Martin Castrogiovanni anyone?

The Toulon contract has fallen through and I doubt that Tigers can afford him under the cap arrangements.

He'd be a useful pack stiffener for a needy club.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22541849

Yes please but obviously beneath him.

Come to Edinburgh Martin!! If any team needed a "pack stiffener".....

Saints should sign him up as a replacement for Mujati at tight head.

I think Castro would certainly be welcome at pretty much any club.

I will still be surprised if he is not at Toulon next season.

I wonder if he fancies moving to a beautiful part of the world in North East England...

Well since he's been release from his Leicester contract Toulon can hire him without a fee can't they? Why on Earth wouldn't he be there if the thing stopping him was the buy-out fee? Unless they've already got someone in.

Castrogiovanni? His name is made for the cardiff accent

GeordieFalcon wrote:I wonder if he fancies moving to a beautiful part of the world in North East England...

There's a rugby team in Sunderland??

Ulster? Would let Afoa go home and wouldn't leave us in the lurch!? And sure he loves the Irish already!

PS FES, you've obviously never been to Sunderland...more Greggs shops per square mile than ANYWHERE else in Britain...

He's a bit broken these days, inne?

gcBlues wrote:Castrogiovanni? His name is made for the cardiff accent

Maaairtin Castrogiovaaairni has some kind of ring to it.
Yeah we'll have him.

Stone Motif wrote:He's a bit broken these days, inne?

Good enough for the Rabo maybe?

Cardiff Dave wrote:

Stone Motif wrote:He's a bit broken these days, inne?

Good enough for the Rabo maybe?

Oh, absolutely. But a worthy investment of what is likely to be a considerable chunk of cash? He won't be turning out week for week, plus still likely to be called up for Italy.

GeordieFalcon wrote:

PS FES, you've obviously never been to Sunderland...more Greggs shops per square mile than ANYWHERE else in Britain...

Greggs is a bad thing?? Remember you're talking to a Scotsman. Greggs is fine dining as far as I'm concerned.

In retrospect I don't think Castrogiovanni is the right man for Edinburgh. His superiority over the other props would simply damage morale.

The only Italian restaurant in Gloucester is rubbish, so he could be dual registered at Glaws

Stone Motif wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

Stone Motif wrote:He's a bit broken these days, inne?

Good enough for the Rabo maybe?

Oh, absolutely. But a worthy investment of what is likely to be a considerable chunk of cash? He won't be turning out week for week, plus still likely to be called up for Italy.

Thought he had packed in playing for Italy. On second thoughts we won't have him.

I hear Newport is beautiful this time of year - come and join us on the banks of the River Usk Martin!

If Afoa is leaving then Castro would be ideal for Ulster, don't see it happening though.

His contract at Tigers was rumoured to be between 300k and 350k a season and he bought himself out of the final season. He won't be cheap wherever he goes.

I'm sure there's a few offers from French clubs waiting for him. Toulon have blundered as now he's a free agent other clubs will be interested as well.

Artful_Dodger wrote:If Afoa is leaving then Castro would be ideal for Ulster, don't see it happening though.

I'd rather have Lutton.....

I'd like to see him go to Teviso or Zebre.

Someone said that Treviso are looking to make some big signings this summer?

He's a top player, but he'll be familar with most of the Treviso team, as they are nearly the Italian team anyway.

While they may not be a top club they are in the H-cup, and they are really building up to being a team that can take on the best teams in Europe, he may wish to be part of that process?

I'd love him at Falcons and I'm pretty sure we could afford him if we go up. Pls sign him Deano

rodders wrote:

Artful_Dodger wrote:If Afoa is leaving then Castro would be ideal for Ulster, don't see it happening though.

I'd rather have Lutton.....

Same here!

Sarge, the question is would he be worth it for the huge cash outlay...over Tomas and upcoming Scotty Wilson?...and hopefully a rejuvenated leaner Brookes...

Im sure the French clubs are lining up for him. I'd say the big spenders Racing or Montpellier will swop in and get him.

Transfer speculations have become so unexciting now because nobody can compete with French clubs.

Phil Vickery was right what he said about him on scrum V a few months back, he was absolutley gutted when he went off and his replacement came on against England at Twickenham, because all Castrogiavaani does is wave his hands and his hair about and does not scrummage that well at all. Ok he has made a name for himself at Leicester, but for me there are much better loose heads around who would not command such a high wage, and are not as much a prima-donna.

He should go to Treviso. They are very close to being a reasonable force. They just need one or two big names among them.

LordDowlais wrote:Phil Vickery was right what he said about him on scrum V a few months back, he was absolutley gutted when he went off and his replacement came on against England at Twickenham, because all Castrogiavaani does is wave his hands and his hair about and does not scrummage that well at all. Ok he has made a name for himself at Leicester, but for me there are much better loose heads around who would not command such a high wage, and are not as much a prima-donna.

Does he not primarily play at tighthead? I know he's covered both sides before, but I think he's mainly a 3.

Assuming I'm right, not sure Vickery is being particularly fair criticising him. Vickery often struggled scrummaging in his own specialist position (never one to be able to adapt to ref interpretations), and I'm pretty sure he never dared to switch sides at international level.

LordDowlais wrote:Phil Vickery was right what he said about him on scrum V a few months back, he was absolutley gutted when he went off and his replacement came on against England at Twickenham, because all Castrogiavaani does is wave his hands and his hair about and does not scrummage that well at all. Ok he has made a name for himself at Leicester, but for me there are much better loose heads around who would not command such a high wage, and are not as much a prima-donna.

You really do have extremely high standards when it comes to rating players. Thats now Castro, Healy and Fotuali'i that you think is over rated.

Castro was one of Italy's best players in the 6N. Great player imo.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:Phil Vickery was right what he said about him on scrum V a few months back, he was absolutley gutted when he went off and his replacement came on against England at Twickenham, because all Castrogiavaani does is wave his hands and his hair about and does not scrummage that well at all. Ok he has made a name for himself at Leicester, but for me there are much better loose heads around who would not command such a high wage, and are not as much a prima-donna.

You really do have extremely high standards when it comes to rating players. Thats now Castro, Healy and Fotuali'i that you think is over rated.

Castro was one of Italy's best players in the 6N. Great player imo.

Not this 6N - where he often seemed handicapped by injury - but he has been a great player in his time

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:Phil Vickery was right what he said about him on scrum V a few months back, he was absolutley gutted when he went off and his replacement came on against England at Twickenham, because all Castrogiavaani does is wave his hands and his hair about and does not scrummage that well at all. Ok he has made a name for himself at Leicester, but for me there are much better loose heads around who would not command such a high wage, and are not as much a prima-donna.

You really do have extremely high standards when it comes to rating players. Thats now Castro, Healy and Fotuali'i that you think is over rated.

Castro was one of Italy's best players in the 6N. Great player imo.

It's because none of those are welsh


...sorry guys!

Castros' a tighthead so id be very surprised if Vickery, also a TH, was scrumming down against him at all.....

beshocked wrote:Saints should sign him up as a replacement for Mujati at tight head.

I think Castro would certainly be welcome at pretty much any club.

Agree about Saints. Signing for Saints would provide the added incentive of still living and working near his restaurant. He also would not have to move his flat. Unless he actually lives in Leicester. We can't have that now, can we?

None of the players live in Leicester. He lives in a well to do South Leicestershire town (no one in Leicestershire on his money lives in a flat). As I understand it he has nothing to do with the running of the restaurant he merely provides media attention.

He has been a brilliant tighthead, at one stage probably the best tighthead in the world. Ever since he developed his gluten allergy he has struggled.

Northampton would be the most sensible, corbs and castro would be perfect replacements for mooj and tiny.

formerly known as Sam wrote:None of the players live in Leicester. He lives in a well to do South Leicestershire town

Excellent. Right on the Northamptonshire border. The plot thickens.........

formerly known as Sam wrote:None of the players live in Leicester. He lives in a well to do South Leicestershire town (no one in Leicestershire on his money lives in a flat). As I understand it he has nothing to do with the running of the restaurant he merely provides media attention.

He has been a brilliant tighthead, at one stage probably the best tighthead in the world. Ever since he developed his gluten allergy he has struggled.

I'd have a guess to one of the villages near Market Harborough, so not to far from the border! Lol

GeordieFalcon wrote:Castros' a tighthead so id be very surprised if Vickery, also a TH, was scrumming down against him at all.....

Yes sorry, you are correct, he is a tighthead.

doctor_grey wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:None of the players live in Leicester. He lives in a well to do South Leicestershire town

Excellent. Right on the Northamptonshire border. The plot thickens.........

Can't see it Doctor as the Saints have already signed Corbisiero and Ma'afu as replacements for Tiny and the Mooj, with Mercey moving up to replace Quins bound PDJ and the younger Waller brother Ethan supposedly moving up from the youth team to be the 3rd TH. Read somewhere that they are looking to sign an additional journeyman loosie but otherwise the money has been spent elsewhere. I guess we could do the same as the Cameron Shepherd incident last year and pull out of the deal on injury grounds (what prop doesn't carry injuries?). Another option could be to employ a South African accountant so we can somehow squeeze the deal under the salary cap (sorry beshocked, only joking ).

I agree with others that I don't think he is worth in the region of 300k anymore anyway. Couple of years ago certainly, he was an absolute beast for the Tigers then.

If he does stay in the Jeff then how about at Gloucester? They could do with strengthening at 3, especially with Harden being so unlucky with injuries.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:Phil Vickery was right what he said about him on scrum V a few months back, he was absolutley gutted when he went off and his replacement came on against England at Twickenham, because all Castrogiavaani does is wave his hands and his hair about and does not scrummage that well at all. Ok he has made a name for himself at Leicester, but for me there are much better loose heads around who would not command such a high wage, and are not as much a prima-donna.

You really do have extremely high standards when it comes to rating players. Thats now Castro, Healy and Fotuali'i that you think is over rated.

Castro was one of Italy's best players in the 6N. Great player imo.

This is the same Castro who cost Italy the game against Wales by giving away penalty's all the time and then getting yellow carded, and the same Castro who was given the shepherds crook against England. Italy's stand out players in the six nations were Parisse and Zanni. Castro has made his name playing for Leicester who traditionally have excellent forwards who he wasn't the best of, and being the best of a bad bunch for Italy in their earlier days.

Anyway, no front row forward should have pantene hair down to his arris and think he is the dog's bollix, back in the day he would have had the world and their dog teasing him on the rugby field.

The fact that you think he is a loosehead shows how badly informed your opinion is.

If the Toulon move falls through he's in a tough spot. Right now I don't think there will be many other teams who would give him what he's on at Leicester- he's still good but not that good. A few years ago he would have merited it but now there are a lot of better tightheads around Europe who are probably earning less.

But given his profile in Italian rugby it would be massive if Treviso or Zebre could table an offer to him.

This is an opening fort the blues I think. Im sure Peter would put some money in his pocket for him.
Wouldn't mind him at the Scarlets but the blues need a strong tighthead.
Surly the blues have to consider it.
He is an outstanding tighthead and he has fallen into the same situation that Gethin Jenkins has.
Blues have been gethins saviour getting him from toulon who would have destroyed his profile and ability completely. He has been mistreated at toulon, and castro deserves more than what leicester have been giving him. A bit of game time under his belt and he will be back to best.
All im saying is that Blues have saved Gethin, i think they could save Castro as well

That would be huge of the Blues got him. They would have a really competitive team if they had Gentin and Castro in the front row.

Tightheads are the most expensive players in a squad usually, so it's really only those wacky French clubs with their cartoonish chequebooks who would really be able to afford him.

Would love to see him at the Falcons packing down next to our boy Shiells.

Glasgow doesn't need him. Edinburgh, well, perhaps they MIGHT be interested if you twisted their arms. And loaned them half a million per season.

Not sure George, whilst i ackowledge how good he's been, im quite happy with our TH's at the moment.

Tomas has been great and whilst he might not last 80 mins in the prem game...we have Scott Wilson to then bring off the bench. Add in the prospect of getting Keiran Brookes fit, firing and hungry (for the game...not Nandos) and we should be fine...that would allow us to spend in other areas that we really do need players in...

Could the Blues afford him- seriously?