In January, after the farcical premature end to the LV Cup game against Quins I pondered on the subject of game time for young players. Did we stack up? Was it a problem? Whose fault was it?
Well with the season finished and no warm trophy glow to keep us satisfied over the summer I've decided to re-vist the subject.
First of all let's look at the updated Tigers' numbers:
What's changed from January then? We've upped the numbers of young players across the board; all three competitions saw increased use of under 23 players. The return of Manu Tuilagi is largely responsible, in January he had only played 78 Premiership minutes, since his February return he has been an ever present.
Others have come to the fore; Fraser Balmain has seen his stock rise from 90 Prem minutes to 322, Pablo Matera from 70 to 300 as he settled in to the club. Tiziano Pasquali and Harry Thacker have both seen Premiership debuts.
Pasquali was the youngest prop in the 3 major European leagues to see league action this season, even if he was only used for 13 minutes.
But we've also seen the fringe youngsters leave with depressing regularity. 6 of the 18 player used move on to pastures new. Joe Cain has retired; Wells, Steele, Dunn, Purdy and Humphreys have all been released. None were deemed worthy of Premiership starts but decisions are being made on these players earlier than ever.
Wells is only 20 years old, Ed Slater was 23 when he arrived from Australia, what would 3 years of development do for him?
Even at this level there is a salary cap. The club is allowed to spend £200k on players under 24 who earn under £30k, otherwise they count in the senior cap. Manu is obviously beyond that as surely are Owen Williams and Pablo Matera. But there is a good chance that the others are part of this cap, alongside the generation below like Brugnara, Hubbert, Milne and Tresidder.
Domestically we still sit bottom of the table but the gap has been closed:
Back in January Tigers had almost half the ratio of younger players than any other.
Wasps lead the way but 20% of their total is Joe Launchbury and 40% of their minutes are taken up by players in the final year of qualification.
Harlequins have used 17 different players under the age of 23 in the Premiership and 20% of game time is taken up by these players.
But again they are heavily skewed to the top end with the 8 players born September 1990 to August 1991 constituting 71% of their under 23 minutes.
Exeter's numbers are perhaps the most interesting. They have gone for a limited number of players gaining lots of minutes. Only 6 young players have been used in the league but 5 of them have played more minutes than Fraser Balmain. Cowan-Dickie, Hill, Slade, Nowell and Ewers seem to be the nucleus of a new Exeter.
Europe wide only 7 French teams played their youngsters less often than we did, including double winners Toulon. Ospreys were Europe leaders with 36.75% of game time going to under 23 year olds.
Who is likely to come through in the future? Balmain and Pasquali have been talked up by Cockerill in the Mercury, Thacker continues to impress in his opputunities. Many have been concerned about the lack of chances given to Javiah Pohe and George Catchpole, especially during the injury crisis in the centres this season.
But given another year of development they will be better when their chance comes. Only 8 backs born in 1994 or '95 played more than one league game last season.
It would take a special kind of optimist to claim that Tigers are on the cusp of unearthing another generation of world class talent but do we really need one? The majority of our key players are under 30 and coming into their prime.
Ben Youngs, Tom Youngs, Dan Cole, Logo Mulipola, Marcos Ayerza, Geoff Parling, Tom Croft, Vereniki Goneva and Manu Tuilagi are all world class with plenty of time ahead of them. Ed Slater, Pablo Matera, Steve Mafi, Graham Kitchener and Miles Benjamin are all young and full of potential to join them soon.
Key signings to this group with the aim of greater glory in the new Champions Cup seems like a better priority than blooding youngsters for the sake of it.
8 members of Leicester Tigers Development Squad were in action this weekend as they seek to gain experience and push for a first team opportunity.
On Saturday National League 1 leaders Doncaster traveled to the imaginatively named "Rugby Ground" and beat newly promoted Worthing 21-17 courtesy of a penalty try engineered by 20 year old loosehead Riccardo Brugnara. Brugnara played almost the whole match, not being replaced until the 77th minute, as the Knights remained in pole position for a promotion to the Championship. Flanker Lucas Guillaume played the whole match on the blindside whilst 19 year old tighthead Tiziano Pasquali played the final half hour after replacing Darren Morris.
Loughborough Students did not have such a good weekend falling at home to Wharfedale 27-7. 20 year old Scottish scrum half Scott Steele made his first start for the Students before being replaced in the 50th minute whilst Harry Wells played the whole match from the second row. The Students started brightly with an early try giving them a 7-0 lead; but that was as good as it got for the Students as the experienced Yorkshire side pulled away from them with two tries in 5 minutes during the second half.
On Sunday struggling Nottingham entertained Ealing at Meadow Lane. The Londoners had only won one game in their inaugural season at the second level whilst Nottingham finished last season 2nd in the regular season. As you can probably guess from that build up it was the visitors from London who shocked the Midlanders with a 28-27 win.
Outside backs Henry Purdy and George Catchpole played the whole match whilst Ryan Bower emerged from the replacements bench in the 55th minute for Fijian loosehead Campese Ma'afu. Nottingham scored 4 tries with scores for Bath wing Ollie Woodburn and a hat trick for former Tigers flanker Brent Wilson.
6 members of Tigers development squad have been named in loan action this weekend.
In the Championship 3 Tigers are in the Nottingham side to face Ealing Trailfinders.
Winger Henry Purdy and centre George Catchpole start for the Green 'n' Whites whilst prop Ryan Bower is on the bench behind Fijian international Campese Ma'afu and former Tiger Michael Holford.
In National League 1 Doncaster face Worthing Raiders. They start with 20 year old Italian Riccardo Brugnara at loosehead and Frenchman Lucas Guillame at flanker. 19 year old tighthead Tiziano Pasquali is amongst the replacements.
Both young props face further stiff competition as the Knights have signed experienced Argentinean prop Santiago Sodini from Duendes Rugby Club in Rosario for the rest of the season.
Nottingham:
15) Andrew Savage
14) Henry Purdy
13) George Catchpole
12) Joe Munro
11) Olly Woodburn
10) Rory Lynn
9) Sean Romans
1) Campese Ma'afu
2) Alun Walker
3) Michael Holford
4) Neilus Keogh
5) Dan Montagu
6) Will Skuse
7) Brent Wilson (c)
8) Tom Calladine
Replacements:
16) Ryan Bower
17) Jon Vickers
18) Morgan Eames
19) Joe Burton
20) Finlay Barnham
21) Matthew Jarvis
22) Ryan Hough
Doncaster
15) Glenn Bryce
14) Dougie Flockhart
13) Mat Clark
12) Bevon Armitage
11) Tyson Lewis
10) Paul Roberts
9) Bruno Bravo
1) Riccardo Brugnara
2) Roberto Santamaria
3) Darren Morris
4) Matt Challinor ©
5) Michael Walker-Fitton
6) Lucas Guillame
7) Michael Hills
8) Adam Kettle
Replacements
16) Tiziano Pasquali
17) Jack Bergmanas
18) Chris Planchant
19) Jamie Lennard
20) Jacob Woodhouse
Four young Leicester Tigers forwards will be in National League 1 action this weekend as they seek to gain experience and push for a place in the First Team squad.
Table toppers Doncaster feature a pair of Italian Tigers at prop. Riccardo Brugnara and Tiziano Pasquali continue their development in the promotion chasing side with fellow countryman Roberto Santamaria making an all Italy front row.
Making their National League 1 debuts for Coventry are Ed Milne and Matt Hubbard. Milne is a local lad, a product of Oadby Wyggs, whilst Hubbard is from Stoke. Milne starts at blindside for Cov, whose own promotion push has slipped in the past few weeks, despite normally being a number 8. Hubbart covers lock and the back row on the 5 man bench.
Former Tiger Will Hurrell is on the left wing whilst Luke Myring is on the bench.
Doncaster:
15) Paul Jarvis
14) Dougie Flockhart
13) Mat Clark
12) Steven Bannister
11) Tyson Lewis
10) Jamie Lennard
9) Bruno Bravo
1) Riccardo Brugnara
2) Roberto Santamaria
3) Tiziano Pasquali
4) Glen Kenworthy
5) Michael Walker-Fitton
6) Matt Challinor ©
7) Michael Hills
8) Adam Kettle
Replacements:
16) Darren Morris
17) Jack Bergmanas
18) Louis Spencer
19) Jacob Woodhouse
20) Paul Roberts
Coventry
15. Cliffie Hodgson
14. Mark Kohler
13. Rob Knox
12. James Otutaha
11. Will Hurrell
10. Matt Jones
9. Louis Silver
1. Danny Hobbs
2. Chris Locke
3. Tim Ryan
4. Brett Daynes
5. Tom Poole
6. Ed Milne
7. Rob Nash
8. Matt Tibbatts (C)
Replacements
16. Chad Thorne
17. Matt Price
18. Matt Hubbard
19. Luke Myring
20. Alex Smit
8 members of the Leicester Tigers development squad will be in dual registration action this weekend. Nottingham and Doncaster have 3 Tigers a piece whilst Loughborough Students have 2 young Tigers in the tight five.
In the Greene King IPA Championship Ryan Bower will start for Nottingham against the Cornish Pirates. Bower plays his 39th game in his third season dual registered with the Green 'n' Whites. Also involved are Tom Price and Harry Thacker who are named on the bench. Former Tigers in the Nottingham squad include Finlay Barnham, Rory Lynn, Michael Holford, Dan Montague, Alex Shaw and Brent Wilson.
One level further down there is also plenty of interest as Doncaster face Rosslyn Park whilst Loughborough Students are at home to Cinderford in SSE National League 1.
Italian tighthead Tiziano Pasquali continues his apprenticeship at this level for the Knights and he is joined in the starting XV by Lucas Guillaume. Guillaume made his Doncaster debut from the bench in last week's victory against Esher which saw the Yorkshire men return to the top of the pile. Further Tigers interest is on the bench with Riccardo Brugnara. The 19 year old loosehead from Italy could make his league debut if he features and if he replaces ex-Tiger Darren Morris in the front row the Knights will be fielding an all-Italian front row alongside Parsquali and countryman Santamaria.
Rosslyn Park are Doncaster's closest challengers at this stage so it is a big vote of confidence in the Tigers trio to be included.
Loughborough feature England Under 20s forwards Harry Rudkin at loosehead and Harry Wells at lock. Wells featured from the bench last week and partners former Tigers academy captain Jake Albon in the engine room.
Loughborough Students:
1
Harry Rudkin
2
Jacob Fields
3
Danny Herriot
4
Harry Wells
5
Jake Albon
6
James Freeman (C)
7
Eoin Cremen
8
Ben Pons
9
Henry Taylor
10
Chris Surman
11
Alex Davis
12
Jack Bradford
13
Rhys Owen
14
Craig Dowsett
15
Jack Pons
Replacements:
16
Biyi Alo
17
Gareth Harris
18
Christian S-W
19
Tom Bliss
20
George Eastwell
Doncaster:
15. Glenn Bryce
14. Paul Jarvis
13. Mat Clark
12. Bevon Armitage
11. Tyson Lewis
10. Paul Roberts
9. Bruno Bravo
1. Darren Morris
2. Roberto Santamaria
3. Tiziano Pasquali
4. Matt Challinor (C)
5. Michael Walker-Fitton
6. Lucas Guillame
7. Shaun Jones
8. Adam Kettle
Replacements
16. Riccardo Brugnara
17. Ben Hunter
18. Glen Kenworthy
19. James Munro
20. Jamie Lennard.
Nottingham
15) Andrew SAVAGE
14) Sean MORRIS
13) Ed STYLES
12) Joe MUNRO
11) Ryan HOUGH
10) Rory LYNN
9) Finlay BARNHAM
1) Ryan BOWER
2) Alun WALKER
3) Michael HOLFORD
4) Neilus KEOGH
5) Dan MONTAGU
6) Tom CALLADINE
7) Brent WILSON (Captain)
8) Alex SHAW
Replacements
16) Harry THACKER
17) Harry WILLIAMS
18) Tom PRICE
19) Joe BURTON
20) Sean ROMANS
21) Matthew JARVIS
22) Jacob KNIGHT
7 members of the Leicester Tigers development squad featured in loan action this weekend across 3 sides.
Javiah Pohe was a try scorer for Nottingham in a losing effort away to Rotherham; the game also saw Henry Purdy leave the field injured after 25 minutes. Ryan Bower started at loosehead.
In National League Division One Italian tighthead Tiziano Pasquali played the whole game for Doncaster as the defeated Old Albanians 33-17 in St Albans. French flanker Lucas Guillaume played the final 23 minutes for the Yorkshiremen.
Harry Rudkin played at loosehead for Loughborough Students as they travelled to Hull Ionians and won 26-24. Harry Wells was a half time replacement in the second row and he was shown yellow in the closing stages as the Students hung on for victory.
Leicester Tigers 19 year old Italian prop Tiziano Pasquali has signed for Doncaster Knights on a short term loan deal. The Knights have suffered a spate of injuries in the front row and Pasquali will provide cover on both sides of the scrum.
His debut in Men's Rugby came on Saturday when he replaced Colin Phillips at Tighthead for the final 25 minutes in their win against Loughborough Students at Castle Park.
Pasquali made his first start for the Tigers Extra Firsts in their recent win away to Worcester and will now look to push on and establish himself in promotion favourites Doncaster's front row. Last season Kieran Brookes went on loan to Doncaster as they tried to stay in the Championship, hopefully this spell will work out better for all concerned.
Two Tigers Academy props have been selected to represent their nations in this year's Junior World Rugby Trophy in Chile. Djustice Sears-Duru has been selected by Canada and Tiziano Pasquali carries on from the Under 20s 6 Nations for Italy. Both are still only 18 and will be available for next year's tournament.
Italy have been drawn in Pool A alongside hosts Chile, African champions Namibia and European qualifiers Portugal.
In the other pool Canada have been drawn with Tonga, Japan and Uruguay.
The two pool winners will meet in a final with the winner promoted to the 2014 edition of the Junior World Cup. Last year the USA won the JRWT to gain promotion whilst Italy finished 12th in the Junior World Cup and were relegated to this level.
The favourites for the title are probably Japan, Italy and Tonga, with Japan perhaps my sneaky favourites to gain promotion after losing the final in each of the past 3 seasons.
CANADA
FORWARDS:
Neil Courtney (Capilano / UBC Thunderbirds), Jason
Galbraith (Meralomas), Ryan March (Abbotsford), Djustice Sears-Duru
(Barrie / Leicester Tigers), Sawyer Herron (Oakville Crusaders / UVic
Vikes), Alex Mascott (Vancouver Rowing Club / UBC Thunderbirds), Lukas
Balkovec (Waterloo County / UVic Vikes), Connor Hamilton (Vancouver
Rowing Club / UBC Thunderbirds), Thomas Roche (Meralomas), Haydn Evans
(Cowichan / UVic Vikes), Jordan Harvey (Capilano), Matthew Heaton
(Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue / James Bay), Jack Smith (Peterborough Pagans /
Humber Hawks), Charlie Thorpe (UBC Old Boys / UBC Thunderbirds).
BACKS:
Jordan
Best (Abbotsford), James Pitblado (Vancouver Rowing Club / UVic Vikes),
Conor McCann (Balmy Beach / Clermont Auvergne), Adam McQueen (Banff /
Queen's Golden Gaels), Shane O'Leary (Young Munster), Patrick Kay
(Cowichan / UVic Vikes), Jonny LaPlaca (Barrie), Nathan Yanagiya
(Capilano / UVic Vikes), Justin Douglas (Abbotsford), Lucas Hammond
(Toronto Nomads / Castaway Wanderers), Jacob Webster (Lindsay / Laurier
Golden Hawks), Daniel Mathie (Oakville Crusaders).
ITALY
Forwards:
Rudy Biancotti, Simone Ferrari, Sami Panico, Tiziano Pasquali, Luca Scarsini, Alain Moriconi, Michele Andreotti, Andrea Trotta, Alessio Zdrilich, Vittorio Marazzi, Jacopo Salvetti, Filippo Scalvi, Gianmanrco Vian, Maxime Mbanda
Backs:
Simone Marinaro, Marcello Violi, Filippo Buscem, Edoardo Padovani, Giovanni Benvenuti, Andrea Bettin, Michele Campagnaro, Abou Souare, Filippo Guarducci, David Odiete, Samuel Seno, Angelo Esposito.
Tigers Academy prop Tiziano Pasquali has been named in Italy's front row for their match against France tonight in the Under 20s version of the 6 Nations. Rome native Pasquali has been involved with the Tigers for two years but has yet to feature for the first team or the extras. He was however "24th man" for the Premiership game against Wasps when we were missing all our international props and Stankovich was suspended.
With Tom Price injured, Harry Wells with the first team and Henry Purdy and Scott Steele not selected for their nations Pasquali is the only Tiger cub in action this weekend in the Under 20s 6 Nations. So good luck Tiziano and do your country proud!
Italy Under 20s:
15 Angelo ESPOSITO (Benetton Treviso)*
14 David ODIETE (Zebre Rugby)*
13 Michele CAMPAGNARO (Benetton Treviso)*
12 Giovanni BENVENUTI (Marchiol Mogliano)*
11 Filippo GUARDUCCI (Marchiol Mogliano)*
10 Edoardo PADOVANI (Marchiol Mogliano)*
9 Simone MARINARO (Fiamme Oro)*
8 Maxime MBANDA’ (Rugby Grande Milano)*
7 Jacopo SALVETTI (Cammi Calvisano)* - capitano
6 Gianmarco VIAN (M-Three San Donà)*
5 Vittorio MARAZZI (Crociati Rugby)*
4 Andrea TROTTA (Nuova Rugby Roma)*
3 Tiziano PASQUALI (Leicester Tigers Academy)
2 Alain MORICONI (UR Capitolina)*
1 Sami PANICO (Mantovani Lazio)*
16 Luca CONTI (L’Aquila Rugby)*
17 Luca SCARSINI (Cammi Calvisano)*
18 Rudy BIANCOTTI (Valtellina Sondalo)*
19 Giacomo RIEDO (Zhermack Badia)*
20 Davide RIMPELLI (Crociati Rugby)
21 Marcello VIOLI (Crociati Rugby)*
22 Filippo BUSCEMA (UR Capitolina)*
23 Samuel SENO (Benetton Treviso)*
