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?

London Irish seem to be really trying to get their Irishness back. They are signing a lot of irish players recently.

Brian Smith spoke shortly after his return to club of wanting to re establish Irish links. I think he understands that the club needs a sense of identity in order to be successful and it's lost a bit of that in recent years.

Has it worked? Considering the performances this year they are getting decent crowds.

Also has Eamonn Sheridan signed for you guys yet? Or is that still just a rumour?

Sheridan hasn't been officially confirmed but my understanding is that it's a done deal.

In terms of re-establishing the clubs identity, I think we are getting there. It will take a while still, but Brian Smith is slowly building a squad of players that he wants.

http://rugbyworldcup-argentina2023.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/marcelo-bosch-signs-for-saracens.html

New rumour about Marcelo Bosch signing for Saracens.

Looks like he would be a pretty good versatile signing.

Quality player Beshocked, he'd be a real coup

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Quality player Beshocked, he'd be a real coup

Good to hear.

Surprised you don't know that already, he tore it up in the Rugby Championship

I didn't watch any of the rugby championship. I have heard of him though.

According to the article he is out of favour at Biarritz so I can see why he wants to move.

Bosch playing for Saracens.

A perfect fit I think you'll agree...

He's not really physical player despite his name. Great skill set and foot work will add something different to the Sarries backline.

Notts fans will be happy as it will end the Streather rumours.

Mickado wrote:Bosch playing for Saracens.

A perfect fit I think you'll agree...

You got there before me.

He'll certainly bring something to the Sarries backline if true. I think Tomkins is pretty awful tbh, a Barritt/Bosch midfield has a lot more about it.

formerly known as Sam wrote:He's not really physical player despite his name. Great skill set and foot work will add something different to the Sarries backline.

Notts fans will be happy as it will end the Streather rumours.

Good to hear it. I didn't know what a type of player he is.

What's his tackling like?

I hope so Sgt Pooly. Any help to the backline particularly in the centres is appreciated.

Thank god the experiment of Farrell in the centres looks to be over.

If i thought you were stealing my puns I would have pulled you up on it. But this one was just waiting to be pointed out!

There you go Beshocked:

https://youtu.be/xCFOfSLuP6U

Real classy player, very silky runner

Sgt_Pooly wrote:There you go Beshocked:

https://youtu.be/xCFOfSLuP6U

Real classy player, very silky runner

Thanks.

Just discussing on the falcons thread....theres a faint link of Hooker Scott Lawson to us. Bit disapointed with this rumour...no better than what we have.

Lawson has another year to run on his contract at LI.

Contracts seemingly dont mean alot this days Mawhis

It was a tedious link, he was looking at property in the area apparently

A few of the London Irish players were up in Newcastle during the two week break for the LV. I beleive they went up for a bit of lash. Not sure if Lawson was a member of that party.

Nikki Walker is heading to Edinburgh from Wuss. The Worcester exodus is in full flow.

Worcester start recruitment drive, EQ SA forward Mike Williams

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_8601702,00.html

To be fair Wuss have a brace of Argie forwards (including Augustin Creevy), Paul Warwick and Ignacio Mieres all signed up for next season.

LI fans might want to watch the Notts vs Doncaster game on Sky at 4.30pm. Lewington a confirmed signing for next season is on the wing and rumoured signings Parr and Rouse are at loosehead and lock respectively.

formerly known as Sam wrote:LI fans might want to watch the Notts vs Doncaster game on Sky at 4.30pm. Lewington a confirmed signing for next season is on the wing and rumoured signings Parr and Rouse are at loosehead and lock respectively.

would make a good headline "not nots watch notts game"

Sir Jonny wilkinson has signed for another year of rugby at Toulon. Today Toulon trashed Stade Francais away 43-11 with another powerful forward demonstration. Good luck Tigers!

It's going to be one hell of a ding dong battle down in Toulon.

Toulon have also stated they can't afford Castro as Tigers want the final year of his contact bought out. Whether that is accurate or mind games I don't know.

Heard a rumour that George North is going to sign for the Cardiff Blues tomorrow.

Artful_Dodger wrote:Heard a rumour that George North is going to sign for the Cardiff Blues tomorrow.

:/

They are going to announce that the WRU tried to broker a deal between North and the Blues

As far as I am aware that deal was not successful - and I know that the story is due to run tomorrow.

Sounds like someone has got their wires crossed

wales606 wrote:

Artful_Dodger wrote:Heard a rumour that George North is going to sign for the Cardiff Blues tomorrow.

:/

They are going to announce that the WRU tried to broker a deal between North and the Blues

As far as I am aware that deal was not successful - and I know that the story is due to run tomorrow.

Sounds like someone has got their wires crossed

Ye I expect to hear that the WRU tried so hard to keep North in Wales yet those big bullies at the Scarlets blocked their hero like attempts.

I expect North to either retreat into his shell and accept a poor Scarlets offer, Remain there till next year and move on to pastures new, or take the Northampton offer and allow the Scarlets the petty cash bonus.

Connacht have signed former Saracens and Sharks prop Frik Venter.

Would anyone know if he is any good?

Watisoni Votu, former Fiji 7s captain, seems set to leave Exeter for Perpignan in the summer - bit of a shame really, Chiefs worked v hard to get him over here with a protracted work permit/visa delay, he's only had a couple of games, and now he's off - probably not the right attitude for Exe

The Castro saga has reached mind game levels. Toulon's chairman has come out and said that the money demanded by Tigers (thought to be the value of Castro's last year at the club) is too expensive and the deal is dead. Simon Cohen the Tigers chairman has come out and stated the amount is the same as agreed weeks ago and Tigers have identified a replacement, Toulon need to pay the agreed compensation before the replacement is off the market or Tigers will not do business. Cohen leaving the door open there but with the big game this Sunday it looks like mind games to me.

Shana Monahan has re-signed for Glaws, so won't be joining LI or Connacht

Good news for Glaws he's been a really good signing for you guys.

formerly known as Sam wrote:The Castro saga has reached mind game levels. Toulon's chairman has come out and said that the money demanded by Tigers (thought to be the value of Castro's last year at the club) is too expensive and the deal is dead. Simon Cohen the Tigers chairman has come out and stated the amount is the same as agreed weeks ago and Tigers have identified a replacement, Toulon need to pay the agreed compensation before the replacement is off the market or Tigers will not do business. Cohen leaving the door open there but with the big game this Sunday it looks like mind games to me.

Sam would you still have faith in Castro putting in the performances for Tigers while this is going on? Surely it's a lot to have going on back stage and his head may not be in the game.

I know at Quins we're all pretty worried about JJ looking like he doesn't want to be there now that he's signed for Sarries, and PDJ at Saints is M.I.A

I sometimes think this mid season contract talk does too much harm to be worth while.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Good news for Glaws he's been a really good signing for you guys.

He certainly has. He provides a great foil to our other wingers, as sometimes you just need someone that can charge straight through! I'm pleased we've signed him on a 2 year deal too.

Drew Mitchell to Leinster??

http://blogs.espnscrum.com/latest-news/archives/2013/04/leinster_admit_interest_in_dre.php

Sam would you still have faith in Castro putting in the performances for Tigers while this is going on?

His form has been average ever since the gluten allergy came about Yappy. He seems up for it more now the deal looks off. When he comes on at the weekend he'll be desperate to show he's value for money. Luckily we've got Coley.

Matt Garvey to Bath now Official:

http://www.london-irish.com/news/Irish90808.ink

Knoyle rumoured to be off.....Bath?

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_8613284,00.html

mawhis wrote:Matt Garvey to Bath now Official:

http://www.london-irish.com/news/Irish90808.ink

Damn ... out of all the LI players leaving this year he will be missed the most IMHO

Will it improve his England chances...? I rather think not.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Will it improve his England chances...? I rather think not.

Arguably he'll get less starts, so you might be right. I'd see him behind Attwood for both the England and Bath lock shirt at the moment personally

Bath building a very strong set of second rows there. Attwood, Day, Caldwell, Hooper and now Garvey. Also the academy lad Will Spencer who had a few games early this season looked reasonable and quite a size. I think any DoR in the league would take that group of players.

Any of those first four likely to be moving on soon? Can't imagine Hooper has long left in him and probably won't get much premiership game time but he's the sort of old head it's good to keep around, play in the LV alongside the youngsters etc. Is he still club captain?

Will Garvey be used more at 6?

Hooper is club captain, but isn't that old, he's only 31, so got another contract in him. Think he's got 1 more season in him, then I'd be surprised if we re-signed him. Likely he will lose his captaincy next year as well, with Louw the obvious choice as club captain and probably Webber and Banahan as match captain alternatives