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...

Yeah but Deano dictates the play...and hes an old fashioned forward man.
I like our style this season...we've been uncompromising in the pack...our scrum is a serious weapon...and our backs have been clinical if unspectacular.
A little more flair would be nice...but im not complaining.

I do think some backs will be on the radar this season...and maybe the second row will be looked at...but we're in not bad shape all in all...our props and back row stable is very strong...even at Prem level now i would say....and thats a big call...

Dont get ahead of yourselves re: promotion....

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:Dont get ahead of yourselves re: promotion....

Absolutely there's still time for Tigers to swoop for your players...


But I would say I really can't see anyone else but Falcons being promoted. To be undefeated at this stage is a real sign of intent. I think it's great that you've been giving decent game time to youngsters as that is exactly the way to build the team to become a force again in the Jeff. On a purely selfish notion, I'd like you to replace Sale, as Irish, Welsh & Wuss are decent away games for me! Actually if i were being really selfish, I'd want Bristol to return at the expense of Sale!

I see James Scaysbrook has signed for...


Exeter for another 2 years.

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:Dont get ahead of yourselves re: promotion....

Not at all mate...but i think a gentle reminder to the players of what happened to the run away leaders last season should keep their feet on the ground.
They're one off games and anything could happen...could you imagine our first defeat of the season being an exit in the play offs....

I didnt think Scaysbrook would go anywhere...part of a cracking set up where hes a key player and enjoying his rugby...

Theres a lot to say for the playoffs ( and hats off the LW they are making a decent stab at the Jeff even if they may well end up relegated after all) but the problems it creates for a run away leader like Ncastle are obvious. They are taking a big risk by signing up players for next season (which they otherwise could at this point feel far more comfortable in doing sans playoffs), but equally do not want to shed too much wheat or chaff not knowing which will be required for next year until after other teams have finalised their squads and dont want to take their droppings.

I think that since the play-offs were introduced for promo only Worcester topped the championship and gained promotion. Even then they only got through the semi by dint of an injury time score.

Dave Lewis from Glaws to Exe - done deal

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Dave Lewis from Glaws to Exe - done deal

Potentially a great signing if you can recapture his form of old. He needs a bit of confidence and game time, but if he could hark back to when he ousted Rory Lawson and Gareth Cooper at Glaws he'll be an excellent addition. Unfortunately he's never been the same since his injury a few seasons ago against London Irish.

He'll get more game time now Cowan is out. He really failed to deliver last season but has looked sharp in the games he's played in this campaign.

Would like to see him get somewhere with Chiefs, heaps of potential.

Tom Johnson sticks with Chiefs

Exeter are really impressing me with their whole set up.

They are keeping hold of their top players...attracting new ones..bargain finds...and their youth set up appears to be flying judging by their representation in the England age groups...

A great example of why ring fencing is not necesarily the way forward...

Exactly GF. I'd hope the Championship clubs were using them as a role model. Sustainable growth, strong team ethic and squad building over star players is thd way to do it.

Not sure if anyone will care that much but Mark Sorenson is leaving Saints to join Andy Robinson at Bristol (if the bbc are correct on that). Surprised as thought he had signed on for 2 years last year. Not big news as such but it does leave Saints short of a specialist line out operator with only the injury prone in recent seasons Christian Day left on the books. Plenty of 4/6 type locks that Mallinder & West seem to prefer left though with Lawes, Manoa & Craig but does this mean that they have someone else lined up? Would rather the wages used on a decent 10 but I've just about given up hope on that for next season.

Anyone else surprised that Tom Johnson has only signed a 1 year deal? Wonder if it meant he had something else lined up elsewhere before the injury. Not trying to wind any Chiefs fans up but would have thought they would have liked him tied in for the rest of his career at the top level.

Hasn't Buxton the Glaws flanker also gone to Bristol for next season?

Not that unusual B91212, Johnson is on the international fringes and so his demands will be that of an international but Exeter might be cautious given his recent injury and the likelyhood of future callups. He is also into his 30s and for a lot of flankers that is when retirement can come fairly quick. It looks like negociations are ongoing but a short term deal is in place whilst they continue.

That or he is thinking of France should he not get back in with England.

Wian Du Preez could be leaving Munster.

Ryan Lamb to Tigers with Andy Goode rumoured to Wasps, Glaws or Saints.

Ryan Lamb

yappysnap wrote:Ryan Lamb

The Tuesday training sessions just got a lot more interesting.

Nothing confirmed only rumour. The idea of him tackling Manu, Mafi and Tom Youngs every Tuesday does make me smile. It'll be a brave move on his part as it'll be make or break for his career at the top level, if he can't make it at Tigers when he's playing behind a quality pack and the best 9 in the NH with a tasty backline outside him. If he doesn't show good now I doubt another top team will give him a chance.

formerly known as Sam wrote:....... if he can't make it at Tigers when he's playing behind a quality pack and the best 9 in the NH with a tasty ........

Wow, we have signed Morgan Parra for next season?

I was going to ask why Danny Care had broken his contract to join Tigers

Danny Care the 2nd best scrum half in England??

Benny has been exceptional this season his tactical play is better than Care with his attacking play just as good. Parra has been a touch off form when I've seen Clermont of late he's still tactically good but seems to lack attacking flair.

Just teasing, I see there are little between the likes of Parra, Care and Youngs at 9. Personally I think that Danny's tactical game has been on top form for Quins and Parra can turn it on in attack whenever I've seen him, a big part of Leinster's execution this year. But Youngs is rightfully 1st choice for England. For now. Just

Great to have 2 top SH's fighting it out for the jersey.

Eammon Sheridan looks to be joining London Irish. That guy has been so unlucky with injuries, hope all works out for him. He was a good prospect at leinster.

Ryan Lamb to Tigers is now confirmed. Tigers orginally went for Myler but Northampton upped there offer to him.

Still not sure what to make of the move.

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/Transfer-news-Leicester-Tigers-agree-deal/story-18181993-detail/story.html#axzz2LFCdRECB

Aye.

They mention the success Tigers have had with Anthony Allen, but since leaving Glaws Lamb has failed at LI and Saints.

I guess he was cheap though, and a decent backup player who is well down the England pecking order.

Lamb is not a player who I would associate with Leicester. Still, he is still a good player and maybe this will be the kick up the behind he needs to fulfill his potential...

Like for like with Ford I guess. Bit of a lightweight whos not really as good as people used to think.

Difference being theres no danger he will get called up for England.

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:Like for like with Ford I guess. Bit of a lightweight whos not really as good as people used to think.

Difference being theres no danger he will get called up for England.

how many times do we say that about Tigers players though and look what happens!

Personally i alsways thought Lamb should have made 9 his position not ten.

Interesting move...joining up with his old pal Anthony Allen...

LondonTiger wrote:Aye.

They mention the success Tigers have had with Anthony Allen, but since leaving Glaws Lamb has failed at LI and Saints.

I guess he was cheap though, and a decent backup player who is well down the England pecking order.

But Allen was always the better player. Whilst Lamb is capable of doing the odd bit of amazing play, Allen has always operated at a consistently high level. He will certainly benefit from playing behind the Tigers pack, but I'm pretty amazed you've signed him. It's been 4 years since he left Glaws and bar his place kicking he has failed to improve at all. He is still a defensive liability and can just fade out of games. But you'll probably get a few intercept tries as I feel there isn't a better player in the Jeff at reading the intercept.

HongKongCherry wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:Aye.

They mention the success Tigers have had with Anthony Allen, but since leaving Glaws Lamb has failed at LI and Saints.

I guess he was cheap though, and a decent backup player who is well down the England pecking order.

But Allen was always the better player. Whilst Lamb is capable of doing the odd bit of amazing play, Allen has always operated at a consistently high level. He will certainly benefit from playing behind the Tigers pack, but I'm pretty amazed you've signed him. It's been 4 years since he left Glaws and bar his place kicking he has failed to improve at all. He is still a defensive liability and can just fade out of games. But you'll probably get a few intercept tries as I feel there isn't a better player in the Jeff at reading the intercept.

Flood's being doing pretty well at inceptions recently. I'm not sure he will benefit much more behind the Tigers pack than he did at Saints. Will certainly be interesting to see how it pans out.

By:

"reading the intercept"

I assume you mean :

"positioning himself in such a way that he isnt going to have to tackle either player"

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:By:

"reading the intercept"

I assume you mean :

"positioning himself in such a way that he isnt going to have to tackle either player"

That's certainly one way to look at it!

Some centre called regis lespinas might join gloucester in the coming days. Currently play for lyon in prod2.

Meanwhile Timani (tahs) is set to join Montpelier while Kockott could well be playing for Toulouse next season (meaning burgess back to oz)

Ryan Lamb

I hope he proves me wrong but this just seems to be another one of Cockerills poor signings for Tigers.

Can't see Tigers fighting in Europe and the Prem next season with Lamb a backline of:

Harrison
Lamb
Thompstone
Allan
Smith
Morris
Tait

Still again I hope he proves me wrong as I always like a strong Leicester team.

whocares wrote:Some centre called regis lespinas might join gloucester in the coming days. Currently play for lyon in prod2.

I'd be very surprised if that's true. Next season we've definitely got 36, Mills, Tindall, Trinder, Molenaar with May and Monahan able to play in the centres. Drew Locke will probably be released, but the money should and probably will be spent on the pack, particularly lock...

Tigers backline options next season (1st/2nd/3rd choice):

9. Youngs/Mele/Harrison
10. Flood/Lamb/Cornwall
11. Thompstone/Goneva/Benjamin
12. Allen/Bowden/Symons
13. Manu/Smith/Forsyth
14. Morris/Lewington/Purdy
15. Tait erm... then we're using wingers...

We're not looking too bad. It would be preferable to retain Ford or bring in Heathcote (though I hear he is now off to Edinburgh despite having a year on his contract) but we're in a decent position. A better backs coach would be higher on my list than any other player signing now on.

Cockerill likes to blow the budget on THs, hence the relative lack of quality in the backline. The first choice players are good, although the back 3 lack star quality, but the back-up is fairly uninspiring.

Sam i'm not sure about those second choice players: Mele an unknown, Lamb known as flaky, Goneva in and out of games, Bowden hasn't looked on the same page as any one else, Smith looks average, Lewington an academy lad that could be very good, then Tait.

It just seems like Tigers have some how slipped behind the other top teams in terms of depth (look at Saracens, Leinster, Ulster or Quins), where before you had absolute quality foreigners in key positions and then bright new wonder boys in other slots, now you seem to have journeymen, or players who don't to my eyes fit the game plan. The squad just seems a little higgledy piggledy.

Mele is a HEC experienced 9 and 10 with Perpignan, he has been more of a first team regular for them than Dupuy was for Biarritz when came to us and Mele plays in a similar style. I think that could well be a major coup next season as he's a reliably good goal kicker.

Goneva looks promising but has some adapting to do after playing in the second league in France. Benjamin is still to come back. Morris is in good form, Lewington is playing and scoring regularly for Notts. Smith is underrated, he rarely misses a tackle and makes ground ball in hand, it'll take an injury crisis for him to get near an England callup but he's a perfect club man capable of playing 11 through to 15 and hugely loyal.

Bowden will come good in his second season. The major loss is Murphy, we have pace, power, footballing skills elsewhere. What we don't have is a tactical master who has the level of cool headed brilliance even in the biggest games. Benny could be that good in a couple of years but we're lacking that touch of the sublime particularly in the back three. Tait is good running with the ball, even though he's operating at about 80%, he doesn't have the touch of the tactically sublime though.

I guess we shall have to wait and see, but I look at that squad and none of those second or third choice players look like they'd get in to any other top 4 teams squad.

I could of course though be massively wrong...And the coaching probably doesn't help.

Where's Benjamin at on his recovery? I thought he'd maybe push for England honours pre injury.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Mele is a HEC experienced 9 and 10 with Perpignan, he has been more of a first team regular for them than Dupuy was for Biarritz when came to us and Mele plays in a similar style. I think that could well be a major coup next season as he's a reliably good goal kicker.

Goneva looks promising but has some adapting to do after playing in the second league in France. Benjamin is still to come back. Morris is in good form, Lewington is playing and scoring regularly for Notts. Smith is underrated, he rarely misses a tackle and makes ground ball in hand, it'll take an injury crisis for him to get near an England callup but he's a perfect club man capable of playing 11 through to 15 and hugely loyal.

Bowden will come good in his second season. The major loss is Murphy, we have pace, power, footballing skills elsewhere. What we don't have is a tactical master who has the level of cool headed brilliance even in the biggest games. Benny could be that good in a couple of years but we're lacking that touch of the sublime particularly in the back three. Tait is good running with the ball, even though he's operating at about 80%, he doesn't have the touch of the tactically sublime though.

With regards to Murphy lets face it weve largely been without him for years now. First it was a series of bad injuries now he just cant make the team.
I dont really see his pensioning off as much of a weakening, unless youre talking about Tigers still having failed to replace the Murphy of 3+ years ago.