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:Bathite you missed the crucial bit of that sentence you highlighted where it says "the Blues..." NZ have a plethora if talented playmakers but the Auckland Blues don't have many options in that department.

 thank you Sam.

 Blues depth at 10 isn't great
 
 They have next season
 10's
 Hickey (Young player current 1st choice 10
 Kerr (can have injury problems)
 West (Young player very quick passing can go wry at times but extremely talented)

 12's
 Nonu
 Willison

 
 Having a player like Bowden adds depth to both areas and I feel maturity.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Bathite you missed the crucial bit of that sentence you highlighted where it says "the Blues..." NZ have a plethora if talented playmakers but the Auckland Blues don't have many options in that department.

Fair play mate, you are right on that one, i should have read more closely

So i see Jim Hamilton has signed for Saracens. As has Juan Figalo the Argentinian prop and Ellery the England 7's winger.

They also have the back up England under 20s scrum half Taylor coming in from Loughborough Uni. Sarries are doing some decent business this window. If Figallo makes a quick recovery but misses the tournament down under due to his injury they will be doing very well.

Argentina might be wise to rest him this 4Ns and let him recover so he's ok for the RWC.

I still doubt he will be ready for the start of season just saying.

Looks like Saracens are strengthening in the right places aswell.

Wait until Big Jim realises that Paul Gustard is not in favour of his regular strategy of getting a ten minute breather by simply obtaining another yellow card.

Well ive said on other threads im not convinced Hamilton is the right choice. But it will be interesting to see how he fits in.

He's certainly better than what they have , i ve been highly critical of their locks.

However i think in Kruis they have a gem coming through...and Itoje a little further back could make them a seriously good engine room in the next few years.

Looks like johan goosen signed for racing...

Louis Ludik signed for Ulster, confirmed, two year deal

I suppose Racing did lose their back up fly half. Distinct lack of ambition for Goosen unless he has a massive ego and thinks he's going to oust Sexton. There's a world cup next year and South Africa are still looking for a play maker.

formerly known as Sam wrote:I suppose Racing did lose their back up fly .

Correct, he joined Grenoble

Hopefully sexton won't get flogged to much next year then. Keep him fresh enough for the World Cup

Phil Blake ------>  Leicester tigers Defence coach.

 Interesting Tigers need a D coach and he could well be the guy to do it, hasn't had the most settle of coaching careers but like the idea also gives another outside influence in the tigs back room.

Tom Heathcote has signed for Edinburgh.

Makes very good sense for the player - too good to be warming the bench and will not be given a look in barring a catastrophic injury to Ford, who has had his best ever season.

Good luck to Heathcote, a great little player, but Ford has totally overtaken him and Devoto is waiting in the wings.

Apparently we've signed Luke Arscott at FB to replace Bendy.

Hook signing for Glaws is to be announced tomorrow. I'm rather chuffed with this signing

So Laidlaw/Hook with Robson/Burns Jr on the bench? Not a bad combo for Glaws especially when you look at the rest of the back line with Twelvetrees, Trinder and then Sharples, May, Cook. Might need some more depth at centre though.

Saints looking very quiet, I would have hoped for a TH, Mercy doesn't do it for me and E.Waller needs to step up a bit to challenge for the 3 shirt.

Otherwise I can't see many players available that could say 100% they would be first choice against the existing incumbents or their back up

formerly known as Sam wrote:So Laidlaw/Hook with Robson/Burns Jr on the  bench? Not a bad combo for Glaws especially when  you look at the rest of the back line with Twelvetrees, Trinder and  then Sharples, May, Cook. Might need some more depth at centre though.

True. Hopefully Atkinson and Isaac will make the step up. May will no doubt feature a few times and perhaps Tindall will have one more year, he certainly deserves it. Then again if we revert to good old ten man rugby, who needs centres?!

I doubt Saints have much room in the salary cap to play with. They've kept the same squad but with some young players stepping up they'll want bigger deals. The market value of some of the first team will have gone up as well. Are Saints losing any of the current squad? Rare you see an entire squad stay on for the following season.

The big moves are generally teams that need change like Gloucester or teams replacing outgoing players ala Tigers and Sarries.

HKC get some big ones then they can help clear the rucks and carry the occasional crash ball. Still not completely sold on the Gloucester second rows Stooke is an emerging talent but the rest are a bit average and Palmer a bit past it. Front row will be good though.

Sam, without being boring I agree again! Stooke is a huge talent but really is the only grunt we have; Galarza offers something different, but I wouldn't want to see him line up with Hudson as there's not enough power. Palmer will add some experience and hopefully mentor Stooke. My concern is that they are all signed up for at least the next 2 years, so we're unlikely to see any changes any time soon.

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:Saints looking very quiet, I would have hoped for a TH, Mercy doesn't do it for me and E.Waller needs to step up a bit to challenge for the 3 shirt.

According who follows the club closer than me the Ethan Waller at 3 was deliberately put on the back burner this year with him concentrating on LH. In theory this could have been because of the Corbisiero injury issues but the reason I heard was that it was felt that Ethan couldn't add the required bulk to play 3 at the top level, and what he did manage to add was thought to be detrimental to his all round game. Now that could change again next year with hopefully Cobs & Alex Waller both fit for the season but who knows. Ironically enough the same person said that Alex Waller probably did have the physical attributes to swap sides earlier in his career but that he is too far in on his development now to make the switch.

Agree with formerly known as Sam that Saints are probably spent up to the cap. Players such as Lawes, Manoa, Wood, Dickinson, Dickson, Burrell & Foden will all be on significantly larger contracts than when they first arrived/came through. Add to that Corbisiero, Photo-a-Leaky, Ma'afu & North (cap exempt) likely to be on larger contracts then I can't see there being much room to maneuver. I did see that JM had settled his signings a while back (BT interview) but no mention of what position or who was coming in mentioned. Maybe a new back up 10 to Myler? Will Hooley didn't seem ready yet and Glen Dickson hasn't really worked out. Other than that maybe another squad wing/FB and second row?

I thought Hooley did alright. The lad certainly isn't a push over in the physicality departments. He's like most young 10s finds it difficult off the tee after gruelling first class games but he'll adapt to that. Get a good pre season and he seems a good fit as a back up option.

HKC, surely you only have one more season of Hudson left? Then next summer you can bring in some horrible monster post RWC. I think a few teams are planning a swoop or two when that certain generation of SH talent make the move north post RWC. I certainly wouldn't be surprised if Tigers announce a couple of signings for post RWC let's put it that way.

We signed Hudson on a 3 year deal. It may have been 2 years with a 1 year option, but I'm not sure. He certainly has improved our lineout, but he doesn't offer much in the scrum or around the park.

Hudson is not great HKC, he was struggling when we had him. Palmer has looked on the decline this season too, hopefully he'll rediscover some form at Gloucester.

HKC - when I saw that Hamilton was shaping for a move from France, I honestly thought that with the RWC on the horizon, you would just take him back on a one year deal (and as Sam says, replace him with some Saffer giant orc next year). Missed opportunity (although I do rate Stooke).  Jim should do well at Sarries though, I would think.

L Arscott ----> Bath

 http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_9336156,00.html

Yep, posted that one a couple of weeks ago and yesterday. On the offy now

http://www.bathrugby.com/news/team-news/bath-rugby-sign-fullback-arscott

Welly wrote:L Arscott ----> Bath

 http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_9336156,00.html

Sad to see Skywalker go - has been fantastic for Exe   

Bathite wrote:Yep, posted that one a couple of weeks ago and yesterday. On the offy now

http://www.bathrugby.com/news/team-news/bath-rugby-sign-fullback-arscott

 that why I posted it again because it been confirmed today.

I've always been impressed with him. Surprised you've let him go, but I understand that there were some disciplinary issues alleged against him.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Tigers squad is looking stronger for the changes. First Team will still be roughly the same but the second and third options are now stronger.

First/second/third choice:

1. Ayerza/Rizzo/Bristow
2 . Youngs/Ghilrildini/Thacker
3. Cole/Mulipola/Balmain
4. Slater/Deacon/De Chaves
5. Kitchener/Parling/Price
6. Croft/Mafi/Gibson
7. Salvi/Matera/Owen
8. Crane/Barbieri/Pearce
9. Youngs/Mele/Harrison
10. Williams/Burns/Bai
11. Goneva/Benjamin/Thompstone
12. Allen/Hempetema/Pohe
13. Manu/Smith/Catchpole
14. Morris/Camacho/Williams
15. Tait/Scully/Hamilton

Should help us cope better with he inevitable sleuth of injuries.

Sam, I'm interested that you see Morris as first choice 14. He was a fine player who had to move from Leinster because of the back 3 depth preventing his development. You'd see him as a first choice winger now for Leicester in their marquee fixtures?

thebandwagonsociety wrote:
Sam, I'm interested that you see Morris as first choice 14. He was a fine player who had to move from Leinster because of the back 3 depth preventing his development.  You'd see him as a first choice winger now for Leicester in their marquee fixtures?

 He was Last season.

 voted supporters player of the season last year (I think)

 He was injured for a chunk of this season.

 Tigers like to tend to play 1 out and out finisher winger (goneva, Varndell, tuialgi etc) and then have a wing/Full back on the other. (Johne Murphy, Morris, scully, G.Murphy + stimpson).

 Morris imo when fully fit is the 2nd best winger at Tigers (Behind goneva) great in defence, has a good boot on him, knows where the try line is and a very good pair of hands. Another irish import I have liked G. Murphy, Leo Cullen, S. Jennings, J.Murphy and now N.Morris, hopefully he is more of a G.Murphy than the others and he stays with us as opposed to going back Ireland way.

 I rate him very highly BTW.

Morris has turned down two moves to take him back to Ireland. He's come on an awful lot from his first season. Murphy and mentored him well. When he arrived he was quick and solid in defence but now he has a nice step, is stronger ball in hand and has started to kick just like Murphy (with a touch more range). He's really come on nicely.

George Carlin wrote:HKC - when I saw that Hamilton was shaping for a move from France, I honestly thought that with the RWC on the horizon, you would just take him back on a one year deal (and as Sam says, replace him with some Saffer giant orc next year). Missed opportunity (although I do rate Stooke).  Jim should do well at Sarries though, I would think.

Apparently we couldn't afford the transfer fee that Montpellier demanded. I'm not sure how this then fits in with Hook's arrival, but perhaps we found the extra cash down the back of the sofa   

If you couldn't afford the transfer fee, how did Saracens?

ps. Just seen Ferris has officially retired

We apparently didn't have room under the cap to afford his wages and the fee. I presume Sarries must have the space...

This does raise the issue of how we can afford Hook who was reportedly on £400kpa at Perpignan. Given he'll play his preferred role of 10 (Tigers fans will vouch we're very good at using guaranteed starting spots as a way of luring players in!) I'd imagine he's taken a drop, but I'm still not convinced we had that much salary left. So either years 2 and 3 of his contract will see him receive a significant uplift in salary, or we've broken the cap (again). I'd be very disappointed if it were the latter.

Well I wonder how much Borthwick  was on and considering he is there club captain I bet a high wage.

 They are losing stevens and have brought in a player who is legally to injured to play in france.

HKC you've lost Burns, Taylor and Mills this summer I'm sure that freed up some cash for Hook. Hibbard in for Edmonds, Laidlaw in for Knoyle and then Afoa is the marquee player instead of Cowan. A bit of squad filler moving around as well but fairly straight forward.

Wood-Hibbard-Afoa
Stooke-Hudson
Kala-Morgan-Kvesic

Laidlaw
Hook
May
36
Trinder
Sharples
Cook

Looks bloody tasty on paper!!!

It does look annoyingly good, only really that second row looking like any sort of weak spot.

The cap has gone up HKC, so I'd guess you'd still be under it. Plus it should be possible to rotate the marquee player so that players have front loaded/backloaded salaries. I'd be surprised if clubs couldn't use this to effectively expand the cap.

Stick Savage in for Hudson and it looks very good.

Gotta love Hook's comments that he was 'lured' to Gloucester by the opportunity to play regularly at 10. He said almost the exact same thing just before his move to France and look where he ended up playing eventually.

Knowsit17 wrote:Gotta love Hook's comments that he was 'lured' to Gloucester by the opportunity to play regularly at 10. He said almost the exact same thing just before his move to France and look where he ended up playing eventually.

I wonder who will be goal kicker . Laidlaw or Hook ?

alive555 wrote:

Knowsit17 wrote:Gotta love Hook's comments that he was 'lured' to Gloucester by the opportunity to play regularly at 10. He said almost the exact same thing just before his move to France and look where he ended up playing eventually.

I wonder who will be goal kicker . Laidlaw or Hook ?

Hook shared kicking duties with Descons and I'm sure that he's reasonable, but unless he can kick for goal at better than 80%, I wouldn't think it would be anyone other than Laidlaw. Incidentally, I hope Greig didn't have designs for the Cherries 10 shirt himself...

I wonder what will happen now with all of Bristols big signings.  I can't see all of them wanting to play in the Championship next season.

Knowsit , Glaws like to guarantee players shirts in order to lure them to the club. ;-)

Ryan Jones and Rennie now available? It's all gone a bit wrong for Bristol. Jones may well find a home at LW though.

George Carlin wrote:

alive555 wrote:

Knowsit17 wrote:Gotta love Hook's comments that he was 'lured' to Gloucester by the opportunity to play regularly at 10. He said almost the exact same thing just before his move to France and look where he ended up playing eventually.

I wonder who will be goal kicker . Laidlaw or Hook ?

Hook shared kicking duties with Descons and I'm sure that he's reasonable, but unless he can kick for goal at better than 80%, I wouldn't think it would be anyone other than Laidlaw. Incidentally, I hope Greig didn't have designs for the Cherries 10 shirt himself...

Piecing together everything that has been said I'm presuming Laidlaw was signed under the basis that in the first season he would be required to play FH more than SH on the basis that Davies wasn't interested in the FHs that were generally available last season.