Silly Season transfer rumours.....

by Geordie Mon Jan 05, 2015 12:59 pm

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.

by Cumbrian Mon Jan 12, 2015 7:22 am

I had literally forgotten that he existed! In recent times, I can't think of a player who has faded from the England team recognition into obscurity as comprehensively as he has.

by yappysnap Mon Jan 12, 2015 8:51 am

Dom Waldock?

Please please please Glos take back PDJ, he'll sort your pack out a treat!

As to the Nani-Williams rumours, I enjoy SuperRugby and honestly I kinda want him to stay there! He's a quality player but I fear Irish would waste him.

by whocares Mon Jan 12, 2015 10:01 am

GeordieFalcon wrote:Spedding has gone to Clermont on a 3 yr deal.

strange, might have missed that one. but with Buttin leaving there is room for another FB.

I did read though that they were after Cuthbert (the Welsh one) to replace Nalaga.

by Welly Mon Jan 12, 2015 10:21 am

Supports rumours of Tait leaving for Bayonne.

by **RDW** Mon Jan 12, 2015 10:36 am

ESPN are saying London Irish are closing in on Ben Franks - that would be a huge signing!

by Sgt_Pooly Mon Jan 12, 2015 10:38 am

Odd as they already have Court, not an area of weakness.

by **RDW** Mon Jan 12, 2015 10:39 am

You wouldn't say no would you....

With all due respect to London Irish, you'd think Franks would be in demand with some of the top English and French teams.

by Sgt_Pooly Mon Jan 12, 2015 10:41 am

Certainly not, I'd love him at Falcons, he's a good LH.

They could improve lock, backrow, 10, centre, FB imo, not LH. Perhaps more to come, certainly a sign of intent.

by SirBurger Mon Jan 12, 2015 10:47 am

Court will be 35 in September and we have no back-up.

Also our academy prop, Tom Smallbone, spent the summer playing in NZ and training at the Franks' brothers gym.

by Sgt_Pooly Mon Jan 12, 2015 11:08 am

Franks can cover TH too I guess, great signing

by geoff998rugby Mon Jan 12, 2015 11:24 am

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Odd as they already have Court, not an area of weakness.

Cant agree; Court has been terrible this year.
We saw signs of decline last year at Ulster but this year he seems to have deteriorated further.
I think this is recognition that his signing was a mistake

by SirBurger Mon Jan 12, 2015 11:27 am

Court hasn't been that bad - a solid 6.5/10 I would say...

by geoff998rugby Mon Jan 12, 2015 11:32 am

I've watched 2 LI games and in both he was stuffed in the scrums - maybe they were the worst performances?

by SirBurger Mon Jan 12, 2015 11:34 am

He started well, had a sharp decline and is now playing pretty well again. He has had a couple of shockers, but they have been balanced out by some dominant displays.

by ChequeredJersey Mon Jan 12, 2015 11:49 am

Heard Kidney to LI rumours?

by Geordie Mon Jan 12, 2015 11:49 am

Who was the young LH who Irish had...Lahore? Went to Oz didn't he? Has he done anything there?

Edit Lahiff?

by SirBurger Mon Jan 12, 2015 11:56 am

ChequeredJersey wrote:Heard Kidney to LI rumours?

Kidney has been strongly denied by our lot. I don't think it will be him.

Lahiff surprisingly, for a mobile prop, went very poorly for the Rebels. He then suffered a bad neck injury and it isn't clear if he will be able to keep playing.

by Welly Mon Jan 12, 2015 11:57 am

Glous could have done with looking at Ben Franks.

by ChequeredJersey Mon Jan 12, 2015 11:58 am

Gloucester don't need him, they have PDJ on the way

by geoff998rugby Mon Jan 12, 2015 12:13 pm

SirBurger wrote:He started well, had a sharp decline and is now playing pretty well again. He has had a couple of shockers, but they have been balanced out by some dominant displays.

Ok thanks - always the problem when you dip in and watch only the odd game on TV

by LordDowlais Mon Jan 12, 2015 12:16 pm

Stephen Jones has joined the Scarlets as a backs coach:-

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/30778452

by HongKongCherry Mon Jan 12, 2015 12:21 pm

Welly wrote:Glous could have done with looking at Ben Franks.

We may still be interested. We are definitely looking at LHs, however, the only aspect that would stop us considering him is that we're apparently chasing Jeremy Thrush and with Afoa already in the squad, we could only have one more non-EU/Kolpak player.

ChequeredJersey wrote:Gloucester don't need him, they have PDJ on the way

The ironic thing with PDJ is that he left us a clear first choice TH with International aspirations, but he would return with absolutely no way of getting ahead of Afoa. I expect us to release either Puafisi or Knight, but he'd still face a battle to be 2nd choice.

The best thing for PDJ's career would be to go somewhere where he can play regularly.

by Welly Mon Jan 12, 2015 12:31 pm

Could Afoa get a British passport/citizenship next season?

by sirtidychris Mon Jan 12, 2015 12:56 pm

PDJ has made the worst career moves out of anyone i can think of, maybe he likes sitting on the bench ?

by HongKongCherry Mon Jan 12, 2015 1:01 pm

Welly wrote:Could Afoa get a British passport/citizenship next season?

I hadn't thought of that. Given his time at Ulster, he must be due to claim residency. Any chance we could get him playing for England?? Wink

by Sgt_Pooly Mon Jan 12, 2015 1:08 pm

HongKongCherry wrote:
Welly wrote:Could Afoa get a British passport/citizenship next season?

I hadn't thought of that. Given his time at Ulster, he must be due to claim residency. Any chance we could get him playing for England??

He's a NZ int so no.

by HongKongCherry Mon Jan 12, 2015 1:15 pm

Sgt_Pooly wrote:
HongKongCherry wrote:
Welly wrote:Could Afoa get a British passport/citizenship next season?

I hadn't thought of that. Given his time at Ulster, he must be due to claim residency. Any chance we could get him playing for England??

He's a NZ int so no.

The playing for England bit was a joke, hence my wink, but his International status wouldn't stop him getting a British passport.

by Welly Mon Jan 12, 2015 1:17 pm

HongKongCherry wrote:
Welly wrote:Could Afoa get a British passport/citizenship next season?

I hadn't thought of that. Given his time at Ulster, he must be due to claim residency. Any chance we could get him playing for England??

Think he would be 5 years end of this season, which is what is usually required to get a passport/citizenship.

Would suit Glous in terms of looking for players more.

by ChequeredJersey Mon Jan 12, 2015 2:10 pm

Talei playing 8 for Quins A against Bristol, which is interesting...

by **RDW** Tue Jan 13, 2015 11:51 am

Gloucester have signed 11 times capped NZ lock Jeremy Thrush from the Highlanders.

by propdavid_london Tue Jan 13, 2015 12:04 pm

CJ - he must be on loan from Dragons or something! Or been given a trial period.
He's quite mature isnt he? 33?

by Geordie Tue Jan 13, 2015 12:08 pm

Good signing for Glos.

Shame Stooke has fallen back so much. He looked a real prospect. Hope its just a second season slump and he comes good again.

by BamBam Tue Jan 13, 2015 3:52 pm

Kieran Brookes will join Saints

by nathan Tue Jan 13, 2015 4:02 pm

BamBam wrote:Kieran Brookes will join Saints

Just read that, seems Saints are taking a leaf out of our book

by Driver Tue Jan 13, 2015 4:07 pm

and a Nandos out of Newcastle.....

by bluestonevedder Tue Jan 13, 2015 5:29 pm

Driver wrote:and a Nandos out of Newcastle.....

by **Ozzy3213** Tue Jan 13, 2015 6:01 pm

I've heard that Carl Fearns to Quins is very nearly done.

by thomh Tue Jan 13, 2015 6:08 pm

Ozzy3213 wrote:I've heard that Carl Fearns to Quins is very nearly done.

That could fit with Trayfoot's rumoured move to Irish. Now Bath just need to nick a back rower from Irish to complete the triangle.

by thomh Tue Jan 13, 2015 6:17 pm

Actually I've just seen you post an identical comment on the Quins rugbynetwork forum.

by **Ozzy3213** Tue Jan 13, 2015 6:21 pm

I believe one of our back rowers is off, but I don't think it's to Bath.

by Geordie Tue Jan 13, 2015 6:40 pm

Got to say I'm MAJORLY f#@ked off with keiron brookes.

Leaves us last time after breaking through, comes back here and we rejuvenate him again....and he abandons us again.

Drop him in with the u18's... At least they might show him what loyalty is!!!!

by HongKongCherry Tue Jan 13, 2015 8:26 pm

Delighted with the signing of Thrush; big, mobile and a touch nasty! We just need a top LH and a bit more depth in the front row and we'll have a great pack Very Happy

by dragon999 Tue Jan 13, 2015 8:35 pm

propdavid_london wrote:CJ - he must be on loan from Dragons or something! Or been given a trial period.
He's quite mature isnt he? 33?

Netani was released by Dragons, he has had a fairly serious injury & has not played since late August.Free agent as far as i know

by HongKongCherry Tue Jan 13, 2015 8:39 pm

GeordieFalcon wrote:Got to say I'm MAJORLY f#@ked off with keiron brookes.

Leaves us last time after breaking through, comes back here and we rejuvenate him again....and he abandons us again.

Drop him in with the u18's... At least they might show him what loyalty is!!!!

In one way you can understand his move as it would be difficult to turn down the best side in England. But after you'd rescued his career from the doldrums at Tigers you would expect him to at least give it another few years.

by Sgt_Pooly Tue Jan 13, 2015 8:42 pm

HongKongCherry wrote:
GeordieFalcon wrote:Got to say I'm MAJORLY f#@ked off with keiron brookes.

Leaves us last time after breaking through, comes back here and we rejuvenate him again....and he abandons us again.

Drop him in with the u18's... At least they might show him what loyalty is!!!!

In one way you can understand his move as it would be difficult to turn down the best side in England. But after you'd rescued his career from the doldrums at Tigers you would expect him to at least give it another few years.

He's not that good tbh. Disappointed to lose young EQ but he's ten a penny as a TH, let him see if he can improve at Saints as he's not a great AP TH.

by doctor_grey Tue Jan 13, 2015 8:44 pm

GeordieFalcon wrote:Got to say I'm MAJORLY f#@ked off with keiron brookes.

Leaves us last time after breaking through, comes back here and we rejuvenate him again....and he abandons us again.

Drop him in with the u18's... At least they might show him what loyalty is!!!!

I am actually in agreement with you there. Regardless of whether he is joining Saints or someone else, it does seem that Newcastle really helped him a lot and now he is on the cusp of England selection. And, personally, I want to see Newcastle do well.

I know how you feel because we picked up Manoa from San Francisco(!), and supported his efforts to grow and develop. And now he is one of the top forwards in the NH, he is off to the sun and fun of Toulon.

By the way, is Brookes really THAT good? After all, at Saints he is replacing an Australian prop. I suppose modern players have no pride at all......

by WELL-PAST-IT Tue Jan 13, 2015 8:50 pm

I personally think that the way Denman has come on, KB might struggle, I have also heard the odd rumour that Ethan Waller might switch, he has played there occasionally as a replacement and played well.

With Corbs and Alex W on the LH it would make sense.

Saints have a lot to thank Mrs. Waller for.

by Sgt_Pooly Tue Jan 13, 2015 8:58 pm

From what I've seen of Denman he is Saints version of Eric Fry i.e. Bloody awful.

Brookes isn't amazing but he's MUCH better than Denman.

by doctor_grey Tue Jan 13, 2015 8:59 pm

Denman has surprised me a bit. Great for depth, that's for sure. If Ethan switches and does well, then Saints front row will be in pretty fair shape against anyone. Still need a replacement for Manoa though, and he is a huge loss.

by HongKongCherry Tue Jan 13, 2015 9:02 pm

Sgt_Pooly wrote:
HongKongCherry wrote:
GeordieFalcon wrote:Got to say I'm MAJORLY f#@ked off with keiron brookes.

Leaves us last time after breaking through, comes back here and we rejuvenate him again....and he abandons us again.

Drop him in with the u18's... At least they might show him what loyalty is!!!!

In one way you can understand his move as it would be difficult to turn down the best side in England. But after you'd rescued his career from the doldrums at Tigers you would expect him to at least give it another few years.

He's not that good tbh. Disappointed to lose young EQ but he's ten a penny as a TH, let him see if he can improve at Saints as he's not a great AP TH.

If he were ten a penny we'd have ten of him backing up Wilson and Cole; we don't and he is better than that

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