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...

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_8515367,00.html

Gethin Jenkins back to Cardiff

looks like wasps have replaced robinson with worcester fly half joe carlisle.

http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12547/8515824/Worcester-fly-half-Joe-Carlisle-will-join-Wasps-for-the-2013-14-season

Toulon have signed Rocky Elsom on injury cover until the end of the season.

I think this is getting out of hand now. Surely there is a young French flanker out there that could cover for injuries and do a good job. Do Toulon have an academy?

Bit of a joke signing really. Munoz who elsom is replacing been long term injured for a while and wasnt playing much anyway. So only league to find a player available is japan... Guess elsom will hardly play, this is another marketing stunt by Toulon. And yes they have decent academy: maestri, fickou , gunther, orioli , martin are some of the recent players that came through it.

Elsom tried to go to Japan but failed a medical.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Toulon have signed Rocky Elsom on injury cover until the end of the season.

I think this is getting out of hand now. Surely there is a young French flanker out there that could cover for injuries and do a good job. Do Toulon have an academy?

That is just ridiculous

IV heard peel abd andy powell are heading to dragons

welshboii15 wrote:IV heard peel abd andy powell are heading to dragons

The Blues could have used Peel. Still, it will be good to see them back in Wales, strengthening the regional squads at least (both are out of the international frame now)

Yea be good seeing them back id really like seeing the out of favour international players come back to Wales because I think them two plus Henson I really think they could help the youngsters at dragons along

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Elsom tried to go to Japan but failed a medical.

Right, he might be an expensive water boy then!

Seb Stegmann released by Quins and joining London Welsh. Quins fans on here do not seem to rate him so not a big loss for them I guess. A good chamionship player?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21576537

Heard pretty strong rumours on facebook and twitter linking Adam Ashley Cooper to Leinster.

Ye Dodger a lot of posters saying it on Leinster fans. It seems like a done deal. Could mean that we are losing Isa.

Is Isa not under contract for another season?

I would imagine its because Leinster know BOD will call it a day after the Lions.

Ye maybe. Its just that Isa is rumoured to be moving to Japan or France. I dont see why we couldnt keep Isa.

Former Ulster wing Mark McCrea has left Connacht for Jersey - confirmed.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21575809

With Hank off, we have 2 NIQ spots free, or are they reducing it?

Would love Nacewa to be brought in to the coaching setup when he does call it a day

No surprise that McCrea left Connacht. He is a long way down the pecking order.

Shane Monaghan has showed that if you can do well in the Championship you can still get offers from top clubs, so good luck to him.

LondonTiger wrote:Seb Stegmann released by Quins and joining London Welsh. Quins fans on here do not seem to rate him so not a big loss for them I guess. A good chamionship player?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21576537

He is joining them with imediate effect - requested by Lyn Jones.

He's been a good club player, shown glimpses of real tallent. But, We have some good cover for the back 3 and competition for places.
Tom Williams, Ugo Monye, Sam Smith etc. and Chisholm and OLH to cover the wing spot.

Heard pretty strong rumours on facebook and twitter linking Adam Ashley Cooper to Leinster.

Last time his contract was up he visited Tigers training ground (among others). Don't be surprised if it isn't just him and his agent trying to get more cash out of the Oz union.

propdavid_london wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:Seb Stegmann released by Quins and joining London Welsh. Quins fans on here do not seem to rate him so not a big loss for them I guess. A good chamionship player?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21576537

He is joining them with imediate effect - requested by Lyn Jones.

He's been a good club player, shown glimpses of real tallent. But, We have some good cover for the back 3 and competition for places.
Tom Williams, Ugo Monye, Sam Smith etc. and Chisholm and OLH to cover the wing spot.

Bit like Clegg in that he always hinted at being quality but then would fall apart in games. I wish him the best at LW and hope he does well there for them, except against us!

Have we got any new flyers coming through the ranks yappy?
Or do you think COS is happy with the back 3 that we have and backups.

Richie Gray has allegedly signed for Castres. thought he would end up in a better club but maybe he's friend with max Evans.

posted a few hours ago on espn scrum:

Scotland lock Richie Gray could leave the Sale Sharks at the end of the season, according to reports in the Manchester Evening News.

The newspaper claims that Gray's advisor's have held discussions with Castres while Gloucester and Saracens are also rumoured to be interested. Gray reportedly has an escape clause in his contract if Sale are relegated but even if the Sharks stay up, the newspaper says that the club will not stand in his way if he opts to leave.

Would probably free up a huge amount of cash if Grey left Sale.
He hasnt really shone though in a poor season for Sale - not really worth the investment perhaps.

Cant blame him for the big money move to France though - there would be no barriers for him nationally speaking as I'm not sure Scotland could afford not to pick him.

The Torygraph was very careful to say that Gray hadn't signed for anyone yet.
Sarries would suit him.

Anyone heard anything more about Barclay's possible move to the Tigers?

propdavid_london wrote:Have we got any new flyers coming through the ranks yappy?
Or do you think COS is happy with the back 3 that we have and backups.

I can only think of Charlie Walker, mind you he does look quality, can't wait to see him in the LV hopefully next season!

I guess COS is backing Smith and OLH to deliver in the long run.

Wilkinson expected to be named a Falcon tomorrow.

Not sure how true it it , just seen it on Twitter.

yappysnap wrote:I can only think of Charlie Walker, mind you he does look quality, can't wait to see him in the LV hopefully next season!

Ollie Smith reckons Walker should be in Quins matchday 23 next season for all matches, not just cameos in the LV, and even reckons he will push for international recognition sooner rather than later.

Driver wrote:Wilkinson expected to be named a Falcon tomorrow.

Not sure how true it it , just seen it on Twitter.

My search of twitter seems to indicate he is extending his stay in toulon by another year.

I have it from people with ties at Kingston , might be a loan deal with a view to return to Toulon as a coach at the end.

How true is the rumour of Trimble moving to France?

LeinsterFan4life wrote:How true is the rumour of Trimble moving to France?

According to UAFC there is an ulster player off to France on a good 2 year deal but its a player who hasn't been getting a lot of game time. It's unlikely to be Trimble. His wife is a junior doctor aswell so I don't see her moving to France right now.

No neither do I. The rumour started because he was seen checking out the Stade Francais facilities. But I have no doubt he is staying.

However I'm really intested to see who is going.

LondonTiger wrote:

yappysnap wrote:I can only think of Charlie Walker, mind you he does look quality, can't wait to see him in the LV hopefully next season!

Ollie Smith reckons Walker should be in Quins matchday 23 next season for all matches, not just cameos in the LV, and even reckons he will push for international recognition sooner rather than later.

I would love that to be true but unless there are injuries I'm not sure if it'll happen. From what ive seen of Eng age grade games though I agree with Smiths assesment. Just think that Walker will need some injuries before he makes the 23, we have too many youngsters in and around the team.

He could be an exceptional 13/wing though

Yappy, Mantella will start for is in a few season too

Falcons have signed up Noah Cato, not too sure about that one. He has spent an awful long time not doing very much.


http://www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk/news/story/falcons-land-cato

Probably having a look at him with potential for a permanent move Cumbrian.

Looked a prospect a few seasons back, could be a good move.

Charlie Walker - havent seen too much of him yet.

Whats the story with Miles Benjamin at Tigers - Has he played for them at all yet?

Talk today of Faletau to Ospreys.

I haven't known an Ospreys rumour not to be true yet.

t1000advancedprototype wrote:Talk today of Faletau to Ospreys.

I haven't known an Ospreys rumour not to be true yet.

Hasn't Faletau already confirmed he will be at the dragons next year?

Cumbrian wrote:Falcons have signed up Noah Cato, not too sure about that one. He has spent an awful long time not doing very much.


http://www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk/news/story/falcons-land-cato

It's only until the end of the season though. For whatever reason he has failed to shine at Saints, but he does have potential. My guess is you've probably got him pretty cheap so I'd suggest nothing ventured nothing gained with him.

HongKongCherry wrote:

Cumbrian wrote:Falcons have signed up Noah Cato, not too sure about that one. He has spent an awful long time not doing very much.


http://www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk/news/story/falcons-land-cato

It's only until the end of the season though. For whatever reason he has failed to shine at Saints, but he does have potential. My guess is you've probably got him pretty cheap so I'd suggest nothing ventured nothing gained with him.

Makes sense as a see how he goes and how he fits in the team sort of thing. IF they make it to the Jeff and he has played well he gets a contract next season, if they fail to get promoted and/or he is poor then he leaves.

heard a few rumblings that martin johnson could be back at the tigers within the next couple of seasons if the tigers fortunes don't turn around.

I do hope they just get rid of O'Conner instead.

propdavid_london wrote:Charlie Walker - havent seen too much of him yet.

Whats the story with Miles Benjamin at Tigers - Has he played for them at all yet?

He has, i think it was a a team game where he injured his neck.

Benjamin broke his toe in pre season then damaged his neck on his comeback in an A league game. Won't appear before next season.

COS is staying with Quins and NOT going to save Ireland.

His contracts up after next season but he's come out stating he'd like to extend that.

yappysnap wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:

yappysnap wrote:I can only think of Charlie Walker, mind you he does look quality, can't wait to see him in the LV hopefully next season!

Ollie Smith reckons Walker should be in Quins matchday 23 next season for all matches, not just cameos in the LV, and even reckons he will push for international recognition sooner rather than later.

I would love that to be true but unless there are injuries I'm not sure if it'll happen. From what ive seen of Eng age grade games though I agree with Smiths assesment. Just think that Walker will need some injuries before he makes the 23, we have too many youngsters in and around the team.

He could be an exceptional 13/wing though

He is playing 15 for Esher apparently.

Yea while writing that I was trying to remember if he played 15 as well.

Without trying to jinx him he could be the new Mat Tait, but better.

ChequeredJersey wrote:Yappy, Mantella will start for is in a few season too

Am I being thick or is he a flyhalf?