There always something exciting about new signing time. It’s like driving off the forecourt with a new car, walking on a brand new deep-pile carpet or unwrapping another ‘starship enterprise’ remote control for your Favourite Gadget 4.0.
Finding a new star player is the rugby version of coming to the end of a mobile phone contract and shopping around for a replacement. The ultimate if finding a better phone or a better deal than you had before, or in fact anyone else has found before.
That’s what a new signing brings.
Tigers have lined up 12 such ‘exclusive offers’ and the best news is that special delivery is in just a couple of working days.
The package includes two top-class tighthead props and an adventurous loosehead who can give poor old Boris a rest now and again. There’s also a real nugget of a second row who can lay down the law in the tight confines of the set-piece and there’s one of the world’s top flankers, a guy with so much pace he can leave all but the most wing-heeled wingers standing.
The Tig also expects the arrival of a No8 with dancing feet, a taste for the tryline and not too many miles on the clock, plus two half-backs with game-changing skills and an absolute bull of a centre, a guy who could take domestic rugby by storm. Part of the package is the centre’s big brother, an absolute brute of a winger with power and pace to put the fear of God into defences the world over.
The dozen is completed by an intelligent and tough wing, plus an outstanding full-back with leadership qualities and mercurial ball skills.
Sounds like a really special ‘special offer’ this one. It will not only add quality to the Tigers squad but also add the opportunity for rest and rotation of weary troops.
Mix this lot in with the current battle-hardened, hungry squad and this transfer window could be just the opening we’ve all been looking for.
