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)

Ozzy3213 wrote: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.

Andy Robinson was quoted last night as saying that some of the new signings have clauses that they can be loaned out next season until the play-offs. Not exactly a way to build a team spirit!

They sound like they're just throwing money at trying to get up without actually building a squad. It doesn't exactly inspire the lads left knowing they'll be replaced as soon as the playoffs kick off.

Dwayne Peel and Anthony Perenise, are available on loan for next season.

I hope Bath show an interest in these two.

Scrumpy wrote:Dwayne Peel and Anthony Perenise, are available on loan for next season.

I hope Bath show an interest in these two.

 Heard both going to Welsh on Loan.

 and apparently according to L.Welsh fan I know the club is looking at Martyn Thomas.

 I suppose if Welsh can survive next season they could aim for some WC players, from lower countries maybe.

 Wouldn't be surprised to see Morgan go to WelsH if his contract has a clause.

Welly wrote:

Scrumpy wrote:Dwayne Peel and Anthony Perenise, are available on loan for next season.

I hope Bath show an interest in these two.

 Heard both going to Welsh on Loan.

 and apparently according to L.Welsh fan I know the club is looking at Martyn Thomas.

 I suppose if Welsh can survive next season they could aim for some WC players, from lower countries maybe.

 Wouldn't be surprised to see Morgan go to WelsH if his contract has a clause.

Its slightly ironic that the side that beat them, most needs and is most likely to get their players to give them a chance to stay in the league!

Martyn Thomas has been released by Glaws, so I really wouldn't be surprised to see him go to Welsh. He played mostly at wing last season and actually had a decent season, so he'd be a good signing for them.

Pure speculation, but I do wonder whether Tim Molenaar and Rupert Harden are on their radar given their release from Quins and Glaws respectively?

HongKongCherry wrote:Martyn Thomas has been released by Glaws, so I really wouldn't be surprised to see him go to Welsh.  He played mostly at wing last season and actually had a decent season, so he'd be a good signing for them.  

Pure speculation, but I do wonder whether Tim Molenaar and Rupert Harden are on their radar given their release from Quins and Glaws respectively?

 Yeh considering Wlesh have said they want to sign 15 players I think they will.

 Molenaar was very handy for Quins I thought.

Aseli Tikoirotuma (27 years old full back from fidji and chiefs) signed a 2 years contract with Quins.

whocares wrote:Aseli Tikoirotuma (27 years old full back from fidji and chiefs) signed a 2 years contract with Quins.

 Plays more @ 13 and Wing than full back.

Good signing for Quins. Along with Yarde, some firepower in their backs.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Good signing for Quins. Along with Yarde, some firepower in their backs.

 They could have

 Care
 Evans
 Yarde
 Casson
 Tikoirotuma
 Walker
 Brown

 There's a backline with a decent mix of Pace, Skill and Power.

Yeah it certainly is!

I wonder if Lowe will ever return, such a shame about his injury, that was a player i rated highly.

not sure if it was mentionned but Charteris officially joined Racing.
so their signings for next season are :
Yoan Audrin (wing, Montpellier), Brice Dulin (fullback, Castres), Johan Goosen (flyhalf-SA), Anton Peikrishvili (prop, Castres), Teddy Thomas (wing, Biarritz), Thibault Dubarry (lock, Biarritz), Casey Laulala (centre, Munster), Antonie Claassen (flanker/8, Castres), Luke Charteris (lock, perpignan).
 
few players leaving as well (Brugnaut ,Tonga'huia , Ghezal,Matadigo ,Qovu Wisniewski ,Battut ,Fall, Estebanez, vakatawa)
 
not sure if the likes of Hernandez, Planté and Andreu will have much game time next year...

Are there any French players in the Top 14?

http://www.planetrugby.co.uk/story/0,25883,9818_9339648,00.html

Confirmation on the huge changes at Racing

GF. Racing have just signed a few of them. Thomas is rapid, assent and Dulin are both French internationals. Just a real mix over there.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Yeah it certainly is!

I wonder if Lowe will ever return, such a shame about his injury, that was a player i rated highly.

Lowe is expecting a return to rugby in Oct    after over a year out! Not sure if after shoulder, leg and a neck injury he'll be anything like the player we once knew but it'll be nice to see him back.

Quins first choice back line next season will probably be: Care, Evans, Yarde, JTH, Lowe, Tik, Brown which will be nice.

Humphreys is the new DOR at Gloucester. But of a blow to Ulster that.

Is it me or have Gloucester invested their entire budget on the starting 15? Its great if they can get them all on the park but if they get any injuries to front line players they are seriously going to struggle for depth.

I also think signing Afoa was a crazy move as he does not have good history for appearances over the last few years. Hard to say how often they will even get him on to the paddock.

Top quality Tight heads aren't easy to come by so I suppose they took a bit of a gamble on him. The front five looks a little light on back up but otherwise they are pretty strong.

Actually we have better strength in depth than we've had in a number of years and more importantly that depth is balanced. We are awaiting the signing of a 3rd choice hooker and Braley the England U20 SH captain will be announced after the JWC. All in all its looking pretty good for us, but without the burden of expectation we had at the start of last season.

I think the expectation will be even higher HKC. after a terrible season and one where everyone blamed the coach and front row and burns you've now signed world class in those areas so people will expect a difference.

Its because of the dire season we've just had that we don't have such expectations. We'd gone into the season thinking we had a genuine chance of top 4 but failed spectacularly! As a result the general feeling is an improvement will do. Top 6 should be the aim and anything else will be a bonus. We will have a completely new coaching team and with so many new players it will take time for them to gel.

HongKongCherry wrote:Its because of the dire season we've just had that we don't have such expectations. We'd gone into the season thinking we had a genuine chance of top 4 but failed spectacularly! As a result the general feeling is an improvement will do. Top 6 should be the aim and anything else will be a bonus. We will have a completely new coaching team and with so many new players it will take time for them to gel.

Exactly, how long did the Bath coaching team take to get them into the play offs?

yappysnap wrote:

HongKongCherry wrote:Its because of the dire season we've just had that we don't have such expectations. We'd gone into the season thinking we had a genuine chance of top 4 but failed spectacularly! As a result the general feeling is an improvement will do. Top 6 should be the aim and anything else will be a bonus. We will have a completely new coaching team and with so many new players it will take time for them to gel.

Exactly, how long did the Bath coaching team take to get them into the play offs?

Depends which ones?!?! Changed them so blooody often! Meehan was regular top 4

Welshmushroom wrote:
I also think signing Afoa was a crazy move as he does not have good history for appearances over the last few years.  Hard to say how often they will even get him on to the paddock.  

Yeah that was due to personal issues rather than fitness one's. His wife didn't like Belfast and Afoa was commuting back and forward which took it's toll on his form and appearances.

Glad to be shot of him but if he sorts his home life out he'll be one of the top tight heads around.

It will be interesting to see how he gets on with Humph as he (Afoa) didn't leave Ulster in great terms .....

Bathite wrote:

yappysnap wrote:

HongKongCherry wrote:Its because of the dire season we've just had that we don't have such expectations. We'd gone into the season thinking we had a genuine chance of top 4 but failed spectacularly! As a result the general feeling is an improvement will do. Top 6 should be the aim and anything else will be a bonus. We will have a completely new coaching team and with so many new players it will take time for them to gel.

Exactly, how long did the Bath coaching team take to get them into the play offs?

Depends which ones?!?! Changed them so blooody often! Meehan was regular top 4

That's true mate, I was just trying to point out that even with a quality squad it can take time, may not have used the best example though... What ever happened to Meehan? Is he still coaching?

rodders wrote:

Welshmushroom wrote:
I also think signing Afoa was a crazy move as he does not have good history for appearances over the last few years.  Hard to say how often they will even get him on to the paddock.  

Yeah that was due to personal issues rather than fitness one's. His wife didn't like Belfast and Afoa was commuting back and forward which took it's toll on his form and appearances.

Glad to be shot of him but if he sorts his home life out he'll be one of the top tight heads around.

It will be interesting to see how he gets on with Humph as he (Afoa) didn't leave Ulster in great terms .....

Apparently the move was driven by Mrs Afoa liking the area, namely Cheltenham and the family orientation of the club. Nevertheless it does represent a slight punt on our part, but given what we've been working with we had to take the risk. I'd be surprised if there wasn't some break clause in the contract though.

yappysnap wrote:

Bathite wrote:

yappysnap wrote:

HongKongCherry wrote:Its because of the dire season we've just had that we don't have such expectations. We'd gone into the season thinking we had a genuine chance of top 4 but failed spectacularly! As a result the general feeling is an improvement will do. Top 6 should be the aim and anything else will be a bonus. We will have a completely new coaching team and with so many new players it will take time for them to gel.

Exactly, how long did the Bath coaching team take to get them into the play offs?

Depends which ones?!?! Changed them so blooody often! Meehan was regular top 4

That's true mate, I was just trying to point out that even with a quality squad it can take time, may not have used the best example though... What ever happened to Meehan? Is he still coaching?

It is a valid point mate, you're right it definitely takes some time. Meehan went back to Oz, was attack coach for the Rebels and now the Reds.

Olly Barkley is the first of what is likely to be a raft of signings for London Welsh.  Decent signing for them in terms of experience, but he's played for 4 sides other than Bath and he's not really performed terribly well for any of them.

HongKongCherry wrote:Olly Barkley is the first of what is likely to be a raft of signings for London Welsh.  Decent signing for them in terms of experience, but he's played for 4 sides other than Bath and he's not really performed terribly well for any of them.

He didn't shine at the Scarlets, but other than the first 10-20mins of his first home game, he didn't really do anything wrong either. He coulod be a good signing for London Welsh, nothing special but nothing too risky either.

HongKongCherry wrote:Olly Barkley is the first of what is likely to be a raft of signings for London Welsh.  Decent signing for them in terms of experience, but he's played for 4 sides other than Bath and he's not really performed terribly well for any of them.

Played pretty well when first arrived at Metro, I saw him play a few times and they were impressed, but since then it has been a fairly steady decline by all accounts

LW like their centres to be able to kick and he will be a good option off the tee. Makes sense as a decent but not great signing for them.

HongKongCherry wrote:

rodders wrote:

Welshmushroom wrote:
I also think signing Afoa was a crazy move as he does not have good history for appearances over the last few years.  Hard to say how often they will even get him on to the paddock.  

Yeah that was due to personal issues rather than fitness one's. His wife didn't like Belfast and Afoa was commuting back and forward which took it's toll on his form and appearances.

Glad to be shot of him but if he sorts his home life out he'll be one of the top tight heads around.

It will be interesting to see how he gets on with Humph as he (Afoa) didn't leave Ulster in great terms .....

Apparently the move was driven by Mrs Afoa liking the area, namely Cheltenham and the family orientation of the club.  Nevertheless it does represent a slight punt on our part, but given what we've been working with we had to take the risk.  I'd be surprised if there wasn't some break clause in the contract though.

Afoa is a 36 cap All Black for a reason and given their short supply is well worth taking a punt on. He is quality and he clearly had a difficult time at home last season. If he can keep the family happy, we will see a hugely destructive tight head who is streets ahead of what the Cherries currently have.

Joel Hodgson confirmed to Saints.
And it looks like he's going as a 9.

Huge error by the falcons if you ask me.

Well Dean better get his wallet out as we desperately need a 10...Godawful and Clegg are our only two and not good enough for a championship team.

Did Falcons not offer a new contract to him or was saints more appealing to him?

No idea mate...Dean operates a policy of total communication block...we dont know about injuries, contracts ...nothing.

Leaves the Falcons for less game time and a change in position to where his nee club have more depth than his old position? Strange.

Very strange indeed!

He was spotted in Bath with his agent a few weeks back, I was hoping we'd get him as our 2nd choice 10 to Ford. He'd get a fair bit of game time, but never mind

Still no news from Quins on new additions to the pack... worrying times!

formerly known as Sam wrote:Leaves the Falcons for less game time and a change in position to where his nee club have more depth than his old position? Strange.

It probably tells you something about Deano and how he's doing for us. And it isn't anything good. This is not good news.

Well theres lots of questions and chat about the Joel situation.

Much of it criticising Dean Richards.

But who knows....maybe Joel isnt actually good enough...only time will tell.

Hopefully though we will have done our homework on other 10's around the world as Socino is a 12 not a 10.

I also wonder if he sees more potential in our other young academy FH Craig Willis, who is much bigger than Joel.

Well talk that we have signed Tongan Second Row...Uili Kolo'ofai.

Just to add to Dom Barrow, Calum Green, Scott McCleod, McKensie, Josh Furno, Will Witty, Glen Youngs...  

Dean my old mucka.....we need a FLY HALF!!!!!!

He's a good player but seriously another lock???

I think he leads the line so maybe to play in rotation with MacLeod? He's certainly more physical.

Perhaps a new 10 may be on the way, I thought the recruitment drive had finished tbh

He certainly looks a ball carrying tough nut...so he's a welcome addition but we are gathering a few of them now.
 
Also aside from Callum Green are all the others been foreign signings?

PS makes me think a few of them will be getting lots of gametime at 6. Ie Furno, Barrrow...maybe Green?

Furno has perhaps been signed as 6 GF, would make sense looking at the numbers.

I'd like to see Barrow take on the line out and be paired with a physical lump like Green or McKenzie

I'v heard that the pack is going to be a lot more physical based next season

1.Fry
2.Hawkins
3.Brookes.
4.Tongan Guy
5.Barrow
6.Furno
7.Wilson
8.Hogg

Yeah we're definately going to have a much more powerful pack. and Lineout should finally be decent.
 
Im not sure on Fry...as a prop he's got very questionable scrummaging...yet he was named in the championship team of the season. Vickers probably made that position his own.
 
1 Vickers
2 Hawkins / McGuigan
3 Brookes
4 Barrow
5 Green
6 Furno
7 Wilson / Welch / Saul??
8 Taulava / York

GeordieFalcon wrote:Yeah we're definately going to have a much more powerful pack. and Lineout should finally be decent.
 
Im not sure on Fry...as a prop he's got very questionable scrummaging...yet he was named in the championship team of the season. Vickers probably made that position his own.
 
1 Vickers
2 Hawkins / McGuigan
3 Brookes
4 Barrow
5 Green
6 Furno
7 Wilson / Welch / Saul??
8 Taulava / York

 Fry was involved I think last weekend with a scrum that was dominated by the japans last week in a narrow loss , Japan got 2 tries from driving scrums.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atTTGWZi9Y4
 

 Also Tigers scully got a Hat trick.


 Also japan looking increasingly dangerous, eddie Jones showing his worth.

Yeah on another forum, the USA fans dont even rate Fry.

Although in his defence he is always played at TH for the USA...whereas he is most definately a LH.