Transfers 2014/2015 Continued

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
Eoin Griffin (Connacht) to London Irish
Sam Burgess (Rugby League) to Bath
Adam Hughes (Dragons) to Bristol
Sam Parry (Dragons) to Ospreys
Joe Rees (Ospreys) to Worcester
Ian Nagle (Munster) to Newcastle
Tom Guest (Halrequins) to London Irish
Luke Narraway (Perpignan) to London Irish
Freddie Burns (Gloucester) to Leicester
Matthew Morgan (Ospreys) to Bristol
Jim Hamilton (Montpellier) to Saracens
Toby Flood (Leicester) to Toulouse
Lote Tuquiri (Leinster) to NPC
Johnnie Beattie (Montpellier) to Castres
Ryan Jones (Ospreys) to Bristol
Greg Laidlaw (Edinburgh) to Gloucester
Brice Dulin (Castres) to Racing Metro
Antonie Claassen (Castres) to Racing Metro
Gio Aplon (South Africa) to Grenoble
Leonardo Ghiraldini (Treviso) to Leicester
Robert Barbieri (Treviso) to Leicester
Loamanu (Treviso) to Leicester
Rob Hawkins (Leicester) to Newcastle
Ian Gough (London Irish) to Dragons



Unconfirmed
Michele Rizzo (Treviso) to Leicester



Out of Contract
Adam Jones (Ospreys) - Looks like he is signing for Ospreys/WRU as indicated in press
Keith Earls (Munster)
Daniel Bowden (Leicester)
Scott Hamilton (Leicester)



Retiring
Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster)
Andrew Sheridan (Toulon - unconfirmed)
Steve Borthwick (Saracens)
Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon)
Sebastien Bruno (Toulon)
George Chuter (Leicester) moving to Worcester coaching
Johann Muller (Ulster)
Mike Tindall (Gloucester - unconfirmed)
Will James (Gloucester)

Yeah maybe...we also still have two locks on trial.

Munster forward Ian Nagel (havent seen much of him at all since hes been here though) and a 25 year old Spencer, (believe he was formerly Sarries academy) who has been playing in the French 2 / 3 division toughening himself up. He's a big old unit aswell.

It will be interesting what Wells and Dean make of those two.

I will update the transfers soon - millions to put up from the Top 14 so will take me a while

South Wales Argus are reporting that Ian Gough is on his way back to the Dragons...I'm taking any transfer news with a pinch of salt today mind.

And Marler is off to the Sharks...hmm...

Marler also said it in a word for word copy of what Stevens said

Ok, Marler was obviously taking the mick, Goughy does actually look like he's coming back to the Dragons

Marler's was an April Fool as was Bath's signing of Olof Pirlas - the Greco-Roman wrestling and special forces Georgian named after an anagram...

munkian wrote:South Wales Argus are reporting that Ian Gough is on his way back to the Dragons...I'm taking any transfer news with a pinch of salt today mind.

Indeed. Despite his love of salted fish and cured ham, I am not especially concerned that Josh Strauss is leaving Glasgow to play club rugby in Portugal as the Warriors website states today.

We've signed a beast of a new back row as well

http://www.bathrugby.com/news/team-news/pirlas-joins-bath-rugby?

Bathite wrote:We've signed a beast of a new back row as well

http://www.bathrugby.com/news/team-news/pirlas-joins-bath-rugby?

Great name!

I would like to know who it actually is on that picture though   

VinceWLB wrote:

Bathite wrote:We've signed a beast of a new back row as well

http://www.bathrugby.com/news/team-news/pirlas-joins-bath-rugby?

Great name!

I would like to know who it actually is on that picture though   

a slimmer Zirakashvili ?

http://www.saracens.com/academy-starlets-re-sign/

Saracens add some players to their academy.

Notably England U20s players this season - Henry Taylor and Aaron Morris.

Guys like Tompkins,Earle,Itoje and Alo re-signed.

Sean Cox (lock) from Edinburgh to London Irish.

Hugh Pyle leaving the Rebels for Europe.

 Great second rower one of the best in the super 15 I bet sarries will be trying they best to get him as a borthwick replacement.

 Maybe Quins will be looking for a second rower.

 Prob off to France though.

I don't think we'll be in for him. Maybe we should but can't see us going for it.

On other news, Quins have re-signed Marler

George Carlin wrote:Sean Cox (lock) from Edinburgh to London Irish.

Thoughts on him George? I've always been really impressed by him when I have seen him play - great work rate and good in the line-out. Seems to have a bit of niggle about him as well which I personally like in a lock. How come he has fallen out of favour?

We have signed Rotherhams IC Socino. Cracking signing.
And Bristol SH Ruki Tipuna who I know nothing about

Welly wrote:Hugh Pyle leaving the Rebels for Europe.

 Great second rower one of the best in the super 15 I bet sarries will be trying they best to get him as a borthwick replacement.

 Maybe Quins will be looking for a second rower.

 Prob off to France though.

Ulster also in the hunt for a top lock.

Pyle one of best locks in S15????   

Whitelock, Etzebeth, FvDM, PSDT, Romano, Retallick, Horwill.........


Pyle.

Exeter announce the signing of Yorkshireman Tomas Francis from London Scottish, a raw 21 year old, 21 stone tighthead.

Also looking at Mitch Lees, Aussie lock from London Welsh, and Elvis Taione, Tongan international hooker, currently at Jersey.

  

SirBurger wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Sean Cox (lock) from Edinburgh to London Irish.

Thoughts on him George? I've always been really impressed by him when I have seen him play - great work rate and good in the line-out. Seems to have a bit of niggle about him as well which I personally like in a lock. How come he has fallen out of favour?

He's absolutely decent, SirBurger and certainly quite the warrior - he played almost every match for Edinburgh for 2 years.
He's very mobile for a 115kg man and I think ran the Edinburgh lineout until more experienced locks like Izak Van Der Westhuizen came in this year.
In short, a very good squad man - perhaps short of international quality but will give all he's got - and it's certainly true he has a bit of dog about him.
Not quite the full Jim Hamilton in terms of being a penalty liability though, thankfully.

George Carlin wrote:

SirBurger wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Sean Cox (lock) from Edinburgh to London Irish.

Thoughts on him George? I've always been really impressed by him when I have seen him play - great work rate and good in the line-out. Seems to have a bit of niggle about him as well which I personally like in a lock. How come he has fallen out of favour?

He's absolutely decent, SirBurger and certainly quite the warrior - he played almost every match for Edinburgh for 2 years.
He's very mobile for a 115kg man and I think ran the Edinburgh lineout until more experienced locks like Izak Van Der Westhuizen came in this year.
In short, a very good squad man - perhaps short of international quality but will give all he's got - and it's certainly true he has a bit of dog about him.
Not quite the full Jim Hamilton in terms of being a penalty liability though, thankfully.

Speaking of Jim hamilton, I never know how these rumors start but people have been saying Jim Hamilton could be moving back to Edinburgh as he is looking at buying a house close by. It would be an interesting signing especially with VDW and Cox leaving and he would add a bit of grunt to the pack but surely he is on a big wage out in France.

Nice to see the Chiefs adding some weighty to their pack from the Championship. They have always had an eye for a bargain.

Sarries grabbing Morris and Taylor the only England under 2nd not with an AP club is good business for them. Taylor looks to be a cracking young scrum half.

Sam what type of scrum half is Taylor?

Agree chiefs do have an eye for the bargain but surely they should bring in at least one high profile player?

beshocked wrote:Sam what type of scrum half is Taylor?

Agree chiefs do have an eye for the bargain but surely they should bring in at least one high profile player?

I would've hoped so personally, beshocked, but it seems that is not to be this transfer season

Judging him based on the 6N for the under 20s he is quite a tall 9 with plenty of pace and good skills. An attacking threat with good footballing skills. Obviously being long legged won't help him with box kick charge downs and he'll need to show more aggression in the AP. I was hoping Tigers or Nottingham would get him what with him being a Loughborough.

Think you're right ASBO mainly due to finances.

Big name signings aren't always great. Mauger at Tigers ended up offering more on the training pitch than at match day and was the most expensive centre in the league at that point.

Tigers have agreed two "pre birth contracts" with the twin boys of current prop Mulipola and his girlfriend a Miss Castrogiovanni. Imagine that for front row potential!

Imagine the food bill fkas!!!   

I've heard that we are in talks with a Tigers player and close to getting a deal done. Any of the Tigers fans know anything?

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Tigers have agreed two "pre birth contracts" with the twin boys of current prop Mulipola and his girlfriend a Miss Castrogiovanni. Imagine that for front row potential!

Is that actually serious? Or at least the bit about them being a couple? Ridiculous if so!

Sorry Sam - just seen that it is actually serious! They are going to be big boys!

Certainly seems likely but will they play for Argentina, Samoa, Italy or England?

Sky did an interview with Cockers son the other day as part of the build up to the Clermomt game. He's a young full back so presumably plays nothing like his dad. He's also duel qualified.

Sam, would they qualify for Italy? As IIRC Castro qualifies under Grandparent, so it would be childrens great grandparents.

I thought he had duel nationality like a lot of Argentineans? If not that's one competitor off the list.

formerly known as Sam wrote:I thought he had duel nationality like a lot of Argentineans? If not that's one competitor off the list.

Long time ago I was told (by people from that part of the world) that the definition of an Argentinian was an Italian who speaks Spanish and wants to be English.

Formerly known as Sam thanks for the info on Henry Taylor.

I agree that big name signings don't always work. Chris Jack at Saracens, Richie Gray at Sale, Stephen Donald at Bath are also good examples.

Even Corbisiero going to Saints so far isn't really working out because he's injured most of the time. Ben Morgan at Gloucester hasn't made as much impact as he has for England.

I think Corbs only played a couple of games for LI in his last two seasons there ...

We need to start planning ahead for life without Corbisiero. The guy can hardly string 5 games together, he must be close to being finished.

Sgt Pooly to be honest I think England have.

I'd take a serious look at Alex Waller for the summer tour, the lad is a fantastic scrummager and gets through a huge amount of work.

TH is a real issue though, I heard Thomas got hammered off young Ethan Waller last night.

beshocked wrote:Sgt Pooly to be honest I think England have.

I'm not so sure that England have moved on - Corbs was in the stands with the coaching team for all of the 6 Nations. Having said that, Marler and Vunipola are both great talents, and the Waller brothers at Northampton will have their day as well. When fit and firing Corbs is arguably the best there is, but those days are too few sadly.

Callum Green signs for Falcons from Leeds

Rumours of Setaimata Sa going back to league with Hull FC.

Has Sa actually played for LI yet. Can't remember seeing him in action. Shame as he was billed as the replacement for Mapasua.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Has Sa actually played for LI yet. Can't remember seeing him in action. Shame as he was billed as the replacement for Mapasua.

10 mins Prem against Northampton last season and 2 LV Cup games this year. He has basically been constantly injured since overcoming the Visa issues that delayed his arrival in the first place.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:We need to start planning ahead for life without Corbisiero. The guy can hardly string 5 games together, he must be close to being finished.

Yeah i agree he is a massive concern now. But i think im the only one who thinks Marlers performances have been very impressive and made Corbs absence less noticeable, not to mention Vunipola chomping at the bit, and Waller making noises with his performances.

Dan Leo to Irish confirmed.

GeordieFalcon wrote:

Sgt_Pooly wrote:We need to start planning ahead for life without Corbisiero. The guy can hardly string 5 games together, he must be close to being finished.

Yeah i agree he is a massive concern now. But i think im the only one who thinks Marlers performances have been very impressive and made Corbs absence less noticeable, not to mention Vunipola chomping at the bit, and Waller making noises with his performances.

And to a lesser extent, Nathan Catt tearing it up and finally delivering on all that early promise

Bathite, i confess to not seeing much of Catt, but if thats the case then thats excellent because he was one we all spoke alot about as potential a few years back.