Deal close: Martin Castrogiovanni
Leicester Tigers prop Martin Castrogiovanni is close to agreeing terms with Toulon according to reports in France.
A deal is nearly complete according to La Provence, with Castrogiovanni potentially joining John Smit and Bryan Habana at the club next season.
The Italy international joined the Tigers in 2006 and has frequently been linked with a move across the channel, but with his contract now set to expire at the end of the season Toulon have made their move.
With 76 caps to his name, Castrogiovanni will join Toulon's impressive front-row roster, competing with former All Black Carl Hayman for a starting spot at tighthead.
Comments
BMakka8 says...
I agree melkdave. Somebody on another site reminded me that we also have Fraser Balmain, who is looking very good, and that Mulipola can play on both sides of the scrum. I think that Brookes may be on loan to DOncaster at the moment.
Posted 13:38 28th December 2012
melkdave says...
Cant blame Castro for going ,he is doing what anyone of us would do.Take the best deal .Also with Cole firmily the number one starter at the club,,being 2nd to Hayman just means he might get another year or two of top class rugby ,before retiring,or most probily being a specailist scrum coach for Italy .I also would like to see K.Brooks given gametime ,he did have huge potential before he got injured,but im pretty sure Licester will get a player aswell,most clubs now are opting for at least 3 props each side and hookers on the books,as the scrum is such a vital part of the game atm.Good luck Castro if you go ,you have been a great servant for Leicester .
Posted 12:42 28th December 2012
BMakka8 says...
@TVaddict
I know Kieren Brooks was meant to have huge potential, but I'm yet to be convinced. To be fair he has had a long time out with injury and is still young. Leicester have a great tradition of bring potential through, so he may well still turn out to be a great player. In the meantime though, I think we need an established tighthead that can deputise for Cole.
As ridiculous as I think it is that Toulon are spending so much money, they do seem to have the right idea about buying retired internationals. Just look at the number of players that Leicester have brought through, only to lose them at international time. Not just English players like Cole, both Youngs boys, Geoff Parling, Tuilangi, and probably Kitchener, Slater and Ford before long, but also the likes of Steve Mafi, Ayerza, Castro, Stankovich, Agulla and even Geordan Murphy.
It is great that we have the ability to turn these in to world class players, but look how it effected us during the last world cup.
Posted 10:18 28th December 2012
NHsaints says...
Well leicester are going to need to sign a new backup prop for Cole then, Castro has been great for leicester but he deserves a nice pay package for his retirement after all he's done for leicester and Italy.
Posted 14:54 27th December 2012
TVaddict says...
@BMakka8
Leicester have Kieran Brookes who was meant to be the next big thing for England at 3, maybe he'll get some game time now.
It'll be a great shame if Casto leaves as it's been great having him in the premiership. However, at 31 he's probably thinking about his retirement fund and if Toulon are throwing him a bucket of money then fair enough.
On another topic, what the hell do Toulon need with another world class prop? They already have two in Kubriashvili and Hayman who are pretty much never away for international duty. The only place they looked low on quality (for them) was on the wings and they've fixed that by apparently signing Habana. Thinking about it hooker is also a bit weak (for them) even with Smit joining them. They should probably sign Mealamu, Hore, Moore, and Paice (seems to like taking LI players) just to be safe.
Posted 14:26 27th December 2012
makemehappy says...
They are short of props, so you can understand this transfer. I still think they could do with around another 30 props, just to make sure.
Posted 12:20 27th December 2012
BMakka8 says...
This would be a great shame, but with Cole having taken his starting spot for the "big games", I expect Castro is no longer in the running for the marquee player spot. Therefore, I can't see us being able to keep him. We will need a tight head that we won't lose for internationals to back up Cole.
Posted 10:34 27th December 2012