Matthew Morgan to Bristol

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/26448128


Interesting move, Bristol seem to be signing a lot of players for next season already, even though they don't know which competition they will be playing in.

Nicky Robinson and Matthew Morgan will be their flyhalves - that's going to be erratic

Bristol will be in the Prem next year I guarantee it. The difference between them being promoted over the other play-off teams is.........







Ross Rennie

If Bristol get promoted they are staying up! Watch out Newcastle...

Good to see him stepping up to a championship club, be interesting to see how he gets on in a serious league

I find it a bit of strange move really, I can understand his desire to be 1st choice (possibly) which he wouldn't of got at the Os and I guess Holley being there may have had some influence but I just think its a strange move.

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:Good to see him stepping up to a championship club, be interesting to see how he gets on in a serious league

Ooh, get her!   

Matthew Morgan and Dwayne peel as halfbacks..!

Should be interesting.

Shame to lose him from Wales and the Rabo.

Wouls have liked to see him move to the Blues to provides some real line breaks. On their pitch he could have done really well. And yes I would have made him first choice at the Blues. Patchell has a long way to go to convince me of his credentials.

They've also signed Jack O'Connell (prop) and Darren Hudson (winger) from Leinster, two very highly rated players. O'Connell is behind Healy and McGrath (and probably Bent) so understandable that he's leaving for gametime, Hudson is a player that most Leinster fans are keen to see get more gametime ahead of the likes of Darragh Fanning but for whatever reason the management don't see it that way.

It doesn't stop there either Mick- they've signed three Samoan internationals. Jack Lam, David Lemi and Anthony Perenise. As well as Dwayne Peel as someone mentioned above.

doctornickolas wrote:Shame to lose him from Wales and the Rabo.

Wouls have liked to see him move to the Blues to provides some real line breaks. On their pitch he could have done really well. And yes I would have made him first choice at the Blues. Patchell has a long way to go to convince me of his credentials.

While i wouldn't argue that we need another fly half to share the load with patchell, our priorities lie elsewhere. There's no point the western mail and posters saying that we should sign him, we need to address our forwards issues first and foremost. because while MM can make line breaks and spectacular tries, we don't provide the same platform that he gets at the Ospreys and he would suffer because he would have less quality ball and spend more time defending, where he can be dominated.

He's very very average at doing what outside halves are supposed to do. No loss to Wales.

gcBlues wrote:

doctornickolas wrote:Shame to lose him from Wales and the Rabo.

Wouls have liked to see him move to the Blues to provides some real line breaks. On their pitch he could have done really well. And yes I would have made him first choice at the Blues. Patchell has a long way to go to convince me of his credentials.

While i wouldn't argue that we need another fly half to share the load with patchell, our priorities lie elsewhere. There's no point the western mail and posters saying that we should sign him, we need to address our forwards issues first and foremost. because while MM can make line breaks and spectacular tries, we don't provide the same platform that he gets at the Ospreys and he would suffer because he would have less quality ball and spend more time defending, where he can be dominated.

Completely agree, also he would be well below Patchell in the pecking order.

wales606 wrote:

gcBlues wrote:

doctornickolas wrote:Shame to lose him from Wales and the Rabo.

Wouls have liked to see him move to the Blues to provides some real line breaks. On their pitch he could have done really well. And yes I would have made him first choice at the Blues. Patchell has a long way to go to convince me of his credentials.

While i wouldn't argue that we need another fly half to share the load with patchell, our priorities lie elsewhere. There's no point the western mail and posters saying that we should sign him, we need to address our forwards issues first and foremost. because while MM can make line breaks and spectacular tries, we don't provide the same platform that he gets at the Ospreys and he would suffer because he would have less quality ball and spend more time defending, where he can be dominated.

Completely agree, also he would be well below Patchell in the pecking order.

Aye and I just checked the Os website and was surprised to learn that MM weighs in at a mere 11st 6lbs in his pants which is 2 stone less than Dai Flan apparently and a full 3 stone less than Patch.

11st 6lbs? I've had turds heavier than that

Bristol actually went in for Sam Warburton as well, and offered him a pretty good deal before he signed the central contract.

It was mentioned to me last week that Bristol had gone in for Morgan as their first choice fly half next season with Robinson as back up.

Robinson is a better 10 than Morgan surely?!

Andy Robinson is Bristol coach isnt he? Bristol have signed two young Leinster players for next year too. Looks like they are going to have a good enough side:

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/leinster-lose-two-young-players-to-bristol-1.1713477

I still thing Morgan would be better playing on the wing, he could be the next Shane Williams! At 10 he will always be targeted in defence and even if he does a Dan Parks and hides at 15 during the defensive shift, he will still be targeted.

Shifty wrote:Bristol actually went in for Sam Warburton as well, and offered him a pretty good deal before he signed the central contract.

It was mentioned to me last week that Bristol had gone in for Morgan as their first choice fly half next season with Robinson as back up.

This reminds me vaguely of Sweeney out the door and SNK as back up instead, except NR (and brother JR) said tara i'm off and i'll send you a postcard, so where you moving to? The rest is very expensive history.

Building a pretty healthy squad. If they do get promoted they'd have a much better chance of staying up than the majority do in their first season. If they stay in the Championship but keep hold of the signings it should put them in a very strong position for next season too. Good work all round by the management IMO.

I would love to see Luke Eves back in the prem as a more rounded and experienced player as well!