The rumour mill

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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?

HongKongCherry wrote:

ChequeredJersey wrote:Expect similar high quality players to get snatched up in the next few years! Olympic medals will have that effect...

True, but I'd doubt any player good enough to grace a AP first team would. Burgess is a good player, but Glaws, Tigers, Irish, Wuss and Newcastle have all been on the look out for a proper 7 this season and none have signed him and I think that is rather telling. He'll make an excellent 7s player though.

I think we've been looking for a back up 7. Welch is No.1, and captain...but he needs someone to give him a rest now and again..and would Burgess have setled for that?

Alex Gray to England 7's team:

http://www.rfu.com/news/2013/april/news-articles/040413_sevens_signings

GeordieFalcon wrote:

HongKongCherry wrote:

ChequeredJersey wrote:Expect similar high quality players to get snatched up in the next few years! Olympic medals will have that effect...

True, but I'd doubt any player good enough to grace a AP first team would. Burgess is a good player, but Glaws, Tigers, Irish, Wuss and Newcastle have all been on the look out for a proper 7 this season and none have signed him and I think that is rather telling. He'll make an excellent 7s player though.

I think we've been looking for a back up 7. Welch is No.1, and captain...but he needs someone to give him a rest now and again..and would Burgess have setled for that?

Are you not signing Saull?

mawhis wrote:Alex Gray to England 7's team:

http://www.rfu.com/news/2013/april/news-articles/040413_sevens_signings

First trime i've heard his name in ages. What's happened to him? Been a huge disappointment since moving to LI

bluestonevedder wrote:

mawhis wrote:Alex Gray to England 7's team:

http://www.rfu.com/news/2013/april/news-articles/040413_sevens_signings

First trime i've heard his name in ages. What's happened to him? Been a huge disappointment since moving to LI

The general consensus is that he couldn't bulk up enough to play 8 I believe.

I really like Ed Slater, but don't think he is anything more than a very good club player - but he should be given the chance to tour Argentina as he deserves his shot.

Bit harsh HKC, he's only 24 and only joined a pro club at 21. He's come a long way in the last few years, not sure he'll oust Launchbury but he is playing a lot better than Lawes or the other England 4 candidates. Whether he can take his game to the international stage will be the big question. If he can go toe to toe with Bakkies this Sunday and come out of it having had a good game then I reckon he'll do fine on the international stage. Bring on the big game on Sunday.

mawhis wrote:

bluestonevedder wrote:

mawhis wrote:Alex Gray to England 7's team:

http://www.rfu.com/news/2013/april/news-articles/040413_sevens_signings

First trime i've heard his name in ages. What's happened to him? Been a huge disappointment since moving to LI

The general consensus is that he couldn't bulk up enough to play 8 I believe.

Didn't know that Mawhis. Is that his backrow future gone then?

HK

Yeah true...but not as first choice in my eyes...Welch is still defo number one. He does pick up injuries so we needed a 7 to cover that...but an actual 7...not a 6 covering that which we have done alot of.

Gray to 7's...what a dissapointment...i had such high hopes for him as a player...he's just never hit those heights.

bluestonevedder wrote:

mawhis wrote:

bluestonevedder wrote:

mawhis wrote:Alex Gray to England 7's team:

http://www.rfu.com/news/2013/april/news-articles/040413_sevens_signings

First trime i've heard his name in ages. What's happened to him? Been a huge disappointment since moving to LI

The general consensus is that he couldn't bulk up enough to play 8 I believe.

Didn't know that Mawhis. Is that his backrow future gone then?

7's is full time these days, so presumably yes. Disappointing, really, as he certainly has the skills.

mawhis wrote:

bluestonevedder wrote:

mawhis wrote:

bluestonevedder wrote:

mawhis wrote:Alex Gray to England 7's team:

http://www.rfu.com/news/2013/april/news-articles/040413_sevens_signings

First trime i've heard his name in ages. What's happened to him? Been a huge disappointment since moving to LI

The general consensus is that he couldn't bulk up enough to play 8 I believe.

Didn't know that Mawhis. Is that his backrow future gone then?

7's is full time these days, so presumably yes. Disappointing, really, as he certainly has the skills.

Really disappointing. Still, he's young so might bulk up, but will be harder on the 7s scene. Can't have had too many first team appearances for Irish?

Can't have had too many first team appearances for Irish

Eddie, how many Falcons kids have left us prematurely...for bigger better things only to gain spelks elsewhere?

Hopefully now with our set up...kids wont want to move and will fulfill their potential here....

formerly known as Sam wrote:

I really like Ed Slater, but don't think he is anything more than a very good club player - but he should be given the chance to tour Argentina as he deserves his shot.

Bit harsh HKC, he's only 24 and only joined a pro club at 21. He's come a long way in the last few years, not sure he'll oust Launchbury but he is playing a lot better than Lawes or the other England 4 candidates. Whether he can take his game to the international stage will be the big question. If he can go toe to toe with Bakkies this Sunday and come out of it having had a good game then I reckon he'll do fine on the international stage. Bring on the big game on Sunday.

It wasn't a derogatory comment about Slater. I think he's a very good player and I would class him in same vane as the likes of other good club players like Kohn, Joubert or Scaysbrook. All are very good players and deserve to flirt with international sides, but like them i just don't feel he has the all round game to make it at international level. As you say he is still only young and I would gladly be proved wrong if he could provide the ballast we need in the England side.

GeordieFalcon wrote:

Can't have had too many first team appearances for Irish

Eddie, how many Falcons kids have left us prematurely...for bigger better things only to gain spelks elsewhere?

Hopefully now with our set up...kids wont want to move and will fulfill their potential here....

So many now GF. Gray was a bad move I think, and I remember being a little disappointed when he did sign.

Hopefully Ford leaving Tigers won't go the same way!

Ford's confidence looks shot after the Saxons games. Missing that penalty right in front of the posts after coming on at the weekend with his passing lacking It's usual zip. I think he could do with a month in the Championship to build himself up a bit as he had started to play better again before his Saxons games.

He was awful up at our place for that Saxons game. One of the worst 10 performances I've seen in a long time and that includes Donald!

Yeah he wasnt great Sarge...one thing that puzzled me was it was a windy night horrible North East night and he just didnt seem to cope with the conditions...

the scarletfever forum are suggesting promising winger kyle evans is off to exeter chiefs. while kieron murphy has had better offers from london welsh and edingburgh.

London Welsh will be planning for life in the Championship, the Scarlets really shouldn't be out bid by them if they want to keep him.

Chiefs are releasing Camacho, Sesterat and Votu so will be in the market for a winger so that sounds plausible.

LI's Jack Moates is off to the Pests. Will LI have any players left next season?

Powell off from Sale to Wigan

as in changing to Rugby League? Actually, suits his style

ChequeredJersey wrote:as in changing to Rugby League? Actually, suits his style

It suits his attacking style as it does not matter if he gets isolated and runs too far with the ball away from support. However whether he has the fitness levels needed to maintain the defensive positioning I am not sure. He drifts in and out of games as it is. Also at 31 he is getting on a bit for a RL player, let alone someone trying to convert.

Right Quins need to sign a gnarly front 5 forward and/or a big chopper 6.

We've been getting worse and worse in the forwards in particular throughout the season, and while we have a lot of good options ready to step up in the backs. Forwards like Mathews, Synckler, Marfo, Trayfoot are all a couple of seasons off first team starters. We need a little more age and experience in the pack to counter the youth and exuberance and a little more nasty.

We have signed MIke Blair....cracking signing.

GeordieFalcon wrote:We have signed MIke Blair....cracking signing.

Great signing and gives you real strength at 9.

Absolutely...him and Pilrgim understudy will do me fine.

Just need to get promoted....

Also the last time we had a really strong team, we had a strong Scottish contingent with a world class scottish 9 (Gary Armstrong)...and this is coming back...

The Falcons unoffy has just pretty much confirmed TH James Hall is off to Britsol. Disappointed about this as i think hes a cracking TH and a strong scrummager.....HOWEVER...its begs the question....

Who's going to replace him? Going to be interesting up here on Tynside...seems to be some BIG signings on their way.

Please lets not mess it up in the play offs...

Rumour going round Paul Sackey is coming back to England but not to London. How's Brookes going at Falcons?

He was recalled to Leicester for the Toloun game i believe sam.
In all honesty Scott Wilson has looked far more impressive.

Many of us Falcon fans thinks Brookes needs to be banned from Nandos. He's looking very heavy...and not in a healthy way. If he's staying here...he'll need to sort it out...because as i say young Scott seriously looks the real deal.

RE Sackey - Yeah we've heard that rumour...wouldnt want him at the Falcons now though, think we have better options...just need to sort the centres out to get the ball to them

I wouldn't be too disheartened with Sackey GF, he could do a job still and would be a good foil for the youngsters.

Totally agree on Brookes, what have Tigers done to him!

It's what Falcons did too him. He smashed his knee to pieces playing Falcons and then ballooned massively during his injury period. That hasn't gone down well at Tigers with Cockers publicly stating he hasn't developed as they would like. Didn't know he'd travelled to Toulon, Balmain was there in his training gear in the warm up and Murphy wad the named 24th man. Not really sure what Brookes was going to do other than eat French Nando's.

I was hoping being shunned by Tigers in favour of several other props including a 21 year old would give him a kick up the backside and with a return to home he'd rip up some trees and try to change the coaches perceptions of him. He is supposedly after a new contract and I'm not sure what offers he's going to get.

I reckon Sackey might head towards Worcester, they've looked to sign experience this summer because they're annoyed at all their young players breaking through then doing a runner. Sackey would be a good replacement for Garvey.

I honestly thought Brookes would be around the England fringes by now, being 3rd choice obviously hasn't helped his development.

Spending most of last season did not help him, especially considering that during RWC hbe had a chance to really make a positive impression.

His performances on the training ground saw him become 5th choice TH at Tigers. Being behind the international duo is not a surprise - but falling behind a recently converted LH who is younger (Balmain) and a LH not long converted from No8 (Mulipola) is not good.

Rumours of Dave Walder returning from Japan and looking for an AP contract.

There's talk he's coming back to us

He is 35 next month. Is he looking for a playing or a coaching contract?

I heard playing but I wouldn't be surprised if he had an eye on doing a Stephan Jones. Could be a good option for Falcons with young Hodgson coming through nicely, an experienced 10 to be a bit of a mentor for him will help his development.

I wonder if Saints will bid for him to offer Myler some competition.

Akapusi Qera has confirmed he will be staying at Gloucester at least until the end of his current deal, which runs til the end of next season. This follows rumours that French clubs were looking to buy him out of the final year of the contract. Great news for Gloucester.

Had discussed on the Glaws v Biarritz match thread the potential strength of the Gloucester back row next year with the form of Sione Kalamafoni, return from injury of Ben Morgan and signing of Matt Kvesic alongside the outstanding Qera, if they managed to retain his services. Incredible talent with those 4 on rotation plus decent back ups in Cox, Hazell and Evans. Best back row unit in the league? Must be close.

jeffwinger wrote:Akapusi Qera has confirmed he will be staying at Gloucester at least until the end of his current deal, which runs til the end of next season. This follows rumours that French clubs were looking to buy him out of the final year of the contract. Great news for Gloucester.

Had discussed on the Glaws v Biarritz match thread the potential strength of the Gloucester back row next year with the form of Sione Kalamafoni, return from injury of Ben Morgan and signing of Matt Kvesic alongside the outstanding Qera, if they managed to retain his services. Incredible talent with those 4 on rotation plus decent back ups in Cox, Hazell and Evans. Best back row unit in the league? Must be close.

We could do with some additional support at lock at TH too, but Q could move to TH and K lock!!

Great news about Q, but I never believed the rumours about him leaving as they were being driven by supporter rumour rather than any credible source.

Any more rumours on where Barclay may be off to?

All rumours gone silent. I think it all hinges on Castro. If he goes then Tigers have 350k off cap to fill, 200k on a replacement TH and 150k on Barclay. Rough estimates of course but I think that's the way it'll go. Tigers won't look for a like for like big name signing but they have lined up another TH and the Castro deal is open right until that replacement is no longer available.

Will Balmain be a challenger next season or still in development and cover for when Cole is away?

apparently according to a reliable source scarlets are in discussion with barclay. maybe using the transfer fee from north's move to saints? whether that's enough money i don't know. just hoping sean lamont will put a good word in for us.

pioden gorllewin wrote:apparently according to a reliable source scarlets are in discussion with barclay. maybe using the transfer fee from north's move to saints? whether that's enough money i don't know. just hoping sean lamont will put a good word in for us.

Would be an excellent signing for the Scarlets - they could really use a good 7

he'd be ideal for us - a 2 year contract so he can mentor dan thomas , plus put in a shift too.

seems too good to be true though. naturally assume that french and english teams will beat us to his signature.

GF, depends where Balmain ends up, he keeps switching from one side of the scrum to the other. Don't know if he's technically skilled enough for TH at the moment but then again neither was at his age. He's covering loosehead on the bench tomorrow and he holds his own their. He's a real bruiser in the loose and is developing nicely. Can see him being used as a Mulipola backup next season and will cover whichever side needs him.

Barclay would be a great addition to the Parc and as he seems to want to stay in the Isle it seems feasible.

Latest rumours I've heard are that Sale are looking to offload Cips and replace him with Bowden from Tigers.

Tigers are also looking to secure Flood until the next RWC. His contract was up next summer but it seems Tigers don't want any messing about next season. It's widely believed Flood will head across the channel post the next RWC and the additional year added to the contract would support those rumours.

Drew Mitchell to Toulon.

http://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/top-14/2012-2013/toulon-le-wallaby-drew-mitchell-a-signe_sto3711747/story.shtml

Will there be an end to there spending?

Rediculous. There will be 0 french players on the team next season.

Do they really need another winger? Full back, yes but not sure about wing, they have this season's options plus Bryan Habana.