So it was that the season started quite well with Richard Cockerill at the helm.  Some games were lost and some won but most supporters were probably happy enough as the World Cup drew to a close.  The World Cup also seemed to bode well.  The new head coach led Argentina to the semi-final, which was at the expense of the hosts France and England reached the final with several Tigers involved.  However, some of those were Tigers nearing the end of their careers, Corry and Chuter and Kay.  Furthermore Argentina were unexpansive in their game plan and England had to ditch their original approach in a player revolt.

Perhaps the most thoughtful of Tiger supporters might have fretted at the lack of English talent making it through the Tigers first team to England honours.  Another slight annoyance was Loffreda’s clear opinion that Marcos Ayerza is not Argentina’s first choice loosehead prop.  Ayerza’s performances did not justify disagreeing with the new head coach.  More Tigers were substitutes for England than first choices.  Geordan Murphy got the chance to play for Ireland but Ireland like Murphy failed to sparkle.

When the World Cup stars returned, the European Cup started.  Tigers began badly by loosing to Leinster in Dublin in the so-called group of death.  It was by all accounts a one-dimensional effort with too much bash from the forwards.  Were Tigers going to play like Argentina but without the twin genii of Pichot and Hernandez and the accuracy of Contepomi?  Perhaps they were and that might not go well.  Edinburgh were defeated at Welford Road and then came Toulouse.  Tigers won, but only just, and Toulouse bagged a bonus point, which left Tigers needing to win in Toulouse to stand any realistic chance.  It seemed unlikely and it proved too much.  Our backs were too slow and our forwards matched.  Still Toulouse have always been a great side and there is no automatic shame in going out in a group of death to eventual finalists.  However the warning signs of being somewhat off the pace were there.

The league continued and some games were won (mostly at Welford Road) and some were lost (usually away).  The Anglo-Welsh cup progressed and Tigers drew Wasps in the semi in Cardiff.  The team gave what was probably the best performance of the season.  This was not stodgy and one  dimensional but quick witted and ferocious.  Perhaps Loffreda’s ways were beginning to take root and the future would be better.  Sadly this performance was followed by more indifferent form in the league and a performance in the final against a good Ospreys team that was poor.  This spilt over into the league and Tigers lost at Newcastle and I thought we were out of the play-off spots. Fifth after being champions last year.  Then Tigers nearly lost to Harlequins at Welford Road in the final match of the season.  Now Harlequins are improved but Tigers ought to be beating them at home.  A player we released, Will Skinner, played well and has since been given the captaincy of England Saxons.  Tigers have a problem at no 7 where Skinner plays.  We relied on Moody (who is proving injury prone) and the excellent Jennings who has chosen to return to Ireland.  Therein lies one the problems of having too many non-English players, they for quite understandable reasons have less loyalty.

Anyway Tom Varndell saved the day, Leicester went to Gloucester to put on their second best performance of the season and beat Gloucester by one point. That took them to the Premiership Final to defend their title against Wasps.  This time they put up a fight but only after being somewhat overwhelmed in the first half by the intensity of Wasps play.  Our backs and forwards looked slow.  Some of our forwards were old and slow, Corry, who has other qualities, White and Mefin Davies come to mind.  We didn’t manage to involve Tom Varndell enough and Andy Goode missed kicks.  There are reasons why Martin Johnson did not call him up for duty in New Zealand and MJ is a shrewd operator.  Much more worrying is the small number of Tiger names that MJ and Co. uttered when the squads for the summer were announced.  Where are the English youngsters coming through the Tiger ranks?  Matt Cornwell has not blossomed and is departing.  Jordan Crane is in a long queue.  No props.  Our young hooker is French.  Tom Croft is the exception.  In the backs Dan Hipkiss seems to have gone backwards a bit.  Where is the list of young English players that made an impression at Tigers in September?  Perhaps one or both of the Youngs will make it but don’t hold your breath.  Tom Varndell is the best of the bunch, full of talent.  But he needs to learn from his experiences and be a bit more intelligent from time to time.

What then of our great and expensive overseas signing, Aaron Mauger.  He’s a nice player but not exceptional so far.  He came off second best to his old foe McAllister when Tigers played Sale.  And yet I presume Tigers had the pick of almost anyone they wanted at inside centre.  I doubt that Mauger was Loffreda’s decision. 

Thus we come to the question of the head coach.  There have been rumblings and generally there is no smoke without fire.  Not all is well.  But this has happened before.  Bob Dwyer ruffled feathers and eventually left (but not before he had done some excellent recruiting).  Tigers, in my opinion, must, from time to time have outsiders come in to shake things up.  We will find it difficult to recruit coaches and players if we seem too insular.  Therefore Loffreda must stay.  If he is a mistake it is those who chose him who are to blame. 

Are Leicester Tigers in decline?  I fear they are.  The signs worry me.  They are a team in which many of the stars are nearing retirement or at least past their best.  There are not many good young players coming through.  This leaves us relying more and more on recruitment.  Let us hope we can up our game in that department which has been somewhat hit and miss in the past.

Reasons to be cheerful

Castrogiovanni

Kayser

Crane

Croft

Ellis

Varndell (unless the Kiwi’s mess him up)

Reasons to worry

Corry (only one year left)

Chuter (not what he was)

Blaze (has not forced his way through)

Smith (leaving)

White (going down hill)

who will play no 7

Moody (injuries)

Hipkiss (injuries)

Goode

Disclaimer - this article was written and submitted prior to the removal of Marcelo Loffreda from his position as Head Coach.

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