Transfers 2014/2015 Season

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)

Boris Stankovich to Dragons confirmed.

HKC I do occasionally hear things. I work with some people who know some people who used to play with current coaches so the office gossip can sometimes prove interesting. Sadly not that often.

In other news Schuster is also to be shown the door this summer after proving to be useless and Sam Burgess will be heading to an AP club with his RL release partly paid for by the RFU. Seems they envisage him playing 12. Quins or LI being the most likely destinations.

I'd heard our name thrown around for Burgess, but it did seem a bit weird, as there's no chance we've got even £250k for the signing and we're pretty well stocked at 12 with Eastmond and Devoto.

I hope that it is London Irish though, I hate to see them struggling; in the Mapasua days they were awesome to watch

Oh come on Bathite. No chance you have £250k....sure....we believe you.....

You continually like to make out that Bath are this cash strapped club unable to make big signings yet we know that's not true. Bruce Craig - your chairman is very wealthy.

Sometimes I despair with you

I don't know how many times I have to tell you that there is a salary cap and we have spent up to it.

Nothing to do with cash strapped - it is all about being at the cap. Our chairman could be Bill Gates, but it doesn't make any difference.

As a Saracens fan, you should be really well versed on the salary cap and know that you can't break it, even if something really special is happening at the club.

I'm not excited about Sam burgess he is a league hit man he has poor hands and he borders on being a dirty player in league a lot of hits border on being illegal, so what woul it be like in union.

I he plays 12, the 13 won't get the ball let alone the wingers. It's a waste of cap IMO the only league prop forward to successfully transfer into union has been brad thorn and he isn't the same sort of player.

Also the RFU will be going into dodgy territory if they did pay some of the transfer fee.

Bathite as a Sarries fan I understand the salary cap very well. Hasn't stopped Saracens make big name signings and it has not stopped Bath. Plus as already mentioned the salary cap has gone up.

Bath are similar to Saracens at the moment - both with wealthy backers. Bath can make big signings but will probably spend it on a high profile scrum half rather than Burgess.

beshocked wrote:Bathite as a Sarries fan I understand the salary cap very well. Hasn't stopped Saracens make big name signings and it has not stopped Bath. Plus as already mentioned the salary cap has gone up.

Bath are similar to Saracens at the moment - both with wealthy backers. Bath can make big signings but will probably spend it on a high profile scrum half rather than Burgess.

Yep, that's a sensible response, you are right, the extra salary cap money is being used for SH

Welly wrote: I'm not excited about Sam burgess he is a league hit man he has poor hands and he borders on being a dirty player in league a lot of hits border on being illegal, so what woul it be like in union.

I he plays 12, the 13 won't get the ball let alone the wingers. It's a waste of cap IMO the only league prop forward to successfully transfer into union has been brad thorn and he isn't the same sort of player.

Also the RFU will be going into dodgy territory if they did pay some of the transfer fee.

There's already precedent for the RFU paying a fee. Morgan, Farrell and Robinson I think all got help, as well as perhaps Vanikolo?

Okay still think using half of the extra cap on a player that could well be a major busy is a bad idea and can't see any of the top5 clubs using it on him.


His younger brothers would be a better investment.

I would be surprised if he came to Irish. No way will the RFU help us out with the transfer fee, especially as Lancaster seems to tell every decent Irish player that they need to move elsewhere to obtain international recognition.

I have mixed feelings about him and I don't watch lots of league, but quite a few people seem to be criticising his handling. I don't mind big ball-crashing 12s, but ideally you need guys who can produce an offload or give a simple pass as well.

Bathite wrote:

Welly wrote: I'm not excited about Sam burgess he is a league hit man he has poor hands and he borders on being a dirty player in league a lot of hits border on being illegal, so what woul it be like in union.

I he plays 12, the 13 won't get the ball let alone the wingers. It's a waste of cap IMO the only league prop forward to successfully transfer into union has been brad thorn and he isn't the same sort of player.

Also the RFU will be going into dodgy territory if they did pay some of the transfer fee.

There's already precedent for the RFU paying a fee. Morgan, Farrell and Robinson I think all got help, as well as perhaps Vanikolo?

The RFU released a statement making it explicit they were no longer funding transfers from League around the time Hape and co came over.
They have also denied being part of any approach for Burgess.

Bathite wrote:I'd heard our name thrown around for Burgess, but it did seem a bit weird, as there's no chance we've got even £250k for the signing and we're pretty well stocked at 12 with Eastmond and Devoto.

I hope that it is London Irish though, I hate to see them struggling; in the Mapasua days they were awesome to watch

A transfer fee doesn't come out of the salary cap, so the £250k will not be an issue. As you point out, it's more about whether you need a 12; perhaps Eastmond is moving to 15 after all, especially if the RFU are helping fund the Burgess move...

HongKongCherry wrote:

Bathite wrote:I'd heard our name thrown around for Burgess, but it did seem a bit weird, as there's no chance we've got even £250k for the signing and we're pretty well stocked at 12 with Eastmond and Devoto.

I hope that it is London Irish though, I hate to see them struggling; in the Mapasua days they were awesome to watch

A transfer fee doesn't come out of the salary cap, so the £250k will not be an issue.  As you point out, it's more about whether you need a 12; perhaps Eastmond is moving to 15 after all, especially if the RFU are helping fund the Burgess move...

 Fees do come out of the Salary cap.

What goes in?
Amounts which are paid or payable (or in the case of a benefit in kind, provided or to be provided) directly or indirectly, onshore or offshore, by or on behalf of a Club or any Connected Party or Third Party of the Club, to or in respect of a Player or any Connected Party of the Player.
Amounts that are included

• Salary, wage, fee, remuneration etc.
  
• Bonus (match, win, year-end etc.)
  
• National insurance
  
• Loan (not paid back in full before end of SCY loan was made).
  
• Child support / maintenance /school fees
  
• Accommodation or holiday cost
  
• Pension (incl. annuities)
  
• Image Rights payments Payment in connection with promotional, media or endorsement work
  
• Payment for off-field activities for or on behalf of club
  
• Signing on fee, transfer payment, relocation allowance or payment linked to transfer
  
• Accommodation, holidays, cars, match tickets (other than 4 per match), clothing (other than training kit, official club blazers and other club wear), travel, membership fees, food and drink (other than at matches and training)
  
• Payment in kind a player would not have received were it not for his involvement with a Club
  
• Redundancy/Compromise etc.
  
• Agent Fees plus VAT & NI
  
  

SirBurger wrote:I would be surprised if he came to Irish. No way will the RFU help us out with the transfer fee, especially as Lancaster seems to tell every decent Irish player that they need to move elsewhere to obtain international recognition.

I have mixed feelings about him and I don't watch lots of league, but quite a few people seem to be criticising his handling. I don't mind big ball-crashing 12s, but ideally you need guys who can produce an offload or give a simple pass as well.

I watch less NRL than I do Super League, but Burgess can most definitely offload. SBW he is not, but used correctly he could be a very good 12 in union.

We've invested in 2 wingers, still need work on our pack and have a 12 with 2 more coming up for contract renewal. I don't think we'll be bringing in Burgess and I really hope we are not. Rumours I've heard say he's going to 8 though, not 12

I stand corrected Welly

Welly wrote:

HongKongCherry wrote:

Bathite wrote:I'd heard our name thrown around for Burgess, but it did seem a bit weird, as there's no chance we've got even £250k for the signing and we're pretty well stocked at 12 with Eastmond and Devoto.

I hope that it is London Irish though, I hate to see them struggling; in the Mapasua days they were awesome to watch

A transfer fee doesn't come out of the salary cap, so the £250k will not be an issue.  As you point out, it's more about whether you need a 12; perhaps Eastmond is moving to 15 after all, especially if the RFU are helping fund the Burgess move...

 Fees do come out of the Salary cap.

What goes in?
Amounts which are paid or payable (or in the case of a benefit in kind, provided or to be provided) directly or indirectly, onshore or offshore, by or on behalf of a Club or any Connected Party or Third Party of the Club, to or in respect of a Player or any Connected Party of the Player.
Amounts that are included

• Salary, wage, fee, remuneration etc.
  
• Bonus (match, win, year-end etc.)
  
• National insurance
  
• Loan (not paid back in full before end of SCY loan was made).
  
• Child support / maintenance /school fees
  
• Accommodation or holiday cost
  
• Pension (incl. annuities)
  
• Image Rights payments Payment in connection with promotional, media or endorsement work
  
• Payment for off-field activities for or on behalf of club
  
• Signing on fee, transfer payment, relocation allowance or payment linked to transfer
  
• Accommodation, holidays, cars, match tickets (other than 4 per match), clothing (other than training kit, official club blazers and other club wear), travel, membership fees, food and drink (other than at matches and training)
  
• Payment in kind a player would not have received were it not for his involvement with a Club
  
• Redundancy/Compromise etc.
  
• Agent Fees plus VAT & NI
  

Marquee signing is exempt from the cap

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:

Marquee signing is exempt from the cap

 true but Will he be the Marquee signing, over say Louw?

I've heard he's off to Bath

Welly wrote:

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:

Marquee signing is exempt from the cap

 true but Will he be the Marquee signing, over say Louw?

Either that or :

1) The story is utter BS
2) They will just break the cap (again)
3) They wont employ anyone else
#



Actually thinking about it "payment linked to transfer" means signing on fee not transfer fee doesnt it? The actual transfer cost isnt a salary, its only portions of that going to agents pr the player that are counted.

I'm pretty sure transfer fees do count towards the cap. The idea being a wealthy owner couldn't just arrive and purchase big players left, right and centre. If it didn't count towards the cap we'd see more transfer fees with the likes of Bath, Sarries and now LI all with wealthy backers.

Not sure where the Burgess potentially to Irish thing came from, but I can say it's a definite no, not happening.

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:

Welly wrote:

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:

Marquee signing is exempt from the cap

 true but Will he be the Marquee signing, over say Louw?

Either that or :

1) The story is utter BS
2) They will just break the cap (again)
3) They wont employ anyone else
#



Actually thinking about it "payment linked to transfer" means signing on fee not transfer fee doesnt it? The actual transfer cost isnt a salary, its only portions of that going to agents pr the player that are counted.

I'm hoping for option 1 and that seems to be the general consensus on Bath forums as well!

http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/rugby-news/london-irish-swoop-premiership-winning-forward-6682136

Looking at who is in and out of contract at Tigers, Quins and Sarries, I would guess that this is likely to be either Tom Guest or Jackson Wray.

Ozzy3213 wrote:http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/rugby-news/london-irish-swoop-premiership-winning-forward-6682136

Looking at who is in and out of contract at Tigers, Quins and Sarries, I would guess that this is likely to be either Tom Guest or Jackson Wray.

I would hope its not Tom Guest - as I assume Mo is on his way out and Easter is another year older. However, he has found his opportunities lacking with Wallace preferred on the flank over him. However, it does say he's 'on the right side of 30' which I assume means hes close/getting close to that age - with Guest being 29 and Wray being 23 Guest sounds more likely of those two.

I presume most Quins fans would be disappointed to lose him if it is Tom Guest.

I'd be disappointed, but not surprised and I'd wish Guest all the best. Means Clifford will have to step up sooner which could be a good thing.

Might be Haskell too according to RugbyNetwork

ChequeredJersey wrote:I'd be disappointed, but not surprised and I'd wish Guest all the best. Means Clifford will have to step up sooner which could be a good thing.

Might be Haskell too according to RugbyNetwork

I was just thinking about Haskell, he hasn't been playing too much for Wasps recently and played really well at 8 at the World Cup, no doubt he will want to prove himself prior to the World Cup Irish could be the answer. Guest has never really been on England's radar. If it was Haskell would Smith not say they have 'vast international' experience too or something similar.

Falcons linked Semisa Taulava amd Lee Smith from leeds carneigie

I'm pretty sure that brand Haskell isn't out of contract in the summer, and hasn't he also said in the past that he wouldn't play for another AP team, only Wasps?

People lie

Surprised no mention of this:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/26074610

Rob Miller and James Gaskell to Wasps.

If Irish need backrowers you could do a lot worse then signing someone like Dom Ryan. A player who always had great potential but has been unlucky with injuries and also the log jam of quality back rows at Leinster.

He has had an injury free run this season and has looked good.

Does Gaskells arrival make Haskell more likely to move on? I really hope he can reinvigorate his game.
Hes really dipped after being shunned yet again by England. Bet he wishes hed stayed in France for the money after all.

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:Does Gaskells arrival make Haskell more likely to move on? I really hope he can reinvigorate his game.
Hes really dipped after being shunned yet again by England. Bet he wishes hed stayed in France for the money after all.

Gaskell/Haskell. Maybe they just want to confuse the ref

Haskell seems to have all but disappeared

By all accounts we are interested in Worcester Number 8 Semisi Taulava and Leeds Rhinos (former Wasps failure) winger Lee Smith.

Not inspiring really!

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:Does Gaskells arrival make Haskell more likely to move on? I really hope he can reinvigorate his game.
Hes really dipped after being shunned yet again by England. Bet he wishes hed stayed in France for the money after all.

I think he was shunned by England because of his dip, not the other way round. Perhaps a move will help him, but I do feel his international days a behind him now.

HongKongCherry wrote:

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:Does Gaskells arrival make Haskell more likely to move on? I really hope he can reinvigorate his game.
Hes really dipped after being shunned yet again by England. Bet he wishes hed stayed in France for the money after all.

I think he was shunned by England because of his dip, not the other way round.  Perhaps a move will help him, but I do feel his international days a behind him now.

He was dumped in the saxons for 2012 -13 and although he fought he way back onto the bench for the 6 nations he was left off the Argentina tour and dumped out of the EPS.

Its only really this season hes flopped in form, last winter he was deemed good enough for a place in the side then within a few months not the squad. Unless his form fell off dramatically at the end of last season between the 6 nations and Lancaster picking his summer side Id say its very much England snubbing him rather than his form forcing them to.

Knowsit17 wrote:Olly Barkley links up with the Scarlets for the rest of the season after being released a year early by Grenoble.

Strange signing, Scarlets have; Shingler, Gareth Owen, Aled Thomas and Jordan Williams as utility back cover so why Barkley when they are desperate for wing and no8 cover?

I'd presume because Barkley is experienced and provides a reliable points kicking game? Helpful cover for the 6N.

beshocked wrote:Surprised no mention of this:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/26074610

Rob Miller and James Gaskell to Wasps.

I'm really hoping Miller's arrival shifts Daly to 13 permanently.

Hood83 wrote:

beshocked wrote:Surprised no mention of this:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/26074610

Rob Miller and James Gaskell to Wasps.

I'm really hoping Miller's arrival shifts Daly to 13 permanently.

Me too

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:Does Gaskells arrival make Haskell more likely to move on? I really hope he can reinvigorate his game.
Hes really dipped after being shunned yet again by England. Bet he wishes hed stayed in France for the money after all.

Haskell's dropping by Johnson for Moody was an awful move, probably our stand out forward and he's never recovered his form since. The one thing about Johnson that really miffed me. England has some good, abrasive 6s, but when in form I think Haskell offers something else. He's a more powerful runner than Wood, quicker than Fearns, is defensively brilliant around the rucks and one of the few defenders we have who can stop people on the gain-line. He's also powerful enough to ruck people out of the way very quickly, so although his work-rate isn't as high as Wood's, the rucks he hits do generally produce quick ball.

Haskall was out standing when he played his last 6N's for England. Sadly for whatever reason he's another that Lancaster doesn't rate, preferring instead to have his son Calum Clark in and around the squad at all times.

Perhaps it's all about quantity of work from the players at 6 rather then quality, hence why Garvey isn't looked at either.

Murray Low to Exeter Chiefs. Practically confirmed by ESPN last night.

yappysnap wrote:Haskall was out standing when he played his last 6N's for England. Sadly for whatever reason he's another that Lancaster doesn't rate, preferring instead to have his son Calum Clark in and around the squad at all times.

Perhaps it's all about quantity of work from the players at 6 rather then quality, hence why Garvey isn't looked at either.

I reckon Garvey fits the bill for both quantity and quality. Annoys me slightly he hasn't been kept at lock and worked more on his carrying. He can obviously get through a lot of work now, and is great around the rucks etc. but when he started his carrying looked incredible, I'd like him to get back to that as a focus.

Its mental that Garvey isn't in the Saxons at least. I said that last year, but he's been incredibly consistently brilliant again this year

Someone doesn't like Garvey. He got subbed at half time on his Saxons debut and hasn't been selected since. Very strange.

Ive heard mention that he said something that really annoyed the coaches some time back