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?

Drew Mitchell and Bryan Habana?

This is just getting ridiculous, I hope Clermont or Sarries hammer them in the HC - at least they have some home grown players.

Makes the claims that they can't afford Castro sound ridiculous doesn't it.

Of course they can afford him. They just want to get a better deal tis all

Sale interested in Dan Bowden according to this weekends Rugby Paper

formerly known as Sam wrote: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.

well I thought Castro to Toulon was off but then read earlier it's still being discussed and some toulon fans saying its a done deal. Leicester is looking at jerome schuster from Perpignan who would be a decent backup for Cole (he has 2 caps as well). Perpignan clearly needing some cash as they have been offloading some of their heavy earners recently (well appart from Hook that is).

Myles Dorrian Joins LI from Exeter

" Leicester is looking at jerome schuster from Perpignan who would be a decent backup for Cole (he has 2 caps as well)"

Schuster is a LH

Sgt_Pooly wrote:" Leicester is looking at jerome schuster from Perpignan who would be a decent backup for Cole (he has 2 caps as well)"

Schuster is a LH

he can play both sides

Hmm we have two young props who can play either side. I was hoping more for a TH specialist who could bring some technical expertise to the set piece as at the minute Mulipola and Balmain are more reliant on raw power. Still at 27 and playing in the top French division he must be fairly proficient.

whocares wrote:

Sgt_Pooly wrote:" Leicester is looking at jerome schuster from Perpignan who would be a decent backup for Cole (he has 2 caps as well)"

Schuster is a LH

he can play both sides

No he's definitely a Loosehead. Can't recall him ever playing TH and I watch a fair bit of T14. Cracking prop though, big scrummager.

Well the last few appearances of schuster has been from the bench replacing kisi pulu (when mas is not available) so he's in fact 3rd choice now. Taumalo is the first choice LH now.

If he can scrummage he'll do just fine. We may have to convert Mulipola to TH full time for next season though.

LH: Ayerza, Shuster, Stanko
Hooker: Youngs, Biggs, Hawkins, Stevens
TH: Cole, Mulipola, Balmain

With Castro, Bower, Harris and Brookes all off this summer. Might need to sign an additional prop as I think our academy props are on the young side. If Stanko retires or leaves as expected then we're really looking light.

Who is Biggs Sam?

Manu's Boxing Coach wrote:Who is Biggs Sam?

Neil Briggs I think he means, formerly of Sale and more recently London Welsh.

Yeah, that sounds right cheers LT.

Sorry phone keyboard. Meant Briggs. Anyone know Hawkins contract situation, is it next year his is up for renewal?

I thought they only extended his contract by one year last season, they wanted to support him, but at the same time there were doubts about his future with the injury.

A decent back-up, hopefully he gets a further extension.

I'm unsure on Hawkins, I'd like to see Jimmy Stevens promoted and whilst Hawkins does a good job having both him and Briggs on the books is a touch short term thinking. Stevens has got Championship experience and has looked good on his rare appearences. At 22 he's prime third choice material. We've still got young Thacker in the academy as well and he's already made his debut (last season at just 17).

Cornwall is off to Treviso I've heard.

Rumours in Belfast of Declan Fitzpatrick to London Irish

Not a rumour but Richard Hill has got the sack from Worcester.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/apr/16/worcester-warriors-part-company-richard-hill

Feel a bit for him, seeing as their good youngsters keep leaving, avoiding relegation is all that could be realistically achieved with that squad and he has done that.

geoff998rugby wrote:Rumours in Belfast of Declan Fitzpatrick to London Irish

Interesting one. Really we are short on the loosehead side so would surprise me a little.

Bathman_in_London wrote:Not a rumour but Richard Hill has got the sack from Worcester.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/apr/16/worcester-warriors-part-company-richard-hill

Feel a bit for him, seeing as their good youngsters keep leaving, avoiding relegation is all that could be realistically achieved with that squad and he has done that.

Looks like this might not be true:

BBC is reporting that this is "Speculation"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22167666

Richard Hill seemed to be building a good team for next season, Warwick, Mieres and Creevy were all heading to the club and they've been solid this season.

Re Irish looseheads they've already got Harris for next season. That's one additional loosehead.

Think Hill's done pretty well with what he's had. There's been a fair few narrow defeats picking up losing bonus points when they should have won. Got a lot of time for him, think he's done OK.

But is he any good Sam? We have Yanuyanutawa (not looked very good when he's played), Matt Parr (apparantly) (hasn't looked up to much when I've seen him for Nottingham this season) and Tom Smallbone (academy, decent prospect but not ready yet.

Is Harris any better than what we have, or is he another one to make up the numbers without being much use?

Strong shouts going around that Parisse is leaving Paris and that it might be to an AP club. Naturally, every Tom Richard and Harry is being lazy and assuming that Bath are one of the clubs involved.

However, the following facts are true:
- We lack an 8 for next season
- We don't have a marquee signing next season with Donald off to JP
- Our owner has strong connections to France (not sure how relevant this is)

Having said that, this is also true
- We're a bit pants for Parisse
- We cannot offer him Heineken cup rugby
- Marquee might not be enough wedge for him
- Although Skirving has left, Taylor's future isn't resolved yet (i don't think), Koster was signed last year, but hasn't played much and Houston has just been brought in, but has discipline / fitness issues

Obviously I'd love it to be rue, but we all know by now that 99% of the Bath rumours are made up by lazy journos

Bathite wrote:Strong shouts going around that Parisse is leaving Paris and that it might be to an AP club. Naturally, every Tom Richard and Harry is being lazy and assuming that Bath are one of the clubs involved.

However, the following facts are true:
- We lack an 8 for next season
- We don't have a marquee signing next season with Donald off to JP
- Our owner has strong connections to France (not sure how relevant this is)

Having said that, this is also true
- We're a bit pants for Parisse
- We cannot offer him Heineken cup rugby
- Marquee might not be enough wedge for him
- Although Skirving has left, Taylor's future isn't resolved yet (i don't think), Koster was signed last year, but hasn't played much and Houston has just been brought in, but has discipline / fitness issues

Obviously I'd love it to be rue, but we all know by now that 99% of the Bath rumours are made up by lazy journos

So You're not going to beat Sarries and Tigers then?

Parisse will head to Japan before the AP surely. No AP team can match what he's getting in France. Add to that all the HEC teams must be close to their salary cap for next season. Just can't see anyone being able to do that deal.

Well Ozzy he won't set the world alight but he's young and should do a solid job.

Sam what about as a marquee signing as Bathite says?

I thought there was a cap on Marquee signing? As in it's an additional 300k above the cap. Even so Tigers have Cole/Castro, Sarries have Ashton, Quins don't have the money, Glaws have the scrum half whose name has slipped my mind, Saints have North, Chiefs don't have the money and it looks like Bath can't offer him HEC rugby.

I suppose Saints could blow their remaining budget and bring him in and gamble on a weaker front row next season.

I thought a player had to have been at the club for two years before being eligible as the 'marquee' player? (Among other conditions) - unless that is they use Kingshu's wheeze of a massively back-loaded 3-year contract?

https://twitter.com/PlanetRugbyAK/status/147829521821872129

That would say otherwise.

Parisse is one of the best players in the world, so why on earth wouldnt someone in the richest league in the world offer him a new contract?! Lazy journalism I think.


Rumour that Dean Ryan may be in with a chance of the Wuss coaching position?

formerly known as Sam wrote:I suppose Saints could blow their remaining budget and bring him in and gamble on a weaker front row next season.

No thanks, Sundays LW consolation try is still a very fresh (and raw) memory

Anyway, I think the only additional front row signing for Saints will be a journeyman LH.
Saints front row options for 2013/14
LH - Corbisiero, A Waller, ?
HK - Hartley, Haywood, McMillan
TH - Salesi Ma'afu, Mercey, E Waller

Been really impressed with Saints youngsters Mercey and Waller, this second half of the season they've looked more reliable then the two old hands.

Where is PDJ currently? Is he out injured or on the naughty step?

The only reason I can see Parisse coming to the Jeff is for other non rugby factors on top of the rugby eg modelling contracts etc or perhaps he's been tempted in by another teams frequent flyer bonuses, ski holidays and club socials...

Been really impressed with Saints youngsters Mercey and Waller, this second half of the season they've looked more reliable then the two old hands.

Where is PDJ currently? Is he out injured or on the naughty step?

The only reason I can see Parisse coming to the Jeff is for other non rugby factors on top of the rugby eg modelling contracts etc or perhaps he's been tempted in by another teams frequent flyer bonuses, ski holidays and club socials...

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:I thought a player had to have been at the club for two years before being eligible as the 'marquee' player? (Among other conditions) - unless that is they use Kingshu's wheeze of a massively back-loaded 3-year contract?

I think it was an English player had to have been at a club for a few years. Bring someone in from outside was fine. It's to stop players being bought up from other AP clubs and inflating their wages.

So for example Corbisiero going to Saints can't a marque. But if Shridan went there he could be



I think

BBC seem to believe Richard Hill's exit is for real.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22166242

Sacking Hill now just seems foolish. There's two games left in the season. Wait until the summer, don't disrupt the squad now.

I wonder who'd take that job? Well other than Dean Ryan.

yappysnap wrote:
The only reason I can see Parisse coming to the Jeff is for other non rugby factors on top of the rugby eg modelling contracts etc or perhaps he's been tempted in by another teams frequent flyer bonuses, ski holidays and club socials...

formerly known as Sam wrote:Sacking Hill now just seems foolish. There's two games left in the season. Wait until the summer, don't disrupt the squad now.

I wonder who'd take that job? Well other than Dean Ryan.

Ryan was overlooked for the role when Hill got the job, so I'd imagine that would factor into whether he'd consider them again

Beshocked knows i'm only teasing

And how bad must coaching Scotland be that Ryan would look at coaching Wuss over them?!!

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

yappysnap wrote:
The only reason I can see Parisse coming to the Jeff is for other non rugby factors on top of the rugby eg modelling contracts etc or perhaps he's been tempted in by another teams frequent flyer bonuses, ski holidays and club socials...

I think it was the free ipad that really attracts them to be honest!

A Club shall only be entitled to nominate a Player as an Excluded Player who:

(i) has been a Player of the Club for atleast two full Salary Cap Years prior to the Salary Cap Year in which he is nominated as the Excluded Player; or
(ii) has not been a Player of any Aviva Premiership Club during the previous Salary Cap; or
(iii) was selected and included in a national playing squad of any country participating in the RWC2011.

The name of the Excluded Player shall be kept confidential.


Thats the criteria for the marquee so Parisse or any other big name overseas based player would count.

Thanks, BiL

yappysnap wrote:
The only reason I can see Parisse coming to the Jeff is for other non rugby factors on top of the rugby eg modelling contracts etc or perhaps he's been tempted in by another teams frequent flyer bonuses, ski holidays and club socials...

I love the thought of Parisse being woo'd to Northampton or Bath by the promise of a club social! Hilarious.

Well i didnt want to spoil the surprise...but he's said he sick of playing all these games in high profile competitions, living in the big cities, getting paid rediculous wages etc...so he's coming to the Falcons...

Micahel Tagicakibau returning to Saracens from Bristol

http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12572/8645247/Michael-Tagicakibau-rejoins-Saracens-from-Bristol

GeordieFalcon wrote:Well i didnt want to spoil the surprise...but he's said he sick of playing all these games in high profile competitions, living in the big cities, getting paid rediculous wages etc...so he's coming to the Falcons...

I hear he's a big fan of idiotic football hooligans too so just maybe... Has clegg returning to the Falcons been mentioned yet? Probably a pretty solid signing and would be good to get back a couple of other lost talents from the club.

Jimmy Stevens apparently coming to LI from Leicester,meaning that George Chuter signs for next season :

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/George-Chuter-signs-new-deal-Leicester-Tigers/story-18729279-detail/story.html#axzz2QiJzM6ov

That's a good signing for LI. Stevens is a decent young hooker who I would have liked to seen promoted to third choice next season and possibly second choice the season after.