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...

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

It has been very quiet. His neck got well and truly mashed - so all we can do is keep fingers crossed.

Yappysnap I think it's all about getting the right balance. I think Tigers are focussed too much on getting the best bargains. Too many guys with potential who might come good instead of proven class. The likes of Lamb,Benjamin,Tait,Thompstone etc.

It's risky.

Don't Tigers have any wingers/full backs in their academy?

Yeah theres a few mate...we're just bringing them through nicely for them up here at KP..

Scott Wilson has rejected a move to Tigers if that helps.

It does thanks Driver...though in all honesty...id be surprised to see any of the kids moving now as they have in the past...Deano and the team are a huge factor.

He was saying on friday night how he wants a team to challange for the HC in 4 years and it would be based around

15-20 Local/Squad players
7 top internationals
3 World Class Players

Tigers have given something back to Newcastle - Dean Richards. Perhaps in the future Leicester will become feeder club for Newcastle?

You already have the Bath Tigers. Perhaps the Newcastle Tigers will be the new force?

Jimmy Goppereth to Japan aswell.

Who you looking to replace Jimmy Gopperth with?

He's fat , played 10 for England a few time. Was cult hero at Tigers.


Rory Clegg is a done deal on the Barnard Castle School boys front.

Yeah id heard about Jimmy to Japan.

Well we have Hodgson still a work in progress...and by all accounts we have signed...or have done a deal for a return of Rory Clegg.

Not a big fan of bringing him back in all honesty. Id prefer another top FH to help bring along Hodgson. But we shall see...

Whilst ive never hidden im not a huge Gopperth fan...id prefer to keep him for another season or so...then let Hodgson loose on the world as 1st choice.

EDIT: Yeah Driver ive heard the Andy Goode rumours....

Surprised Clegg isn't going to Leicester.

You going to re-sign Alex Gray?

I hope not , Grey wouldn't get in our back row at 6.

Our back row in the AP will be

6.York
7.Welch
8.Hogg

Yeah Drivers right, he wouldnt get in the the team....and in all honesty why take him back when he showed no loyalty what soever...similar to Clegg actually.

That back row will depend on Yorks fitness Driver...seems seriously injury prone.
Plus im a massive Wilson fan...still think he's our top 6.

6 Wilson
7 Welch
8 York (Hopefully fit) ...or BIG JOE ROBINSON

Chris York was at my club last sunday doing some coaching and from what people have told me he was saying he should be back in 2-3 weeks.

Driver rugby is about the squad not just the first XV.

Alex Gray is a player with potential. Same with Clegg.

Why take them back? You need a squad that can potentially compete in the AP. If you can unlock the potential in these two ex England U20s you'll do well.


Do you think you've got the squad depth to compete in the AP yet?

I do reckon we do, We'd be a top 8 side this season with the current squad.

I just don't think Grey looked much kop at premiership level.

I think you perhaps overestimate your side. We won't know for sure until their likelihood return to the AP though.

I'm not so sure we'd be that high Driver.

A few of our players are pretty unproven at AP level although I'd like to think we'd be hovering above the bottom 3.

hovering above the bottom 3.

So top 9 lol

Decent gap though, I don't think we'd be above Worcester.

Worcester are losing Kvesic and Mullan...two key players if you ask me.

I think we'd do alright in the prem...and i have no doubt we will strengthen in the summer. Everything hangs on if we come up or not...

GeordieFalcon wrote:Yeah Drivers right, he wouldnt get in the the team....and in all honesty why take him back when he showed no loyalty what soever...similar to Clegg actually.

That back row will depend on Yorks fitness Driver...seems seriously injury prone.
Plus im a massive Wilson fan...still think he's our top 6.

6 Wilson
7 Welch
8 York (Hopefully fit) ...or BIG JOE ROBINSON

Is Tuifua not that highly rated at Newcastle? He looked awesome for Samoa in the autumn.

Rumours are Tui'fua is away to France...with Toulon and Montpellier being named...but who knows...names are flying about all over...

http://balls.ie/rugby/is-super-fast-american-rugby-sevens-star-carlin-isles-coming-on-trial-with-leinster/

Posted by mickyt there...

Claassens has gone to Toulon.

Yappysnap I think it's all about getting the right balance. I think Tigers are focussed too much on getting the best bargains. Too many guys with potential who might come good instead of proven class. The likes of Lamb,Benjamin,Tait,Thompstone etc.

It's risky.

Don't Tigers have any wingers/full backs in their academy?

I think Tigers will be bargain hunting for next season unless Toulon pull their finger out and cough up the cash for Castro.

There's a few wingers of promise in the academy but they are 18 or younger, with the exception of Purdy and Lewington with Purdy only 19 and Lewington gaining experience at Notts. With thr Tigers academy team topping their league and some members of that team already seeing first team action hopefully we'll see more come through. Though it was the renewals of home grown talent that proved so expensive ahead of next season (Youngs x 2).

Slighty late on LT's point on Geordan, he was exceptional for us last season and the only reason he isn't playing more is that his knee is a mess and may force his retirement earlier than expected. The strapping was certainly evident when he has been called upon.

GeordieFalcon wrote:It does thanks Driver...though in all honesty...id be surprised to see any of the kids moving now as they have in the past...Deano and the team are a huge factor.

Worth noting that a few of the Quins boys have said in interviews that Deano isn't everyone's cup of tea (but then name me one top coach who's everyone's mate?) You might find that one or two leave for odd reasons when you do come up, but you can guarantee that Richards will have taken steps to get the youth or quality signings in place to fill that gap.

Clegg could be brilliant for Falcons, I know a lot of Quins fans were gutted to see him go. I wouldn't be so quick to write him off at Newcastle, he brings experience of Europe and the Prem which will be priceless for your youngsters. I also think that given his head and as one of the seniors he'll shine.

Andy Goode is apparently off to Wasps.

So not only were Falcons happy to take Tigers coach now they've taken two Quins boys!! They need to get their own academy...

beshocked wrote:Yappysnap I think it's all about getting the right balance. I think Tigers are focussed too much on getting the best bargains. Too many guys with potential who might come good instead of proven class. The likes of Lamb,Benjamin,Tait,Thompstone etc.

It's risky.

Don't Tigers have any wingers/full backs in their academy?

It does seem like if it isn't a tight five forward then Cockerill won't spend any money on it. Cockers doesn't seem to like using the academy except for the LV either. Especially compared to how Saracens, Exeter, Glos and Quins go about things.

yappysnap wrote:Clegg could be brilliant for Falcons, I know a lot of Quins fans were gutted to see him go. I wouldn't be so quick to write him off at Newcastle, he brings experience of Europe and the Prem which will be priceless for your youngsters. I also think that given his head and as one of the seniors he'll shine.

I agree, and wouldn't have been upset to see him at Saints next season. Think he is the kind of player who will do well when he's in the team on merrit and not playing in someone else's shadow. Must be hard being compared to Nick Evans every time your called upon. Probably wouldn't hurt to have another goal kicker in the team but otherwise I think he will do well.

yappysnap wrote:Andy Goode is apparently off to Wasps.

Thank goodness.....

B91212 wrote:

yappysnap wrote:Clegg could be brilliant for Falcons, I know a lot of Quins fans were gutted to see him go. I wouldn't be so quick to write him off at Newcastle, he brings experience of Europe and the Prem which will be priceless for your youngsters. I also think that given his head and as one of the seniors he'll shine.

I agree, and wouldn't have been upset to see him at Saints next season. Think he is the kind of player who will do well when he's in the team on merrit and not playing in someone else's shadow. Must be hard being compared to Nick Evans every time your called upon. Probably wouldn't hurt to have another goal kicker in the team but otherwise I think he will do well.

yappysnap wrote:Andy Goode is apparently off to Wasps.

Thank goodness.....

Yea, one of the things that makes him very different from Botica is the latters self belief and/or arrogance. You can see although he's quite humble in an interview when he's on the pitch he thinks he's the best around. Clegg probably due to being British just doesn't have that in built arrogance. His skillset though, especially passing long, is quality.

It does seem like if it isn't a tight five forward then Cockerill won't spend any money on it. Cockers doesn't seem to like using the academy except for the LV either. Especially compared to how Saracens, Exeter, Glos and Quins go about things.

He does seem very strict on the academy lads and they do seem to have too work twice as hard as a signing to get a chance. Having said that you look at the Tigers first choice team and T Youngs, Cole, Deacon, Croft, B Youngs, Manu and Murphy (though he is injured a lot in his dotage) are all academy graduates.

Though a lot more forwards seem to get given a chance than backs. I wonder then how much of that is Cockerill's doing and how much is O'Connor's. MOC is running right of favour with the fans many of whom would much rather see a former Tiger such as Mauger, Gibson or Austin take over the rule. Certainly some new ideas for the team in attack would be beneficial.

I've only seen two of those but Mauger or Healy would be amazing. I still feel you miss Mauger's influence massively in the team, you'd have thought the board would love to get him in even just as a consultant to the backs.

A couple of seasons ago didn't you have a specialist breakdown coach and didn't that work out very well too? I seem to remember the Tigers forwards being really aggressive there.

You may be right that it's MOC more then Cockerill but one of them seems almost scared to try out the youngsters.

Mauger would be the ideal choice but he moved home so his son could be near the family and whilst his job at Canterbury continues it will be hard to convince him otherwise. He said he wanted to cone back at some point though.

Healy would be good but famously likes to fight with Cockerill, it might make for a strained working relationship but one that could work very well.

Gibson is in a short term contract so would be the most likely and is the most experienced. Gets on well with Cockers and was a fans favourite.

The former breakdown coach Herring took the big Japan pay check as an assistant coach. I did wonder if Newby would step into that but he's now coaching Cambridge.

yappysnap wrote:

It does seem like if it isn't a tight five forward then Cockerill won't spend any money on it.

He spends money on the back row too. John Barclay is rumoured to be signing for Tigers, it was talked off a while ago but was mentioned on the two Tigers forums yesterday. Presumably some of Castro's salary/ transfer fee is allowing Tigers to sign him.

If Gibson is replacing Newby as the 6/7/8 and Barclay replacing Woods at 7 then I think Leicester have done pretty well!!

Fraser McKenzie, Sale second row, rumours for us. A replacement for Hudson?

Speaking of Sale second rows, Myall has signed for Wasps apparently, pretty decent signing I think.

Yeah just heard that aswell Bathman...

From the Wasps website...

Kearnan Myall

Thats a decent group of second rows to work with...Launchbury, Cannon, Wentzel, Palmer and Myall...

GeordieFalcon wrote:Thats a decent group of second rows to work with...Launchbury, Cannon, Wentzel, Palmer and Myall...

If Gibson is replacing Newby as the 6/7/8 and Barclay replacing Woods at 7 then I think Leicester have done pretty well!!

Yeah that would be good. We've lacked a little bite in the backrow this season and so far the recruitment plus the return to full fitness of Crane and Croft bodes well for next season.

Wessel Jooste has gone on to Castres who are mid injury crisis in the hope of landing a deal for next season. This means the injury cover signing has played not once for Tigers due to injury and now never will.

looks like the ospreys are looking at Zebre scrum-half Tito Tebaldi & Scarlet Scrum half Rhodri Williams to fill the void of Kahn Fotuali'I.

Ryan Lamb joins Leicester Tigers, surely Ford will be going to the Saints and not Bath?

VictorU3, George Ford won't sign for Saints. They did nothing to develop his brother's career and his dad is at Bath and apparently offering assurances over first team game time.

Rumours are that Heathcote is ready to follow Donald out of the exit door. Edinburgh are supposedly waiting to snap him up and I'd assume a few AP teams would make an offer for him though he does have a year left on his contract.

Olly Barkley will be released by Racing Metro this summer so could head straight back to the wreck.

Rob Miller and Dan Braid extend their contracts with Sale Sharks - feic. Are there any decent 10s left in the English game? Exe can't just go with Steenson and young Henry Slade, no matter how good the latter is - double feic

If bath let heathcote leave ill be flipping mad, he's developing into areal class act. Would love to have Barkley back...would be a tad embarrasing for him though...hell probably go to another French team tbh

Nicky Robinson is heading to Bristol.

Seems a bit odd, is their no top league team who want him? He was first choice for Gloucester a couple of seasons ago and for the Blues before that!

Excellent news for Sale fans, Braid seems to be an inspiration for them on and off the park and forms a very combative flank partnership with Seymour.

Rob Miller is a hell of a 15 and is a pretty decent 10. I'd like to see him work with his high ball work and become an international class full back.

Seems like the Sale players are starting to believe.

Bath have made two good forward signings for next season but quality tight heads require a reliable boot to turn their skill to points. That is one of the few things Ford doesn't offer.