The rumour mill

First topic message reminder :

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...

also heard martin roberts saints to bath. his agent seems to have got a good relationship with bath having got dom day there last season.

Roberts has been a rumour for a while, which will only make more sense if Saints do sign Fotuali

Saints should try their utmost to get Jonathan Sexton in my opinion. They badly need a decent fly half.

With Tongauiha,Mujati etc gone why not invest in a quality fly half like him?

Might sound far fetched but if the French are trying to get him - Saints should at least throw their hat in the ring. Should be room in the cap surely to offer him a lot? He could be the marquee signing.

If they have just beaten Racing to Fotuali'i's signature they may have spent a fair bit of that already beshocked? If they could sign a top quality FH to go with him they would be looking very dangerous.

Beschocked, you really do live in a dream world! Why on Earth would Sexton go to Saints? Even as the marquee, the French can pay him double that

Bathite I did say it might be far fetched but I think he should be their target.

If Saracens can beat the French to James Johnston, if Saints can beat Racing in one signing like Bathman in London says why can't they do it twice?

Why on earth would Sexton go to Saints? Perhaps a change in scenery? Maybe he wants to step out of his comfort zone. Of the top English clubs the one club who would most want and need him are Saints. Maybe he wants an AP title?

Saints are a desirable club to go to.

Leicester,Saracens,Quins,Wasps and Gloucester don't need Sexton.

http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/sport/10180754.Mullan____set_to_go____but_Pennell_stays/?ref=rss

So I wonder where Mullan would be off to?

Interesting that Goode hasnt been offered a contract yet either, frankly a lot of premiership teams could do worse than signing him.

beshocked wrote:Bathite I did say it might be far fetched but I think he should be their target.

If Saracens can beat the French to James Johnston, if Saints can beat Racing in one signing like Bathman in London says why can't they do it twice?

Why on earth would Sexton go to Saints? Perhaps a change in scenery? Maybe he wants to step out of his comfort zone. Of the top English clubs the one club who would most want and need him are Saints. Maybe he wants an AP title?

Saints are a desirable club to go to.

Leicester,Saracens,Quins,Wasps and Gloucester don't need Sexton.

In that case, it's far fetched, but I think Dan Carter should be their target?!?!?

Name one Irishman at the top of the game that's left Ireland P 'for a change of scenery' Why would they move to Northampton if Paris or sunny South France was on the agenda? In Ireland they can have a managed workload, as they do in France with squad rotation. This wouldn't happen in the AP.

Khan fotuali is off to saints next season. Shame as we'd like goof kept him but alas cannot complete with the salary cap..

The Irish really look after their top players, not many leave tbh.

Sexton to Saints isn't a stupid idea but it's not going to happen anytime soon (has he just signed a contract?)

Sgt_Pooly wrote:The Irish really look after their top players, not many leave tbh.

Sexton to Saints isn't a stupid idea but it's not going to happen anytime soon (has he just signed a contract?)

Sadly not yet. Rumours are back and forth. But it is supposed to be done next week one way or th'udder.

With Ross signed, we just need to worry about Healy, Kearney, Fitzgerald, & Strauss. Out of the big names.

Are you overly concerned with keeping Fitz? His injury history isn't great

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Are you overly concerned with keeping Fitz? His injury history isn't great

Fo Sho
He's a crackin player.

Perhaps he started a bit early. He made his international & Leinster debuts a few months after leaving school. Hopefully his injuries are behind him.

The IRFU/his Agent messed up his current contract. Which is why he is on a 1 year with Leinster.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Are you overly concerned with keeping Fitz? His injury history isn't great

Fo Sho
He's a crackin player.

Perhaps he started a bit early. He made his international & Leinster debuts a few months after leaving school. Hopefully his injuries are behind him.

The IRFU/his Agent messed up his current contract. Which is why he is on a 1 year with Leinster.

He'll end up at Munster . . . . .. (I doubt but I wish)

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=10861137&ref=rss

Big rumour here , Zac Guildford to the Geordies.

According to The Times today, Kvesic will be signing for either Glaws or

Hopefully there is truth to this and he makes the only sensible decision that someone whose family support Gloucester could make...

Well Zac would LOVE the Newcastle nightlife!

GeordieFalcon wrote:Well Zac would LOVE the Newcastle nightlife!

But can he pass the tee shirt in January challenge?

Jeez, if Bath were to get most of their targets they would have a very good (and young) squad.

Hopefully Kvesic will remember which club rejected him as a youngster and pick the other...

Sadly I can see him signing for Glaws, would make sense to see him replace Hazell.

I think Bath are just used by every agent to get another 10k for their clients!

Bathman_in_London wrote:Hopefully Kvesic will remember which club rejected him as a youngster and pick the other...

Treat them mean to keep them keen Bathman! He'd certainly add the balance our backrow lacks at times.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Well Zac would LOVE the Newcastle nightlife!

But can he pass the tee shirt in January challenge?

Hey the Kiwis might be tough...but they aint that tough

GeordieFalcon wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Well Zac would LOVE the Newcastle nightlife!

But can he pass the tee shirt in January challenge?

Hey the Kiwis might be tough...but they aint that tough

And will he roll up the sleeves of his tee shirt to keep his "Tabs" in it?

Dont we all...?

Latest Tigers rumours are. Stabiano as a replacement for Toulon bound Castro (short term option), Jamie Gibson (backrow versatility) and Steffon Armitage who is apparently keen on playing international rugby again.

Worryingly the Myler rumours continue but with Lamb set to leave Saints he might choose to stay.

Aly Muldowney has signed for Connacht from Exeter - I didn't see that one coming, but then I didn't know his dad is Irish. Disapponted he's leaving - good player, he's put in some good shifts at both lock and blindside.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Latest Tigers rumours are. Stabiano as a replacement for Toulon bound Castro (short term option), Jamie Gibson (backrow versatility) and Steffon Armitage who is apparently keen on playing international rugby again.

Worryingly the Myler rumours continue but with Lamb set to leave Saints he might choose to stay.

so that brings the list up to every single player in the world that hasnt already signed for Bath or Saracens ...and Henson.

It would be great to have Steffon back in England. Even if its not for Irish!

formerly known as Sam wrote:Latest Tigers rumours are.......Steffon Armitage

Not sure the canteen staff at Oval Park have recovered from Andy Goode yet.

I've heard from a good source that the Armitages would only ever play for Irish or Exeter if they came back to England. But things change.

Dubbelyew L Overate wrote:Aly Muldowney has signed for Connacht from Exeter - I didn't see that one coming, but then I didn't know his dad is Irish. Disapponted he's leaving - good player, he's put in some good shifts at both lock and blindside.

V disappointed with that news, he's come on leaps and bounds, great signing for Connacht - ruined my day :-(

Sam

Would that suggest they are not look at Kvesic anymore...or has he said hes going elsewhere?

stnick88 wrote:I've heard from a good source that the Armitages would only ever play for Irish or Exeter if they came back to England. But things change.

Delon being arrested by Devon police may have changed things?

GeordieFalcon wrote:Sam

Would that suggest they are not look at Kvesic anymore...or has he said hes going elsewhere?

According to earlier rumour, Kvesic is looking to stay in the general areas and sign for Bath or Glaws. I would rather have Kvesic at WR - but heck perhaps I am wrong about Steffon.

PSW

LT the Tiger staff manage to feed Mulipola and he is 20 stone lean weight. Steffon would be well away at the same table as him and Manu.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Well Zac would LOVE the Newcastle nightlife!

But can he pass the tee shirt in January challenge?

Hey the Kiwis might be tough...but they aint that tough

And will he roll up the sleeves of his tee shirt to keep his "Tabs" in it?

If you're wearing anything with sleeves in Newcastle in January then you're cheating. Vests only.

formerly known as Sam wrote:PSW

LT the Tiger staff manage to feed Mulipola and he is 20 stone lean weight. Steffon would be well away at the same table as him and Manu.

Just get them all a communal trough.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

Dubbelyew L Overate wrote:Aly Muldowney has signed for Connacht from Exeter - I didn't see that one coming, but then I didn't know his dad is Irish. Disapponted he's leaving - good player, he's put in some good shifts at both lock and blindside.

V disappointed with that news, he's come on leaps and bounds, great signing for Connacht - ruined my day :-(

Complete shock. How good is he? And is he a regular starter?

Muldowney I always rated as a Glasgow player, was unfortunate he had to leave due to personal issues but he should thrive in Galway, great city and a club on the up!

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

Dubbelyew L Overate wrote:Aly Muldowney has signed for Connacht from Exeter - I didn't see that one coming, but then I didn't know his dad is Irish. Disapponted he's leaving - good player, he's put in some good shifts at both lock and blindside.

V disappointed with that news, he's come on leaps and bounds, great signing for Connacht - ruined my day :-(

Complete shock. How good is he? And is he a regular starter?

He's pretty good - makes hard yards and disrupts lineouts, but he's one of 5 decent locks of pretty equal ability at Exe. Regular bench and occasional starter - he and Dean Mumm have shared filling in at backrow with all the injuries there this season. He was injured in the recent Clermont game so was missing last week but came off the bench at RDS.

I may have Chief tinted specs on, but he was a good shout for the Scotland A squad (English-born, Scottish/Irish parentage). At 29, he's unlikely to become the third ex-Exe lock in the Irish squad, but, as Asbo says, he's come on leaps and bounds. Exe offered him another contract, so it's not as if he wasn't wanted.

Leinsters Andrew Conway talking with Munster.

Here's the link - http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2013/0125/1224329251882.html

Jeysus...

Not so sure about that. Would suggest Howlett might be moving on?

Munster would be scraping together the guts of a decent Leinster A backline though, fair play!

Bit like Leinsters Munster front row

Think Howletts contract us up in summer.

I said it more in hope than anything, but Matt Kvesic is on his way to Glos http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/sport/wrfc/10184215.Kvesic_set_to_quit_Warriors_for_Gloucester/?ref=twtrec

Well i dont think Kvesic moving is a surprise...but Mullan to Wasps is an interesting one.
Is he only 25? So not really to late for him with regards to England amibitions...but he's got some serious competition now with the likes of Marler, Corbs and Vunipola...

Gloucester are starting to put together a pretty decent squad.

I think Mullan at Wasps would be great. Wasps need some decent frontrow options. I see it as an area they definitely need to strengthen.

Aparently speedster Andrew Conway is off to the bogtrotters.

...Sorry I mean Munster

red_stag wrote:Leinsters Andrew Conway talking with Munster.

Really don't understand that. How would he benefit from moving to Munster. I would have him behind Luke O'Dea at this stage. Besides he is contracted until 2014 so Munster would have to buy out the contract. Can't see this happening.