The rumour mill

First topic message reminder :

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

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).

How many times has it happened now?

Donald is hopefully moving to Japan.

To be fair to the bloke he has been very unlucky with injuries and seems like the sort you'd want to have a beer with.

To continue the WC winning FH list, George Ford (or am I getting ahead of myself?!).

Prop, I think the Dickson is more hope than solid rumour? He is too good to be an LV/international window player though.

Well, like I said - I wouldnt begrudge Dickson a move to get more gametime.
Perhaps COS can adopt a more regular rotation policy for our 9's.

It worked well with Gommersall and Care in his earlier time at Quins.

I've got it on extremely good authority that Garvey has signed for Bath.

Heading there next season

Garvey/Attwood engine room could be great around the park, lineout might take a hit mind.

Garvey hasn't been great around the park this season according to the stats.

93 carries, 82 metres made.

Attwood's lineout stats aren't bad. Not seen how many he's lost but he has won 64 on his own throw and stolen 3.

Attwood's tackle stats are good - 136 made, 9 misses.

Yeh, not sure the lineout would be the best. Certainly can't really lift Garvey! I hope they're not planning on playing him in the backrow in the future though- I much prefer him at lock.

beshocked wrote:Garvey hasn't been great around the park this season according to the stats.

93 carries, 82 metres made.

Attwood's lineout stats aren't bad. Not seen how many he's lost but he has won 64 on his own throw and stolen 3.

Attwood's tackle stats are good - 136 made, 9 misses.

Man alive, you and your stats obsession!

Not sure that Garvey would start with Attwood much to be honest. Day's arguably been our best lock this year and I'd imagine Garvey would cover 6 a fair bit

beshocked wrote:Garvey hasn't been great around the park this season according to the stats.

93 carries, 82 metres made.

Attwood's lineout stats aren't bad. Not seen how many he's lost but he has won 64 on his own throw and stolen 3.

Attwood's tackle stats are good - 136 made, 9 misses.

Stats tell such a poor picture when it comes to contribution around the park. Garvey's workrate is exceptional. As his destructive work on opponent mauls.

Have yous got the rumour that Afoa is leaving ulster and being replaced by one of the Franks brothers?

I know stats don't tell the whole picture but Garvey hasn't shown to be a particularly destructive ball carrier.

Maybe Garvey is a one man turnover machine but unfortunately I don't have the stats to make that call.

Bathite stats are good to get an interesting point of view and potentially a change a view - e.g. Attwood doesn't jump when he is actually Bath's main jumper.

Ok Attwood doesn't have many steals - only 3 compared to Borthwick's 8, Kitchener's 6, Wentzel's 7,Parling's 5 but he wins a lot of ball. More so than all of them bar Wentzel.

beshocked wrote:I know stats don't tell the whole picture but Garvey hasn't shown to be a particularly destructive ball carrier.

Maybe Garvey is a one man turnover machine but unfortunately I don't have the stats to make that call.

Bathite stats are good to get an interesting point of view and potentially a change a view - e.g. Attwood doesn't jump when he is actually Bath's main jumper.

Ok Attwood doesn't have many steals - only 3 compared to Borthwick's 8, Kitchener's 6, Wentzel's 7,Parling's 5 but he wins a lot of ball. More so than all of them bar Wentzel.

I would say that carrying is one of Garvey's best points...certainly better than most other English locks.

Not according to the stats though.....

Even Steve Borthwick makes more metres than he carries - something Garvey doesn't do.

Misses more tackles than him too but as Borthwick is arguably the best 2nd rower at tackling in the AP it's hardly surprising.

Gives away more penalties and turnovers in 2 less matches too.

Best all round 2nd row is Wentzel in the AP it seems.

Well I would certainly be pleased to see Garvey in a Bath shirt.

Attwood has been playing very well this year, albeit in a stuttering team. Last season he was often the secondary lineout jumper, but as Day has replaced Hooper this season as 1st choice, Attwood has taken on more lineout resposibilty as well as his work around the park. If he keeps improving in that regard I don't see why Garvey can't slot in next to him.

Garvey has been playing more at blindside recently, I prefer him there.

Skivington has been a better enforcer for LI this season but Garvey has been good at 6. Workrate is top notch although his carrying hasnt been as effective as last season. Doesnt really get used in the lineout but is no mug there.

Him and Attwood would struggle as a pairing in the lineout I think.

Irish linked with Shane Monahan from Glos, as are Connacht.

beshocked wrote:Not according to the stats though.....

Are you trying to be the new Juggler?? My God, that man could quote a stat for everything, but in fairness it could make interesting reading.

No I am not HKC. Couldn't compete with Juggler.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/fixtures/3538935/Rugby-Union-Statistics.html

This is the source of the stats.

Shane Monahan has impressed me when I've seen him. He actually has pretty good stats except in the tries scored!

But those carrying stats could be different if it was in the open or in traffic.

Maybe all of Garveys carrying was in deep traffic where he had numerous defenders on him.

A shame Juggler didnt come across to here really, he was a very knowledgable rugby poster.

He does carry a lot around the fringes like Robshaw.

As a season ticket holder cant say I've seen him make many burst or clean breaks which can massively inflate some peoples metres made stats.

beshocked wrote:No I am not HKC. Couldn't compete with Juggler.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/fixtures/3538935/Rugby-Union-Statistics.html

This is the source of the stats.

Shane Monahan has impressed me when I've seen him. He actually has pretty good stats except in the tries scored!

He scored 4 against Irish

I really hope we don't lose him. He's the perfect foil to our nippy wingers.

He is a typical Brian Smith type player. He likes his big, strong players. Probably why Erinle was capped when he was attack coach.

HongKongCherry wrote:

beshocked wrote:Not according to the stats though.....

Are you trying to be the new Juggler?? My God, that man could quote a stat for everything, but in fairness it could make interesting reading.

I miss Juggler

LondonTiger wrote:

HongKongCherry wrote:

beshocked wrote:Not according to the stats though.....

Are you trying to be the new Juggler?? My God, that man could quote a stat for everything, but in fairness it could make interesting reading.

I miss Juggler

I believe after his failure to be elected an MEP for UKIP, he's emigrated to Belize...

The man should have been a politician. He'd find a stat to fit any argument, regardless of how absurd it was. But he certainly was incredibly knowledgeable.

He posts over on rugby rebels.

It's a horrible horrible site but every so often you find some gold dust

On a transfer note:

Tom Casson is currently listed as being out of contract at the end of this season, hopefully COS is just haggling over the finer details now and checking his form through the LV play offs, i'd hate to see us lose him. Honestly we couldn't afford to let him go.

GeordieFalcon wrote:But those carrying stats could be different if it was in the open or in traffic.

Maybe all of Garveys carrying was in deep traffic where he had numerous defenders on him.

Yeah, but he's definitely not be used as much or been as effective when he's carried this year from what I've seen. Possibly a return to lock more regularly would help. I'd hate him to become a permanent 6, and I prefer he went to a team other than Bath.

yappysnap wrote:He posts over on rugby rebels.

It's a horrible horrible site but every so often you find some gold dust

Yeah ive had a look a few times...but i just cant get away with it...horrible layout etc..

Mike Blair (currently on a too expensive salary at Brive) is linked to Newcastle in the event they get promoted.
another scrum-half, Luke Burgess , will leave toulouse after 2 years and go back to Australia (probably the melborune rebels).

Mike Blair....interesting...we need a really good scrum half.

Its good being linked with decent players.

Jamie Hagan joins LI from Leinster:

http://www.london-irish.com/news/Irish90759.ink

is he any good??

He was highly regarded a couple of seasons ago, but hasn't seemed to kick on. Could be a good signing.

Ozzy3213 wrote:He was highly regarded a couple of seasons ago, but hasn't seemed to kick on. Could be a good signing.

I think its a good move for all concerned. I think with regular game time he will deliver for you boys.

That's my view as well Stag. I think certainly initially he will be playing second fiddle to Aulika who has been one of our best performers this season, but he will definitely get plenty of game time as after Alika we're a little bit light at tighthead.

Good signing for LI as I feel that Hagan has improved so much this season. He is really good around the park too. I'm a bit sad to see him go.

Good in the scrum, useful around the park, he’s a decent carrier, good at clearing out rucks, good lineout lifter. A little prone to brain farts from time to time, but I think he’s got a good future. To be honest I’d rather we had lost Bent than Hagan but I think both Furlong and Moore will move up a notch and both of them have potential to be very very good.

Leinster Rugby join Northampton Saints in a bid to bring in for Scarlets winger George North.

Didn't see that one coming, Staggy, unusual for Welsh players to cross the Irish Sea? Great move by Leinster tho

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Didn't see that one coming, Staggy, unusual for Welsh players to cross the Irish Sea? Great move by Leinster tho

Ah its all speculation now. Nothing remotely close to being confirmed. But WRU are said to consider it the lesser of two evils compared with players moving to England/France where he would be worked into the ground. It was the same when Connacht and Sale Sharks were in talks with Matthew Rees before the Cardiff Blues found an opening.

They're a big admirer of the provincial system in Ireland and Welsh fans would not doubt rather him at Leinster than Saints or Sarries.

red_stag wrote:

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Didn't see that one coming, Staggy, unusual for Welsh players to cross the Irish Sea? Great move by Leinster tho

Ah its all speculation now. Nothing remotely close to being confirmed. But WRU are said to consider it the lesser of two evils compared with him moving to England/France where he would be worked into the ground.

They're a big admirer of the provincial system in Ireland and Welsh fans would not doubt rather him at Leinster than Saints or Sarries.

You mean he may have to play some league games if he came to England?

Ah Ozzy we get our pound of flesh in Ireland too. Our NIQ players actually play a lot of rugby. Its only our Irish lads who get wrapped in wool.

North would be a good replacement for Fionn Carr right enough.

red_stag wrote:

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Didn't see that one coming, Staggy, unusual for Welsh players to cross the Irish Sea? Great move by Leinster tho

Ah its all speculation now. Nothing remotely close to being confirmed. But WRU are said to consider it the lesser of two evils compared with players moving to England/France where he would be worked into the ground. It was the same when Connacht and Sale Sharks were in talks with Matthew Rees before the Cardiff Blues found an opening.

They're a big admirer of the provincial system in Ireland and Welsh fans would not doubt rather him at Leinster than Saints or Sarries.

Yep, I would much rather see him at Leinster, and stay in the pro12.

But would Leinster offer anything like the compensation Northampton are offering.

North would be devastating at Leinster - although they need a replacement for Darcy/BOD to get the most out of him

Wouldn't be too happy withthat tbh. his commitment when playing for his club is questionable imo, but the big one is we would lose him during the 6n and AIs.

Carr and Conway were available then.

He is a great player when on form though and if we do sign him I will give him every chance to prove his commitment.

Ah yea he would obviously have it in his contract that he can play for Wales. As you say playing for Wales is clearly his priority.

He was out jumped for a try in PYS in the HC game by Isa Nacewa. While Isa is a god, I have stood beside him, and he is 5'11" tall at best. Georgie is 6'4 n'abit. If he wanted that ball enough Isa wouldn't have got near it.

Turned out Sexto converted and we won by 7.

Like a lot of young wingers North is brilliant in attack but susceptible to errors in defence ans under the high ball. I seem to remember him slapping the ball into touch vs England last year when challenged by Strettle (who is a considerably smaller man) so It's obviously something for him to work on.

id much rather him stay at scarlets hes better off there with the amazing young back line they have there, knoyle and the other young scrum halfs there, priestland, williams and shingler at 10, maule davies williams in the centre, liam williams phillips and north as a back three out standing.

knoyle, priestland, davies, williams, north, phillips and williams thats a strong young back line that will go places but if he was to leave id rather him go to ireland because the irish sides are the better sides in euro IMO and will allow him to keep playing for wales

welshboii15 wrote:id rather him go to ireland because the irish sides are the better sides in euro IMO and will allow him to keep playing for wales

What makes you think an Irish Province would treat him any differently to any other NIQ player?

If he goes to Leinster he will be made available for Wales the same amount as if he goes to Northampton - ie the agreed international release windows. Also he would probably play more matches at Leinster - if nothing else because they tend to qualify for more finals.

WRU and Regions should be doing everything they can to keep the younger players in Wales. It makes sense to let the mature players go as it frees up spaces, but ideally you want to keep all rising talent closer to the nest.