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...

Pleased to see Brookes back but not sure where he'll end up. Given his potential as a TH i'd almost rather he got game time there, but we've got Wilson already so for us he may be better as a hooker. That could work out for everyone given how little quality hookers England has.

Surprised some of the other teams like Wasps and even Quins didn't take a look at him, hell of a lot more potential than PDJ

Agree Hood, I do not see the fascination with PDJ at all.

Brookes has great potential.

Can Brookes throw?

If not whats the point in replacing Vickers who has done ok. I'd only replace him if we can find a real quality player.

It does however mean that we have two of Englands current bright hopes for TH in our academy....not bad for a wee club on the Scottish Borders....

Think the Andy Saull to Exe rumour is a bit out-dated with Scays having out pen to paper now

GeordieFalcon wrote:Can Brookes throw?

Most players can be taught to throw. Biggest problem Tom Youngs has had was not learning to throw - but that the scrummaging causes his back to tighten and thus throwing gets harder. As someone who is a front rower any way I would hope he could learn quite well.

Having said all that there seem to be far too many hookers who struggle to throw straight.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Can Brookes throw?

If not whats the point in replacing Vickers who has done ok. I'd only replace him if we can find a real quality player.

It does however mean that we have two of Englands current bright hopes for TH in our academy....not bad for a wee club on the Scottish Borders....

Throw schmo Geordie, how hard is it right?!

I think there's a better chance he'll be made a loosie who can cover tight. Bit of a waste if so but could be a helluva strong front row for us if we find a good hooker!

Is Brookes signing past the end of the season though? This will be his third loan after playing for Loughborough Uni, Doncaster and now Falcons. I would like to see him get himself right and then compete for that backup shirt if Castro is off. Then again I did here that the club were unimpressed with his attitude whilst injured as he piled on the pounds and wasn't remotely near fit by the time his rehab ended.

I think you'll all be eating your words next season once PDJ is settled at Quins. He'll fit our style far better then Saints and will be getting much better scrum coaching under Kingston, on top of that with Marler on the other side we won't lack for niggle!!

I rate PDJ, I think he scrummages well and when I've seen him he's looked better than Mujati.

He's just never really had a really good run of games, I'm unsure if Mallinder fancied him tbh.

Does Mallinder usually fancy props then?

I've heard he has a bit of a thing for the front row boys.

Him & Dorian get up to all sorts after training by all accounts.

Purely rumours of course.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:I've heard he has a bit of a thing for the front row boys.

Him & Dorian get up to all sorts after training by all accounts.

Purely rumours of course.

Now that explains why we signed him in the first place. Think it was Graham Rowntree who said he was far too pretty looking for a prop forward

yappysnap wrote:on top of that with Marler on the other side we won't lack for niggle!!

Based on last seasons games then the niggle may be between Marler & PDJ themselves. It's a good job that Joe Grey wears a scrum cap as he could end up catching a few haymakers from his own team mates unless he's careful

Sgt_Pooly wrote:I rate PDJ, I think he scrummages well and when I've seen him he's looked better than Mujati.

He's just never really had a really good run of games, I'm unsure if Mallinder fancied him tbh.

That's what I thought...when he was at Glos. He's subsequently looked cack when I've seen him for Saints though. Poor scrummaging, little impact round the field and easily riled. I don't suppose the lack of game time helped him but still, i think he's gone backwards.

Hood83 wrote:

Sgt_Pooly wrote:I rate PDJ, I think he scrummages well and when I've seen him he's looked better than Mujati.

He's just never really had a really good run of games, I'm unsure if Mallinder fancied him tbh.

That's what I thought...when he was at Glos. He's subsequently looked cack when I've seen him for Saints though. Poor scrummaging, little impact round the field and easily riled. I don't suppose the lack of game time helped him but still, i think he's gone backwards.

I think it's more that his head was in the wrong place at Saints. Hopefully Quins will suit him better and he'll be back on top form.

yappysnap wrote:

Hood83 wrote:

Sgt_Pooly wrote:I rate PDJ, I think he scrummages well and when I've seen him he's looked better than Mujati.

He's just never really had a really good run of games, I'm unsure if Mallinder fancied him tbh.

That's what I thought...when he was at Glos. He's subsequently looked cack when I've seen him for Saints though. Poor scrummaging, little impact round the field and easily riled. I don't suppose the lack of game time helped him but still, i think he's gone backwards.

I think it's more that his head was in the wrong place at Saints. Hopefully Quins will suit him better and he'll be back on top form.

Maybe so

Tigers academy graduates Alex Lewington ans Johnny Harris look to be off to LI. Lewington is the real loss there, a well skilled wing/fullback with pace and strength in contact. A bit if refinement could see him be an excellent club player. Harris has never quite kicked on, a competent loosehead with championship experience.

Also looks like more heading to LI:

London Irish are on the verge of signing Worcester Warriors back-rower Blair Cowan, according to reports in Worcester News.

Cowan has found his first-team opportunities limited at Sixways this term and looks set to leave the club at the end of the season. The newspaper claims that he is probably heading to the Exiles while the Warriors are looking at London Welsh No.8 Ed Jackson as a potential replacement.

George North to Sarries?

Morgannwg wrote:George North to Sarries?

How can they afford these things!

thewaspsblog wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:George North to Sarries?

How can they afford these things!

Been raised on here earlier, Beshocked shot it straight down. North has a year on his contract at PYS, so unlikely to be leaving unless someone goes in and buys him, but IMO he will stay put.

None of the AP teams who can afford North would want too, all have either other squad areas to strengthen or no budget left.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Is Brookes signing past the end of the season though? This will be his third loan after playing for Loughborough Uni, Doncaster and now Falcons. I would like to see him get himself right and then compete for that backup shirt if Castro is off. Then again I did here that the club were unimpressed with his attitude whilst injured as he piled on the pounds and wasn't remotely near fit by the time his rehab ended.

Sam, he has a well documented love of Nandos....

I once completed a Nando's chicken wing platter to my self. It was like heaven.

GeordieFalcon wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Is Brookes signing past the end of the season though? This will be his third loan after playing for Loughborough Uni, Doncaster and now Falcons. I would like to see him get himself right and then compete for that backup shirt if Castro is off. Then again I did here that the club were unimpressed with his attitude whilst injured as he piled on the pounds and wasn't remotely near fit by the time his rehab ended.

Sam, he has a well documented love of Nandos....

It is only about 300yds from the WR changing rooms to Nandos

Bit further from Oval Park though.

formerly known as Sam wrote:None of the AP teams who can afford North would want too, all have either other squad areas to strengthen or no budget left.

think a few clubs have enquired with north's agents about what he's looking to do at the end of his scarlets contract (his terms etc) but no one will sign him for next season for the reason mentioned above by sam. also next year can't see north playing much club rugby to justify buying him out of his contract. if selected for the lions he will return back late for club duty, then autumn internationals, six nations etc.

Rumours floating again that Watson is off to Tigers.

Also Owen Williams (Scarlets) is apparently heading to WR too.

maverickmak wrote:Rumours floating again that Watson is off to Tigers.

Also Owen Williams (Scarlets) is apparently heading to WR too.

Heard same thing on grapevive about Owen and tigers. Where did you hear about this? Hope It's not true the player is class.

Was on gwl@d, but nothing more substantial than that. Could be nothing, but usually no smoke without fire.

Rumours floating again that Watson is off to Tigers.

So Tigers and LI are swapping wing/fbs. Watson is quite an exciting player though I'd rather have him and Lewington. Greedy though it is. I suppose of Geordan is staying it might be ok but if Hamilton and Murphy are off then we need some more options. As Cockers likes one strike runner and one fullback on the wings as well.

Is Watson a good fit for Tigers? He should consider what's happened to Lewington, and the relatively small nature of the WR pitch.

Personally I think he should stay at LI for at least another season. Whilst he is obviously talented he needs matches - and tigers seem happier throwing in young props than they do young wingers.

Agree with LT. Tigers is a gamble for a young winger. I suppose given Cockers likes to play two fbs at any one time and the fact we only have two confirmed for next season might sway him a bit.

Leicester Mercury reporter Martin Crowson stating in todays paper that Tigers are after Owen Williams as stand off for next season. Gutted if true, thought he'd push priestland for the starting spot for next season.

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/story-18354349-detail/story.html#axzz2MvsF1SJG

Thought Tigers had signed Ryan Lamb as Ford's replacement? Do they need another 10, with Bowden a possible back up as well?

i do wonder if Floods contract will be renewed at the end of next season.

Off to France maybe nathan? He will be what 28/9 by then, possibly ousted for England by Farrell/ Burns. Might as well go and make some cash?

Bathman_in_London wrote:Off to France maybe nathan? He will be what 28/9 by then, possibly ousted for England by Farrell/ Burns. Might as well go and make some cash?

yeah wouldn't be suprised, shame Ford didn't stay as he would of been getting more and more game time.

pioden gorllewin wrote:Leicester Mercury reporter Martin Crowson stating in todays paper that Tigers are after Owen Williams as stand off for next season. Gutted if true, thought he'd push priestland for the starting spot for next season.

The Scarlets are going to have to pull out of the LV= Cup from now on as it is getting to be a bit of a joke now, we have a kid play well for us in it, and then before the season even finishes they get poached by the Jeff side that they helped beat.

That said I wonder how much game time Owen would have got at PYS next season, as we have Priestland as exepected first choice, and then Jordan Williams, Gareth Owen and now Steve Shingler to cover (plus Aled Thomas, if he stays, and Dan Newton too).

Thought Tigers had signed Ryan Lamb as Ford's replacement? Do they need another 10, with Bowden a possible back up as well?

Bathite, Bowden and Flood are up for contract renewals. Maybe Lamb as well, not sure if he signed for 1 or 2 years. The young Welsh boy is obviously signing with a view to the future as the 10 we had carefully developed for about 5 years has decided to go elsewhere.

Wouldn't be surprised if Bowden was released and Flood signed a shorter contract next summer with either a centre moving up from the academy or a more Tigerish 12 coming in. I doubt Flood will leave England pre RWC but probably will straight after.

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