Transfers 2014/2015 Season

by Welshmushroom Thu 05 Dec 2013, 11:42 am

First topic message reminder :

Well silly season is almost upon us so thought I would keep tabs on the comings and goings. Will put the confirmed transfers, unconfirmed transfers (rumours) and out of contract players into various columns. Please post any news or rumours and I will keep the original post updated.

Confirmed
Jon Davies (Scarlets) to Clermont
Regan King (Clermont) to Scarlets
Ian Evans (Ospreys) to Toulon
John Afoa (Ulster) to Gloucester
Rory Kockott (Castres) to Toulon (reportedly trying to cancel deal to stay at Castres)
Richard Hibbard (Ospreys) to Gloucester
Mamuka Gorgodze (Montpellier) to Toulon
Sebastien Vahaamahina (Perpignan) to Clermont
Guilhem Guirado (Perpignan) to Toulon
Robin Copeland (Blues) to Munster
Armitev (Northampton) to Russia (unconfirmed club)
Qera (Gloucester) to Toulouse
Casey Laulala (Munster to France (Club unconfirmed but thought to be Racing Metro)
Tom Court (Ulster) to London Irish
Andre Pretorius (Blues) to Worcester
Zac Guildford (New Zealand) to Clermont
Sivivatu (Clermont) to Castres
Aled Brew (Biarritz) to Dragons
Lee Byrne (Clermont) to Dragons
Dwayne Peel (Sale) to Bristol
Thomas Waldrom (Leicester) to Exeter
Dan Evans (Dragons) to Ospreys
Ieuan Jones (Dragons) to Blues
Jean-Philippe Genevois (Biarritz) to Perpignan
Benoit Cabello (Clermont) to Perpignan
Sakiusa Matadigo (Racing) to Perpignan
Jonathan Wisniewski (Racing) to Grenoble
Leigh Halfpenny (Blues) to Toulon
Josh Turnbull (Scarlets) to Blues
Nick Abendanon (Bath) to Clermont
Anthony Perenise (Bath) to Bristol
Craig Mitchell (Exeter) to Blues
Hoani Tui (Exeter) to Lyon
Tavis Knoyle (Gloucester) to Blues
Marland Yarde (London Irish) to Harlequins
Neil Cochrane (Wasps) to Edinburgh
Henry Thomas (Sale) to Bath
Josh Matavesi (Worcester) to Ospreys
Nick Auterac (Saracens) to Bath
Boris Stankovich (Leicester) to Dragons
Bradley Davies (Blues) to London Wasps
Moray Low (Glasgow) to Exeter
Chris Cussiter (Glasgow) to Sale
Matt Stevens (Saracens) to Sharks
Sam Smith (Harlequins) to Worcester
James Gaskell (Sale) to Wasps

Unconfirmed
Martin Moore (Leinster) to France
Freddie Burns (Gloucester) to Leicester
Matthew Morgan (Ospreys) to Leicester/Northampton/Dragons
Toby Flood (Leicester) to Toulon/Toulouse
Niki Genova (Leicester) to Castres
Jim Hamilton (Montpellier) to Japan
Anthony Allen (Leicester) to Leinster
Lote Tuquiri (Leinster) to Connacht
Johnnie Beattie (Montpellier) to Castres
Brice Dulin (Castres) to Racing Metro
Antonie Claassen (Castres) to Racing Metro
Eion Griffin (Connacht) to London Irish
Gavin Henson (Bath) to Dragons

Out of Contract
Adam Jones (Ospreys)
Keith Earls (Munster)
Rob Hawkins (Leicester)
Louis Deacon (Leicester)
Daniel Bowden (Leicester)
Scott Hamilton (Leicester)

Retiring
Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster)
Andrew Sheridan (Toulon - unconfirmed)
Steve Borthwick (Saracens)
Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon) - might be playing on for another season.
Sebastien Bruno (Toulon)
George Chuter (Leicester) moving to Worcester coaching
Johann Muller (Ulster)
Mike Tindall (Gloucester - unconfirmed)
Ian Gough (London Irish - unconfirmed)
Will James (Gloucester)

by BamBam Thu 23 Jan 2014, 3:39 pm

Halfpenny is off

by Bathite Thu 23 Jan 2014, 3:47 pm

We were really close to getting Faletau this year, but couldn't afford the transfer fee as well as his salary in the cap. Think he's out of contract end of this year though?

by quinsforever Thu 23 Jan 2014, 4:03 pm

Rugby Fan wrote:If Wilko extends for another year, it looks like he will want to keep kicking duties. If I was a Welsh supporter, I'd want Halfpenny taking goal kicks for his club to maintain his rhythm. Actually, given his record, if I was a Toulon supporter, I'd probably want him to do so too. He has a longer range than Wilkinson.

will be interesting to see who takes the kicks. wilko is captain and firm crowd favourite. but he's also a "team" player, so might hand over kicking duties to 1/2P. apart from drop goals Smile

will also allow giteau to play more at 10 if 1/2P is on.

by dragon4life Thu 23 Jan 2014, 4:04 pm

Bathite wrote:We were really close to getting Faletau this year, but couldn't afford the transfer fee as well as his salary in the cap. Think he's out of contract end of this year though?

He signed a 2 or 3 year contract extension in the summer with us

by SuperGuinness69 Thu 23 Jan 2014, 4:11 pm

Reading that ESPN news story just makes me recall that try Halfpenny scored against Toulon (at Toulon) for Cardiff last season where he carved them up right through the middle from his own half and out-paced the covering defenders to go in under the posts.

Yes his kicking is a fantastic asset, but that was him at his attacking best in a broken-up game, and was probably the moment Toulon looked at him and thought "Ok we need to sign this kid".

by beshocked Thu 23 Jan 2014, 4:22 pm

Bathite wrote:We were really close to getting Faletau this year, but couldn't afford the transfer fee as well as his salary in the cap. Think he's out of contract end of this year though?

I don't get it....in your eyes Faletau is believable as a transfer prospect for Bath but Parisse isn't?

by B91212 Thu 23 Jan 2014, 4:36 pm

Wonder what the Halfpenny to Toulon move will mean for Delon Armitage? I noticed Drew Mitchell was playing 15 and keeping him out of the team earlier this year, in theory he could now be third choice full back at his club. Wonder if he will move back to England? Think the England ship has sailed (there are better 15's available) but he could still do a job at club level as long as he can keep his temper in check. Maybe back to LI to replace JOC or even another french team I guess.

by ChequeredJersey Thu 23 Jan 2014, 5:03 pm

Isn't JOC going to Toulon?

by Jhamer25 Thu 23 Jan 2014, 5:09 pm

I hate Toulon, literally hate them
Who needs 3 international full backs in the books
mad

by formerly known as Sam Thu 23 Jan 2014, 5:15 pm

No, the JOC deal never went through. Think Delon signed a deal not long ago.

by ChequeredJersey Thu 23 Jan 2014, 5:16 pm

Jhamer25 wrote:I hate Toulon, literally hate them
Who needs 3 international full backs in the books

4. Maybe an argument for more.

15- Halfpenny -- Armitage
14- Habana -- Smith
13- Bastareaud --- Mermoz
12- Giteau -- JOC
11- Mitchell -- Wulf
10- Wilkinson -- Michalak
9- Claassens - Durand
8- JVN -- Masoe
7- Armitage -- Smith
6- JMF Lobbe -- Ruossouw
5- Botha -- Shaw
4- Suta -- Williams
3- Hayman -- Castro
2- Bruno -- Noirot
1- Sheridan -- Chilachava

by ChequeredJersey Thu 23 Jan 2014, 5:17 pm

Ah, where do we think JOC ends up then?

by Jhamer25 Thu 23 Jan 2014, 5:24 pm

ChequeredJersey wrote:
Jhamer25 wrote:I hate Toulon, literally hate them
Who needs 3 international full backs in the books

4. Maybe an argument for more.

15- Halfpenny -- Armitage
14- Habana -- Smith
13- Bastareaud --- Mermoz
12- Giteau -- JOC
11- Mitchell -- Wulf
10- Wilkinson -- Michalak
9- Claassens - Durand
8- JVN -- Masoe
7- Armitage -- Smith
6- JMF Lobbe -- Ruossouw
5- Botha -- Shaw
4- Suta -- Williams
3- Hayman -- Castro
2- Bruno -- Noirot
1- Sheridan -- Chilachava

haha yea very true. It's not just full back but in every position and more

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Thu 23 Jan 2014, 5:25 pm

ChequeredJersey wrote:
Jhamer25 wrote:I hate Toulon, literally hate them
Who needs 3 international full backs in the books

4. Maybe an argument for more.

15- Halfpenny -- Armitage
14- Habana -- Smith
13- Bastareaud --- Mermoz
12- Giteau -- JOC
11- Mitchell -- Wulf
10- Wilkinson -- Michalak
9- Claassens - Durand
8- JVN -- Masoe
7- Armitage -- Smith
6- JMF Lobbe -- Ruossouw
5- Botha -- Shaw
4- Suta -- Williams
3- Hayman -- Castro
2- Bruno -- Noirot
1- Sheridan -- Chilachava

Plus Gorgodze?

by BamBam Thu 23 Jan 2014, 5:27 pm

Think they signed Gorgodze and Evans too?

by ChequeredJersey Thu 23 Jan 2014, 5:29 pm

Forgot him. Ridiculous

by formerly known as Sam Thu 23 Jan 2014, 5:40 pm

Isn't Masoe retiring though?

Dunno about JOC just saw an article somewhere saying there's no deal at present. I think he'll try and earn a deal in Oz ahead of the RWC next year.

by Heaf Thu 23 Jan 2014, 5:44 pm

Toulon are starting to get on my wick a bit now too

by Heaf Thu 23 Jan 2014, 5:46 pm

JOC has an offer from LI to stay til December I believe but the Toulon one was still hanging around - not sure if the 1/2 P signing changes that or not ...

by B91212 Thu 23 Jan 2014, 6:44 pm

formerly known as Sam wrote:No, the JOC deal never went through. Think Delon signed a deal not long ago.

Didn't realise that, the risk of playing for the richest club team in rugby I guess is that there will nearly always be someone with a higher profile/ability who they can and will bring in. Can't imagine Delon's ego being prepared to play second (or third) fiddle for too long though.

by prop_lyd Thu 23 Jan 2014, 6:48 pm

Jvn is retiring too

by ChequeredJersey Thu 23 Jan 2014, 7:00 pm

Fine, Gorgodze at 6 and Lobbe at 8. Makes the team literally no weaker at all

by Feckless Rogue Thu 23 Jan 2014, 7:47 pm

Isn't Rocky Elsom at Toulon too?

by Golden Thu 23 Jan 2014, 8:09 pm

Hows Smith been playing for Toulon? Anywhere near his best or have the injuries crocked him?

by Welly Thu 23 Jan 2014, 10:36 pm

and Yachvili and traillie are rumoured to be going to them.

by LeinsterFan4life Fri 24 Jan 2014, 12:41 am

Feckless Rogue wrote:Isn't Rocky Elsom at Toulon too?

Quick reseach shows me that he is currently in the coaching team with Narbonne?

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/rugby-union/elsom-driving-force-in-saving-french-club/story-e6frg7o6-1226800181971

by Bathite Fri 24 Jan 2014, 7:56 am

beshocked wrote:
Bathite wrote:We were really close to getting Faletau this year, but couldn't afford the transfer fee as well as his salary in the cap. Think he's out of contract end of this year though?

I don't get it....in your eyes Faletau is believable as a transfer prospect for Bath but Parisse isn't?

Mate read what I said. I said Faletau wasn't possible because of the salary cap. Parisse would be on crazy wages in Paris so even less possible. Seems very obvious to me

by formerly known as Sam Fri 24 Jan 2014, 8:26 am

Except the proposed salary cap has gone up since then. Still think Bath will look for back three and centre cover first with maybe a new lock after grabbing the new 9.

by Guest Fri 24 Jan 2014, 8:32 am

Bathite wrote:
beshocked wrote:
Bathite wrote:We were really close to getting Faletau this year, but couldn't afford the transfer fee as well as his salary in the cap. Think he's out of contract end of this year though?

I don't get it....in your eyes Faletau is believable as a transfer prospect for Bath but Parisse isn't?

Mate read what I said. I said Faletau wasn't possible because of the salary cap. Parisse would be on crazy wages in Paris so even less possible. Seems very obvious to me

No he isn't out of contract, as he re-signed with us and I don't think he would've signed for you either, as his dad advised him to stay with us for the foreseeable.

by **Notch** Fri 24 Jan 2014, 8:44 am

Which is brilliant for the Dragons, really. Good to see Alun-Wyn Jones committing to the Ospreys as well.

by munkian Fri 24 Jan 2014, 8:48 am

Faletau is with the Dragons for another couple of seasons I believe

by Guest Fri 24 Jan 2014, 8:51 am

June 2016

by VinceWLB Fri 24 Jan 2014, 8:57 am

Notch wrote:Which is brilliant for the Dragons, really. Good to see Alun-Wyn Jones committing to the Ospreys as well.

Wether it is a contract with the wru or the Ospreys, thats great news, best lock in the northern hemisphere if you ask me.

by Welly Fri 24 Jan 2014, 9:21 am

Fabien Barcella (birattitz, LH Prop) close to signing with tigers, guess means Stanko is off.

by SirBurger Fri 24 Jan 2014, 10:05 am

Stankovich to NGDragons right?

by Welly Fri 24 Jan 2014, 10:06 am

yep, sounds like a straight swap.

by The Saint Fri 24 Jan 2014, 11:54 am

If Biarritz are losing a raft of players then will they even exist next season? Is that merger with Bayonne still on?

by whocares Fri 24 Jan 2014, 11:59 am

The Saint wrote:If Biarritz are losing a raft of players then will they even exist next season? Is that merger with Bayonne still on?

offloading a few of their expensive old guys or mercs makes sense and yes they will exist in ProD2 as they still have a decent flow coming from their academy. Merger is not on anymore.

would be nice if Barcella finds his form of 4 years ago when he was the best LH of the top14.

by Bathite Fri 24 Jan 2014, 12:04 pm

formerly known as Sam wrote:Except the proposed salary cap has gone up since then. Still think Bath will look for back three and centre cover first with maybe a new lock after grabbing the new 9.

Agreed. No need for a back rower since sis andhouston signed and koster back from loan next year.

Cover for bendy and a 9 will be priority. 10/12 if heathcote and Henson goes as well

by Welly Fri 24 Jan 2014, 12:08 pm

whocares wrote:
offloading a few of their expensive old guys or mercs makes sense and yes they will exist in ProD2 as they still have a decent flow coming from their academy. Merger is not on anymore.

would be nice if Barcella finds his form of 4 years ago when he was the best LH of the top14.

Yep, that what a the likes of harlequins and Saints needed at the time, keep as much youngster and veterans who are the heart and soul of the club and resturce the team without the pressure the Top 14 can give.

but losing Teddy Thomas would be a big blow.

by whocares Fri 24 Jan 2014, 12:10 pm

Teddy Thomas is better off in the AP than in proD2. quite happy to see french players going to england as usually they come back stronger.

by Welly Fri 24 Jan 2014, 12:12 pm

True I wish Kayser and Dupuy didn't leave us at the time still wish we had Kayser, it just from a birattiz point of view would he come back to them?

by Welly Sun 26 Jan 2014, 2:31 pm

Marland Yarde -----> Queens
Tikoirotuma --------> Queens
Fonua --------> Tigers is a a done deal according to TRP
Loamanu -------- > tigers (apparently just interest)

by thomh Sun 26 Jan 2014, 2:42 pm

Welly wrote:Marland Yarde -----> Queens
Tikoirotuma --------> Queens
Fonua --------> Tigers is a a done deal according to TRP
Loamanu -------- > tigers (apparently just interest)

Yarde to Quins looks all but confirmed. Where did you hear the Tikoirotuma story?

by ChequeredJersey Sun 26 Jan 2014, 2:58 pm

That story also on CAW. He's also linked to Glasgow, Sarries and Worcester. Sam Smith linked with Irish and Worcester

by thomh Sun 26 Jan 2014, 3:07 pm

We won't be signing both though, surely? Unless there's an early retirement coming up that we don't know about. Yarde may be a direct replacement for Smith, but Walker has also come through and there's Monye, Williams and Chisholm's return to factor in.

by ChequeredJersey Sun 26 Jan 2014, 3:09 pm

thomh wrote:We won't be signing both though, surely? Unless there's an early retirement coming up that we don't know about. Yarde may be a direct replacement for Smith, but Walker has also come through and there's Monye, Williams and Chisholm's return to factor in.

Monye and TW getting on, so Monye could retire. Also we don't know if Chis will be back Sad

by thomh Sun 26 Jan 2014, 3:33 pm

...or how long he'll be back for I guess. Horrendous run of injuries. Monye and Williams are both contracted for next season though, and there's OLH as well of course. He signed a new contract in January last year, which presumably goes until 2016. If both of these rumours were true then that would leave us with:

Yarde
Monye
Williams
Walker
OLH
Chisholm
Tikoirotuma

A couple of those double up as full back cover of course, but it still seems slightly excessive unless they're simply thinking that Yarde and Tikoirotuma are so good that they're worth unbalancing the squad for one year while Monye and Williams see out their contracts.

by Welly Sun 26 Jan 2014, 4:21 pm

Tikoirotuma is also a good 13, don't know what your cover is like there?

by yappysnap Sun 26 Jan 2014, 4:39 pm

Lowe, hopper and Walker all cover 13. Lowe is injury prone though. Very injury prone

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