Leicester centre Anthony Allen is relishing the chance to renew his partnership with new Tigers fly-half Ryan Lamb.
Allen and Lamb teamed up in impressive fashion during their time together at Gloucester, helping the Kingsholm outfit to the European Challenge Cup title and back-to-back first-placed finishes in the Premiership.
However the duo both left the Cherry and Whites in 2009, with their careers heading off in different directions.
Allen has gone on from strength-to-strength since arriving at Leicester, winning two Premiership titles - being named man of the match in the success at Twickenham this year - and forcing his way back into the England reckoning.
Lamb, on the other hand, has struggled to recapture the same form that saw him hailed as a future international when he first burst on to the scene as a 19-year-old.
He spent two seasons at London Irish before joining Northampton Saints in 2011, where he struggled to oust Stephen Myler as first-choice No 10.
Lamb, though, is an enigmatic talent and with George Ford leaving for Bath, Tigers chief Richard Cockerill has decided to bring him to Welford Road as cover for Toby Flood.
The move is a gamble for Leicester, however it is one that could pay massive dividends, especially if Lamb and Allen can link up to good effect once again.
"History has shown that the club have been good at making new signings," Allen told Sky Sports.
"I am looking forward to linking back up with Ryan, he came on in the final for Northampton so it was quite nice to play against him as it has been over the years." Anthony Allen "They have not always gone for big names, there's been people like myself. I remember the fans weren't too sure about me but now I am a permanent fixture in the team. "I am looking forward to linking back up with Ryan, he came on in the final for Northampton so it was quite nice to play against him as it has been over the years. "Hopefully he can settle down at the club - as obviously he has been around a few clubs - really work on his game, push on and develop a bit more. "I think he is at the right club to do that and you never know what could happen." Underdog Allen got one over Lamb as the Tigers claimed the Premiership title against Northampton back in May at Twickenham. And although Leicester and Saints are expected to be in the mix again, along with Saracens and Harlequins, Allen believes another former Gloucester man could have a big impact on his return to the Premiership. Dean Ryan spent four seasons at the helm at Kingsholm, before he too left in 2009. However following stints working with Sky Sports and the Scotland pack, Ryan will now spearhead Worcester's challenge. And Allen believes the Warriors could well be the surprise package for the 2013/14 season. "I think Quins, Northampton and Saracens will all be thereabouts again but as an underdog I think Worcester," he said. "They will be a more consistent side with Dean and a few more signings that they have made. "They will be more structured and disciplined with what they do. They might not set the world alight but they will be more consistent." Source : http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12552/8839487/aviva-premiership-anthony-allen-happy-to-link-up-with-ryan-lamb-once-again
"They have not always gone for big names, there's been people like myself. I remember the fans weren't too sure about me but now I am a permanent fixture in the team.
"I am looking forward to linking back up with Ryan, he came on in the final for Northampton so it was quite nice to play against him as it has been over the years.
"Hopefully he can settle down at the club - as obviously he has been around a few clubs - really work on his game, push on and develop a bit more.
"I think he is at the right club to do that and you never know what could happen."
Allen got one over Lamb as the Tigers claimed the Premiership title against Northampton back in May at Twickenham.
And although Leicester and Saints are expected to be in the mix again, along with Saracens and Harlequins, Allen believes another former Gloucester man could have a big impact on his return to the Premiership.
Dean Ryan spent four seasons at the helm at Kingsholm, before he too left in 2009.
However following stints working with Sky Sports and the Scotland pack, Ryan will now spearhead Worcester's challenge.
And Allen believes the Warriors could well be the surprise package for the 2013/14 season.
"I think Quins, Northampton and Saracens will all be thereabouts again but as an underdog I think Worcester," he said.
"They will be a more consistent side with Dean and a few more signings that they have made.
"They will be more structured and disciplined with what they do. They might not set the world alight but they will be more consistent." Source : http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12552/8839487/aviva-premiership-anthony-allen-happy-to-link-up-with-ryan-lamb-once-again
No comments :
Post a Comment