Leicester fans want even more signings for next season
Leicester Tigers’ pursuit to bounce back from a terrible 2018/19 season continued on Tuesday with the signing of three players.
The Tigers signed South African duo Hanro Liebenberg and EW Viljoen from the Bulls and the Stormers respectively, while Jordan Coghlan is also set to arrive at Welford Road from Nottingham.
Leicester are coming off the back of a shocking season where they finished 11th in the Premiership, crashed out of the Champions Cup in the group stages and have failed to qualify for the top tier European competition for the first time.
After a number of signings this summer, fans are already looking forward to next season and feel that it will bring more success than last.
No8 Liebenberg had long been rumoured to be moving to Leicester and now that it has finally been revealed, fans are looking forward to a back row containing the incoming Jordan Taufua and Guy Thompson, last season’s standout performer.
It has suddenly got very busy at Welford Road ? https://t.co/iKyPNyoVwz
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 2, 2019
Likewise, Viljoen’s arrival in the centre could be the beginning of a formidable midfield partnership with Manu Tuilagi next term.
However, some fans on Twitter still want more signings, a reaction that is an indication of how far they feel the Tigers need to go to reach the apex of English – or even European – rugby again. This is what the fans have said:
All these super rugby signings are gonna bring so much fitness to the squad, anyone heard where ben smith is going next season he’d be a fantastic signing
— jobee (@j__bxrber) July 2, 2019
He looks like a very good player on his YouTube highlights think him and Manu will be a match made in midfield heaven! ?
— DanB15 (@B15Dan) July 2, 2019
@hanroliebenberg @LeicesterTigers What a quality signing! Can’t wait to see you in a back row with @GuyThompson87 and @JordanTaufua ??
— william parfitt (@WilliamParfitt1) July 2, 2019
@LeicesterTigers anymore?? don’t stop there?
— Dan (@Danrouse200) July 2, 2019
https://twitter.com/Scott126291470/status/1146009535921971201?s=20
Am I being greedy asking for more? ??
— Matthew Dobson (@MattDob92) July 2, 2019
As mentioned, All Blacks hopeful Taufua is also arriving at Leicester from the Crusaders, alongside Munster’s Jaco Taute, the Jaguares’ Tomás Lavanini and many more.
This latest three may not be the end of the Tigers’ recruitment drive, as they have remained coy on social media regarding any more signings.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxIFTA8gQdn/
Leicester were so far off the pace last season that it would not be surprising if more were to come before the start of next season as they have lost some big names such as Matt Toomua, Mike Williams and Graham Kitchener.
As a result, more signings may be necessary if the club really is to bounce back.
WATCH: Episode one of The Academy, the six-part RugbyPass documentary series on how Leicester Tigers develop their young players