Latest Aviva Premiership Rumours

Tigers On Hunt for Warriors Duo

Richard Cockerill has been looking closely at the form of Worcester Warriors pair Matt Mullan and Miles Benjamin, with both players coming to the end of their current two year contracts. Tigers who tried to sign Mullan two years ago - just before he made his single appearance for England - are desperate for a top Loosehead prop as they will lose Marcos Ayerza for almost half the 2012/13 season due to international duties.
A lot of clubs have been looking at Benjamin, a player Cockerill feels will be an outstanding addition to the Tigers backline. His pace would add an extra dimension to the team.


London Irish to lose 3 Lock forwards?

Nick Kennedy, Bob Casey and Kieran Roche are all out of contract atthe end of the season. Whispers suggest that Kennedy has already had discussions about a possible move to Toulon. Meanwhile the future of Casey and Roche is uncertain. Toby Booth is apparently uncertain whether to offer new contracts to eithe rplayer, while both players are contemplating moves elsewhere.


Desperately Seeking Hooker

Bath's South African hooker, Pieter Dixon, has indicated that he will be returning home when his contract expires in the summer. DoR Sir Ian mcGeechan has put recruiting an international quality hooker at the top of his Christmas Wishlist. Suggestions that he is looking in the Watford direction are unconfirmed.

Scotty Hamilton is widely expected to be heading back to NZ (possibley stopping off in France) in the summer. Miles Benjamin would be an excellent replacement. Not sure we can afford Matt Mullan as Stanko, Cole, Ayerza, Castro and Brookes are all on the books already as well as former England under 20 duo Bower and Harris. Then again Tigers must have some more prop money ear marked as that young Samoan international prop (who's name I can't remember) is on trial at the moment.

Wonder if Geech will come begging up to Welford Rd in an attempt to re-sign Hawkins. A good hooker who has not managed to shift Chuter out of his starting berth and was shunted down to third choice by Tom Youngs (who is now injured).

I think Tigers couldn't go wrong if they go for those two Worcester boys.

Miles Benjamin would be a nice contrast to A.Tuilagi. Also agree with Matt Mullan. I hope that Saracens give you competition for his signing. We really need a top loosehead too.

In regards to London Irish I can't say much on the topic. I think I'll leave that to our resident expert London Irish supporter, Ozzy.

Not sure who Bath would look to recruit off us. We have 5 top quality hookers but would Bath want one of our academy boys?

We have Schalk Brits,John Smit,Jamie George,Scott Spurling and Harry Allen. It's a real strength of ours.

I would be really disappointed if Brits left us. Don't see why he would go to another English club. He is a real fan favourite and Saracens and him have both benefited from him being with us.

John Smit won't leave as he still contracted to us.

Possibly Jamie George could be a candidate. Great young prospect but would Bath want him as he isn't that experienced. He is also from our academy so would only move if the price was right.

Scott Spurling and Harry Allen are youngsters with potential but no more yet.

I think it would be a good move for Hawkins. I can't say I have seen that much of him lately but from what I saw of him last season he was a good prospect, but as pointed out he just isn't getting any senior team game time.

In a round-about way he reminds me a little of Will Greenwood. Spent an awful lot of time warming the bench until he moved clubs, then became the England legend he is today. Not saying that will happen for Hawkins, but it certainly isn't going to happen while he's playing academy for Tigers.

John Smit has not been signed to be 3rd choice - so that role falls to either George or Brits. I can't see either being completely happy with this.

Don't think he played in the A League last night either MT. Pretty sure it was Stevens with young Thacker on the bench. Hawkins is into his mid twenties and needs to find regular action or will forever be a back up option.

We have 5 top quality hookers but would Bath want one of our academy boys?

Let's not get carried away, 1 top quality hooker, 1 very experienced hooker, 1 emerging talent and 2 with potential. Bath tend to offer long contracts hence guarenteeing the star style money for a number of years (most teams offer two year contracts, Bath are in the habit of giving out three year deals to over 30s) irrelevent of form or fitness. In a game where players careers are short and a players worth is generally not seen as a constant that level of financial security is very attractive (just ask Lewis Moody).

Matt Mullan is going to be a great addition wherever he is. Sarries would love him as he fits in nicely with the Stevens style mobility but is solid as a rock in the scrum like Nieto. That would give them good options for next season and maybe buy them more time to get their hands on another international class tighthead (long term replacement to Nieto). Sarries and Tigers would be able to offer him good rotation options meaning he'd get guarenteed game time but be able to rest and make sure he can keep away these pesky shoulder injuries.

Sam who are you referring to as the top quality hooker? Brits? Is Smit the very experienced hooker? He is a world cup winning captain.

I would say both are top quality. Jamie George is ex England U20s. Scott Spurling is in the U20s squad now. I didn't watch it but heard he scored an awesome try in the Help for Heroes game with a sidestep similar to Brits.

Saracens are different because they offer good opportunities for when a player's rugby career is over.

If you look at our hooker options compared to others we have excellent options.

Oh you are definitely well stocked. I judge top quality as international class and only Brits is that at the minute. Smit was hanging in there because he was the captain, a great in his younger years he isn't the player he was. He is probabley the perfect mentor for the young guys on the way through though and it's good to see George getting plenty of action this season as he is a decent prospect. I saw a bit of the HFH game and Spurling looked more like Brits and a lot lighter on his feet than George who is a more old school bosher (which is good as ideally you want one of each).

I'd expect Bath to look long and hard at improving their front row. It's not that great and is generally rather young or rather old with only Wilson in the middle. The hookers are average and they are short of a destructive scrummager with only Wilson being better than average in that department.

Word around these parts is that Kendo to Toulon is almost a done deal. Not heard anything about Roche or Big Bob, but would hope certainly that Bob stays.

Rumours also abound that Delon is off to Toulon, and most Irish fans are hoping that if he does go we use his slice of the salary cap to sign a top tighthead. Has Dan Cole signed a new contract yet?

I really hope we are looking at Mullan! Think Flatman is out of contract, so would be a hell of an upgrade.

Don't forget that next season is the first year of the 'marquee' signing, which falls outside of the cap. Expect 5/6 clubs to take advantage of this, Bath being one of them and i'm hoping it will be a front 5 player.

That's fair enough Sam. My point is what do Bath want? From what you and LondonTiger are saying they need an international quality hooker. Only Brits at Saracens would fit their bill as Smit is already contracted to us.

I agree about Spurling and George. I like the look of them as young prospects. Can't see us holding onto both though.

Do you think Bath would look at Mullan too?

Wow it does look like a lot of clubs are hunting for props!

Ozzy - pretty sure Cole is 'up for grabs' and heard that you and 1 other club were front runners.

What would be really interesting if fans could post a list of their players whose contracts run out this season. I'll try and dig out something for Bath and then draw up my shopping list!

beshocked wrote:That's fair enough Sam. My point is what do Bath want?

Anyone who can scrummage!!

Big Bob is retiring so he will definitely be gone. No offence to Roche who has been a long term servant of the club, but I don't see the need for him anymore. As for Kennedy, it is a bit of a tough one. We have some good second rows coming through, and I imagine that Evans will really come into his own as time goes on, so part of me would be tempted to let him leave and to invest the salary cap elsewhere...However, we are going through a bit of a transition period and I think we need some of that crop of players, many of whom are out of contract this summer/retiring (Bob, Faan, Delon, Hodgson, Dermody, Kennedy, Danaher, Roche etc) to stay to bring through the younger lads...

The Rugby Paper said that TB was looking to sign an unnamed England international. I would be guessing/hoping that it was Dan Cole as we could do with a tighthead when Faan retires. However, although he wouldn't face quite the challenge for a starting berth that he does at Leicester, Paulica Ion is a fine player and would certainly give him a run for his money.

I think Schalk Brits is out of contract.

Other players I believe are Corbiserio, obviously Cole.

Bathite I am absolutely hopeless in that area!

Can't see Big Bob leaving. He's 33 now and think that he's only want to play for LI, or return to Ireland, but can't see any of the provinces really wanting him now, maybe 4 years ago but not now. Unless he's intrested in a role with Connacht that includes coaching?

pretty sure Cole is 'up for grabs' and heard that you and 1 other club were front runners..

Rumours coming out of Tigers are that Ayerza (who is also out of contract at the end of the season) and Cole have agreed new deals in principle and we are just waiting for the club to hurry up and confirm them.

The Rugby Paper said that TB was looking to sign an unnamed England international. I would be guessing/hoping that it was Dan Cole as we could do with a tighthead when Faan retires

Apparently it's taken so long to thrash out a deal because Danny wants a salary comparible to Castro's, so we're talking around the £300k mark if you believe the localised rumours.

Other Tigers players I know who are out of contract at the end of the season are; Twelvetrees, Bucknall, Slater, Grindal, White (retiring) and Hamilton. The club aren't very good at announcing when deals are agreed so that's not a definitive list. I'd expect Slater and Twelvetrees to agree new deals easily enough but the others to all go.

Tigers lack a little top end gas out wide, so Mullan would be an excellent signing for them.

In all seriousness, they would be excellent additions to the Tigers squad. Benjamin has real pace and knows his way to the try line. If Mullan were to join Tigers (and they keep Cole) they'll have a fearsome prop stock;

Matt Mullan
Marcos Ayerza
Boris Stankovich

Dan Cole
Martin Castrogiovanni
Kieran Brookes

... There's a lot of depth to that!

beshocked wrote:Sam who are you referring to as the top quality hooker? Brits? Is Smit the very experienced hooker? He is a world cup winning captain.

I would say both are top quality. Jamie George is ex England U20s. Scott Spurling is in the U20s squad now. I didn't watch it but heard he scored an awesome try in the Help for Heroes game with a sidestep similar to Brits.

Saracens are different because they offer good opportunities for when a player's rugby career is over.

If you look at our hooker options compared to others we have excellent options.

I did watch the help for heroes game and it was a magnificent sidestep and run in from some distance too. Very Brit-esque. And nothing like my try at the weekend which came from my traditional 15 metre out wrecking ball!!

And nothing like my try at the weekend which came from my traditional 15 metre out wrecking ball!!.

Lucky you. This season it seems I make the half breaks and end up drawing in the last defender(s) and giving the scoring pass. Got plenty of assists but not one try and I seem to get pasted into the bargain as well (normally by an annoyed fb who doesn't fancy chasing the guy I've passed too). Playing fly half sucks.

Giving the final pass and turning a 2on2 into a try is one of the most satisfying parts of the game and one I miss the most! Sounds sadistic, but loved it even more when I got smashed late, rolled over on the turf to look up and see the score. Give the opposite FB a little wink or tap on the head, dust myself off and sink the conversion. Happy days! Damn my dislocated shoulder!

Sounds sadistic, but loved it even more when I got smashed late, rolled over on the turf to look up and see the score. Give the opposite FB a little wink or tap on the head, dust myself off and sink the conversion.

My bad back makes the late hit quite painful but you're right it is pretty satisfying, I'd just like one for myself (much easier to score from centre). I have to leave the conversion to someone else as whilst I can reliabley hoof the ball either long or accurately into touch from hand when it comes to the tee I'm no use.

formerly known as Sam wrote:This season it seems I make the half breaks and end up drawing in the last defender(s) and giving the scoring pass.

It's been a bit of both for me this season... I'm not exactly built for flyhalf but for a fat lad I've got a surprising burst of pace & agility (in my opinion at any rate!). Usually gone down 1 of 2 ways this year...

I take the crash ball inside of the flyhalf just after the breakdown, make a large hole in their midfield, trundle on a bit until there's 2 or 3 of their players on me and then offload back to the FH who romps in. or I take the crash ball on the loop from our SH just after the breakdown and bulldoze my way in. The common theme here appears to be the crash ball.

I know what my skills are

Kingshu wrote:Can't see Big Bob leaving. He's 33 now and think that he's only want to play for LI, or return to Ireland, but can't see any of the provinces really wanting him now, maybe 4 years ago but not now. Unless he's intrested in a role with Connacht that includes coaching?

As I said above, he is retiring...hope he stays on at Irish in some capacity.

Bathite wrote:Ozzy - pretty sure Cole is 'up for grabs' and heard that you and 1 other club were front runners.

Really can't see Cole leaving Tigers... he knows where his bread is buttered. I thought his contract negotiations were already underway he just needs to sign now?

Corbisiero has signed at irish for a couple more years i think.

delon, bowden and kennedy are the big names with contracts ending
ojo has just re-signed.

I know Glaws are in the mix for Dwayne Peel, Jimmy Gopperth, Dan Cole and Sione Kalamafoni. However, I would say that with these and all transfer rumours we take them with a very large pinch of salt. Any player whose contract is up at the end of the season is free to talk to any other club when they have 6 months left, therefore, no talks can take place until January. Further to this, as with the Glaws rumour with Sione Kalamafoni Championship players cannot talk to other clubs until March 1st (remeber how long it took to confirm the Kitchener rumour). Of course, some of the talks may have unofficially taken place when the same agent is involved, but the stories are equally just as likely to be stories spread by the agent to build interest or get a better deal where they are at now.

One player that seems very likely to be leaving is EFS, which would be a great shame but at least we don't have the constant worry of when is he going to get banned next!

Why Gopperth? Thought Burns would want to stay first choice?

HongKongCherry do you want Sione Kalamafoni in your team so you can have at least one tongue twister name in the squad? Obviously with Eliota Fuimanoa Sapolu likely to leave you need one!

Can't see Mullen going to Tigers, someone of his quality will want a good pay cheque and at least alternating starts not to be third choice.

Gloucester,LI, Bath or Saracens maybe?

Although he'd be welcome at Quins I don't think we'll be doing much signing.

Bathite wrote:Why Gopperth? Thought Burns would want to stay first choice?

What's happening to Burns?

I really hope Mullan doesn't go to Tigers, he needs starts, not to falter like Kitchener. Come to Bath laddy!

Yappysnap I would love to get Mullan. We do need a top quality loosehead. Also he would likely be able to establish himself as first choice.

As you say Sam an ideal situation would be sign Mullan for next season. Nieto plays one more season at tight head. He retires at the end of the 2011/12 season with a top tighthead coming in.

Our current props are

Loosehead
Rhys Gill
Deon Carstens
Jared Saunders


Tighthead
Matt Stevens
Carlos Nieto
Mako Vunipola
Petrus Du Plessis

Vunipola is out for 3 months, Saunders out for the season. Du Plessis is pretty average. So are Gill and Carstens.

I don't know how good Stevens is anymore. Our best prop is Nieto but he's 35 and lacks mobility.

Carstens is leaving so it frees up some space in the salary cap. Swapping Carstens for Mullan would be an excellent switch.

yappysnap wrote:Can't see Mullen going to Tigers, someone of his quality will want a good pay cheque and at least alternating starts not to be third choice.

Gloucester,LI, Bath or Saracens maybe?

Although he'd be welcome at Quins I don't think we'll be doing much signing.

I'd be surprised if we went in for Mullan. We are ok for looseheads really, it's on the tighthead side where we need to invest.

Gopperth? If that happens say goodbye to your dynamic backline, they'll never get the ball!

Cumbrian, we've selected the Pulteney Arms for before and afters drinks on Sunday if you fancy meeting up?

Cumbrian wrote:Gopperth? If that happens say goodbye to your dynamic backline, they'll never get the ball!

Is Gopperth really that limited? I have seen him make the occasional break and he seems to have a good pass...But maybe that is just the highlight reel being deceptive.

Bathite wrote:I really hope Mullan doesn't go to Tigers, he needs starts, not to falter like Kitchener. Come to Bath laddy!

Kitchener did have his chance during the RWC but failed to make an impact hence him not starting much recently, but I am sure he will develop well at tigers into a top quality player. If he did play better during that period I am sure Cockers would be starting him. In the long run I am sure Kitchener's move to tigers will be good for him and get him International recognition much like Mullan would if he joined.

Personally I don't think there is any truth behind the Gopperth rumour - he and Brush have the same agent, so that probably says it all. If he were to join us it is with the intention of keeping Burns and not as his replacement.

On yappy's comment re Mullan, I can't see him coming to Glaws. He would be an expensive back up to Woody, who is without doubt the best English LH around at the moment.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Cumbrian, we've selected the Pulteney Arms for before and afters drinks on Sunday if you fancy meeting up?

What time are you guys meeting? It would be good to put some faces to the names!

SirBurger wrote:

Cumbrian wrote:Gopperth? If that happens say goodbye to your dynamic backline, they'll never get the ball!

Is Gopperth really that limited? I have seen him make the occasional break and he seems to have a good pass...But maybe that is just the highlight reel being deceptive.

I don't know whether it's a question of him being limited or him not trusting his teammates. But whenever he gets the ball, he generally looks for the break or kicks it away. I don't mean that he NEVER passes, but he doesn't act like the pivot a fly half should be.

Cumbrian wrote:

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Cumbrian, we've selected the Pulteney Arms for before and afters drinks on Sunday if you fancy meeting up?

What time are you guys meeting? It would be good to put some faces to the names!

Cumbrian, train arrives at Bath Spa just before 11.30, give us 10mins to wander over to the PA, then we'll be there straight after that match too - look for Leinster, Glasgow, N-G Dragons, Canterbury, Cardiff Sarries, Clermont, & Exeter shirts - that'll be us

The Pulteney Arms...cracking choice of pub gents!

A couple of contacts I still have in the Sarries setup suggest that Brits is stalling on contract talks. They reckon he may be off to France - but perhaps Bath could still nip in there.

Bathite wrote:The Pulteney Arms...cracking choice of pub gents!

Can you make it, Bathite?

LondonTiger wrote:A couple of contacts I still have in the Sarries setup suggest that Brits is stalling on contract talks. They reckon he may be off to France - but perhaps Bath could still nip in there.

Yes I knew about that too but I am confident a deal will be made.

.

Going to pretend I didn't hear that Britz to Bath comment, I would be too excited! But Abendanon is out of contract and probably going to leave, so we could do with a new full back!

Bathite you want Brits at full back?

I wouldn't be happy at all if Brits left us. Especially if he joined another English club.