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)

Sam Burguss has a pretty good technique compared to a lot of RL players.

Bruce Craig said: “Sam is a one-in-a-generation guy – he will bring a whole new level of intensity to Bath Rugby.

Once he finally gets here that is   

Scrumpy wrote:Bruce Craig said: “Sam is a one-in-a-generation guy – he will bring a whole new level of intensity to Bath Rugby.

Once he finally gets here that is   

 This is the same bruce Craig that said: "We are signing a World Class World cup winning Fly half"

Sounds like he is playing with a injury for souths Right Shoulder.

 
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/why-sam-burgess-holds-the-key-for-south-sydney-rabbitohs-nrl-hopes-20140813-103hbw.html


 If Rabbitohs keep playing him to win the Crown he may miss a large chunk of the season if he is not to careful (Which isn't his game pan).

 I'm rooting for him and in attacking will be a huge weapon the defensive side will be the most interesting esp I the forwards.

Welly wrote:

Scrumpy wrote:Bruce Craig said: “Sam is a one-in-a-generation guy – he will bring a whole new level of intensity to Bath Rugby.

Once he finally gets here that is  ;) 

 This is the same bruce Craig that said: "We are signing a World Class World cup winning Fly half"

He did sign a world cup winning fly half.........next question

Let’s not forget Bruce has also said he has signed a world class scrum half after the 2015 RWC.

Allegedly!

Bathite wrote:

Welly wrote:

Scrumpy wrote:Bruce Craig said: “Sam is a one-in-a-generation guy – he will bring a whole new level of intensity to Bath Rugby.

Once he finally gets here that is   

 This is the same bruce Craig that said: "We are signing a World Class World cup winning Fly half"

He did sign a world cup winning fly half.........next question

Although a long long way from world class....

He won more world cups than Dan Carter.

Carter got a medal for 2011 as far as I'm aware so that's not strictly true.

Donald could possibly be one of the worst players in recent times to win a World Cup though.

Carter does indeed have an RWC winners medal. Does it mean as much to him as it does to those who played in the final, who knows?

If world class excludes a man who has won a world cup and played at FH for the best team in the world on multiple occasions, you have pretty harsh criteria, goodness knows where that puts almost every player in the NH in the pecking order...!

Bathman_in_London wrote:If world class excludes a man who has won a world cup and played at FH for the best team in the world on multiple occasions, you have pretty harsh criteria, goodness knows where that puts almost every player in the NH in the pecking order...!

   You my friend are extremely loyal, respect!

What do you think of Henson?   

[quote="Bathman_in_London"]If world class excludes a man who has won a world cup and played at FH for the best team in the world on multiple occasions, you have pretty harsh criteria, goodness knows where that puts almost every player in the NH in the pecking order...![/quote]

Well and truly behind King Johnny thats for sure   

Donald has been immortalised in the movie - the kick. Can't say that about Carter.....

Donald is a NZ RWC hero.

beshocked wrote:Donald has been immortalised in the movie - the kick. Can't say that about Carter.....

Donald is a NZ RWC hero.

Your right, he's clearly superior, case closed.

It must drive Carter mad that he didn't play in a RWC final in NZ yet he has a 'winner’s medal'

I wonder where he keeps it, if I was him I'd keep it in my pants draw as it is totally worthless.   

Neutralee wrote:

Bathman_in_London wrote:If world class excludes a man who has won a world cup and played at FH for the best team in the world on multiple occasions, you have pretty harsh criteria, goodness knows where that puts almost every player in the NH in the pecking order...!

   You my friend are extremely loyal, respect!

What do you think of Henson?   

A poor misunderstood soul, its not his fault he is a bit thick!


Seriously though, what I was trying to get at was the use of the words 'world class'. He is probably the worst world cup winning FH, but that's still a pretty elite band in terms of every rugby player out there.

I'm surprised Bath didn't sign Weepu with all this talk on SH's going about.

Signing Weepu would have meant us not playing by the salary cap rules.

I can't imagine his cheap.

Given his form in recent times I doubt he's on the biggest money.

Donald was a very average fly half. He did some things that were good but far too many that were easily forgettable.

I love the story of Stephen Donald. Written off, derided... until only he was left to step up on the biggest stage of all and deliver the holiest of holies. It's practically a Hollywood sports film formula right there!

Wasn't he on holiday fishing and drinking beer when he got the call up? The Americans would love that as part of the story. I sense another role for Matt Damon.

Niall Morris  --------> Leinster


 Same old, Same old.

Steve Mafi -------------> western Force.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Carter got a medal for 2011 as far as I'm aware so that's not strictly true.

Donald could possibly be one of the worst players in recent times to win a World Cup though.

Definitely!

formerly known as Sam wrote:Wasn't he on holiday fishing and drinking beer when he got the call up? The Americans would love that as part of the story. I sense another role for Matt Damon.

I've got news for you mate, already been done!

http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/TV-film-Kick-shows-ex-Bath-Rugby-star-Stephen/story-22291740-detail/story.html

Haha, I'm clearly behind the times Bathite. Mind you the Americans will remake anything they think can turn a profit.

Morris has twice turned down moves to Ireland to sign new deals at Tigers and Mafi has publicly stated he wants to repay the faith Tigers have shown in him during his tough private life issues last season.

Brad Thorn to Leicester to replace Mafi...

Welly wrote:Niall Morris  --------> Leinster


 Same old, Same old.

serious? If thats true then the Tigers should get a kid from the academy in return.

thebandwagonsociety wrote:

Welly wrote:Niall Morris  --------> Leinster


 Same old, Same old.

serious? If thats true then the Tigers should get a kid from the academy in return.

 It will happen every contract renewal esp with MOC there.

 Would think Munster would be more of a obvious move for him.

SirBurger wrote:Brad Thorn to Leicester to replace Mafi...

Where's that come from?

Bathite wrote:

SirBurger wrote:Brad Thorn to Leicester to replace Mafi...

Where's that come from?

 NZ saying he is leaving NZ, rumoured Leicester.

 TBH he will only be one season so it would allow someone like Slater to cover Mafi's place if push comes to shove.

 So as second rows we have

 Parling
 Slater
 Kitchener
 Deacon
 Thorn
 De Cheves
 Price.

 6 cover we have
 Croft
 Gibson
 Matera
 Loamanu
 Slater
 De Cheves
 

 jesus that is some dpeht

Interesting how foreign the Leicester tigers side is going to look next season.

I suppose Leicester feel that is the only way to compete as they'll lose less players to England and be cheaper to sign.

Before you say it - yes I know other sides have a lot of foreigners too but this a notable policy shift for Leicester.

Leicester english side
1) Bristow
2) Youngs
3) Cole
4) Parling
5) Slater
6) Croft
7) Gibson
8) Crane
9) Youngs
10) Burns
11) Thompstone
12) Allen
13) Manu
14) Benjamin
15) Tait

16) Briggs/Thacker
17) ?
18) Balmain
19) Kitchener
20) Pearce
21) harrison
22) Smith
23) Pohe

Without: Deacon,


FB
1) Ayerza
2) Gilhirindi
3) Mulipola
4) Thorn
5) De Cheves (although EQP)
6) Matera
7) Salvi
8) Barbieri
9) Mele
10) Williams
11) Goneva
12) Bai
13) Loamanu
14) Scully
15) Morris

16) ?
17) Rizzo
18) Pasqualli (spelling)(EQP)
19) ?
20)
21) Hepetema (EQP)
22) Camacho
23) Hamilton

Without brungada (spelling)

Maybe others.

Jon Fisher ----> Northampton

FFS. Apparently Mafi didn't want to repay the club after all. With he'd just made the move last season rather than wait until pre season was all but over and then leave the club in the lurch. We let a ready made replacement from the academy move to Bedford for game time at the end of last season.

Don't want Thorn. We have plenty of locks and he is well past his best. Not sure he'd even add much as a coach as let's face it we have experienced second rows and an assistant forwards coach who spent the summer working with the Blue Bulls and Matfield In order to gain experience. Thorn would be a year long signing that would only hamper the progression of others.

Agree with you fkas, I don't see the value for Tigers in signing Thorn.

Tigers have the most quality at lock than any other team in europe...
Parling
Slater
Kitchener
Deacon
and maybe more that i don't know about as a bath fan...Bath should recruit Thorn as a personal mentor to Burgess, otherwise the big lump should retire or take up cage fighting/glass eating competitions (coz he's hard innit!!). Maybe he and bakkies botha can go into acting making a will and grace romantic sitcom together called 'Thorn and Bakkies'.

Ozzy3213 wrote:Agree with you fkas, I don't see the value for Tigers in signing Thorn.

 Guess this could be it.

  during the AI we will be missing Ayerza, Parling, Mulipola, Rizzo and Ghiraldini and potentially Youngs and Slater.

 That would leave a front 5 squad of

 LH: Bristow, Brugnara
  H: Briggs, Thacker
 TH: Balmain, Pasquali
 SR: Kitchener, Deacon, Thorn, De Cheves, Price

 Now during that time we will be playing in the AP, Saracens (H), Welsh (A), Wasps (H).

 I would feel safer seeing Deacon/Thorn on the bench coming on with a very inexperienced front row of Brugnara, Thacker, Pasquaili then an equally inexperienced De Cheves and Price.

 Who else is there we could have sign at this hour of the pre season? esp with his experience and knowledge.

We don't need that experience and he won't get in the team anyway. Hence it's a waste of money. Backrow cover or an experienced White style prop would be far more beneficial. Thorn won't be the only player coming to the end of his Super 15 contract and there are players in lower leagues or in Japan also in a position for us to poach.

Tagicakibau to Wasps

Come on then name me a pop or back row cover (which we have plenty of) that is available at this stage of preseason. And would be cheapish.

I doubt either Mafi or Thorn will be cheap. They may well not be big cash but neither will either be looking to settle for earning a pittance. Mafi was a first team member he would have been on a contract representing his ability.

Sadly I don't have the time to research who is out there and available. That's what our scouting network is for. The same network that dug out Slater and Mafi when we needed options a couple of years back. Bring Wells back from Bedford or look to secure a loan from Bristol (they have vastly over signed).

Re. The backrow. We will lose Croft, Barbieri and Matera for periods due to internationals. After that it's Gibson, Salvi, Crane and the currently crocked Pearce.

and Loamanu.

 we could well get Wells back, don't he would cost much.

 We did it with Twelvetrees.

Loamano is an option. Forgot about that. Just want to see us keep advancing the squad. Not keen on one year veterans.

Quins, now they'd be a perfect match for Thorn. He'd have a great mentoring role opportunity there as well.

Yeah, we would

I get the impression that Quins spent what they had left within the cap on Marland Yarde.

There's a salary cap?

Apparently so CJ (but only for some clubs if you believe the rumours!)  

formerly known as Sam wrote:
Sadly I don't have the time to research who is out there and available. That's what our scouting network is for. The same network that dug out Slater and Mafi when we needed options a couple of years back. Bring Wells back from Bedford or look to secure a loan from Bristol (they have vastly over signed).

 Wells starting in the first pre-season game so suggests he is back maybe?

That would be the ideal solution. He's a good young player who is aggressive and mobile. Covers lock and 6. Local lad who loves the club. He only left originally because there were too many players in front of him. Not so much that problem now.