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...

B91212 wrote:

yappysnap wrote:I wish Quins would sign someone, it's no fun just watching everyone else.

Paul Doran-Jones alone not enough for you? Thats what you get for spending your entire budget on Nick Evans (although he is probably worth it )

It wouldn't be the first time that he wasn't enough for someone...

formerly known as Sam wrote:I can't see us bringing through any backs from the academy until MOC departs. His record at advancing young players is pretty woeful. Cockers has succeeded with several forwards (both buying young nobodies and promoting academy grads) but is not that prolific.

Lewington has been playing very well (albeit on the wing) at Notts, playing a big role in their victory over Bedford. He still can't get a game over out of form and off at the end of the season Hamilton. That is starting to annoy me in the backs.

HKC, Miller will generally be first choice at Sale, Tigers can't offer that certainty. Add to that Tigers limited salary cap space Sale easily outbid us. I suspect that Watson knew he'd be backup somewhere ans preferred to earn more whilst doing so, add to that his mate Joseph is supposed to be signing for Bath as well.

Sam do you seriously think a player would choose Sale over Tigers? Maybe if Cockers stopped signing up countless forwards and just let your Academy boys take up the slack there would be the spare cash to sign a player? More to the point with Castro leaving, you'd either have the space for a marquee signing (obviously not Miller) or more than likely you could move Cole and his reported £300k off the cap. So where's that cash gone? I appreciate the likes of Parling and Mafi will have both received higher contracts, but has that really eaten up all the space?

LondonTiger wrote:

beshocked wrote:Sam I really rate Geordan Murphy. One of my favourite players but he can't be expected to taken all the burden at FB.

I have yet to be convinced by Tait. With so many decent FBs floating around you would think Tigers could pick up an ideal back up quite easily. One of Miller,Watson or Ransom for example.

propdavid london true about Steffon Armitage. I suppose one perk for Toulon is that S.Armitage will be available all season because England won't pick him.

Tait has done pretty well so far this season - but needs to work on defensive positioning and his kicking game. TBH seeing him fit is a massive bonus.

We had talks with Watson but he is heading down the M4 to Bath, while Miller was also suggested as an option. Rhys Williams has been outstanding for the U18s - I would like him to feature at least a little next season.

if that's Rhys from North wales then I will back you up, having played with him and against him (he played for Wrexham prior to moving at u12's and went to my school) I can say he is the best player I have played with/against. He might not be the biggest but jesus trying to stop him as he is so agile and powerful and his tackling is also top notch.
What position is he currently playing for the u18's?

So where's that cash gone? I appreciate the likes of Parling and Mafi will have both received higher contracts, but has that really eaten up all the space?

New contracts for Tom Youngs, Kitchener, Parling, Salvi, Mafi, Ben Youngs and Morris (who Leinster were sniffing around). Considering when some of those players last signed contracts they'd have been some big increases. Dunno what the Castro situation is, maybe if he goes we'll have some extra budget to play with.

I would like is to use more academy players, particularly in the backs. We've not has an academy back break into and maintain a spot in the first ream since Manu. Hence my dissatisfaction with MOC.

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/Toulon-make-bid-Castro/story-18299513-detail/story.html

Hence the no budget. Castro deal not even on track. Can't really splash cash unless he is off.

Tigers missed out on Camacho from the chiefs, looks like hes off to France.

Grey has signed for Castre

Rumours that Ford to Bath is no longer a done deal. With Tigers having replaced him wonder what other options are available?

Perhaps Bath may be considering there wage bill in the light of recent hooha

True Londontiger

Gary Gold when speaking to the ESPN team did deny the signing of Ford.

Don't know why most clubs don't just settle these deals with players as soon as possible. All this smoke and mirrors isn't good in my opinion.

beshocked wrote:True Londontiger

Gary Gold when speaking to the ESPN team did deny the signing of Ford.

Don't know why most clubs don't just settle these deals with players as soon as possible. All this smoke and mirrors isn't good in my opinion.

Ford still counts as an U20 player - so the rules state that clubs may not talk to him until the end of this month. Of course you cannot ban him talking to his dad :

Poorfour wrote:

yappysnap wrote:Botica was really good, and we have found Grimboldy as well who could be useful in the future. Keeping Nev was actually a real coup for the management and hopefully next season we'll really get to see him excel on a few less games but bigger performances.

I can only think of one player leaving so far and that was Fairbrother. Any one still to sign extensions?

Yep I'd like another lock and tbh an old experienced head for the front 5. I guess that could be the new lock but how many late 20's locks are floating around with a wealth of Int/Club experience? Not many sadly, and that goes for prop and hooker too.

Seems to me that Quins are following a definite policy of "grow your own, and if you can't, find a rough diamond from the Cornish Pirates or failing that another neglected corner of the rugby world." I can't see us signing many big names in the foreseeable, with the possible exception of a marquee replacement for NEv in 3 years' time (can you hear us, Dan Carter? ;-)).

The remaining big challenge for this season is to hang on to JJ and Big Mo, who will be much in demand and hugely more valuable than when we took them on. Fortunately, COS has the knack of inspiring loyalty, so I hope we will hang on to them.

Long term, the toughest challenge for Quins will be replacing COS when he eventually does leave. But I am sure he is already planning for that.

winning certainly helps!

If the move was happening because Ford wanted to be 1st choice, maybe Heathcote's recent run of games/form is making him have second thoughts?

Bathman_in_London wrote:If the move was happening because Ford wanted to be 1st choice, maybe Heathcote's recent run of games/form is making him have second thoughts?

Isn't it all signed and a done deal?

Did make me chuckle watching the bath game on ESPN when the pundits spoke about Ford joining.

Fair enough Londontiger but all these rumours surrounding his future has potentially left Ford in a difficult position.

Bathman in London perhaps that is true but what does Ford do now?

Most teams are getting their 10 options nailed down for next season.

I suppose there is potentially Saints.

nathan wrote:

Bathman_in_London wrote:If the move was happening because Ford wanted to be 1st choice, maybe Heathcote's recent run of games/form is making him have second thoughts?

Isn't it all signed and a done deal?

Did make me chuckle watching the bath game on ESPN when the pundits spoke about Ford joining.

Probably a done deal, but any contract already signed would be a problem as officially he is not allowed to be spoken to or sign such a contratc yet.

There are a couple of aged season ticket holders on the front row near me, who each match will chat with players and staff during warm-ups. They seemed to be convinced that the deal is not done yet - and the ITV commentator said a similar thing.

This is probably just a case of "officially nothing is allowed" but the fact that Heathcote is doing well could cause Ford to rethink I guess.

I would be amazed if Ford isn't going to Bath. As LT says, he isn't officially allowed to speak to anyone until the end of the month, but as is the general practice he will of course know exactly what his contract will be at Bath.

I am all but certain Geoff Parling knew exactly what Glaws were offering prior to January 1st, in the same way that all of the current top 4 approached Jonny May prior to Jan 1st too. It is something that happens across the board.

Andy Goode now confirmed with Wasps.
Good move for them I think. Brings some stability to that electric back line.

Gopperth to Leinster on twitter too

Luke McGrath to Munster is a bizarre one I am hearing.

red_stag wrote:Luke McGrath to Munster is a bizarre one I am hearing.

I thought Sheridan was god?

Andy Goode to Wasps is an interesting one. Watching Wuss, he always appeared to be the dominant force within the team, but possibly to the extent of not allowing the others to play, (similar to stories I heard of Gopperth at Falcons last year). However Wasps going from having Jones and Robinson, to Goode and Carlisle is certainly a step down.

Just talking about players signing with new clubs mid season, I noticed that following one of Wuss' tries on Friday, a lot of the players went crazy celebrating, knowing it was a great win to avoid relegation for next year, but Kvesic appeared quite muted. This brings me to the question, if a player is playing for a relegation threatened club, but signed for one of the 'safe' teams for next season, are they 100% committed to the cause?

http://www.thescore.ie/gopperth-leinster-10-818109-Mar2013/

I wonder what ban Cowan got for the challenge on Gopperth

nathan wrote:

Poorfour wrote:

yappysnap wrote:Botica was really good, and we have found Grimboldy as well who could be useful in the future. Keeping Nev was actually a real coup for the management and hopefully next season we'll really get to see him excel on a few less games but bigger performances.

I can only think of one player leaving so far and that was Fairbrother. Any one still to sign extensions?

Yep I'd like another lock and tbh an old experienced head for the front 5. I guess that could be the new lock but how many late 20's locks are floating around with a wealth of Int/Club experience? Not many sadly, and that goes for prop and hooker too.

Seems to me that Quins are following a definite policy of "grow your own, and if you can't, find a rough diamond from the Cornish Pirates or failing that another neglected corner of the rugby world." I can't see us signing many big names in the foreseeable, with the possible exception of a marquee replacement for NEv in 3 years' time (can you hear us, Dan Carter? ;-)).

The remaining big challenge for this season is to hang on to JJ and Big Mo, who will be much in demand and hugely more valuable than when we took them on. Fortunately, COS has the knack of inspiring loyalty, so I hope we will hang on to them.

Long term, the toughest challenge for Quins will be replacing COS when he eventually does leave. But I am sure he is already planning for that.

winning certainly helps!

Don't you worry your head about that Nathan, when it comes to the crunch we'll win the games that count. Like last season

yappysnap wrote:

nathan wrote:

Poorfour wrote:

yappysnap wrote:Botica was really good, and we have found Grimboldy as well who could be useful in the future. Keeping Nev was actually a real coup for the management and hopefully next season we'll really get to see him excel on a few less games but bigger performances.

I can only think of one player leaving so far and that was Fairbrother. Any one still to sign extensions?

Yep I'd like another lock and tbh an old experienced head for the front 5. I guess that could be the new lock but how many late 20's locks are floating around with a wealth of Int/Club experience? Not many sadly, and that goes for prop and hooker too.

Seems to me that Quins are following a definite policy of "grow your own, and if you can't, find a rough diamond from the Cornish Pirates or failing that another neglected corner of the rugby world." I can't see us signing many big names in the foreseeable, with the possible exception of a marquee replacement for NEv in 3 years' time (can you hear us, Dan Carter? ;-)).

The remaining big challenge for this season is to hang on to JJ and Big Mo, who will be much in demand and hugely more valuable than when we took them on. Fortunately, COS has the knack of inspiring loyalty, so I hope we will hang on to them.

Long term, the toughest challenge for Quins will be replacing COS when he eventually does leave. But I am sure he is already planning for that.

winning certainly helps!

Don't you worry your head about that Nathan, when it comes to the crunch we'll win the games that count. Like last season

hehe, this season will be different!!

Yea Sarries are looking worryingly good at the moment...

The Sarries pack has some freakish strength in depth. Only area of weakness is tighthead with Nieto aging and Stevens not the most technical scrummager. The only way Sarries will not make the final is if they shoot themselves in the foot by trying to start both Farrell and Hodgson in the semi.

Yea it'll be interesting to see the impact that Farrel has on the team when he's back, especially if he's put straight in at 10

And they have Burger, Saull and Ashton to return as well!

Well obviously Jimmy Gopperth is off to Leinster...

also...Tui'fua has signed for Bordeaux Begles

George North is supposedly in talks with Saracens, according to the gossip down here, but is still under contract, so it is porbably just doom and gloom mongering as opposed to based on fact. Unless Beshocked (or anyone else) knows anything more about it.

And by all accounts we have re-signed Keiron Brookes from the Tigers.

Sam sadly I can see that happening. Farrell or Hodgson starting at 10 with Tomkins at 13 is the obvious choice though.

Scarletspiderman I sincerely doubt it. From what I've heard Saracens aren't signing any more players this season. Certainly not any big ones anyway.

Still expect some players to leave.

Saracens players who might potentially leave are Rhys Gill, Adam Powell,Andy Saull, John Smit and Justin Melck. That I can think of.

Gill is linked with Cardiff.

Smit linked with Toulon

Melck with Bath

Powell with Newcastle

Saull with Exeter.

Others are

Ernst Joubert

Joe Maddock

Lorenzo Romano

Kameli Ratuvou

Nick Fenton Wells

Carlos Nieto and Neil De Kock are likely to retire.

All rumours of course.

Melck linked with Bath? That's news to me, can't see it happening, we've signed loads of back rowers recently

'Shocked - cheers for that, I assumed it was the case, but it's always best to check.

Beshocked..

The Adam Powell one has been floating around up here aswell...

He looked real potential when he first came on the scene...has he just had injury problems...or just not fulfilled that promise?

http://www.rugbynetwork.net/boards/read/s105.htm?1469,13781312

Bathite according to this link anyway.

Scarletspiderman we wouldn't be able to sign him anyway unless he would take a seriously high pay cut - we are under enough scrutiny as a club over the salary cap as it is.

Plus Saracens have Strettle,Ashton,Short and Wyles already.

In a season or two though who knows?

GeordieFalcon wrote:Beshocked..

The Adam Powell one has been floating around up here aswell...

He looked real potential when he first came on the scene...has he just had injury problems...or just not fulfilled that promise?

Bit of both to be honest but he's been really unlucky with injuries. Almost as soon as he gets back he picks up another.

He just hadn't had the sustained gametime to prove himself. When he's fit and Barritt and Tomkins are available it's very difficult for him to get a look in.

I want Powell to stay as I do think he's got potential still but I wouldn't begrudge him or other fringe players like Saull if they wanted to try their luck at another club.

beshocked wrote:Lorenzo Romano

He is currently on loan at Wasps until the end of the season. Wonder if he might stay longer then? He's already made his debut for us off the bench vs London Irish.

In other news Wasps have confirmed the signing for Andy Goode.

GeordieFalcon wrote:And by all accounts we have re-signed Keiron Brookes from the Tigers.

That would be a better move for him rather than heading to Bath. It is such a shame that he got such a serious knee injury so early last season. In the end it made it a very poor move for him, and it would have been galling for him to be overtaken by an even younger model.

LT

Is a loan dual registration move till the end of the season apparently.

And many Falcons fans arent chuffed with him returning...not when he chose so quickly to leave (ala Clegg etc etc) and we have young Scott Wilson pulling up trees at the moment...

We also have Oliver Tomschyk as our No.1 at the moment and he's been a revelation...interesting to see if he can take that back up to the prem...

And we have James Hall who i rate as a very strong scrummager...so not sure we really need him (Brooks).

Can't see Gill coming to Cardiff now that we have signed Gethin which is unfortunate especially since he seems to be becoming 3rd choice at Sarries

wales606 wrote:Can't see Gill coming to Cardiff now that we have signed Gethin which is unfortunate especially since he seems to be becoming 3rd choice at Sarries

I guess if he wants to come back to Wales it is either second fiddle at the Blues or gambling and going to the Dragons. Sadly as far as welsh hopes go the Blues seem the better option.

GeordieFalcon wrote:LT

Is a loan dual registration move till the end of the season apparently.

And many Falcons fans arent chuffed with him returning...not when he chose so quickly to leave (ala Clegg etc etc) and we have young Scott Wilson pulling up trees at the moment...

We also have Oliver Tomschyk as our No.1 at the moment and he's been a revelation...interesting to see if he can take that back up to the prem...

And we have James Hall who i rate as a very strong scrummager...so not sure we really need him (Brooks).

If I had had a young relative at Newcastle under Alan Tait - I would have been telling them to leave. He seemed to have no interest in the local lads and was only interested in signing and playing journeymen. I can understand Falcon's fans frustrations at so many young players having left - but when it becomes as large an exodus as you guys saw, well something stinks.

Deano seems to have changed that feeling - and if he reckons Brookes and Clegg are worth bringing back - well I agree with him.

Aw i think we all agree Tait was a massive issue...and reason for many leaving.

We shall see what happens...but Clegg would not be above Hodgson in my opinon in the pecking order for FH's...and Brookes would be down the order with regards to TH's so its interesting calls.....

UNLESS...

We desperately need a quality Hooker...maybe Deano has his eye on turning Brookes in to that player. He's quoted in the local Journal today as saying...hookers dont actually need to hook anymore...so if brookes can throw better than Vickers...

Scott Williams to the Blues looks likely

LondonTiger wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:And by all accounts we have re-signed Keiron Brookes from the Tigers.

That would be a better move for him rather than heading to Bath. It is such a shame that he got such a serious knee injury so early last season. In the end it made it a very poor move for him, and it would have been galling for him to be overtaken by an even younger model.

He's not allowed to come to Bath until he's 32 and knackered. Come on LT, you know the rules

Good re-signing for Falcons.

With the emergence of Balmain, Brookes has been struggling, and at his age, he needs to start getting first team rugby. Heck of a potential.

But Eddie

With Tomashky first choice...James hall a very able and powerful scrummager, Scott Wilson the bright new TH hope..is he going to get games...unless he shifts along the front row...

GF,

There was talk about them trying to convert him to hooker at tigers

GeordieFalcon wrote:But Eddie

With Tomashky first choice...James hall a very able and powerful scrummager, Scott Wilson the bright new TH hope..is he going to get games...unless he shifts along the front row...

Ah I didn't realise Falcons had such strength i'm depth, sorry

I guess the competition for him will help spur him on. He's had a long time out, but his few performances for Tigers have been quite accomplished. We'll see how he goes.