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?

http://www.bathrugby.com/news/team-news/bath-rugby-bolster-scrum-half-options

As rumoured/expected, both Roberts and Young sign for Bath at SH. Both should have a point to prove, so can't complain about either really. Its going to be a remarkably different Bath side which takes the field in september.

Mickey Young could be a really good signing for you.

Is Ford official yet?

I think if he stays fit he could be. I think Roberts is a good player too, he has looked just as good as Dickson when i've seen Saints play.

Strangely no, it does make you wonder what is going on there. Its usual to wait until the teams have met for the last time in the season before an announcement like that, but since we have now played (couldn't resist mentioning!) it seems odd that it hasn't been announced.

As if by magic!

http://www.bathrugby.com/news/team-news/bath-rugby-confirm-ford-signing

I hope he kicks on for you.

Me too, think that almost completes our signings for the next season then, with only an 'experienced old head at 10' left, of which Henson is being looked at, but also alternatives.

So we've signed

Orlandi - TH
Guinza - HK
Garvey - LK / BS
Gilbert - OS
Houston - N8 / BS
Koster - N8 / BS
Sisi - N8 / BS

Stringer - SH
Roberts - SH
Young - SH

Ford - FH

Joseph - OC
Roko - WG / OC
Watson - WG / FB

And let this lot go

Mears - retired
Taylor - BR
Skirving - BR
Classens - SH
McMillan - SH
Donald - FH
Vesty - FH
Barkley - FH/IC
Cuthbert - WG/FB

I hope he plays better than he did in the Saxons v Scotland game...pah he looked clueless, out of his depth and tactically naive...

Agreed Geordie. I can't get too excited about his signing to be honest, all I can see it doing is driving out Heathcote. Henson would be an interesting suggestion, him at 12 could really help bring on a young 10 long term.

Bathman, I wouldn't worry too much about Ford doing well, by far the most talented 10 in the country. Decent pre season and a run of games and I have every confidence that Bath have a gem.
The Scotland game was mentioned but not the Ireland one for the Saxons where both his tactical nous and control of the game where nothing but first class.

Really unconvinced by Ford, it was one of the worst FH displays I've ever seen against Scotland

George Ford has not made the progress we would have wanted. This time last year I really thought he would be no1 at tigers by the end of this season. However lack of game time at the start of the season (but remember he was being kept out by the then England no1) and then poor form when he did play meant he made little progress. Then he decided to leave.

People are being over-harsh about the display against Scotland A. The conditions were horrific and while he was poor, so were most of the Saxons.

Sgt Pooly, I have seen who you rate and don't rate so I will prefer the judgement of a well respected World Cup winning assistant coach ahead of yours, like I take Will Greenwoods and loads other internationals opinion of Tompkins ahead of yours also.

Maybe Ford hasn't moved on as much as people thought he would but anyone questioning his ability and potential is a fool. 19yrs old and getting so much criticism such an English trait.

Student-A1 wrote:Sgt Pooly, I have seen who you rate and don't rate so I will prefer the judgement of a well respected World Cup winning assistant coach ahead of yours, like I take Will Greenwoods and loads other internationals opinion of Tompkins ahead of yours also.

Maybe Ford hasn't moved on as much as people thought he would but anyone questioning his ability and potential is a fool. 19yrs old and getting so much criticism such an English trait.

Lambie and O Connor were tearing it up on the super rugby scene and then at international before 19, so you're right, age is no excuse!

Lol....that was pretty funny Student.

Could be great, looks a gamble if expected to start.

Bathite, fair point about O'Conor and Lambie although I would say it is a tad unfair comparing to O'Connor as he was a freak how good he was. But look at how he is playing at 10, not so good. 10 is such a difficult position to play, compared to the outta position he played previous.

If we are comparing SH players then Carter who I'm sure we all agree is class, didn't become the prominant force for Crusaders until 21. So I will still stick with the point that at 19 it is unfair to be too harsh. And why people only mention the Scot A game and not the Irish WolfHounds is some what bias.

With regards to being a gamble, surely any signing is really. The player he is being replaced with at Leicester is another purely potential player. I would argue that of the Bath signings the ones at 9 are the bigger gambles as the 2 today are being purely done in the hope they reach past heights, even more so in the case of Young.

Ford will a classy 10 in a few years time when he matures. The issue for Bath is that they have apparently promised him game time. Ford is a classy player but because he's young has major confidence issues, particularly when the weak area of his game (place kicking) is going badly. Henson or Heathcote at 12 kicking the points could help him out there in a big way, Tigers signed Mele to take the pressure off him in a similar way.

He's a great playmaker and Bath need to run everything through him to make the most of him just like the under 20s used to. He'll stand flat and just bring the big ball runners from the forwards off his shoulders, force the opposition defence in and then release the outside backs in space. An issue for him is that Tigers don't play like that, everything goes through the 9, Youngs is the general, Flood moves the point of attack and attacks space. Bath will be more open to changing their method of play.

Do Bath have a backs coach to look after all this exciting talent?

Student....

"Sgt Pooly, I have seen who you rate and don't rate so I will prefer the judgement of a well respected World Cup winning assistant coach ahead of yours, like I take Will Greenwoods and loads other internationals opinion of Tompkins ahead of yours also."

It's a forum based on opinions, have I mentioned Tomkins recently? I see you're new to the forum.....or maybe not

DaveM, yeah some how it is Toby Booth, an attacking genius . They openly said they wanted to bring in another last year and all the talk was that it was going to be Catt but when he performed well in South Africa that became impossible.

One of the signings most Bath fans want is a backs/attack coach. With Brad Davies going probably will need another guy on board, think they missed a trick if they didn't go for Alex King.

Sgt Pooly, no need for the wink, am defo new to this forum.

New user name perhaps

Sale Sharks have confirmed the signings of Andy Forsyth, Phil Mackenzie and Dan Baines for next season.

Shame to lose Forsyth, he worked so hard up establish himself only to break a leg as it seemed he might stake a claim. He's never managed to force his way back in since. Will off speed, hands and A big boot to the Sale midfield as a different option to the power runners they currently employ.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Bath will be more open to changing their method of play.

I wouldn't be too sure about that! Gold's put in place a pretty rigid gameplan this season, but maybe we might see more attack and flair next year, based on the signings?

With Classens going and two different style 9s coming in there could well be a shift in the primary playmaker. Roberts and Young aren't the Classens/Ben Youngs style scrum half general so Bath could see a lot more play go through 10. That wouldn't mean necessarily a lot more flair just more forwards coming off the shoulders of Ford and a flatter attack. The likes of Fearns or Garvey crashing off the shoulder of the 10 flat and at pace should give you some go forward. That secondary goal kicker will still be key as Ford's confidence will need to be high to play that flat.

Exciting times Bathite, you surely have to get top 4 next season

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Exciting times Bathite, you surely have to get top 4 next season

Hope so, Donald going should help, but leaves a lot of pressure relying on Heathcote / Ford.

Pack's been really competitive this year, James-Webber-Wilson is a top front row, so with Orlandi, Garvey, Houston, only adding more bulk and ball carriers, hopefully taking the pressure off Louw, we have a strong platform. Lineout remains a concern though.

Attwood needs to deliver more there I think.

A lot expected of two young 10's, Heathcote looks the better currently for me

Yeah, I agree, I don't think Ford is assured starting 10, not by a long way, despite what Cockerill or Tigers supporters think. Hoping that having Webber all season will help the lineout, he's been great for us since getting fit

Ford was given assurances over first team appearances at Bath. That might not manifest itself as out right first choice, could well be a Sarries style rotation policy being utilised. He won't have left Tigers to just play second fiddle somewhere else.

Bathite wrote:Yeah, I agree, I don't think Ford is assured starting 10, not by a long way, despite what Cockerill or Tigers supporters think. Hoping that having Webber all season will help the lineout, he's been great for us since getting fit

Welcome to my world! The only reason 36 left was because he was guaranteed to be a starter at Glaws

I do think this line is slightly over-egged as it's not a question of assurances, but in Ford and 36's case they were competing against the English 10 and their defensive lynchpin for a starting spot, so clearly they are likely to get more game time elsewhere. Furthermore, despite Tigers' impressive try scoring achievements, neither Ford or 36 really fitted into Cocker's game plan.

Ford should be given quite a comfortable ride behind that Bath pack, which should give him the time to work on his game management and place kicking consistency.

But there can't be any other reason why a player would want to leave Leicester can there HKC?! I thought all their players were happy to put up with low wages just for the honour of wearing the shirt?

Seriously though, clearly from Ford's point of view, he was told that Donald would be leaving, so his competition for the 10 shirt would be another youngster who Ford was effectively chosen ahead of for the U20s, rather than an England Fh with 50 caps. So I doubt many assurances would need to be given, if he didn't back himself to win the shirt in that situation, he would have some self esteem issues!

Twelvetrees had a hefty pay rise and moved to a club with no other 12 whilst being told there were no plans to sign another.

After Twelvetrees' impressive performance against Scotland his father was quoted in the paper saying some interesting things about the way Leicester had treated his son. As I recall Billy was allegedly told he's be nothing if he left the Tigers.

Oooh I missed those quotes, have you got a link? I understand the coaches were less than impressed in the way Billy handled himself over the negotiations and his attitude afterwards. Seen in the way he went from starting 12 (having earnt the shirt) to not in the match day 23 until injury forced Tigers hand.

Richie Baxter retiring from Exeter Chiefs after 16 seasons playing for the club and 1,467,985 games, 3,097 tries, etc. - the man is a ligind

Who's going to replace the club legend at 8 As?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-2272528/Six-Nations-2013-Billy-Twelvetrees-parents-staying-true-roots.html

Sam its mentioned in there.


There aren't many one club men around anymore, will be join his brother in the coaching department I wonder?

Full list of Exe departures announced today, some of whom were already known:

Richie Baxter, No8, retiring
Simon Alcott, Hooker, retired (injured)
Neil Clark, Hooker, Oyannax
Chris Budgen, Prop/SH/FH, retiring (will continue to play for Army)
Aly Muldowney, Lock, Connacht
Kev Barrett, SH, probably retiring
Junior Polu, SH, ?
Myles Dorrian, FH, L Irish (currently on loan with Bedford)
Nacho Mieres, FH, Worcester
Watisoni, Votu, Wing, Perpignan
Gonzo Comacho, Wing, Leicester
Mark Foster, Wing, ? (currently on loan with Jersey)
Nic Sestaret, Wing/centre, ?
Josh Tatupu, Wing/centre, ?

Only 9 of the Championship-winning starting XV left now.

News that Rob Baxter is closing in on a deal with Connacht's winger, Fetu'u Vainikolo.

No8 next season will probably be James Phillips, with Kai Horstmann sharing the duties, and possibly Dave Ewers moving across from 6. All 3 have had long-term injuries this season, otherwise we would have seen more of them.

Vainikolo is a good player. Irish were linked with him but nothing ever came of it, think they were only going to sign him if Tagicakibau left.

I've read that Sale have been linked with Vainikolo too, popular target.

http://www.times-series.co.uk/sport/10388424.Saracens_sign_new_prop/

Kind of old news but Saracens have signed Jersey prop Richard Barrington.

Anyone know anything about him?

Nope though Jersey's big physical pack drew plaudits after our friendly against them in pre season.

Oh right well that bodes well.

So far from the new recruits I have seen an emphasis on Saracens signing physically bigger players like Johnston and B.Vunipola.

Almost 20st as well. Quite tall for a prop


Position: Prop
Date of birth: 24.09.89
Place of birth: Gloucester
Height: 6' 2"
Weight - kg: 123kg
Weight - st: 19st 6lb
Previous clubs: Hartbury College, Gloucester
Honours: Devon, England Students, Barbarians

There doesn't something to be 'something special going on' at Saracens anymore? What's going on? PR lad got the sack then!

Any off the Hartbury conveyor belt. If he's a TH then Glos will be gutted to have let him slip through the net, as they are so short of cover there.

Bathite wrote:There doesn't something to be 'something special going on' at Saracens anymore? What's going on? PR lad got the sack then!

Any off the Hartbury conveyor belt. If he's a TH then Glos will be gutted to have let him slip through the net, as they are so short of cover there.

Fortunately he's a LH. Apparently we're due to be announcing a TH soon...

Any rumours on who it might be?

beshocked wrote:Oh right well that bodes well.

So far from the new recruits I have seen an emphasis on Saracens signing physically bigger players like Johnston and B.Vunipola.

Almost 20st as well. Quite tall for a prop


Position: Prop
Date of birth: 24.09.89
Place of birth: Gloucester
Height: 6' 2"
Weight - kg: 123kg
Weight - st: 19st 6lb
Previous clubs: Hartbury College, Gloucester
Honours: Devon, England Students, Barbarians

New prop for Sarries - must be on Lions stand-by list

formerly known as Sam wrote:Who's going to replace the club legend at 8 As?

Sam, see Dub's comments above Phillips, Hortsmann or possibly Ewers

Bathite wrote:Any rumours on who it might be?

It sounds pretty likely it won't be Samson Lee. There is still an absurd rumour doing the rounds in Glaws that it's Adam Jones, but we've got more chance of winning a play-off final than signing him! I'd imagine it will be a relatively unknown player as with Harden and Knight we have 2 players that have the potential to develop into decent players. However, I'd love it to be Kubriashvili from Toulon

The lad Ewers should feature for you more next season, I've seen him play a couple of times this season and he looks a good player.

Rumours of an insubstantial nature on the Tigers offy that a 22 stone Samoan is on his way from the Montpellier reserves. If true I'd imagine Freddie Tuilagi is his agent and Tigers are looking to bring him in cheap and reboot his career.

Wow...22 stone samoan...carnage