The rumour mill

Whilst unofficial negotiations will have been taking place for some time, it is only a few weeks until official approaches can be made and so the rumour mill is in full swing. Whilst ignoring what your mate's cousin's goldfish heard, what are the rumours you've heard coming and going from your club?


Rumours so far...
Geoff Parling to Glaws staying at Tigers
Matt Garvey to Quins, Saints, Glaws & Bath...
Nick Kennedy to everyone
Dave Attwood to Glaws
Sean Cronin to Connacht
Jonathan Joseph to Bath - confirmed
Matthew Rees to Cardiff confirmed
Stephen Shingler to a Welsh club confirmed to Scarlets
Adam Warren to Glaws and Cardiff
Kahn Fotuali'I to Toulouse - leaving but to Saints
Matt Kvesic to Tigers, Glaws, Saints and Sarries - confirmed to Glaws
Castro, John Smit and Claasens to Toulon - Castro & Claasens confirmed to Toulon
Alex Corbisiero to Saints confirmed
James Johnston to numerous French clubs & Sarries - confirmed to Sarries
Anthony Watson to Tigers & Bath
Tiny to Racing Metro
Sailosi Tagicakibau to Toulon
Toby Faletau to Bath
Billy Vunipola to Sarries - confirmed
Rhys Gill, Martin Roberts, Eiffion Lewis-Roberts, Gareth Delve, Dwayne Peel to Cardiff
Chris Cochrane to Connacht
Fionn Carr to Connacht confirmed
Newcastle starting XV to Tigers
George Ford to Saints or Bath confirmed he's leaving, but to who...
Stephen Donald to anyone who'll have him
Jonny Sexton to Racing confirmed he's leaving...
PDJ to Quins & Wasps - confirmed to Quins
BJ Botha to Toulon
Mike Ross to Munster signed a new contract
Richie Gray, Rob Miller & Kearnan Myall to Glaws - [b]Gray confirmed to Castres, Myall confirmed to Wasps, Miller staying at Sale (TRP not very accurate with these ones!!)
Stephen Myler to Tigers - staying at Saints
Matt Mulan to Wasps - confirmed
Ryan Lamb to France, Exeter or Wuss
Andy Saull to Exeter or Newcastle
James Scaysbrook to Tigers - staying at Exeter
Tom Johnson to Bath - re-signed with Exeter (how many Bath rumours are actually ever true??)
Mickey Young, Kieran Brookes to Bath - Brookes gone back to Newcastle on loan
Dan Carter, SBW, Dusatoir, McCaw to Sarries & under the salary cap too...
Gareth Maule to London Irish
Andy Goode to Newcastle, Dragons, Saints or KFC. - confirmed to Wasps
Steffan Jones to Wasps or London Welsh
Nick Robinson to Worcester or Dragons - going to Bristol
Joe Carlisle to Wasps - confirmed
James Hudson to Glaws - confirmed
Ian Nagle to Glaws
David Mele & Joel Kefi to Tigers
Sione Timani to Bath
Adam Ashley-Cooper to Leinster
Isa Nacewa to...

Starting it off, for Glaws we're being heavily linked to just about every lock going, but in particular Geoff Parling, Matt Garvey and Nick Kennedy. I believe the Parling rumour is just that, but there will be real mileage with both Garvey and Kennedy. One of the more leftfield Glaws rumours is the return of turncoat Dave Attwood - but I would be happy to see him come back and I'm sure we'd all forgive him in time.

HKC where did you hear those rumours?

We haven't heared anything about that down the Rec.

Victor, I'd sincerely doubt the Attwood rumour is true, but as we're losing Hamilton to France and more than likely Brown to retirement we're being linked to every lock. Parling, Kennedy and Garvey are coming from a variety of media sources.

Rumours flying about that Sean Cronin will possibly be going back to Connacht and that Mike Ross will possibly be going to Munster with BJ Botha leaving after this season. Connacht have already annouced that Mike McCarthy will be joining Leinster next year. That's all i've really heard at this stage...

Jonathan Joseph has been linked to Bath, but then again most players are linked to Bath these days.

Gethin Jenkins back to the Blues, also Cuthbert to stay.

Have been hearing about Matthew Rees to the Blues also and a few grumblings about a heavy duty 8 but noone knows who yet

Well half of London Irish seem to have been 'linked' elsewhere, Corbs to Saints, Garvey to pretty much everywhere, Joesph to Bath. Matt Kvesic seems to be mentioned a fair bit too.

You do wonder how much of it is just agent chat to push up the players salaries!

I heard Toulon are going to buy Edinburgh just to keep them out of the HC.

rumour that stephen shingler is looking to move back to west wales from London Irish. Scarlets are on the look out for a ball carrying 8. Nigel Davies his looking at a few players at is former club, especially Adam Warren. kahn fotuali'i possibly going to join his mate cenus johnston at toulouse.

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:I heard Toulon are going to buy Edinburgh just to keep them out of the HC.

nah they eventually decided to spend that money on Habana.

others T14 rumours from what I read recently :
- Timani (waratah 2nd row) to Montpelier
- Vakatawa (Racing metro fidjian) to Toulon
- Juandre Kruger (bulls) to Racing
- Ben Seymour (force) to Agen
- Julien Dupuy (Stade Français) to Toulouse
- Virgile Lacombe (toulouse hooker) to Southern Kings

older rumours include lydiate+roberts to Racing etc

I will eat my hat if Matt Kvesic isn't a Tigers player within three years, from what I have read/ heard.

Hersh tells me that Bath has got a big signing coming up.

In terms of Glasgow rumours, I've heard also that if Ruaridh Jackson doesn't raise his goal kicking percentages this season to at least 15%, then management has sanctioned Big Mike Cusack being allowed to eat him to let him keep his strength up.

forgot to add that Toulon is also looking at Castrogiovanni and sort of already signed John Smit and Noirot as hookers (one of their local hookers is retiring).

Garvey & Kennedy could be a nice second row combo..

And as long as no falcons players are in any of these rumours ill keep my temper...

Geordie

Steadmans being looked at by some of the big clubs isn't he?

If Sarries are letting Smit go does than mean Jamie George is finally moving in to serious contention...?

And with regards to kvesic....would he benefit from moving now...or is he better waiting and getting regular gametime with Wuss rather than sitting getting spelks...

thebluesmancometh wrote:Geordie

Steadmans being looked at by some of the big clubs isn't he?

I hope not mate...hes been impressive...we look rock solid...organised and aggressive in defence...

and last but not least , James Hook is likely to leave Perpignan due to lack of HC rugby.
Perpignan signed Bordeaux-Begles fly half Camille Lopez for next 2 seasons , a very good prospect who I think was in the Argentina tour with France last summer.

whocares wrote:

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:I heard Toulon are going to buy Edinburgh just to keep them out of the HC.

nah they eventually decided to spend that money on Habana.

Or more accurately, on Habana's gloves.

More a prediction than a rumour, but I can't help but feel that Tim Visser will leave Edinburgh in the summer now that he's capped and qualified to play for Scotland. I wouldn't be totally surprised to see him move back to Newcastle, as they get promoted back to the Jeff.

Geordie

Taking into account the opposition is one thing, but even the best AP teams wouldn't be nilling teams like Newcastle are. Steadman to the Blues...

I wouldn't be totally surprised to see him move back to Newcastle

Not sure mate...weve got some decent wingers at the moment...and a few more coming through.

Its other areas we would need to strengthen ...most urgently...Hooker. In fact i can see us spending some money on that position next season if we make it back up..

Ross Ford?

I can honestly see a few leaving Edinburgh in the summer (if anyone will have them). Some decent players there but hopelessly underperforming as a team. I'm so pleased the SRU didn't bother to tempt Dean Richards to a coaching position in Scotland. Really I am.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Garvey & Kennedy could be a nice second row combo..

And as long as no falcons players are in any of these rumours ill keep my temper...

Apparently Welch is off to Tigers along with Hodgson and Fitzpatrick...

thebluesmancometh wrote:Geordie

Taking into account the opposition is one thing, but even the best AP teams wouldn't be nilling teams like Newcastle are. Steadman to the Blues...

I guess its all about the amibtion the club shows mate.

Our chairman seems very ambitious...as does Deano and the success he seems to achieve may help persuade the likes of Steadman, Russell and many of the players to stay when in the past they would have left.

We shall see in the spring / summer....

HongKongCherry wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Garvey & Kennedy could be a nice second row combo..

And as long as no falcons players are in any of these rumours ill keep my temper...

Apparently Welch is off to Tigers along with Hodgson and Fitzpatrick...

Right now you've done it...time to open a can o wuppass....put em up!!

Actually if there were any players on the big clubs radars it would be back rower Mark Wilson...that lad is sheer class..

whocares wrote:forgot to add that Toulon is also looking at Castrogiovanni and sort of already signed John Smit and Noirot as hookers (one of their local hookers is retiring).

I think Castro would only leave Tigers if he was guarenteed the starting place. He's been playing second fiddle to Dan Cole for a lot of this season, but i don't think he'd leave for anything less than a proper crack at the HC crown in a starting place.

GeordieFalcon wrote:

HongKongCherry wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Garvey & Kennedy could be a nice second row combo..

And as long as no falcons players are in any of these rumours ill keep my temper...

Apparently Welch is off to Tigers along with Hodgson and Fitzpatrick...

Right now you've done it...time to open a can o wuppass....put em up!!

Actually if there were any players on the big clubs radars it would be back rower Mark Wilson...that lad is sheer class..

Sorry meant to say, he's off to Saints!!

Only as part of an all conquering Falcons side

AlastairW wrote:

whocares wrote:forgot to add that Toulon is also looking at Castrogiovanni and sort of already signed John Smit and Noirot as hookers (one of their local hookers is retiring).

I think Castro would only leave Tigers if he was guarenteed the starting place. He's been playing second fiddle to Dan Cole for a lot of this season, but i don't think he'd leave for anything less than a proper crack at the HC crown in a starting place.

I'd agree with that specially as hayman signed for another 2 years and they also have a decent Georgian TH. also doesnt he still own a pasta place in Leicester?

whocares wrote:

AlastairW wrote:

whocares wrote:forgot to add that Toulon is also looking at Castrogiovanni and sort of already signed John Smit and Noirot as hookers (one of their local hookers is retiring).

I think Castro would only leave Tigers if he was guarenteed the starting place. He's been playing second fiddle to Dan Cole for a lot of this season, but i don't think he'd leave for anything less than a proper crack at the HC crown in a starting place.

I'd agree with that specially as hayman signed for another 2 years and they also have a decent Georgian TH. also doesnt he still own a pasta place in Leicester?

Not sure about his private ventures Whocares. I'm a Quins fan, not a Tigers fan. I'm sure a few of the Leicester local peeps would know though

whocares wrote:and last but not least , James Hook is likely to leave Perpignan due to lack of HC rugby.
Perpignan signed Bordeaux-Begles fly half Camille Lopez for next 2 seasons , a very good prospect who I think was in the Argentina tour with France last summer.

I guess where he goes will depend on the outcome of the HEC debate then, as I would have thought Cardiff Blues, but if the Rabo teams allowed in the HEC is cut maybe Hook will need to be looking in England or France?

DTH to leave Glasgow? Has apparently had offers from the SH and unsurprisingly France (who does not get an offer from there).

Really hope he does not go, but from both parties point of view I would understand if he did.

There was a rumour that Quins were going to sign someone, then we decided not to.

I was worried about strength in depth at the start of the season but looks like our As can handle themselves. All I'd like to add is one more second row, Yappy, other than that Botica was an inspired purchase and the young lads can fill in

funnyExiledScot wrote:Ross Ford?

I can honestly see a few leaving Edinburgh in the summer (if anyone will have them). Some decent players there but hopelessly underperforming as a team. I'm so pleased the SRU didn't bother to tempt Dean Richards to a coaching position in Scotland. Really I am.

FeS - is Ross Ford not on some ridiculous contract (I remember a figure of £400k a year being mentioned)? Rumour had it that Ford was offered such a big amount on the basis that Aberdeen Asset would pick up half the tab but they then baulked at it leaving the SRU to pay the whole shooting match.
In his curremet run of form, who would be interested in signing him especially at his alleged salary? On the other hand, if he leaves it does free up a heck of a lot of cash (to give to some overweight Kiwi looking to top up his pension fund?)
DTH leaving Glasgow may not be too bad a thing as it is the one position that Glasgow seem to have a bit of strength in depth - Maitland, Lamont, Paris (unless he comes as a job lot with his fellow Canadian), James Fleming etc.
As regards recruits, as someone pointed out above, we may need to see what Scottish teams are in what European event (if there is to eb one) next season. Even if both sides are styill in Europe, I can't see too many English,. Welsh or Irish players queuing to join the Scottish bandwagon so we may need to look south (to someone who doesn't know how cold Murrayfield can get in December!)

yappysnap wrote:There was a rumour that Quins were going to sign someone, then we decided not to.

I suspect Evans re-contract didn't come cheap, especially if he was in talk with some of the bigger French teams

ChequeredJersey wrote:I was worried about strength in depth at the start of the season but looks like our As can handle themselves. All I'd like to add is one more second row, Yappy, other than that Botica was an inspired purchase and the young lads can fill in

Botica was an absolutely inspired contract CJ. Hopefully he'll be gracing The Stoop for a long time to come. Other than that it is really good to see such quality come out of the academy.

David Mele - 9/10 - Perpignan

Seems the only sure fire Tigers signing so far though that isn't confirmed.

Kvesic is rumoured as was May and bizarrely Joseph. We may be looking for a 7 and 15.

Murphy looks set to retire. Several clubs are sniffing around Ford, Salvi, Parling and Mafi who are all discussing new deals. Mickey Young is set to leave, Ryan Bower probably off to Notts.

Botica was really good, and we have found Grimboldy as well who could be useful in the future. Keeping Nev was actually a real coup for the management and hopefully next season we'll really get to see him excel on a few less games but bigger performances.

I can only think of one player leaving so far and that was Fairbrother. Any one still to sign extensions?

Yep I'd like another lock and tbh an old experienced head for the front 5. I guess that could be the new lock but how many late 20's locks are floating around with a wealth of Int/Club experience? Not many sadly, and that goes for prop and hooker too.

pioden gorllewin wrote:rumour that stephen shingler is looking to move back to west wales from London Irish. Scarlets are on the look out for a ball carrying 8. Nigel Davies his looking at a few players at is former club, especially Adam Warren. kahn fotuali'i possibly going to join his mate cenus johnston at toulouse.

I would be very surprised by that move. The one thing Glaws have in abundance is centres. We have 36, Mills, Tindall, Molenaar, Trinder and May all signed up for next season. Whilst we do need more effective cover for 36, that should come from Mills once he returns from injury.

I'd imagine Glaws will be looking forwards in their recruitment. Lock is looking patchy for next season and I'd imagine they'll be after a couple of those before wasting money on squad player centres. Maybe they'll bid for a 7 as their backrow is mainly trading on It's size when Hazell isn't available.

They could do with a new 12 as well Sam

Its alright PSW, we've got a 12 that is guaranteed to start

PSW they have Billy and Mills are both play making 12s, either Molenaar or Tindall could go in as a boshing 12 and May has been known to play there as well. That's without resorting to slotting one of their back up 10s in, how many options do they need?

It was a joke Sam!

Yes indeed how many do the poaching ****s need. Especially when one is garunteed the shirt, what happenss when the other play ...pants and vests only?

Now, now PSW, there's no need for that. As our feeder club relations should be kept cordial. Now if you'll just hand over Parling we can carry on

yappysnap wrote:Botica was really good, and we have found Grimboldy as well who could be useful in the future. Keeping Nev was actually a real coup for the management and hopefully next season we'll really get to see him excel on a few less games but bigger performances.

I can only think of one player leaving so far and that was Fairbrother. Any one still to sign extensions?

Yep I'd like another lock and tbh an old experienced head for the front 5. I guess that could be the new lock but how many late 20's locks are floating around with a wealth of Int/Club experience? Not many sadly, and that goes for prop and hooker too.

Seems to me that Quins are following a definite policy of "grow your own, and if you can't, find a rough diamond from the Cornish Pirates or failing that another neglected corner of the rugby world." I can't see us signing many big names in the foreseeable, with the possible exception of a marquee replacement for NEv in 3 years' time (can you hear us, Dan Carter? ;-)).

The remaining big challenge for this season is to hang on to JJ and Big Mo, who will be much in demand and hugely more valuable than when we took them on. Fortunately, COS has the knack of inspiring loyalty, so I hope we will hang on to them.

Long term, the toughest challenge for Quins will be replacing COS when he eventually does leave. But I am sure he is already planning for that.

HongKongCherry wrote:

pioden gorllewin wrote:rumour that stephen shingler is looking to move back to west wales from London Irish. Scarlets are on the look out for a ball carrying 8. Nigel Davies his looking at a few players at is former club, especially Adam Warren. kahn fotuali'i possibly going to join his mate cenus johnston at toulouse.

I would be very surprised by that move. The one thing Glaws have in abundance is centres. We have 36, Mills, Tindall, Molenaar, Trinder and May all signed up for next season. Whilst we do need more effective cover for 36, that should come from Mills once he returns from injury.

It may sound like Warren is not really required, but that is definately the way things are sounding down here. Warren has not featured much for the Scarlets, and is quite often talked about teaming up with Nige again. Maybe Nige has plans for playing some of hte other lads out of position a bit, as he doesn't seem to have any issues with slotting centres onto the wings etc.

Fortunately, COS has the knack of inspiring loyalty, so I hope we will hang on to them.

Quins up turn in on pitch fortunes should have boosted their bank balance a bit. They found big cash to keep Evans so I'd imagine they'll find cash for pay rises elsewhere.