Hartley in talks with Montpelier

According to Daily Telegraph.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/11221812/Northamptons-Dylan-Hartley-weighing-up-move-to-Montpellier-after-2015-World-Cup.html


Will be several "older" players making the move I suspect.

Does that put Saints in the market for a hooker, or do they have back up already?

Mike Haywood is the main back up - a former England U20 hooker.

Laughingly called old there LT. He's not even 30 that would be a massive blow to Saints who have a good backup but no real depth beyond that. They'll have to enter the market.

Will Dylan be excommunicated as quickly as Flood was after he announced his deal with Toulouse?

Saints are already rumoured to be losing Manoa to Toulon. That would be two hefty losses requiring replacements post RWC. Rumours of a Pisi moving to Castres as well.

Those in their late 20s, may decide they are unlikely to make the 2019 squad, but yeah not old hence my use of speech marks.

Manoa will be hard to replace as he will be on a fairly low salary.

the JWC squad Mike Haywood featured in makes interesting reading

http://www.rfu.com/news/2011/may/news-articles/100511_u20_squad_announcement

George Pisi meant to be going to Castres as well as Nonu signing for Toulon

Maybe LT. I suppose a two year pension top up still leaves the chance to return home on a three year deal when 30/31. Chance of getting back into the squad then.

Saints should be looking towards promoting Haywood he's a good player. Might need to recruit another for competition but available players from the SH are normally bountiful post RWC.

That's a shame if true. Well, all players mentioned in this thread actually.

The Pisi brothers have developed nicely at the club, and Manoa has been a revelation. I do think Hartley has gone off the boil slightly lately, but he's still a quality player. Haywood is a decent replacement but he's not international standard

LondonTiger wrote:the JWC squad Mike Haywood featured in makes interesting reading

http://www.rfu.com/news/2011/may/news-articles/100511_u20_squad_announcement

Apart from the Leicester lads and Gray pretty much everyone is a regular in matchday squads for AP sides or Worcester. And there are a decent number players already involved in the senior England sides.

It's very impressive.

I imagine loosing Hartley , Manoa and Pisi would free Saints up to spend some cash on a quality 2 if they wanted too. 

Wouldn't be surprised if they took a punt on someone George McGuigan from Newcastle , really good young hooker.

Hey keep away from young George...Driver...ssshhhhh what are you doing!

Ahem...that young George is no good anyway...cant see him making the grade...

It would be a bold move to go with two young non international hookers like that. Especially when Saints love their set piece like they do. Perhaps bringing in two hookers a younger option and an old war horse on a short term deal is maybe how they'll play it. Pushing Hayward and the young gun on but having someone with international experience if they find themselves out of their depths.

Yeah i agree Sam.

McGuigans lineout throwing is a serious work in progress aswell, one area Hartley is extremely good.

Shouldn't that hedline read "Northampton's Dylan Hartley's AGENT weighing up move to Montpellier after 2015 World Cup"

as in the opening gambit on contract renewal negotiations ???

Pete surely they wouldn't stoop so low!?

First time for everything eh Hammer ?  

I'm sure Dylan's agent could go with "he's club captain, England international, been your first choice for years and if you don't give him the contract he wants he'll go join his twin at Sarries."

Interesting times at Saints. Next season two marquee players are allowed. Who is going to join North? Some of the big names might be making a play for that

Who is Dylan's twin? Have I missed something?

Ashton