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)

formerly known as Sam wrote:I thought the Joel Hodgson to Saints rumour seemed odd. The young ten they have from their academy Hooley is a good fit for the current team and a decent prospect. The kid can certainly pass and tackle, just needs to sort his kicking game and get some more experience.

Thing is I'm told he was kind of thought of as a kicking 10 as he moved through age grade rugby until he made the first team, then he seemed to loose the kicking but improve in other areas. Hopefully he get can get the kicking thing back under control.

Bathite wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Haven't Bath just brought in a new backs coach from the Dragons?

Yep

I feel for you.

Welsh Magician wrote:

Bathite wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Haven't Bath just brought in a new backs coach from the Dragons?

Yep

I feel for you.

  Who, Edwards?

Edwards was a decent backs coach, just not head coach material

There's plenty of coaches at Bath they just need someone to steer their back line and improve the attacking structure.

Plenty of forward coaches, there hasn't been an attacking or skills or backs coach for a very long time

Big Problem with Euan Murray is that he doesn't play on Sundays. Not many clubs would want a player who refused to play!

Yappysnap agreed.

I think Yarde is good for you to freshen up your backs which was getting a bit laboured with Williams and Monye. Strange to see Smith go though. Must be regretting it now!


In regards to Exeter Chiefs I don't know why they don't invest in at least two better known players.

They may still do so, beshocked - afaik, we're still looking for a lock, and a couple of backs (utility and FB). But at the moment, Rob Baxter seems to be busy tying up the young tyros to long-term deals

Dean Mumm was an inspired signing two more of his ilk and your be okay.

Hook going back to the Ospreys?

Good squad player for them if they can get him at a sensible price. Occasional 10 to back up Biggar and the development of Sam Davies. Cover at centre for Beck, Bishop and Spratt and cover at 15 for Dan Evans. Not to forget he is an acomplished goal kicker.

I think he'll be in green next year.

Bristol, Bath, Glous, Irish, Lyon, Ospreys, Rebels and Sharks just a few of the teams linked to him so far!  

He wants to be back home at Ospreys.

It has been confirmed today that Jacob Rowan has signed for Glaws. Some very welcome news and I'm delighted by this, I've always highly rated him and for me this is a coup. He'll provide some excellent competition to Kvesic, but is just as likely to feature at 6.

Snowmonkey, wherever you may be, it only took us 5 years to sign him, but I said we would!

Wow Rowan is a class act...and Captain material ! I was hoping when we signed Barrow that we tried to get him aswell! Rowan can of course play 8 aswell HCK. But he's a crackin bit of business.

WIll give Kvesic a kick up the butt.

Your going to have some first choice pack!

And so the exodus begins. Jake has been an absolute star for us and will be sorely missed. It seems every season we lose at least one player with International potential and I can only hope we can keep finding them.

Everyone up here will wish him well and hope Glaws is the right place for him to develop to his maximum potential. HKC, you're right, it's a real coup.

Geordie, hope Falcons can get their act together next season. I want to see Dom in a team that's going places.

Dont worry...its all sorted - mid table next season, top four season after.

Dean has it all in hand.

And it could be Barrow and Green (an old Leeds duo) in our boiler room.

 

aitchw wrote:And so the exodus begins. Jake has been an absolute star for us and will be sorely missed. It seems every season we lose at least one player with International potential and I can only hope we can keep finding them.

Everyone up here will wish him well and hope Glaws is the right place for him to develop to his maximum potential. HKC, you're right, it's a real coup.

Geordie, hope Falcons can get their act together next season. I want to see Dom in a team that's going places.

I am genuinely delighted by his signing. I know he's been courted ever since the JWC when he was captain, so he's shown great loyalty to stay as long as he has rather than jump at any of the numerous offers. So it bodes really well for us. I really do hope he pushes on and fulfils his potential as he has the making of being an outstanding player.

I see we're playing Leeds in a pre-season freindly, so I presume this had something to do with this and Stevie McColl?

McColl looks a corker of a signing HKC. 

Really intelligent 15.

Gloucesters 1st XV is going to be pretty damn good next season.

Hows is the depth of squad HK?

   

GeordieFalcon wrote:Gloucesters 1st XV is going to be pretty damn good next season.

Hows is the depth of squad HK?

In general its looking pretty decent, although fly half is a potential concern. We're being linked to Hook at the moment, but I simply cannot see how we'll have room under the cap to sign him. Given how vitriolic Ryan Walkinshaw has been about clubs breaking the cap I would be really disappointed if we follow suit.

It is rather ironic Nigel davies has been given the boot as he has assembled a decent squad and it looks like we could field the following 2 sides

1. Wood or Y.Thomas
2. Hibbard or Dawiduik
3. Afoa or Knight
4. Stooke or Palmer
5 Galarza or Hudson
6. Kalamafoni or Savage
7. Kvesic or Rowan
8. Morgan or Evans
9. Robson or Braley (we're widely expected to be announcing his signing from Bristol shortly)
10. Laidlaw or A.Thomas
11. May or Simpson-Daniel
12. Twelvetrees or Atkinson
13. Trinder or Isaacs
14. Sharples or Monahan
15. Cook or McColl

Rowan isn't a bad player, not sure how he'll step up but worth a punt. McColl should be good, he's some unit at FB.

GF, bit concerned Green doesn't start for Leeds but expected to be a big player for us.

I was reading the Leeds unoffy Sarge, and they have said the captaincy has influenced Rowans game.

Maybe without that responsiblility he can find that top form again. At times he has looked brilliant.

Also adds to the number of English Q's 7's in the league.

Rowan
Kvesic
Fraser
Wallace
Robshaw
Welch
Saull
Seymour
Scaysbrook?

I think Green is the type who Dean and Wells will bring through as the powerhouse type. Maybe not first choice initially but i think he could make that spot his own.

Aside from Barrow im not sure the others a nailed on so will fight for the spot. Green could add that physical edge to the second row.

GeordieFalcon wrote:I was reading the Leeds unoffy Sarge, and they have said the captaincy has influenced Rowans game.

Maybe without that responsiblility he can find that top form again. At times he has looked brilliant.

Also adds to the number of English Q's 7's in the league.

Rowan
Kvesic
Fraser
Wallace
Robshaw
Welch
Saull
Seymour
Scaysbrook?

Sadly only Fraser looks anything near Int class. Why do we have such problems with 7's???

Kane Douglas (Wallabie Lock) has signed for Leinster...

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/news/11990.php#.U3ygKtJdXTo

HKC, think you've landed on your feet with Stevie McColl. He's had a great run since joining us in 2011 and has got better all the time. Don't think I know Cook so can't make comparisons but like all our lot he's attack minded with skills to go with it.

Our warm up game is part of some kind of double header with you fielding 2 squads against us and Plymouth. Long evening of rugby.

Geordie, Jake's carried a lot of expectation this season. Like most Championship sides we don't have huge depth in the squad so players have had a long hard season which was showing at the end. Given a decent break he'll be fine.

Green should be a good signing too but it might be a bit into the season before he starts to show what he's made of maybe even a full season.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:I was reading the Leeds unoffy Sarge, and they have said the captaincy has influenced Rowans game.

Maybe without that responsiblility he can find that top form again. At times he has looked brilliant.

Also adds to the number of English Q's 7's in the league.

Rowan
Kvesic
Fraser
Wallace
Robshaw
Welch
Saull
Seymour
Scaysbrook?

Sadly only Fraser looks anything near Int class. Why do we have such problems with 7's???

I thought when Kvesic was at Worcester he looked a serious international prospect...dont know what has happened to him at Glos...though to be fair the whole gloucester team has been poor.

Maybe with that team above starting he will make more of an impression.
Obviously Robshaw is quality...and im curious to see how Wallace goes. He has some very good qualities. Is he an international ..who knows but maybe worth a quick look.

Sadly our lot Welch and Saull dont look remotely that level...

Nowhere near GF.

I'd love us to produce a real fetcher but it just doesn't seem to happen too often. Dave Ward has looked the nearest as a an ex 7.

Im quite happy with Robshaw though. I think hes class.

Shame Tom Rees didnt make it. He looked the real deal.

We have a young lad at Blaydon who has been outstanding all season. See if he gets a few games next season.

But aside from that ...theres an Englishman over the channel winning player of the years for fun at No.7   

It's crazy S.Armitage isn't in the England squad.

Yes I know he has made his bed, but this guy is a class act and needs to be involved.

Its difficult though. New model England is absolutely typified by Robshaw, and Armitage would only ever be the back up, unless he was to come home and make an unassailable case.

Tigers have confirmed their departures:

"The following players have already announced moves to new clubs this summer: Ryan Bower (Worcester Warriors), Toby Flood (Toulouse), Rob Hawkins (Newcastle Falcons), Boris Stankovich (Newport Gwent Dragons), Scott Steele (London Irish), Thomas Waldrom (Exeter Chiefs) and Harry Wells (Bedford).Former England hooker George Chuter and young second-rower Joe Cain have announced their retirement from rugby.In addition, Tigers can confirm the departures this summer of Dan Bowden, Michael Noone and Jerome Schuster, plus development squad members Pasqualle Dunn, Lucas Guillaume, Henry Purdy and Harry Rudkin."

Slightly surprised to see Rudkin go as he's just made the England under 20s squad. Perhaps he has a better offer on the table.

As well as new deals for Slater, Goneva, Deacon and Allen. They also announced:

" Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill has also confirmed that David Mele, Blaine Scully, Adam Thompstone and Gonzalo Camacho will stay at the club beyond the duration of their current contracts.Young props Tom Bristow, Tiziano Pasquali and Riccardo Brugnara have committed their futures to the club and England age-group internationals George Catchpole, Tom Price and Harry Thacker have also agreed new terms with Tigers."

I don't quite understand why Rowan would want to go to Glos who already have Kvesic who is more or less the same age as him, is also considered an international in waiting, and plays exactly the same role. Fair play to Glos though - outstanding prospect.

Cockerill has also confirmed the new signings as follows;

Freddie Burns
Christian Loamanu
Leaonardo Ghiraldini
Robert Barbieri
Seremaia Bai

Michele Rizzo has also posted a twitter pic of his car with a Leicester City Council parking ticket. Looks like he has arrived and other posts seem to hint at him signing for us.

No news on Matera or Pohe though. Hope both are staying.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Michele Rizzo has also posted a twitter pic of his car with a Leicester City Council parking ticket. Looks like he has arrived and other posts seem to hint at him signing for us.

No news on Matera or Pohe though. Hope both are staying.

http://instagram.com/p/oOuLm5J0Fe/

Hope he wasn't meant to be keeping that  quiet. All the Tigers players are following him too.

beshocked wrote:Saracens summary

Out

Steve Borthwick - retiring
Nick Auterac - Bath Rugby
Matt Stevens - Natal Sharks
James Short - London Irish
Max Crumpton - Bristol Rugby
Tom Jubb - Plymouth Albion


In

isn't tagicakibau heading out to scarlets too?

have heard the euan murray to Newport Gwent Dragons? They are desperate for a TH

Stanko and Murray at the Drags. Well it wouldn't add much to their loose game but the power of the scrum and the rolling maul would probably treble.

Nathan, Cockers has said we'll have eight props for next season and he has irons in the fire. So Rizzo would be the final piece:

Loose heads: Ayerza, Rizzo, Bristow, Brugnara
Tight heads : Cole, Mulipola, Balmain, Pasquali

Good options with a nice mix of experience and age.

Is Lawrence Pearce going to tigers?

Is Lawrence Pearce going to tigers?

Can't find anything on Euan Murray joining the Dragons. If he did their tighthead situation would surely be sorted for at least a couple of seasons, enough time to look at academy prospects and start planning for the future.

Lyd that was confirmed by Cockers on the radio tonight. The club have officially announced what I posted in quotation marks earlier but the rest has been unofficially confirmed by Cockers or Peter Tom. Pearce is on the way as a project player. Tigers wanted to add physicality and and ball carrying ability to the squad and he will hopefully do that long term whilst Barbieri and Loamano will do that in the short term.

Cockers passed comment on Burns saying everyone wanted bright young English talent and he had got one of the England's brightest talents when on form. The need for him to integrate with the Tigers culture was mentioned though.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Stanko and Murray at the Drags. Well it wouldn't add much to their loose game but the power of the scrum and the rolling maul would probably treble.

Nathan, Cockers has said we'll have eight props for next season and he has irons in the fire. So Rizzo would be the final piece:

Loose heads: Ayerza,  Rizzo, Bristow, Brugnara
Tight heads : Cole, Mulipola, Balmain, Pasquali

Good options with a nice mix of experience and age.

Where did ypu here about euan murray to drags?

Ok cheers for that Sam. Heard it mooted but not announced.

Pioden mentioned the Murray thing I just commented on it. Would make sense as he doesn't really fit into the plan Ryan is going for at Wuss. Not many French clubs would be that keen on a part timer who has international commitments. Would be looking at the lower end clubs.

Okay, he would improve our set piece lots but ive noticed he struggles with injuries and doesn't play on sunday not that many of our games are on sunday

He is also unlikely to feature in a Scotland shirt much after this summer, I would think.