Biarritz Olympique - WRL Season 5

Starting team

Hookers

Kevin Mealamu (NZL)
Benoit August (FRA)

Props

LH/TH Fabien Barcella (FRA)
TH/LH Owen Franks (NZL)
TH Campbell Johnstone (NZL)
TH Eduard Coeztee (RSA)

Locks

Manuel Carriza (ARG)
Jerome Thion (FRA)
Patricio Albacete (ARG)

Back Row

Sam Warburton (WAL)
Sergio Parisse (ITA)
Juan Smith (RSA)
Talalelei Gray (AUS)

Half backs

Ruan Pienaar (RSA)
Kahn Fotuali (SAM)
Jean-Pascal Barraque (FRA)
Jonny Sexton (IRL)

Centers

Sonny Bill Williams (NZL)
Robbie Freaun (NZL)
Marcelo Bosch (ARG)

Wings

Takudzwa Ngwenya (USA)
George North (WAL)
Tommy Bowe (IRL)
Alesana Tuilagi (SAM)

Full Back

Iain Balshaw (ENG)

Utility Backs


Released from Squad-

Ok thanks and nice to meet you, Domingo and BDP are two of my best players but my squad is quite weak in some positions looking at it and I may have to lose them at some point to improve elsewhere if you follow me. Even though I would have to lose out on them, I would try and get a player like Mealamu, Moore, Ford or Poloto-Nau in. I would be losing out on BDP but if I get one of the players I mention in I doubt it would hinder my side too much would you agree?

Same goes for Domingo, if I lose him I would try and lose him for the Franks brothers if they are in someone's side, Steenkamp, Sheridan or Mtawarira as I see they are all taken. Even though I would be losing out on Domingo, I doubt someone like Steenkamp or Mtawarira would hinder my front three because they are good players.

Giteau + Evans + Wood
=
De Villiers + Heymans + Bonnaire

That is a good offer but the main thing about that is flanker, flanker and wing are the only two positions I may need to gain in. However I do not feel I gain at flanker in that deal. You also have Brussow and Lobbe, I guess it would be impossible to get either of them off of you?

Thanks for your offer though fluxy.

Giteau + Evans + Wood
=
De Villiers + Rokocoko + Bonnaire

That is even more tempting but the fact is the flankers still, Wood named Aviva Premiership player of the year I would expect to get better than Bonnaire no offence mind, but just feel as Wood is a breaking through international and a player of the year, his ratings would go up?

Giteau & Brussow
4
De Villiers & Wood

Would that be a possibility, and inthefastlane deal I wouldn't start Corbisiero in all honesty Jacobsen has Scottish Caps, and Visser looks the real deal in the Magners, and not keen on Rudi Wulf.

Thank you

Lobbe + Bonnaire + Poitrenaud + De Villiers
=
McCalman + Wood + Toeava + Giteau

It's ok I suppose but not what im looking for, happy with McCalman and happy with Toeava. Giteau and Wood are for sale but looking for a quality player for Wood but could lose out on Giteau.

Brussow & De Villiers
4
Wood & Giteau & 5 million

Please get back to me soon because I have bidded for Ouedraego.

Lobbe + Bonnaire + Poitrenaud + De Villiers
=
McCalman + Wood + Toeava + Giteau

If possible I will try and change that a bit.

Brussow & Woodcock & Poitrenaud & De Villiers
4
Wood & Steenkamp & Toeava & Giteau

Thorn+ Marconnet + Rokocoko + Brussouw
=
Alba + Castro + Hamilton + McCaw

-----

I'm thought about it and I can't quite do it because of McCaw's status. Would you be willing to make it Thorn for Russouw or Marconnet for Ayerza?

De Villiers or Davies
4
Evans or Visser

Not the best but worth a try, Evans and Visser are good players.

Thank you

Woodcock + August + Davies
=
Steenkamp + Mealamu + Ansbro

Just got in Mealamu don't want to let him go what about elsewhere?

Poitrenaud for Toeava maybe instead of August for Mealamu?

Woodcock + August + Davies + Poitrenaud
=
Steenkamp + Rees + Ansbro + Toeava

Yes that looks perfect to me confirm if you want mate.

None of those players are injured I see, I will change my side.

Skrela + Palmer + Marconnet + Roberts
=
James + Lawes + Cole + Tuilagi

I would do that, but can't lose Mapasua, as he needs to play as Skrela is injured

I see that you don't even have 3 fit back row players, I know its controversial as we are playing each other, but would you consider

De Villiers 4 Kankowski?

I need another centre, helps you put out a full team.

Hello fluxy, as you proposed a deal last night I will try and return the favour.

Lobbe & Skrela & De Villiers
4
McCalman & Lambie & Visser

Thank you

Any thoughts^^^^^^^^

Getting late to sign a back rower

Hello Fluxy, would you swap De Villiers or Roberts for Davies or Evans?

De Villiers or Roberts & Lobbe
4
Davies or Evans & McCalman

Thanks

Interested in Skrela and either JdV/Roberts

Would do

Skrela + Roberts + elsom
For
36+ hape+ bonnaire + £10m

What about barritt?

Domingo is available and would be keen to reunite Steenkemp with BDP.

Domingo + Kirchner
4
Steenkemp + Toeava

Glad i didn't disapoint!

What about with some cash chucked in?

Steenkamp, Thorn, Brussouw, Roko
=
Ayerza, Alba, McCaw, Turner

Enq.

12m?

Think thats more than fair, can't do more, would miss out on my foreign

ok, hang on. going to get a second opinion, its a lot of cash and just before we play each other. im keen to deal, just want someone to convince me!

oh and clermont might be keen on paul james for more then the release price, but less then 15. whats your price?

Steenkamp, Thorn, Brussouw, Roko
=
Ayerza, Alba, McCaw, Turner

What, this one? Will need to sleep on it - not losing the best player in world rugby lightly! Would probably prefer Domingo to Steenkamp though.

Your budget was 6 mil, and you got an extra 14 mil for being 4th. Minus 4 mil you should be on 16 mil

Can you put your budget on your page?

Also you need to confirm your purchase.

Go on then, i will deal.

Its a little too much cash, should have started lower, but ah well.

Was seriously considering coming back with a lower cash bid, but its not good form, just not cricket old chap!

Now, i better get this win! Or i'll be pretty annoyed with myself, have really gone round the houses on my last two deals, but reckon in this case, two wrongs have made a right (2 questionable deals for me, to get back to where i wanted to be!)

Still learning the ropes of this game, silly me

Domingo, Thorn, Brussouw, Roko
=
Ayerza, Alba, McCaw, Turner

Thought? Haven't technically got turner yet, so would have to see tomorrow. Enquiry on the table.

Right, now that we have dealt successfully, fancy giving me some impartial advice on Clermont. Really want to sort them out.

Problems:
19 fit players, no hook, prop or lock cover
Lawes injured 4 weeks
Cole injured 2 weeks
Tuilagi injured 3 weeks

Solutions:
Got 21m to spend.

Heal Lawes for 10m
Get some cheap cover for bench

Splash all the cash on a quality prop

Release manu tuilagi and have 30m to play with.

What do you reckon?

Would you agree? Lawes too big to miss for 4 games and sorts out the lock issue straight away.

Need some help spending 11m on hook+prop from releases. Not up on my top 14, so not familiar with a lot of the names. Any half decent players in there? Was thinking Faure.

11m
prop and hooker needed.

This is the team as it stands

1. M.Scelzo
2. M.Ledesma
3. B.Alexander
4. C.Lawes
5. J.Kruger
6. A.Thomson
7. C.Robshaw
8. J.Van Niekerk
9. M.Phillips
10. B.James
11. J.Malzieu
12. L.McAlister
13. S.Mapasua
14. C.Ashton
15. R.Kearney

16. Prop?
17. Hooker?
18. J.Cudmore
19. D.Vermualen
20. F.Contepomi
21. C.Sharples
22. N.Cato

Injuries
Mathewson (Returns Game 10)
Cole (Returns Game 11)
Tuilagi (Returns Game 12)

Domingo, Thorn, Brussouw, Roko
=
Ayerza , Alba, McCaw, Turner

That's probably what I'd be looking for..

I know you mentioned last week that Brussouw was pretty much as good as McCaw - I'd have McCaw streets ahead but even so it's also the 'aura' that surrounds McCaw, my best player and captain. I probably prefer Turner to Roko as well but get the NZ back three.

I expect I'll be able to confirm Turner later today so let me know if you're keen and we can provisionally confirm it

Swap Slade for Skrela mate and I'll deal

==

Confused..?

If you cancel your release I'll buy James off your for £8 mil

Add it to our deal, and chuck in Castro? Behave!

I know it's only an extra half mil but why not - I'd prefer to keep players in the league than lose them - no one will pay £15 mil to get him back..

I'm not gonna include Castro mate, it's bad enough contemplating losing Richie.

You can get 7.5 mil in releases or I'll give you 8 mil. Seems a no brainer..

Would you possibly do.

Jean De Villiers for 22 million?

Thank you, Toulon manager.

Just popping on before I go out. Was ours a deal?

Can you also back my release?

Whitelock, Lydiate, Jane and Williams.

Lydiate NFS atm as Kaino is injured, come back to me when his injury is up

Jane nfs cos I don't rate your wingers high enough.

Williams I'd rate slightly higher than all your wingers so see what you can do?

Whitelock + Beattie 4 Lobbe + Palmer
ENQ

Bod's going nowhere!!

Bonnaire's injured for week 10. What are you going to do?

It's £5 mil to replace an injury - may be worth a go..

I'm sure Luke will be on tomorrow, you've got til Wednesday morning.

Could try loaning someone for a couple of mil - Holah maybe?

alright fluxy - i have taken over Saints.
Both those deals you put in are a no go I am afraid!

Slade >> Skrela
Elsom > Bonnaire
Hape < Roberts
plus £10 mil - er no sorry bud.

Skrela + Bonnaire + JDV + Marconnet + Albacete
=
Slade + Elsom + Hape + Franks + POC

and certainly no to that one as well

I am able to deal and up for it, but needs benificial to both sides. I am looking to strengthen certain places. Feel free t come back with something else.

I am looking for props, centers and wingers.

cheers
B

alright mate.

am back in the uk now we never made the usa.

right - Skrela is a liability!! he's no way a player I would touch with a barge pole!

as for Hape and Halfpenny I would be listening and there may be a chance to steal rocky from me . . . . but it would have to involve wilkinson.

ok hape and halfpenny available - come back to me with something

highly unlikely for me to loose franks mate - sorry am short on props and hookers and will be looking to bring some in.

besides you have some good front row players there, Jenkins and Marconnet will do you well with Ayzera as back up

Might be able to help you out with the back row situation, as have 5 very good players available.

I have a few ideas up my sleeve, but feel free to make an offer

Clermont

Hey fluxy - sorry didn't get back been trying to wheel and deal!
as for:
Bonnaire + Roberts + Walker + Wilkinson
=
Elsom + Hape + Halfpenny + Slade

hape has gone, sorry. Can do Barritt or twelvetrees. also not interested in Bonnaire.

maybe something like

Palmer, wilkinson + Roberts
for
Elsom, Day + Slade

inquiry?????

well i would be interested in any of these players:

wilkinson
palmer
Jenkins

so if you want to do something maybe with any of those but thats about it really - I am covered elsewhere or looking at other players elsewhere.

cheers though