Edinburgh, Glasgow and London Scottish Arrivals & Departures

by madmaccas Thu 02 Apr 2015, 1:14 pm

First topic message reminder :

With a few players announcing their departures, and few named to replace them, I thought it'd be useful to have an in-out list.

Also a good place to post any rumours or rumours of rumours.

Let me know if I'm missing anyone?!

Edinburgh

In:

Nasi Manu - Highlanders - Flanker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DsgMvrYr6I
Will Helu - Coventry Wasps - Wing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luMTcwgcr5U
Nathan Fowles - Sale - SH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFWzXXhzeQE
Michael Allen - Ulster - Wing/Centre https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHnLKIz0Ecw
Otulea Katoa - Southland - Wing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crq6ZJKaeg4

Duncan Hodge - SRU - Backs Coach

Out:

Tim Visser - Harlequins - Wing
Ollie Atkins - Exeter Chiefs - Lock
Michael Tait - the bar - Centre
Tom Heathcote - Worcester Warriors - FH
Grayson Hart - Glasgow Warriors - SH
Wicus Blaauw - ? - Prop
Brett Thompson - ? -
Nikki Walker - Hawick - Wing

Contract ending:

Hookers: Hilterbrand, Turner
Props: Dickinson, Nel
BR: Leonardi, Du Preez

FH: Bezuidenhout
Centre: Dominguez, Atiga
Wings: Farndale

Glasgow Warriors

In:

Grayson Hart - Edinburgh - SH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1ReJ_oz1Rk
Mike Blair - Newcastle Falcons - SH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sWN-M8lQ2o
Keiran Low - London Irish - Lock/Flanker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qszjBclzxds
Simone Favaro - Treviso - Flanker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAcEaWGY8yk
Sam Johnson - Queensland Reds - Centre https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J_O4sLMfdc
Greg Peterson - Leicester Tigers - Lock
Taqele Naiyaravoro - NSW Waratahs - Wing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgSC643wJRI
Javan Sebastian - Scarlets Academy - Prop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9N4q0zcwTo
Jason Hill - Heriot’s - No.8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=my_UQoN8DM8
Hugh Blake - Edinburgh? - Flanker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIIuR-HjFho
Sila Puafisi - Gloucester - Prop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXLR_9CXkUs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqAneyg0Fqw

Dan McFarland - Connacht - Forwards Coach

Out:

Niko Matawalu - Bath - SH
Sean Maitland - London Irish - Wing
John Welsh - Newcastle Falcons - Prop
Dougie Hall - the bar - Hooker
Al Kellock - the bar - Lock
DTH - Scarlets - Wing
Tom Ryder - Northampton - Lock
James Downey - Wasps - Centre
Murray McConnell - Nottingham - Centre
Tommy Spinks - Jersey - Flanker

Shade Munroe - ? - Forwards Coach

Contract ending:

Props: Murray, G.Hunter

SH: Price
FH: Hunter, Lyle
Wings: Hughes
Full Backs: Braid

London Scottish

In:

Drew Locke - Jersey - Centre https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KcGBGC7FKI
Neale Patrick - Plymouth - Lock https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsi07ANTE04
Russell Weir - Scotland 7's - SH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agpcYh30H04
David Young - Newport Dragons - Prop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxIq4nwimCM
Freddie Clarke - Bath - Flanker
Jason Harries - Wales 7's - Centre
Jimmy Litchfield - London Welsh - Prop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMCPZqsXqHo
James Chisholm - Harlequins - No.8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yl9v5JzpUn0 (scorer of both tries)
Craig Jackson - Hartbury - Full Back https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jXMZE5Xl-k
Rory Bartle - Gloucester - Lock https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWJF0rIYhms
Tyrone Moran - Leinster - Hooker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he4Bq0Dkdfg
Will Carrick-Smith - Exeter - Lock
Joe Marchant - Harlequins - Centre https://vine.co/v/O2FBmaU6dD2
Kieran Treadwell - Harlequins - Lock
James Gibbons - Gloucester - Prop
Season long loan from Bath Rugby
Beno Obano - Bath - Prop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwqWvAmmYfw
Tom Woolstencroft - Bath - Hooker https://vine.co/v/MTDzbLxOxTM

Peter Richards - LS - Promoted to Head Coach
Tim Payne - London Irish - Forwards Coach

Out:

Adam Preocanin - Ealing Trailfinders - Lock
Gregor Gillanders - Blackheath - Flanker
James Phillips - Bristol - No.8
Jamie Stevenson - Wasps - Scrum Half
Kieran Moffat- returned to New Zealand - Centre
Lovejoy Chawatama - Rosslyn Park - Prop
Mark Lilley - Rosslyn Park - Prop
Matt Hawke - Rosslyn Park - Centre
Mike Doneghan - AS Macon - Wing
Neil Best - Retired - Flanker
PJ Gidlow - Stade Rouennais - Centre
Ross Doneghan - Retired - Flanker
Stewart Maguire - East Grinstead - Prop
Tai Tuisamoa - returned to USA - Flanker

Mike Friday - USA 7's - Head Coach

by Nematode Thu 21 May 2015, 1:05 pm

Cochrane must stay - no question about that.

I think Ford, McInally and Cochrane with an EDP is pretty good.

by funnyExiledScot Thu 21 May 2015, 1:42 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:On the Edinburgh departures front, I'm a bit confused what is happening with James Hilterbrand. He signed a 2 year deal 2 years ago, but wasn't one of the players noted as leaving at the club awards dinner.

We are well stocked at hooker, but if McInally and Ford go to the world cup we won't be so well stocked. He is SQ too which would help.

He's not too bad a squad player, but has had a few shockers with the lineout! I'd certainly like to see George Turner get some gametime ahead of him though.

I'd also keep Cochrane, who I think has been a decent player for us whenever he has played.

Agree - Turner looks a good player. I'd let Hilterbrand go personally.

by madmaccas Fri 22 May 2015, 3:25 pm

So Jamie Stevenson is off to Wasps. Pretty gutted by this, but good to see him pushing on and hopefully he can break into the 1st team. Gonna be tough with Joe Simpson and Piri Weepu ahead of him, but you never know.

http://www.londonscottish.com/news/4092.php#.VV87l0YkTkY

by dragon4life Fri 22 May 2015, 3:58 pm

Piro Weepu is leaving for Oyaanax and the other second choice 9 charlie davies is off to us so he will probably be second choice

by madmaccas Fri 22 May 2015, 4:25 pm

dragon4life wrote:Piro Weepu is leaving for Oyaanax and the other second choice 9 charlie davies is off to us so he will probably be second choice

Oh that's good news, cheers for the update Dragon.

I suppose if Simpson ends up getting selected for the England WC squad then he may get some pretty significant game time under his belt, which would only be good for Scotland.

by BamBam Fri 22 May 2015, 4:28 pm

Wasps have signed Dan Robson too, the young Gloucester scrum half. He looks a real talent, I reckon he'll push Simpson all the way for first choice, I don't know much about Stevenson to say whether he is the same level as Simpson/Robson

by madmaccas Fri 22 May 2015, 5:31 pm

It's also been confirmed that James Downey will be staying at Wasps having been on loan there since Feb.

He never really fit the style of play at the Warriors and, with Richie Vernon breaking through and everyone fit, I think we're pretty well stocked in the centres.

by **BigGee** Fri 22 May 2015, 5:39 pm

Wasps will be a step up for Stevenson but he has plenty of potential. Another of the lightening fast variety that can comfortably play on the wing. Hopefully he will get the chance to show what he is about.

by **BigGee** Fri 22 May 2015, 5:41 pm

madmaccas wrote:It's also been confirmed that James Downey will be staying at Wasps having been on loan there since Feb.

He never really fit the style of play at the Warriors and, with Richie Vernon breaking through and everyone fit, I think we're pretty well stocked in the centres.

Downey never really worked out did he. You wonder what they were thinking when they signed him as he does what it says on the label and that was never going to be the way Glasgow play. I guess you just have to put it down to experience, for him and for Toonie!

by **RDW** Mon 25 May 2015, 6:25 pm

Any of these worth pursuing?

Montpellier have announced that 19 players will leave the club at the end of the season, including former All Black Rene Ranger.

Ranger is set to return to New Zealand with the Blues while other players including Jonathan Pélissié (Toulon), Lucas Dupont (Grenoble) and Samisoni Viriviri (Montauban) are also on the move.
The destinations of Wynand Olivier and Alex Tulou are currently unconfirmed.
Jake White has made a number of signings for next season including Nic White and Jesse Mogg from the Brumbies.
The former South Africa coach will be looking for a better return next season after the club finished outside the play-off and Champions Cup places in the league.
Montpellier departures: Yohann Artru, David Attoub, Thomas Bianchin, Alexandre Bias, Maximiliano Bustos, Lucas Dupont, Teddy Iribaren, Chris King, Na'ama Leleimalefaga, Nahuel Lobo, Wynand Olivier, Jonathan Pélissié, Fred Quercy, Rene Ranger, Enzo Selponi, Benoît Sicart, Alex Tulou, Samisoni Viriviri, Albert Vulivuli.

by TheMildlyFranticLlama Mon 25 May 2015, 6:42 pm

Wynand Olivier seems like Solomons' cup of tea. No idea what his form/fitness is like though, I'm assuming not good if he's being released?

by **George Carlin** Mon 25 May 2015, 6:55 pm

If there's somebody who should be snapped up by Glasgow, it's David Smith at Toulon who falls foul of the new NFQ rules.
I'm serious - can Maj or RDW Tweety that one to Toonie and Bomrys right now?

He is absolutely electric and I hope gets a run out for the Ba-bas this week.

This from Stuff.co.nz:

David Smith sets French try-scoring record, loses contract
Last updated 10:37, March 11 2015
New Zealander David Smith, the top try-scorer in the French championship this season, has been squeezed out of his contract with European champion Toulon.

The former Hurricanes and Blues wing scored a record four tries against Brive last weekend to take his season tally to 12 from 13 games – and then confirmed he would be looking for a deal elsewhere for next season.

Toulon's recruitment of international stars and the French rule that says squads must have 60 per cent of their players come through French academies means there is no room for Smith moving forward.

Toulon have Boks star Bryan Habana and former Wallabies wing Drew Mitchell on their books, yet Smith is more than keeping them honest and has developed into a real fan favourite at Toulon since joining in 2011.

"I'm going to miss everyone. I'm a little sad but c'est la vie. Toulon does not want to keep me in the squad for next season. I would like to stay, but it's like that ... anyway, I will give my all to Toulon during the three months to arrive. I want to leave the club with new titles. Toulon will remain forever in my heart," Smith told French sports paper L'Equipe, adding that he would eventually like to settle in the city.

Pau and Castres have been mentioned as clubs interested in picking up Smith.

Toulon manager Bernard Laporte described Smith is an "excellent player" and that the club was disappointed to lose him.

"Of course we would like to keep him," Laporte said.

"David, you know the problem is the JIFF [academy system]. In certain positions you need to make a choice. French players are under contract [elsewhere] so we can't have them so there's just not enough room."

Smith, 28, has qualified to play for France and was involved in a wider training squad at the start of the season but he wasn't used in the November internationals nor has he seen any action in the Six Nations.

His latest exploits make him just the fourth player to score four tries in a Top 14 game, joining Rupeni Caucaunibuca [Agen against Narbonne in 2006], Napalioni Nalaga [Clermont against Toulon in 2009] and Sam Gerber [Bayonne against Bourgin in April 2009].

by madmaccas Mon 25 May 2015, 11:46 pm

George Carlin wrote:If there's somebody who should be snapped up by Glasgow, it's David Smith at Toulon who falls foul of the new NFQ rules.
I'm serious - can Maj or RDW Tweety that one to Toonie and Bomrys right now?

Jeez that'd be amazing. A choice between Smith, Seymour and Naiyaravoro (with Hogg behind them) would be epic.

by Majestic83 Tue 26 May 2015, 12:01 am

Tweet'd Townsend about this a couple months ago when smith said he was being let go.
He is one of the top wingers in the world. Not the biggest guy but his pace is frightening and is very powerful. Would be a great signing for Glasgow or edinburgh.
Says in the article he has qualified for France but am sure he is tied to NZ after playing 7s for them. He played at murrayfield in 08 I think.

by VinceWLB Tue 26 May 2015, 6:41 am

David Smith is a good player but i can't help to associate his name to that knock on he made in the 2012 top 14 final which effectively cost Toulon the title, also i guess he wouldn't come cheap.

Of that Montpellier list of leaving players, Alex Tulou is a great player a real ball carrying 8 who will make yards all day but number 8 certainly isn't the priority for either Glasgow or Edinburgh.

by **RDW** Tue 26 May 2015, 9:48 am

I do laugh at the thought of us influencing the SRU's signing policy in any way.

Can imagine Townsend knocking on Scott Johnson's door saying he's had a tweet from some guy with a funny name (sorry MaJ! Very Happy

) telling him that there is a player called David Smith from a club from Toulon that he should have a look at!

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Tue 26 May 2015, 10:59 am

Johnson would say "Who" !

by **George Carlin** Tue 26 May 2015, 11:38 am

RDW_Scotland wrote:I do laugh at the thought of us influencing the SRU's signing policy in any way.

Can imagine Townsend knocking on Scott Johnson's door saying he's had a tweet from some guy with a funny name (sorry MaJ! ) telling him that there is a player called David Smith from a club from Toulon that he should have a look at!

I think that taking advice from a complete stranger online is still likely to yield a higher degree of aggregate quality opinion about prospective signings than listening to Scott Johnson talk about bikinis and playing above the ground for months on end.

by Nematode Tue 26 May 2015, 5:35 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:
Can imagine Townsend knocking on Scott Johnson's door saying he's... fired and his pay will be used to get David Smith

by funnyExiledScot Tue 26 May 2015, 5:45 pm

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:Johnson would say "Who" !

Johnson would say: "Is he a number 8?"

Cotter: "No Scott, he's a winger".

Johnson: "I only like number 8s, you know, players who play above the ground".

Cotter: "Scott, you are an idiot. It's official".

by madmaccas Wed 27 May 2015, 5:37 pm

James Eddie and prop Jerry Yanuyanutawa have signed new deals. Didn't see contract lengths, but I'm assuming they're one year extensions.

by madmaccas Thu 04 Jun 2015, 2:41 pm

A nice couple of signing for the Exiles.

Ex Scotland A, Edinburgh and Leicester prop David Young has joined from Newport. Got lots of experience and should challenge for a spot. Nice to have yet another Scottish player at the club.

Freddie Clarke also joins from Bath. He's a youngster but has been captain of England Students for a few seasons now and looks pretty handy.

by **RDW** Mon 08 Jun 2015, 10:15 am

It is season ticket renewal time and they normally announce some 'big' signings to entice people to get one - any rumours so far?

They are going to have to announce a very big signing for Edinburgh if these Easter Road rumours prove to be real or else I can see STs suffering!

by des Mon 08 Jun 2015, 11:19 am

I know of at least one person that's more likely to get a ST with a move to Easter Road. It's definitely more central than Murrayfield and probably isn't the big downer you're imaging it to be. Transport wise, I'm slap bang between them by bike so it makes no odds to me. As for drinking establishments, Easter Road + 10 mins walk is a much better than Murrayfield + 10 mins walk.

by funnyExiledScot Mon 08 Jun 2015, 1:20 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:It is season ticket renewal time and they normally announce some 'big' signings to entice people to get one - any rumours so far?

They are going to have to announce a very big signing for Edinburgh if these Easter Road rumours prove to be real or else I can see STs suffering!

Agreed. I buy a season ticket as much to support the club than to see all the games. Truth is in all the seasons that I've had it I'd have probably saved money just buying separate tickets to the games I can go to. There's no prospect of me getting to Easter Road for a Friday night game, and I'd be pretty hacked off if one of the few evenings I can make involved a trapse home in the opposite direction and then a couple of buses/taxi to make the game.

I appreciate that there are limited options here, and I applaud the SRU for at least doing something about it. It's a trial period and I'm sure that there are Edinburgh fans living in other parts of Edinburgh who will really support a move to Easter Road. I'm not one of them sadly.

by madmaccas Sun 14 Jun 2015, 10:35 pm

LS have signed some Welsh 7's player called Jason Harries. Anyone ever seen him play?

I'd be hoping for some slightly more high profile signings, but the club has made a name for itself by unearthing gems. To come 3rd this season behind teams Like Worcester and Bristol with all their financial clout and international players is something to be proud of.

http://www.londonscottish.com/pro/news/4106.php#.VX3yUkaS_VI

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Mon 15 Jun 2015, 8:20 am

RDW_Scotland wrote:It is season ticket renewal time and they normally announce some 'big' signings to entice people to get one - any rumours so far?

They are going to have to announce a very big signing for Edinburgh if these Easter Road rumours prove to be real or else I can see STs suffering!

You mean Byron McGuigan surely Rolling Eyes

by **RDW** Mon 15 Jun 2015, 8:27 am

madmaccas wrote:LS have signed some Welsh 7's player called Jason Harries. Anyone ever seen him play?

I'd be hoping for some slightly more high profile signings, but the club has made a name for itself by unearthing gems. To come 3rd this season behind teams Like Worcester and Bristol with all their financial clout and international players is something to be proud of.

http://www.londonscottish.com/pro/news/4106.php#.VX3yUkaS_VI

To be fair, when Glasgow are reportedly replacing their 2 international tightheads (including a B&I Lion) with a 20 year old Welsh club rugby player, I don't think LS can complain too much about the calibre of players they are able to attract!

by madmaccas Mon 15 Jun 2015, 2:07 pm

2nd/backrower Rory Bartle has signed for the Exiles from Gloucester. He's only 18 but seems to be tipped for the top and is already quite a unit.

by madmaccas Wed 17 Jun 2015, 10:02 am

London Scottish have signed the prop Jimmy Litchfield From London Welsh.

by MacKnocked-on Wed 17 Jun 2015, 10:39 am

Do we think that Edinburgh and Glasgow's signings are completed for the new season? It's gone very quiet on that front and pre-season training must be starting soon if it hasn't already done so.

by **RDW** Wed 17 Jun 2015, 10:42 am

Toonie said in the Scotsman that there are a few more signings to announce, and it will probably be this week.

No noise whatsoever coming from Edinburgh - Glasgow have been really pushing ST sales and have made a real fanfare about it, Edinburgh have barely mentioned it!

by madmaccas Thu 18 Jun 2015, 11:14 am

Apparently we're due a Glasgow signing today!

Fingers crossed it's not just a boring contract extensions/academy player.

by madmaccas Thu 18 Jun 2015, 11:50 am

4 players! Can't be a marquee signing or it'd go out on its own.

by nickj Thu 18 Jun 2015, 11:54 am

Gary Strain, Archie Russell and the two Under 20's 2nd rows?

by **George Carlin** Thu 18 Jun 2015, 12:05 pm

nickj wrote:Gary Strain, Archie Russell and the two Under 20's 2nd rows?

Probably Strain, Russell, one lock and the random prop from Carmarthen who has found his way oop t'north.

by nickj Thu 18 Jun 2015, 12:13 pm

I'm hopping between two threads here, but does that leave just the one signing to come then? I'm sure I've seen five more signings bandied about somewhere? Possibly the Glasgow forum following Toonie's announcement last week?

by madmaccas Thu 18 Jun 2015, 12:42 pm

Javan Sebastian, Jason Hill, Will Bordill & Gregor Hunter on 1 year partnership contracts.

Meh.

by madmaccas Thu 18 Jun 2015, 12:48 pm

Hunter and Bordill were already at the club, so really it's just 2 new players.

by **George Carlin** Thu 18 Jun 2015, 12:58 pm

Good signings. If you like a big, fat cup of 'meh'.

by **RDW** Thu 18 Jun 2015, 1:01 pm

I see that Bordill and Sebastian are being assigned to Ayr - we needn't worry about them then!

Might as well pen them into the 2016 6N squad already.

by **George Carlin** Thu 18 Jun 2015, 1:03 pm

Bordill must have spent an hour banging his head against a door when it was announced Blake was coming to Glasgow.

He waited a year for Sherlock to leave and then when he did a Kiwi favourite of the Scottish national team coach turns up.

by nickj Thu 18 Jun 2015, 1:08 pm

Is Blake staying permanently then? I must have missed Holmes moving on too...

by **George Carlin** Thu 18 Jun 2015, 1:11 pm

Blake is definitely a Glasgow guy now. Sherlock only had a 1 year contract I believe and as he is surely older than Bruce Foryth now I cannot see him being kept on with the various hot young things presenting Toonie with other options.

by nickj Thu 18 Jun 2015, 1:14 pm

Makes sense, so its Favaro, Fusaro, Blake and Bordill at 6.5 / 7 then?

by funnyExiledScot Thu 18 Jun 2015, 2:02 pm

madmaccas wrote:Javan Sebastian, Jason Hill, Will Bordill & Gregor Hunter on 1 year partnership contracts.

Meh.

Wow. Hardly worth bothering making the announcement.

by madmaccas Thu 18 Jun 2015, 2:08 pm

I hope this doesn't mean we only have one more player due to arrive. We're looking mighty short on the wing, especially with schlong on his last/3rd leg.

by **RDW** Thu 18 Jun 2015, 2:13 pm

Not to mention quality tight heads and quality 2nd rows! By my reckoning Glasgow only currently have 2 of each.

by jimbopip Thu 18 Jun 2015, 2:40 pm

George Carlin wrote:Blake is definitely a Glasgow guy now. Sherlock only had a 1 year contract I believe and as he is surely older than Bruce Foryth now I cannot see him being kept on with the various hot young things presenting Toonie with other options.

GC

I really love the way avoid answering the question here (has Sherlock left?) while sounding confident and assured. You're not a member of the legal profession by any chance are you?

by Nematode Thu 18 Jun 2015, 2:41 pm

Maybe all the money's going on Edinburgh's top secret marquee centre chin

Spoiler:

by Sponsored content