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...

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

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.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2013/0125/1224329251882.html

He would be behind more players at Leinster Id say.

If dougie retires than maybe. Luke O'Dea can't even get near the Munster 23 and he has performed really well this season.

He won't move if Howlett is still there.

Felix Jones isn't playing well IMO. Conway can cover fullback too can't he?

I'd love us to break bank and bring in Luke Fitz. Butter him up and tell him Leinster dont like him (hence 1 year contract).

Nobody knows how to negotiate better than a cute hoor of a Kerryman.

red_stag wrote:He won't move if Howlett is still there.

Felix Jones isn't playing well IMO. Conway can cover fullback too can't he?

Yes but he wouldn't be as good as Jones. Conway has not been in good form this year.

red_stag wrote:I'd love us to break bank and bring in Luke Fitz. Butter him up and tell him Leinster dont like him (hence 1 year contract).

Nobody knows how to negotiate better than a cute hoor of a Kerryman.

You'll have to prize Lukey out of my cold dead hands.

BTW it was between the IRFU and his agent where the contract was focked up. Leinster had to step in with an offer when negotiations broke down.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

red_stag wrote:I'd love us to break bank and bring in Luke Fitz. Butter him up and tell him Leinster dont like him (hence 1 year contract).

Nobody knows how to negotiate better than a cute hoor of a Kerryman.

You'll have to prize Lukey out of my cold dead hands.

BTW it was between the IRFU and his agent where the contract was focked up. Leinster had to step in with an offer when negotiations broke down.

Ah but wait til you hear our version of events. Lukey will be burning an effigy of Leo the Lion and eating a celebratory turnip in no time whatsoever.

Kvesic to Gloucester is a massive coup for them. I was convinced he was going to go to Leicester. They've missed an out and out open-side since the days of Back and Kvesic seems to fit perfectly. Gloucester's squad is starting to look formidable.

Cumbrian
I agree Gloucester are starting to put together quite a side....

red_stag wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

red_stag wrote:I'd love us to break bank and bring in Luke Fitz. Butter him up and tell him Leinster dont like him (hence 1 year contract).

Nobody knows how to negotiate better than a cute hoor of a Kerryman.

You'll have to prize Lukey out of my cold dead hands.

BTW it was between the IRFU and his agent where the contract was focked up. Leinster had to step in with an offer when negotiations broke down.

Ah but wait til you hear our version of events. Lukey will be burning an effigy of Leo the Lion and eating a celebratory turnip in no time whatsoever.

Jaysis youse Munster lads are fierce schneaky.

Yep, what's most pleasing looking in as an outsider is that most of them seem to be home grown too. They are going to have a young core of lads who are from the local(ish) area:

2. Koree Britton
3. Shaun Knight
4. Elliott Stooke
7. Matt Kvesic (Worcestershire isn't that far away)
8. Ben Morgan

9. Dan Robson
10. Freddie Burns

11. Charle Sharples
12. Ryan Mills
13. Henry Trinder
14. Jonny May
15. Olly Morgan

12.Ryan Mills is a corker of a player.

Aye, I forgot about him. It's a shame he got injured when he did because I reckon he would have been pushing for a Saxons place.

Cumbrian wrote:Yep, what's most pleasing looking in as an outsider is that most of them seem to be home grown too. They are going to have a young core of lads who are from the local(ish) area:

2. Koree Britton
3. Shaun Knight
4. Elliott Stooke
7. Matt Kvesic (Worcestershire isn't that far away)
8. Ben Morgan

9. Dan Robson
10. Freddie Burns

11. Charle Sharples
13. Henry Trinder
14. Jonny May
15. Olly Morgan

Britton is from Torquay, Kvesic from Germany, Robson from Stoke, Burns from Bath (localish), Sharples from Hong Kong, Trinder and May from Swindon (localish), Morgan from London.
So whilst yes they have pretty much all come through the ranks in one way or another its pushing it a bit to call them all local loads.
Manu Tuillagi though is a proper Leicestershire boy

Rumour on Leinsterfans that Jonny Sexton's gone!

Where we were born counts as where we are from now then?

Cumbrian wrote: Where we were born counts as where we are from now then?

Im not sure its worth trying to have this conversation with a Bath based Gloucester fan called Cumbrian

Gone where? Racing?

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:Rumour on Leinsterfans that Jonny Sexton's gone!

620 grand. 2 year deal. Racing.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:Rumour on Leinsterfans that Jonny Sexton's gone!

620 grand. 2 year deal. Racing.

Best decision of his life. Easy money, new culture, comes back to Ireland in time for 2015 Rugby World Cup and will have added new skills to his armoury.

Best move he could have made.

Biggest *didnt see that one coming* of the season then, never wouldve expected him to move.
Racing even said they had given up on him!

Easy for you to say!

If he played for Munster you would not be so happy for him.

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:Biggest *didnt see that one coming* of the season then, never wouldve expected him to move.
Racing even said they had given up on him!

Double bluff. Hoping the IRFU would call Jonny's bluff when they heard Racing say that.

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:

Cumbrian wrote: Where we were born counts as where we are from now then?

Im not sure its worth trying to have this conversation with a Bath based Gloucester fan called Cumbrian

I'm not a Gloucester fan, as I suspect you well know. Anyway what's the alternative, I can only support the team based in the area I am currently living in? I'd change my allegiances quite often if that were the case.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:Easy for you to say!

If he played for Munster you would not be so happy for him.

I'd definitely be happy for him if I had Madigan to step up. You'll be fine.

Great move for Sexto! Big bucks, new lifestyle and the chance to to get away from Sin e's slagging!

Time for Madigan to step up to the plate for Leinster and he, Keatley and Jacko to fill the void for Ireland.

Bon Voyage!

Is the Kvesic to GLoucester move now confirmed?

Hearing also that Mullan's moved to Wasps?

Could be brilliant moves for both of them. As sad as it is, it will improve their England chances considerably.

Can we have Hernandez for FB then please...

11 Guildford
14 Kibirige
15 Hernandez
would be fine for me

This isn't confirmed though is it?

Do Ireland have an overseas player policy?

red_stag wrote:This isn't confirmed though is it?

Think you were responding to my post about Kvesic and Mullan? http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/sport/10184215.Kvesic_set_to_quit_Warriors_for_Gloucester/

If not, apologies for the link Stag!

GeordieFalcon wrote:Do Ireland have an overseas player policy?

Yup. If you're good enough like Bowe (Ospreys) and G.Murphy (Tigers) you can have a long and happy career. If you're an average player you're not gonna do well

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:Rumour on Leinsterfans that Jonny Sexton's gone!

620 grand. 2 year deal. Racing.

Per year?

red_stag wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:Easy for you to say!

If he played for Munster you would not be so happy for him.

I'd definitely be happy for him if I had Madigan to step up. You'll be fine.

I'm too busy recovering from feeling like I've been punched in the stomach to be happy for anyone yet.

profitius wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:Rumour on Leinsterfans that Jonny Sexton's gone!

620 grand. 2 year deal. Racing.

Per year?

Fock yeah. No way he would have moved for half that. Irfu would have beaten that offer when you take into account all the perks and the tax etc,..

But...

I...

At least wait until its confirmed before feeling sad. Some bloke on a forum said it with no proof.

red_stag wrote:At least wait until its confirmed before feeling sad. Some bloke on a forum said it with no proof.

Some bloke on a fourm got it from very high up. Announced later today.

That's a huge offer!

At least Madigan might get his chance to prove his potential

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

red_stag wrote:At least wait until its confirmed before feeling sad. Some bloke on a forum said it with no proof.

Some bloke on a fourm got it from very high up. Announced later today.

I have it on high authority than all of Leinsters players are moving to Galway and all of Connachts players are moving to Leinster.

(note: when I say high authority I mean from a stoned guy)

Starting to leak out now

http://brendanfanningrugby.wordpress.com/2013/01/25/sexton-heading-for-paris/

red_stag wrote:At least wait until its confirmed before feeling sad. Some bloke on a forum said it with no proof.

I trust the info. He's got form this lad...

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:

Cumbrian wrote:Yep, what's most pleasing looking in as an outsider is that most of them seem to be home grown too. They are going to have a young core of lads who are from the local(ish) area:

2. Koree Britton
3. Shaun Knight
4. Elliott Stooke
7. Matt Kvesic (Worcestershire isn't that far away)
8. Ben Morgan

9. Dan Robson
10. Freddie Burns

11. Charle Sharples
13. Henry Trinder
14. Jonny May
15. Olly Morgan

Britton is from Torquay, Kvesic from Germany, Robson from Stoke, Burns from Bath (localish), Sharples from Hong Kong, Trinder and May from Swindon (localish), Morgan from London.
So whilst yes they have pretty much all come through the ranks in one way or another its pushing it a bit to call them all local loads.
Manu Tuillagi though is a proper Leicestershire boy

That's a very tenuous use of the facts PSW! Sharples may have been born in Hong Kong, but as a product of St Peters School you can only ever claim he is a local lad having grown up in Glaws. That is the same argument many used to claim Simon Shaw wasn't English on the basis he was born in Kenya. Sharples, Morgan (brought up in Dursley) and Kvesic have all been quoted as being life long Glaws supporters. Once Bath move to Swindon we won't be able to claim it as local, but as it takes 35 minutes down the 419 its certainly pretty close.

Michael Corcoran has it on twitter now to be announced shortly.

I wouldn't be so sure sexton will just waltz back onto a central contract and into the Ireland squad in two years

Jackson, Olding, Hanrahan and Madigan may all have something to say on that. It is a calculated risk (longer term) for his international future. In the short term he will of course remain number one and will be minted!

You talking about ror mick? Yes he is a very crediable source. So I'm pretty worried. I will be pretty mad at Sexton if he goes.

LeinsterFan,

How could you be mad at Sexton.

I can understand being sad about him leaving but it is a no brainer.

He owes nothing more to Leinster. He won them 3 Heineken Cups and is now going to have new adventures and get some extra money.

He has won Leinster 3 heineken cups. He doesn't owe them anything

Standulstermen wrote:He has won Leinster 3 heineken cups. He doesn't owe them anything

+1

Genuinely didnt see Sexton moving on with the player welfare programme and other perks but can see the benefits of moving to France for him. Wouldn't turn my nose up at 620k a year! Young Madigan to step up to the plate now so

Its a good thing we still have ROG now that Sexton is moving to France.

Means that we have an experienced first choice international while the others learn their trade.