signing, although nowhere near Dupuy’s class.

Ben Young’s will have to step up to the plate again this season. He has the makings to be a world class scrum half. Watching him in the junior World Cup he always plays with his head up and is not afraid to tap and go from anywhere in the field. His pace is one of his strongest assists and is improving all the time.

My only concern is that when Dupuy was playing last year he made sure it was quick ball from the rucks all the time; this is what allowed Tigers to play the expansive rugby we saw at the end of the season. When Harry came on the ball was always a lot slower, and watching him on the Lions tour it is clear that he does not get the ball out as quick as JD. But I’m sure come September Harry will be back to the player we all know he can be.

The future is bright for the Tigers, and I expect Ben Youngs to be Tigers starting scrum half by the end of the season. It’s a bold thing to say, but he does all the basics well and his pace gives him that little but extra, whereas Ellis has lost that extra yard of pace.