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.

HongKongCherry wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:
That would be a real shame from an Edinburgh point of view as both guys are Edinburgh born and bred. How confirmed are they?

Scott would be an excellent signing for you, but he's best served at 12 where twelvetrees usually plays.

Brown would be a good squad player - not the biggest but a complete buzzbomb in attack and has the heart of a lion in defence.

Our local rag is now running a story that Scott is signed. They rarely run anything that isn't true so it probably is very likely. No mention though on Brown.

Probably is true, unfortunately for Edinburgh. The SRU are just not going to be able to match every big offer that comes along for one of their top players. The one they really do need to try and match will be the one for Nel. This actually makes me more hopeful that he might stay.

Scott is now confirmed http://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/mobile/news/12158.php#.VpojxFOLSi4

Baws.

Tommy Bell the fly half/full back is rumoured to be heading to LI. He's unlikely to get more game time at Tigers next season so a move makes sense. Good move for LI as he has a massive boot and a decent all round game, not the greatest vision and not that much pace but he's come on well this season and with a little more work he could work very well for LI.

It will be a real shame to lose him. he is a really good squad/utility player, but I can understand why he would want to move and have a chance of being a first choice player.

I would be very happy with that. Feel like he would be the perfect foil for James Marshall. Two contrasting 10s, both of whom can play 15. Very good.

HongKongCherry wrote:Scott is now confirmed http://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/mobile/news/12158.php#.VpojxFOLSi4

Oh man, what a great signing for the Cherries.

Gatland said in a number of interviews that the toughest call he had to make in selection for the last Lions tour was whether to call up (of all people) Twelvetrees or Scott as injury cover and he chose 36 as there were still lingering concerns about Scott's knee. Scott is nearly 100% fit now and so Billy should be in no doubt that he'll be playing for the starting shirt.

Scott is far superior to 12T in my opinion. Don't see why Glos need so many 12s though when other areas of their squad need investment.

Glos will always struggle with the coaches they have, there's been a huge turnover of quality players at Glos but the coaches never come near to getting the best from them.

On paper their pack is formidable and their backs are deadly. In reality they're a mess most of the time.

SirBurger wrote:Scott is far superior to 12T in my opinion. Don't see why Glos need so many 12s though when other areas of their squad need investment.

By playing 12trees as a second five eighths style playmaker at 12 and Laidlaw as a controlling 9 allows the rather loopy Hook to play to his strengths which seems to be working well for Glaws. Not sure Scott would fit in that mix so maybe yet another club for Hooky?

HongKongCherry wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Steve McColl the full back? He's played well though. Why is he going?

Unfortunately he's had a couple of howlers and the coaches have clearly lost confidence in him. He now only appears as an emergency winger. He needs to be in a side where he plays regularly to recapture his form and he's seen as 3rd or 4th choice FB at present.

Am I getting confused with cook?

Yappy, spot on.

Burger, we only have 36 and Atkinson as 12s and the latter is likely to leave and the former has been rubbish for some time.

Geordie, possibly. Cookie certainly has scored some high profile tries, however, he lets in as many as he scores. We're all desperate for Tom Marshall to finally be fit and make his debut!

If I was Glos I'd get rid of Hook and Twelvetrees ASAP, they're just too loose and error prone.

HongKongCherry wrote:Yappy, spot on.

Burger, we only have 36 and Atkinson as 12s and the latter is likely to leave and the former has been rubbish for some time.

Geordie, possibly. Cookie certainly has scored some high profile tries, however, he lets in as many as he scores. We're all desperate for Tom Marshall to finally be fit and make his debut!

I read an interview with Marshall where he said his preferred position was 12...

He's been signed to play 12,13,14 or 15, but our need is greatest at 15 as we've never properly replaced Olly Morgan.

Rob Webber to Sale
Elliott Stooke to Bath
Tommy Bell to LI

If Stooke goes to Bath then Gloucs fans could really enjoy watching him build a partnership with Attwood...

Webber is in a big slump so not surprising if he wants a move.

Likewise Bell wouldn't be a big shock. As a Tigers fan I'd like him to stay as he's great for squad depth as reserve full back and fly half, he has a huge boot too and his goal kicking is improving. With Toomua being added to the squad for next year as an option to cover 10 if Burns and Williams aren't available. Plus Tait, the emergence of Veainu, arriving JP Pietersen and hopefully returning Niall Morris at full back it isn't a surprise. He'd be a good acquisition for LI.

Webber to Sale is a good move. Steve Diamond is a man who can revive a career if you buy into his work ethic (ask Danny Cipriani). Shame he'll be heading there as Taylor seems to be leaving.

Who is Tom Marshall???

Tommy Bell will de a decent signing for us.

Sadly Stooke is no loss. A once relentless work rate has been replaced by plodding. I sincerely hope he recaptures his form and fulfills his potential but its right he leaves.

HongKongCherry how is mat protheroe developing at Gloucester? Is he likely to break in to first team soon?

He is being used for A games and eased in gently. He looks a great prospect but does need to bulk up a little.

That's good to hear, because rumours is Wales wanna nick him...

Hearing chatter that Willem Nel will be leaving Edinburgh to take megabucks in England or France. Terribly predictable for a test class tighthead to be shown the money, but also terribly sad to break up what is arguably the best front row in the league.

Nel moving straight after qualifying on residency would also leave a very sour taste in the mouth from an international perspective.

As you say it would be a shame to break up that front row with Dickinson and Ford as well. Their play around the park as well as at scrum time has improved markedly since Nel came to the fore.

mikey_dragon wrote:That's good to hear, because rumours is Wales wanna nick him...

He's Welsh though isn't he? Born in Swansea and most of his schooling in Wales. Not sure how he even qualifies for England. Either way, I reckon you'll see a similar situation to what happened with Ross Moriarty.

Cumbrian wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:That's good to hear, because rumours is Wales wanna nick him...

He's Welsh though isn't he? Born in Swansea and most of his schooling in Wales.  Not sure how he even qualifies for England.  Either way, I reckon you'll see a similar situation to what happened with Ross Moriarty.

Been to Hartpury College for a few years, probably on residence?

Odd question, but how does residency work when you are boarding somewhere? You'd assume that his main address up until he was 18 would be at his parents home.

I'm not sure if it's that similar as Moriarty, he seemed to just move along (as he father moved around for work) to get noticed even though he was in professional rugby academy at the time. But that's well documented, I'm not sure what the deal is on Prothero - but if we have promising players I'd like to think they go through our academies so we actually know that they're working.

With the Moriarty comparison I meant that he came through the age grades with England and eventually opted for Wales when he had to nail his flag permanently to a mast. Saying that, I don't know Matt Protheroe or what motivates him, I am just getting used to seeing players developed by England opt to play for other countries.

Isn't it the case like football that when you're in education, you can play for the country you reside in (e.g Ryan Giggs playing for England schoolboys in football) but when you leave education you need some sort of tie to that country (residency, birth or parents). I could be wrong though. However with Mat hes been there since he was 16 and as he was in education there was able to play for England under 18's so by the time hes eligible for under 20s he'll be residency qualified.

Quite a lot been happening off the field at bath recently. Which is a welcome distraction because on the field has been horse poop.

Stooke confirmed to Bath. Most likely that Hooper is retiring and Day off to Wales and our always injured academy prospect spencer off to worcs, so we are short at lock. Charteris and Stooke coming in to replace with Ellis stepping up from academy.

Wilson, Louw and Eastmond all resigned which is huge.

Faletau and Bowden on the way in next year.

Devoto and Webber are out. We are in the market for another hooker and a centre, as only have 2 of each as it stands.

Squad looking something like

Auterac. Catt. Lahiff
??? Batty. Dunn
Wilson. Thomas. ???
Attwood. Stooke.
Charteris. Ellis/Garvey
Garvey. Denton.
Louw. Fasilatoa. Mercer.
Faletau. Houston.

Cook. Matawalu. Evans.
Ford. Priestland. Bowden.
Roko. Agulla.
Eastmond. Bowden.
Joseph. ???
Banahan. ???
Watson. Homer.

Still serious uncertainty about Priestland staying after his change of heart and that he's been pants. Also that matawalu and Denton have also been pants and completely outplayed by two unfashionable names but club favourites in cook and Houston.

Regarding Denton, whenever I've watched Bath play it amazes me how little they use Denton's strengths.

IMO Denton is one of the top ball carriers in the northern hemisphere and yet Bath seem to use him as a tight forward, which really isn't where his strengths lie. Its like Bath don't know the player they've signed.

If he can do it very well at world cup level then he can do it for Bath - they just need to work him into the gameplan.

As for Matawalu, well he's mad as a box of frogs and that suited Glasgow because their play was often like that too. He's not a player for a wet and windy Newcastle in December, but when the spring time comes and on a firmer pitch then you'll see the best of him.

But again it comes down to knowing the player you've signed - no point playing a controlling gameplan but putting matawalu at 9!

RDW_Scotland wrote:Regarding Denton, whenever I've watched Bath play it amazes me how little they use Denton's strengths.

IMO Denton is one of the top ball carriers in the northern hemisphere and yet Bath seem to use him as a tight forward, which really isn't where his strengths lie. Its like Bath don't know the player they've signed.

If he can do it very well at world cup level then he can do it for Bath - they just need to work him into the gameplan.

As for Matawalu, well he's mad as a box of frogs and that suited Glasgow because their play was often like that too. He's not a player for a wet and windy Newcastle in December, but when the spring time comes and on a firmer pitch then you'll see the best of him.

But again it comes down to knowing the player you've signed - no point playing a controlling gameplan but putting matawalu at 9!

Well he was signed to replace Burgess so it was only fitting they signed a player they didn't really know what to do with.

The loss of Matawalu has cost Glasgow dear. He used to break the game up for them and allow them to play to their strengths. On his day he is a match winner.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Regarding Denton, whenever I've watched Bath play it amazes me how little they use Denton's strengths.

IMO Denton is one of the top ball carriers in the northern hemisphere and yet Bath seem to use him as a tight forward, which really isn't where his strengths lie. Its like Bath don't know the player they've signed.

If he can do it very well at world cup level then he can do it for Bath - they just need to work him into the gameplan.

As for Matawalu, well he's mad as a box of frogs and that suited Glasgow because their play was often like that too. He's not a player for a wet and windy Newcastle in December, but when the spring time comes and on a firmer pitch then you'll see the best of him.

But again it comes down to knowing the player you've signed - no point playing a controlling gameplan but putting matawalu at 9!

Well he was signed to replace Burgess so it was only fitting they signed a player they didn't really know what to do with.

The loss of Matawalu has cost Glasgow dear. He used to break the game up for them and allow them to play to their strengths. On his day he is a match winner.

And on another day a match loser! Agreed that Glasgow have missed him - but I think we saw the best of him. The trouble is that you cannot build a long-term structure around someone like Nico, if he is misfiring, rested or injured how do you replace that sort of maverick genius?

I worry for Denton next year with Faleteau arriving - Bath's backrow resources will be ridiculous and he might struggle for regular gametime. And if he's been thrown on at blindside and being told to just hit lots of rucks he isn't going to enjoy that much either.

He's welcome back at Edinburgh any time!

Well with Manu and Du Preez I'm not sure the competition for places at Edinburgh would have suited him either.

He could go to Glasgow and replace Ryan Wilson, who is due a career change. Seeing Mike Blair and David Denton playing together in Glasgow jerseys would upset me though.

funnyExiledScot wrote:Well with Manu and Du Preez I'm not sure the competition for places at Edinburgh would have suited him either.

He could go to Glasgow and replace Ryan Wilson, who is due a career change. Seeing Mike Blair and David Denton playing together in Glasgow jerseys would upset me though.

Well this season has shown that the two of them isn't enough - all it takes is one to be injured and suddenly we're very short.

I think there is room for all 3 of them.

RDW_Scotland wrote:I worry for Denton next year with Faleteau arriving - Bath's backrow resources will be ridiculous and he might struggle for regular gametime.  And if he's been thrown on at blindside and being told to just hit lots of rucks he isn't going to enjoy that much either.

He's welcome back at Edinburgh any time!

I think most Bath fans would be happy to see him go.

TightHEAD wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:I worry for Denton next year with Faleteau arriving - Bath's backrow resources will be ridiculous and he might struggle for regular gametime.  And if he's been thrown on at blindside and being told to just hit lots of rucks he isn't going to enjoy that much either.

He's welcome back at Edinburgh any time!

I think most Bath fans would be happy to see him go.

Has he been that bad? Whenever I watched Bath he hasn't been a standout like he was for Scotland and Edinburgh but I wouldn't say he's done overly much wrong. He looked a bit clueless in the early days but that's understandable given he'd moved to the team in the middle of the season and it would take a while to get up to speed.

As I said earlier on, in my view this is a lot to do with how Bath utliise him on the pitch.

Not a player but O'Shea to leave Quins at the end of the season..............Where to one wonders

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:Not a player but O'Shea to leave Quins at the end of the season..............Where to one wonders

Munster.

Munster?

Cumbrian wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:That's good to hear, because rumours is Wales wanna nick him...

He's Welsh though isn't he? Born in Swansea and most of his schooling in Wales.  Not sure how he even qualifies for England.  Either way, I reckon you'll see a similar situation to what happened with Ross Moriarty.

He's not qualified for England. It's your permanent address that counts and school address doesn't count as that, boarding or otherwise. I think when he joined Gloucester's academy he moved to the area properly so would qualify in 2018 or something like that.

EDIT: as far as I can tell there are no proper qualification requirements for U18.

Would that make Underhill eligible for Wales U20 then?

mikey_dragon wrote:Would that make Underhill eligible for Wales U20 then?

After 3 years he'd be Wales eligible

But isn't he 19 and seeing as there is no formal qualification rule for academy rugby, is he eligible? He wasn't picked anyway BTW.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Regarding Denton, whenever I've watched Bath play it amazes me how little they use Denton's strengths.

IMO Denton is one of the top ball carriers in the northern hemisphere and yet Bath seem to use him as a tight forward, which really isn't where his strengths lie. Its like Bath don't know the player they've signed.

I'm sure he's good on a dry track. At the minute he looks like a show pony. Bit like Gray when he was at Sale. Burgess was much maligned but at least he'd put a shift in when his team was up against it. Denton plays like a luxury option and given his front five are struggling it's no surprise he's been benched. Glad he opted not to join Tigers.

Nico can't pass. When your pack is under pressure and you are offering dodgy service to your playmaker it's not helpful. If Bath can find their feet again he could be a real weapon.

BamBam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Would that make Underhill eligible for Wales U20 then?

After 3 years he'd be Wales eligible

U20 is the officially designated Second string side for Wales, thus to play for that team you need to have full eligibility. So no, atm Underhill is not eligible for Wales U20s.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Regarding Denton, whenever I've watched Bath play it amazes me how little they use Denton's strengths.

IMO Denton is one of the top ball carriers in the northern hemisphere and yet Bath seem to use him as a tight forward, which really isn't where his strengths lie. Its like Bath don't know the player they've signed.

 I'm sure he's good on a dry track. At the minute he looks like a show pony. Bit like Gray when he was at Sale. Burgess was much maligned but at least he'd put a shift in when his team was up against it. Denton plays like a luxury option and given his front five are struggling it's no surprise he's been benched. Glad he opted not to join Tigers.

Nico can't pass. When your pack is under pressure and you are offering dodgy service to your playmaker it's not helpful. If Bath can find their feet again he could be a real weapon.

He'd be a great signing for the Scarlets.... much better than the dross they use now (Pitman and Allen) and then Barclay can compete with cubby at his natural position of 7. No doubt though the scarlets will look for a welsh reject or kid than show some ambition