Silly season transfer rumours III...

First topic message reminder :

Previous seasonal silliness:
https://www.606v2.com/t57129-silly-season-transfer-rumours
https://www.606v2.com/t58562-silly-season-transfer-rumours-continued


The place to confirm rumours, deny them, or viciously start new ones of your own.

nathan wrote:Hasn't Ben youngs just resigned?

Seems to be taking Manu ages to sign

I thought talks were ongoing with Benny. He last signed a deal in 2012. His bro, Cole and Ayerza all signed new contracts last season (thank god).

I don't know what the stipulations are on Manu's contract. There may be terms regarding his fitness or maybe his lawyers are pushing for small print to protect any endorsements he can generate, who knows. Bristol and Worcester would be terrible options for him. At Wasps he'd be playing 12 so that may be personal preference.

The Saints offer BY turned down in 2012 was appreciably higher than the deal he accepted with us I believe. However not only woudl a move to Bath give him more dosh, but playing week-in-week-out with Ford would help both of them push for the England spot.

I have a sneaky feeling FreddieSr and Manu are just stalling till January when they can then officially announce a move to another AP club.


I hope we will see both at the club next season, but doubt it. Really feel at least one will be on his way.

Various sources are already pressing the button on Gray to Toulouse.

I can hear the 'ker-ching' from here.

Manu's situation has got Saracens written all over it IMO LT

You would have thought with the increased cap, players would be less likely to move within the league, but if anything the amount of gossip has certainly increased. That said most of it seems to be complete rubbish, Bath have been linked with everyone and haven't signed any stars (I'm not unhappy about this).

I think Bristol will tempt quite a few players, they have one of the richest owners, a large stadium and are clearly keen to climb the ladder.

king_carlos wrote:Attwood to Sarries as a replacement for Hamilton would make sense.

Quins could also use him but with Horwill already taking up a fair wedge of cap in the boiler room they may want to spend elsewhere - a replacement for NEv surely being top of the list!

How much longer does Afoa have at Gloucs HKC?

The Rugby Paper reports/speculates that we're interested in Madigan to take over from Nev, not sure myself. I'd prefer Aaron Cruden or Slade

Manu staying according to a gentleman on the Tigers fan Facebook page.

Signing this week, If true remains to be seen but gentleman in question was told by an agent that Toomua was def signing with us when all the press was saying wasps. So is probable that he is correct here.

Youngs seems to be saying alot more praise of the coaching setup IMO i reckon he will stay.

Although If he goes Bath could see Cook looking to leave.

Tuilagi being linked with Worcester & Bristol this morning at 750k a year

That's a hell of a lot of money for somebody to watch from the stands whilst injured.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Tuilagi being linked with Worcester & Bristol this morning at 750k a year

That's a hell of a lot of money for somebody to watch from the stands whilst injured.

keep up at the back been a rumour since Fissler in TRP on Sunday.

I always thought Quins would bring in Cips to replace Nev. Just seemed like the best fit and a return home for the player.

Bristol need promotion first. They've flashed the cash to get a significant amount if talent but Manu won't drop down a league or want to be in a relegation dog fight.

Welly wrote: Manu staying according to a gentleman on the Tigers fan Facebook page.

Signing this week, If true remains to be seen but gentleman in question was told by an agent that Toomua was def signing with us when all the press was saying wasps. So is probable that he is correct here.

I hope he signs. Just worried though that he has been "about to sign" "ready to sign" "signing in a few days" ever since the stitch up re the Salary Cap investigation.

Welly wrote: Manu staying according to a gentleman on the Tigers fan Facebook page.

Signing this week, If true remains to be seen but gentleman in question was told by an agent that Toomua was def signing with us when all the press was saying wasps. So is probable that he is correct here.

Youngs seems to be saying alot more praise of the coaching setup IMO i reckon he will stay.

Although If he goes Bath could see Cook looking to leave.

Sounds pretty concrete to me Welly.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

Welly wrote: Manu staying according to a gentleman on the Tigers fan Facebook page.

Signing this week, If true remains to be seen but gentleman in question was told by an agent that Toomua was def signing with us when all the press was saying wasps. So is probable that he is correct here.

Youngs seems to be saying alot more praise of the coaching setup IMO i reckon he will stay.

Although If he goes Bath could see Cook looking to leave.

Sounds pretty concrete to me Welly.

As i said after he was correct about Toomua signing when everyone said he had signed for Wasps.

But i see your point.

More concrete than Fissler mind.

I was only messing

Attwood has (according to the BBC) now signed a 3 yr extension at Bath

Same on Planetrugby - http://www.planetrugby.com/news/attwood-re-commits-to-bath/

Confirmed officially too, Sarries will have to look elsewhere to replace Hamilton.

formerly known as Sam wrote:I always thought Quins would bring in Cips to replace Nev. Just seemed like the best fit and a return home for the player.

Bristol need promotion first. They've flashed the cash to get a significant amount if talent but Manu won't drop down a league or want to be in a relegation dog fight.

Just seen that Madigan is being touted with Quins and Bristol. Maybe this is a sign that Manu is staying put?

Madigan linked to Bristol in big money move apparantly. I'd eat my hat...

Bathman_in_London wrote:Confirmed officially too, Sarries will have to look elsewhere to replace Hamilton.

They do not need a big money replacement though surely? After all Kruis and Itoje seem to be their first choice, with club captain Hargreaves as back up.

Attwood renewal conformed by bath too. Phew! Didn't see that one coming. A charteris/Attwood partnership looks good.

The main rumored for bath now are Wilson to Toulouse and Faletau to arrive. Not heard any chat about Ben Youngs, he's been rumored before, not sure I believe it and he'd be a waste for us, with cook developing nicely and matawalu the maverick option

clivemcl wrote:Madigan linked to Bristol in big money move apparantly.  I'd eat my hat...

With Matthew Morgan looking to move back to Wales and Henson on the slide, Madigan could well be a target for big spending Bristol. It would also make a lot of sense for Madigan to leave Leinster.

LondonTiger wrote:

clivemcl wrote:Madigan linked to Bristol in big money move apparantly.  I'd eat my hat...

With Matthew Morgan looking to move back to Wales and Henson on the slide, Madigan could well be a target for big spending Bristol. It would also make a lot of sense for Madigan to leave Leinster.

Leave Leinster yes. For Bristol? I would think no. I reckon this is being put out in the media to encourage other bidders or to better negotiate with Leinster.

Bristol will be used in that way quite a lot. Certainly the Quins rumour seems more likely, but anything to boost negotiations by the player's agent I guess.

You would have to think that moving outside of Ireland would be as good as giving the number two position firmly to Jackson.

Unless he has saught reassurances from Schmidt that he won't pick based on where players are based.

Manu Tuilagi to Worcester? cant see it happening I'm afraid, good move by Worcester to offer the contract though. Shows the rugby world their intent and may convince other player to join. At 24 Manu's next move will define his career. Personally I think he needs to get out of Leicester at have a fresh start. I think he'll end up at Saracens.

Ah but Sarries have promised not to sign him.




And we know they are a club of their word.

Tiger/Chief wrote:Manu Tuilagi to Worcester? cant see it happening I'm afraid, good move by Worcester to offer the contract though. Shows the rugby world their intent and may convince other player to join. At 24 Manu's next move will define his career. Personally I think he needs to get out of Leicester at have a fresh start. I think he'll end up at Saracens.

I don't think that he needs to get out of Leicester. I think he needs to get fit and play. The current Tigers game plan would suit him brilliantly and I'd back Mauger to get the most out of him. Just look how rejuvenated Smith is and then think what Manu could achieve.

Tiger/Chief wrote:Manu Tuilagi to Worcester? cant see it happening I'm afraid, good move by Worcester to offer the contract though. Shows the rugby world their intent and may convince other player to join. At 24 Manu's next move will define his career. Personally I think he needs to get out of Leicester at have a fresh start. I think he'll end up at Saracens.

not a good move by Worcester at all, they are not allowed to approach players till Jan 1st!

Is Manu on his way to getting fit or is he still in the depths of injury?

And what actually Is the injury?

GeordieFalcon wrote:Is Manu on his way to getting fit or is he still in the depths of injury?

And what actually Is the injury?

think it's his groin, am i correct in saying the muscle came away from the bone?

He's recovering, but its an injury that if he isn't careful will keep coming back so he's been given an extended amount of time.

Groin injury

Last i heard looking @ Jan earliest.

Which means who knows.

Tommy Taylor linked to wasps

Clubs aren't supposed to approach players but they do and in any case agents can talk at any time prior to an official approach. It would certainly be a statement of intent from Wuss!

Wasps have come out and said they haven't made an approach to manu.

Ryan Saying no truth in it for Wuss.

Welly wrote: Tommy Taylor linked to wasps

With Festuccia being 35 and Johnson only just moving to hooker that would be an excellent replacement for Wasps.

Taylor would fit into their pack well too given his all action style and good handling skills in the loose.

Madigan is massively overrated €500 000 per year is a waste of money for a player likely to miss during international windows too.

Then again it has been the trend for the last couple of seasons to see certain teams throwing money away.

If Madigan goes to England he will nowhere near the Irish set up.

geoff999rugby wrote:If Madigan goes to England he will nowhere near the Irish set up.

That would be the logical road indeed.

Ghirildini being linked with a move from Tigers to Toulouse for next season.

It would be a loss if so as I rate him highly and he gives a genuine option to rotate Tom Youngs to keep our vital front row fresh.

North not heading back west
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/34938164

No details as to length or any changes. Guess it means he is happy there

lostinwales wrote:North not heading back west
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/34938164

No details as to length or any changes. Guess it means he is happy there

Didn't the new boss of WRU say there was not enough cash to offer him a DC? If so, then allied to all the unpleasantness around North's departure you can see why he is staying put.

LondonTiger wrote:

lostinwales wrote:North not heading back west
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/34938164

No details as to length or any changes. Guess it means he is happy there

Didn't the new boss of WRU say there was not enough cash to offer him a DC? If so, then allied to all the unpleasantness around North's departure you can see why he is staying put.

It's simply a matter of money, Northampton are paying him loads of money! His international form has gone through the floor, his chances of going on the next Lions tour are looking slim and, frankly if Wales had another international class wing, then is place in the side would be on very dodgy ground.

I really hope he turns things around but the contrast between the player who left Wales as the new superstar of the game, to the pretty ordinary player he has now become is pretty damning.

It'll be interesting if he's got the same release clauses in his contract as before.

Seagultaf wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:

lostinwales wrote:North not heading back west
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/34938164

No details as to length or any changes. Guess it means he is happy there

Didn't the new boss of WRU say there was not enough cash to offer him a DC? If so, then allied to all the unpleasantness around North's departure you can see why he is staying put.

It's simply a matter of money, Northampton are paying him loads of money! His international form has gone through the floor, his chances of going on the next Lions tour are looking slim and, frankly if Wales had another international class wing, then is place in the side would be on very dodgy ground.

I really hope he turns things around but the contrast between the player who left Wales as the new superstar of the game, to the pretty ordinary player he has now become is pretty damning.

You'd have thought that if Wales had another international winger then they'd replace Cuthbert. North has scored regularly and played well for Saints. The lack of impact at international level owes to a mixture of him being heavily marked and Wales insisting on a gruelling power game as opposed to attacking space out wide.

North is probably one bad concussion from retiring from rugby, anyway..

Sadly that's probably true.

On a brighter note Burgess's move to the Rabitohs has stalled as his salary will put them over the cap. They will have to release players before he can join. Maybe Slammin' Sam should have just taken his time let the media frenzy die down and then considered his position.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Sadly that's probably true.

On a brighter note Burgess's move to the Rabitohs has stalled as his salary will put them over the cap. They will have to release players before he can join. Maybe Slammin' Sam should have just taken his time let the media frenzy die down and then considered his position.

Don't really get how it is a brighter note. Not as serious note maybe.

I feel for him TBH.

I think that Bath spent a lot of time and money on him to try and settle him in to union and he walked away and left them in the lurch. It was lucky a replacement was available at short notice because otherwise they were a senior back row player down. He could have at least seen out the season and then returned to Australia.

I thought the buy-out Crowe threw out to get Burgess back for the coming season was so large that Bath basically made a profit didn't they?

Personally I feel for Burgess.

He was let down by the England management who threw him into the international game far too early and in a position blatantly not suited to his attributes.

He is also a very good example of the ugly side of the UKs sports journalism - build'em up to knock'em down. It's was already such a pathetic and idle form of reporting IMO to spend 12 months throwing out hype article after hype article to slew out easy, repetitive stories. For many of the same reporters and publications to stick their finger in the air to see where the breeze was turning and start criticising the wrong person after the RWC was then even lazier and pettier than what came before it.

I would say that Bath did little to cause this and as such Burgess could have stayed until the end of the season out of loyalty on that part. However if such a big buy-out was offered that Bath could bring another top player in to replace him then I personally think both player and club were better off parting ways. If he no longer wanted to be there and Craig/Ford could find another suitable player who did then it was the best ending all round IMO.