Silly Season transfer rumours.....

First topic message reminder :

Well its that time of year...pushing for new contracts...the rumour mill starts to fly...

Any you hear...post them here.....

The first two I've heard...

Priestland to Bath
Carl Fearns - Bath to Falcons.

Wayne

Berrick. You can keep danny and keep your hands off Berrick.

Haha...there's been a lot of talk of us being after Berrick too.

Berrick Barnes?
He will break down in the first match he plays if not during the flight over. To me, a big injury risk, plus I believe he suffered migraines or stress related headaches at one point. So, even more risk.

Good player, but not with a developing team, methinks. With a settled team only and one which can protect him from too much contact.

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:

Welly wrote:He is also a good 12.

 But if Myler gets injured is Hooley up to covering for him really?

He coped well in the AIs but probably needs another year, James Wilson however is pretty accomplished at 10, 11, 13, 14 & 15

Hooley has done very well previously. Particularly in defence. Sam Olver the England under 20s 10 and Harry Mallinder the England under 20s 10/12 are also on the books and real talents. The bosses son might hang around but one of the other two might decide that more chances are to be found elsewhere. There's a number of clubs eying up fly half options for next season.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:

Welly wrote:He is also a good 12.

 But if Myler gets injured is Hooley up to covering for him really?

He coped well in the AIs but probably needs another year, James Wilson however is pretty accomplished at 10, 11, 13, 14 & 15

Hooley has done very well previously. Particularly in defence.  Sam Olver the England under 20s 10 and Harry Mallinder the England under 20s 10/12 are also on the books and real talents.  The bosses son might hang around but one of the other two might decide that more chances are to be found elsewhere. There's a number of clubs eying up fly half options for next season.

I agree, Hooley has been fine and is developing nicely.  I suppose having Hanrahan for a couple of seasons can't hurt and will deepen the rotation.  Certainly Myler can't go on forever and can get him breaks.  

At this point, Saints biggest need is a replacement for Manoa and Ma'afu.  And, frankly, replacements for a player like Manoa are rare indeed.

doctor_grey wrote:Berrick Barnes?
He will break down in the first match he plays if not during the flight over.  To me, a big injury risk, plus I believe he suffered migraines or stress related headaches at one point.  So, even more risk.  

Good player, but not with a developing team, methinks.  With a settled team only and one which can protect him from too much contact.  

Not so sure of his injury record, but you just can't prevent that sometimes. He can play 10, 12 and 15 and can kick goals. He'd be worth a punt. I've seen him get smashed a few times by Roberts and he's got up from it pretty well, uninjured too.

The Saint wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:Berrick Barnes?
He will break down in the first match he plays if not during the flight over.  To me, a big injury risk, plus I believe he suffered migraines or stress related headaches at one point.  So, even more risk.  

Good player, but not with a developing team, methinks.  With a settled team only and one which can protect him from too much contact.  

Not so sure of his injury record, but you just can't prevent that sometimes. He can play 10, 12 and 15 and can kick goals. He'd be worth a punt. I've seen him get smashed a few times by Roberts and he's got up from it pretty well, uninjured too.

Well, I hope someone in UK or Ireland signs him.  Then I can pass my business card along.............

To be fair, he might be worth a punt, but I would have a Plan B available. From what I have seen he can manage a game fairly well, and he doesn't make many mistakes. But he won't be a game changer.

doctor_grey wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:

Welly wrote:He is also a good 12.

 But if Myler gets injured is Hooley up to covering for him really?

He coped well in the AIs but probably needs another year, James Wilson however is pretty accomplished at 10, 11, 13, 14 & 15

Hooley has done very well previously. Particularly in defence.  Sam Olver the England under 20s 10 and Harry Mallinder the England under 20s 10/12 are also on the books and real talents.  The bosses son might hang around but one of the other two might decide that more chances are to be found elsewhere. There's a number of clubs eying up fly half options for next season.

I agree, Hooley has been fine and is developing nicely.  I suppose having Hanrahan for a couple of seasons can't hurt and will deepen the rotation.  Certainly Myler can't go on forever and can get him breaks.    

At this point, Saints biggest need is a replacement for Manoa and Ma'afu.  And, frankly, replacements for a player like Manoa are rare indeed.

Perhaps they see Myler stepping up and being in and around England camps/games more often, so having JJ around will help cover some of the time he is away. Also as mentioned probably give Myler some breaks during the season to have him fully firing for bigger games.

Maybe Fluxy, the way injuries go these days Wilson is nearly always required to cover somewhere else.

The cupboard runs a bit bare occasionally as Saints have a relatively small squad and have to use accademy players on a frequent basis come Int. call up time.

I would like to see them sign another 15, if Foden gets picked for Englands squad, that leaves Wilson or Pisi covering full back, with Burrell and North Likely to be missing as well we are looking a bit short of AP level cover if injuries strike in the backs.

Edinburgh have signed Tongan winger Will Helu from Wasps, making us Edinburgh fans wonder whether Tim Visser is leaving.

Anyone heard any rumours?

Would be a pretty good signing - Pro 12 top try scorer several years in a row and a fantastic finisher. Not a good tackler though!

Yep TV3 will be a wasps player next season

 Sounds like a like for like replacement for Varndell if it happens.

Welly wrote:Yep TV3 will be a wasps player next season

 Sounds like a like for like replacement for Varndell if it happens.

How certain are you?

Not very just like the idea of Wasps having had TV, TV2 and TV 3.

 Although he would fit into the Wasps style of play quickly.

I wonder if Visser fancies coming back to Falcons?

Will be surprised if the Falcons could match his pay at Edinburgh - he'll be one of our top earners.

Risky club to join too - not likely to qualify for Europe any time soon, and could easily find themselves in a relegation battle.

We're playing some attacking rugby this season and the AP is always a draw. We'll be in Europe, just not the big boys cup.

Is a winger really what Falcons will be after though? There's some decent options up their already and they've got two young talents in Harries and Kilbride.

Probably not Sam, Sinoti has been a revelation and we have a few kids coming through. If Cato & Smith move on we'll have a bit of flex though and Visser is a real weapon, I wouldn't say no.

Front row is our priority, along with 10 of some sorts.

Is Newcastle where after a Scottish player it should be someone like Weir

I think we'll pass on Weir thanks, I've had my fill of Scottish pivots.

Sam,
Harris is a FB who moved to centre but Dean has been giving him a run out on the wing. He's actually 25 so not just a new kid. But hes finally bringing his ability to the games now...I see him more of an outside centre though...as do most Falcon fans.

We are not blessed with loads of wingers however...... no thanks to Visser returning. Also Dean is not avert to playing centres or FB's on the wing.

Our options at the moment:
Alex Tuilagi - Not getting any younger, but he is starting to look really fit and thus his performances are beginning to become very effective. And Dean is managing him well. Playing in the right games.

Sinoti - Class

Cato - Not my favourite but the coaches have done a good job with him and he's decent.

Alex Tait - A good consistant premiership player who is a FB foremost but always puts a good shift on the wing...where is playing this weekend v LW.

Tom Penny - Young 20yo FB/W/C - Similar to Harris but just 20 and just out of the academy he is probably going to be a centre but he has played a few shifts on the wing. Looks a real prospect and a quality place kicker.

Dean seems to like backs that have alround sills and can play in several positions.
Being a small club with limited squad number and budget its probably an enforced tactic aswell. Didn't he do that at Quins aswell?

Don't forget....Zac Kibirige. He suffered a horrific injury. He is back training etc but we haven't seen anything of him...Dean isn't rushing the kid back and quite right.

We also have some very interesting young kids coming up through the academy again.

Dusautoir has signed a 2 year extension at Toulouse

GeordieFalcon wrote:Dusautoir has signed a 2 year extension at Toulouse

Doh, was looking forward to him playing at the Tigers.

Cracking player but at 33 yo and a marque player would that have been great?

Does that mean Salvi is defo a Tiger next season?

Two interesting snippets from another forum...

JP Pietersen to Wasps - to replace Varndell....

And Wasps also thinking about trialling Ashley Johnson at ........HOOKER????

GeordieFalcon wrote:Cracking player but at 33 yo and a marque player would that have been great?

Does that mean Salvi is defo a Tiger next season?

Still nothing confirmed yet

Spedding has gone to Clermont on a 3 yr deal.

Tim Nanai-Williams to Irish is doing the rounds on sportnetwork.

Rory Clegg to Leeds by all accounts with Phil Godman off to a Scottish side.

Trayfoot to Irish a rumour

Driver wrote:Rory Clegg to Leeds by all accounts with Phil Godman off to a Scottish side.

Oh please god no.

ChequeredJersey wrote:Trayfoot to Irish a rumour

As I understand it, more than a rumour.

Ozzy3213 wrote:Tim Nanai-Williams to Irish is doing the rounds on sportnetwork.

That would be amazing and would inject some much needed creativity into our back line. On the one hand I think 'we persuaded JOC to come, surely we can sign anyone if the offer is right.' On the other I think 'a player of that class will be looking to go to a bigger side challenging for silverware.'

Trayfoot I would be happy with. He would be an upgrade on Low if he goes in my opinion.

Driver wrote:Rory Clegg to Leeds by all accounts with Phil Godman off to a Scottish side.

I'd drive them there myself, maybe drop Godman off at Berwick

SirBurger wrote:

Ozzy3213 wrote:Tim Nanai-Williams to Irish is doing the rounds on sportnetwork.

That would be amazing and would inject some much needed creativity into our back line. On the one hand I think 'we persuaded JOC to come, surely we can sign anyone if the offer is right.' On the other I think 'a player of that class will be looking to go to a bigger side challenging for silverware.'

Trayfoot I would be happy with. He would be an upgrade on Low if he goes in my opinion.

Agree on Trayfoot being an upgrade on Low. He is a good ball carrier, which in my opinion we lack in the pack. In relation to Nanai-Williams, whilst he could easily fit into a bigger side, I believe there is potential that we may have a unique selling point in relation to him, were we to be talking to him!

Also, not a big name, but there's a rumour of London Scottish and England Counties scrum half Mathew Heeks to Irish as well.

Ozzy3213 wrote:

SirBurger wrote:

Ozzy3213 wrote:Tim Nanai-Williams to Irish is doing the rounds on sportnetwork.

That would be amazing and would inject some much needed creativity into our back line. On the one hand I think 'we persuaded JOC to come, surely we can sign anyone if the offer is right.' On the other I think 'a player of that class will be looking to go to a bigger side challenging for silverware.'

Trayfoot I would be happy with. He would be an upgrade on Low if he goes in my opinion.

Agree on Trayfoot being an upgrade on Low.  He is a good ball carrier, which in my opinion we lack in the pack.  In relation to Nanai-Williams, whilst he could easily fit into a bigger side, I believe there is potential that we may have a unique selling point in relation to him, were we to be talking to him!

Also, not a big name, but there's a rumour of London Scottish and England Counties scrum half Mathew Heeks to Irish as well.

Ahhhh - that's what I was thinking re. TNW

What's the USP?

Glad it wasn't just me who didn't get that.

Maybe they think Wayne Smith will be the next Irish coach?

Tom Coventry (assistant @ Chiefs) has been linked for the LI role.

Winston Stanley, brother of Benson Stanley of ASM, rumoured to Quins

PDJ to Glaws

Haha.....PDJ back to Gloucester?

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Haha.....PDJ back to Gloucester?

So says the rugby paper

But I thought that the marquee player position can not go to another AP player?

Nothing about Falcons in there CJ?

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Nothing about Falcons in there CJ?

 Yeh we are also  after PDJ as LH.

 

Hey! PDJ is an international and equally adept at LH as at TH

you mean equally inept?

ChequeredJersey wrote:Hey! PDJ is an international and equally adept at LH as at TH

He was when he left us! Then Saints and you lot have ruined him

I'd be very uneasy about this move.