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.

ChequeredJersey wrote:

yappysnap wrote:Looking forward to Quins making some signings for next season soon...

Rugby paper says Cips link is stronger again

Would be a great signing. Need some more non-6N power in either centres or lock/backrow now, and a better 9 as Dickson must be close to retiring and I'm not sold on Tito

Even if he was any good Tito isn't exactly young. We need a replacement 9 that's of a good standard and still youngish. Not many out there though tbh. Apparently the academy boy is very good, perhaps they should just play him.

Need another 9 that they can play off too as that suits the corrent game plan - a suitable candidate would be a French no.9 etc.

While Cipriani is linked with quins, he is also linked with Toulon. Wonder whether thr prospect of working with Stuart Lancaster at Quins would sway him either way?

A nine that suits the game plan this season might not be a nine that suits the game plan for next season with Quins. If they've not signed up a replacement for O'Shea then it's got to be difficult to make signings.

I'd love it if someone took Matawalu off us!

Bathite wrote:I'd love it if someone took Matawalu off us!

Whats been wrong with him ? I used to love seeing ripping it up for Glasgow in the Pro12. Yes he was a bit unpredictable, and he made the odd stupid decision, but the guy is class.

He can't pass. He slows up quick ball. He can't box kick. He chooses the wrong option.

Cracking open field runner, terrible scrum half. Luckily the coaches have realized that Cook has been sublime for us all season and he's now back to first choice.

This years' signings have been awful for us so far. Denton, Matawalu and Priestland and some league bloke all been a disaster. The only exception is Bowden, who was brilliant in his debut on the weekend.

Mind you, our best bit of business this year has been extending Wilson, Louw, Eastmond, Ford contracts. We would be even more screwed without them

Let's hope Faletau, Charteris and Stooke all fare better.

I heard it's already sorted and we've got Hansen

yappysnap wrote:

ChequeredJersey wrote:

yappysnap wrote:Looking forward to Quins making some signings for next season soon...

Rugby paper says Cips link is stronger again

Would be a great signing. Need some more non-6N power in either centres or lock/backrow now, and a better 9 as Dickson must be close to retiring and I'm not sold on Tito

Even if he was any good Tito isn't exactly young. We need a replacement 9 that's of a good standard and still youngish. Not many out there though tbh. Apparently the academy boy is very good, perhaps they should just play him.

He's meant to be playing England u20s this week I hope we don't let them have him

Bloody Jones, picking Danny Care. Who does he think he is?!

Victor Vito confirmed to join La Rochelle after the Super Rugby season

Scarlets have signed David Bulbring, a 26 yo South African lock from Eastern Province Kings, with immediate effect until the end of the 2019 season.

BBC reporting Springbok backrow Ryan Kankowski to Ulster.

Notch wrote:BBC reporting Springbok backrow Ryan Kankowski to Ulster.

I was shocked to see he was only 30. could have sworn he had retired.

So apparently it isnt Kankowski, but is a South African back rower ...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35480849

Bathite wrote:He can't pass. He slows up quick ball. He can't box kick. He chooses the wrong option.

Cracking open field runner, terrible scrum half. Luckily the coaches have realized that Cook has been sublime for us all season and he's now back to first choice.

This years' signings have been awful for us so far. Denton, Matawalu and Priestland and some league bloke all been a disaster. The only exception is Bowden, who was brilliant in his debut on the weekend.

Mind you, our best bit of business this year has been extending Wilson, Louw, Eastmond, Ford contracts. We would be even more screwed without them

Let's hope Faletau, Charteris and Stooke all fare better.

Faletau and Charteris will certainly be good for you. I'm not surprised at all to hear that signing Priestland has been somewhat a disaster. I remember some posters constantly trying to drub it into me that "well if Bath have signed him he must be good" whenever I spoke the truth about his capabilities. This pleases me. I rate Matawalu though and I think Glasgow would take him back off you, they seemed to have him in tow to an extent. Whenever he made an error they would just move him to the wing. On that note how is Jonny Evans playing for you? I don't think he should have left us tbh as Bath already had three No.9s in front of him. I would like for him to come back to Dragons and keep the coaches son out of the team.

BamBam wrote:So apparently it isnt Kankowski, but is a South African back rower ...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35480849

BBC reversed at a speed of knots after breaking that 'news' didn't they?

mikey_dragon wrote:

Bathite wrote:He can't pass. He slows up quick ball. He can't box kick. He chooses the wrong option.

Cracking open field runner, terrible scrum half. Luckily the coaches have realized that Cook has been sublime for us all season and he's now back to first choice.

This years' signings have been awful for us so far. Denton, Matawalu and Priestland and some league bloke all been a disaster. The only exception is Bowden, who was brilliant in his debut on the weekend.

Mind you, our best bit of business this year has been extending Wilson, Louw, Eastmond, Ford contracts. We would be even more screwed without them

Let's hope Faletau, Charteris and Stooke all fare better.

Faletau and Charteris will certainly be good for you. I'm not surprised at all to hear that signing Priestland has been somewhat a disaster. I remember some posters constantly trying to drub it into me that "well if Bath have signed him he must be good" whenever I spoke the truth about his capabilities. This pleases me. I rate Matawalu though and I think Glasgow would take him back off you, they seemed to have him in tow to an extent. Whenever he made an error they would just move him to the wing. On that note how is Jonny Evans playing for you? I don't think he should have left us tbh as Bath already had three No.9s in front of him. I would like for him to come back to Dragons and keep the coaches son out of the team.

Matawalu was playing in a Glasgow team that tried to play at a higher tempo than any other side in Europe, attacked from everywhere on the pitch and offloaded the ball at every opportunity as well as clearing rucks with ferocious speed and intensity. It's no surprise his form isn't what it was because he couldn't have been playing in a team more suited to his style of play, and even then he was often considered a bit of a liability!

Priestland... well he'd be mad to turn down the crazy amount of money being paid to him, but by the same token Bath are slightly mad to pay it. They're paying very much over the odds for him.

mikey_dragon wrote:

Bathite wrote:He can't pass. He slows up quick ball. He can't box kick. He chooses the wrong option.

Cracking open field runner, terrible scrum half. Luckily the coaches have realized that Cook has been sublime for us all season and he's now back to first choice.

This years' signings have been awful for us so far. Denton, Matawalu and Priestland and some league bloke all been a disaster. The only exception is Bowden, who was brilliant in his debut on the weekend.

Mind you, our best bit of business this year has been extending Wilson, Louw, Eastmond, Ford contracts. We would be even more screwed without them

Let's hope Faletau, Charteris and Stooke all fare better.

Faletau and Charteris will certainly be good for you. I'm not surprised at all to hear that signing Priestland has been somewhat a disaster. I remember some posters constantly trying to drub it into me that "well if Bath have signed him he must be good" whenever I spoke the truth about his capabilities. This pleases me. I rate Matawalu though and I think Glasgow would take him back off you, they seemed to have him in tow to an extent. Whenever he made an error they would just move him to the wing. On that note how is Jonny Evans playing for you? I don't think he should have left us tbh as Bath already had three No.9s in front of him. I would like for him to come back to Dragons and keep the coaches son out of the team.

Never been a Priestland fan to be honest. Would love to move Matawalu to the wing and promote Roberts to 2nd choice. We haven't seen anything of him at all yet

Roberts? He's at Bristol isn't he? I'm talking about former Dragons boy Evans. He was really starting to mature into a good player before his move, so I believe a lack of game time could begin to hamper his progress.

Evans is who I meant. Sorry.

Matawalu to Bath is my worst signing of the season.

Completely the wrong type of 9 for Bath and no surprise Cook has surpassed him

He's not even the worst signing Bath made this season. Step forward Dave Denton...

Well Denton has done less damage to Bath than Matawalu but I get your point

formerly known as Sam wrote:He's not even the worst signing Bath made this season. Step forward Dave Denton...

Not too surprised he struggles. You do play him at 6 (he is not a work horse, he is a show pony), he has had a long season (RWC) and he has had to move mid-season to a new club with a different style of play (Edinburgh want to beat you up, no other plan vs Bath who want front foot ball to slice you up in the backs). He should come good if you plug him at 8 and tell him get you front foot ball 15 times a game. If that's not what you are after then start talking to the French clubs about who wants him.

Matawalu is feast or famine. My Dad put it this way; if he is awful for 60 minutes, leave him on and he will do something to make up for it; if he is fantastic for 60min, take him off before he does something silly. When you have attacking talent like Ford, Eastmond, Joseph, Watson, Rodugokuni (the England backline effectively), all you want is quick, efficient play from 9. That will never be to the style of a Mad Mata or a Fotua'li. You want an older head like a Wigglesworth, Boss, Cusiter. Bear in mind that Mata never went through pre-season either so could not develop the understanding with your backline.

I associate it with bad recruitment more than anything else for both these guys. They did not all of a sudden become bad players. Just you bought Ferraris then asked them to do farm work.

Hazel Sapling wrote:

Matawalu is feast or famine. My Dad put it this way; if he is awful for 60 minutes, leave him on and he will do something to make up for it; if he is fantastic for 60min, take him off before he does something silly.

Thats brilliant

Although a move does a player a lot of good it wouldn't be the first time a player has gone to another club only for it to not work out well. It happened to Jenkins and Lydiate in France, but apparently that was because both were crap players despite continually showing their worth both for club and country. It seems if you aren't welsh then you're exempt for criticism.

Hazel Sapling wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:He's not even the worst signing Bath made this season. Step forward Dave Denton...

Not too surprised he struggles. You do play him at 6 (he is not a work horse, he is a show pony), he has had a long season (RWC) and he has had to move mid-season to a new club with a different style of play (Edinburgh want to beat you up, no other plan vs Bath who want front foot ball to slice you up in the backs). He should come good if you plug him at 8 and tell him get you front foot ball 15 times a game. If that's not what you are after then start talking to the French clubs about who wants him.

Matawalu is feast or famine. My Dad put it this way; if he is awful for 60 minutes, leave him on and he will do something to make up for it; if he is fantastic for 60min, take him off before he does something silly. When you have attacking talent like Ford, Eastmond, Joseph, Watson, Rodugokuni (the England backline effectively), all you want is quick, efficient play from 9. That will never be to the style of a Mad Mata or a Fotua'li. You want an older head like a Wigglesworth, Boss, Cusiter. Bear in mind that Mata never went through pre-season either so could not develop the understanding with your backline.

I associate it with bad recruitment more than anything else for both these guys. They did not all of a sudden become bad players. Just you bought Ferraris then asked them to do farm work.

1) not my team.

2) Considering Denton decided he had no interest in joining Tigers (my team) I find his inability to play within any sort of structure highly amusing. His debut lasted barely ten minutes before a stupid yellow card and his highlight reel this season includes a lovely offload to Habana in his own 22. The RWC made him look good now he's flattering to deceive just like on every 6N game I ever saw him in. Less Ferrari more Focus ST.

Matawalu can't pass, that's basic for a 9. The move to Bath may still come good once the Bath tight five recover from injury and indifferent form and give him some good ball to work with.

mikey_dragon wrote:Although a move does a player a lot of good it wouldn't be the first time a player has gone to another club only for it to not work out well. It happened to Jenkins and Lydiate in France, but apparently that was because both were crap players despite continually showing their worth both for club and country. It seems if you aren't welsh then you're exempt for criticism.

Do you need some tissues?

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Hazel Sapling wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:He's not even the worst signing Bath made this season. Step forward Dave Denton...

Not too surprised he struggles. You do play him at 6 (he is not a work horse, he is a show pony), he has had a long season (RWC) and he has had to move mid-season to a new club with a different style of play (Edinburgh want to beat you up, no other plan vs Bath who want front foot ball to slice you up in the backs). He should come good if you plug him at 8 and tell him get you front foot ball 15 times a game. If that's not what you are after then start talking to the French clubs about who wants him.

Matawalu is feast or famine. My Dad put it this way; if he is awful for 60 minutes, leave him on and he will do something to make up for it; if he is fantastic for 60min, take him off before he does something silly. When you have attacking talent like Ford, Eastmond, Joseph, Watson, Rodugokuni (the England backline effectively), all you want is quick, efficient play from 9. That will never be to the style of a Mad Mata or a Fotua'li. You want an older head like a Wigglesworth, Boss, Cusiter. Bear in mind that Mata never went through pre-season either so could not develop the understanding with your backline.

I associate it with bad recruitment more than anything else for both these guys. They did not all of a sudden become bad players. Just you bought Ferraris then asked them to do farm work.

1) not my team.

2) Considering Denton decided he had no interest in joining Tigers (my team) I find his inability to play within any sort of structure highly amusing. His debut lasted barely ten minutes before a stupid yellow card and his highlight reel this season includes a lovely offload to Habana in his own 22. The RWC made him look good now he's flattering to deceive just like on every 6N game I ever saw him in. Less Ferrari more Focus ST.

Matawalu can't pass, that's basic for a 9. The move to Bath may still come good once the Bath tight five recover from injury and indifferent form and give him some good ball to work with.

Healy pointed out early on this season that Mata would never work with Ford. Ford was at his best with stronger giving him pinpoint service quickly from every ruck and making the right decisions to kick or pass at the right times.

Mata is the opposite. You can not play the two together.

Sam Arnold Ulster to Munster

yappysnap wrote:

Healy pointed out early on this season that Mata would never work with Ford. Ford was at his best with stronger giving him pinpoint service quickly from every ruck and making the right decisions to kick or pass at the right times.

Mata is the opposite. You can not play the two together.

Never has Austin Healy spoke more sense - losing Stringer was a huge lost for Bath - he was perfect for them

Agreed Stringer was the perfect foil for Ford. He also seemed to be a good mentor for Cook who has been developing nicely. Surprised they opted to replace him. Cipriani seems to be enjoying having Stringer and Cusiter offering him stability from 9.

yappysnap wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Hazel Sapling wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:He's not even the worst signing Bath made this season. Step forward Dave Denton...

I associate it with bad recruitment more than anything else for both these guys. They did not all of a sudden become bad players. Just you bought Ferraris then asked them to do farm work.

1) not my team.

2) Considering Denton decided he had no interest in joining Tigers (my team) I find his inability to play within any sort of structure highly amusing. His debut lasted barely ten minutes before a stupid yellow card and his highlight reel this season includes a lovely offload to Habana in his own 22. The RWC made him look good now he's flattering to deceive just like on every 6N game I ever saw him in. Less Ferrari more Focus ST.

Matawalu can't pass, that's basic for a 9. The move to Bath may still come good once the Bath tight five recover from injury and indifferent form and give him some good ball to work with.

Healy pointed out early on this season that Mata would never work with Ford. Ford was at his best with stronger giving him pinpoint service quickly from every ruck and making the right decisions to kick or pass at the right times.

Mata is the opposite. You can not play the two together.

Point being that what he was signed for and what he is good at are different regardless of the model of car. As for not playing in any kind of structure, he has played well for Edinburgh and Scotland neither of whom would be confused with Fiji or Samoa. You have to know what you are buying. I think he would have been good for Leicester, but Cockerill would have killed him for his work rate in the tackle and the ruck. Probably put him off.

Healy is dead on about Ford and Mata. Ford is 22 going on 23 and still developing as good as he is. Mata is 2 years removed from 7's and his entire style of play reflects the Fijian style. Bath need to buy an old head at 9 and stop looking for flashy names. Heard any names going around?

geoff999rugby wrote:Sam Arnold Ulster to Munster

That's a nice little move. Arnold would find it hard to get in the centres with Payne/Olding/McCloskey/Marshall around for the next few seasons. He could be a Munster regular by Christmas. A great prospect at 19!

Hazel Sapling wrote:

yappysnap wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Hazel Sapling wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:He's not even the worst signing Bath made this season. Step forward Dave Denton...

I associate it with bad recruitment more than anything else for both these guys. They did not all of a sudden become bad players. Just you bought Ferraris then asked them to do farm work.

1) not my team.

2) Considering Denton decided he had no interest in joining Tigers (my team) I find his inability to play within any sort of structure highly amusing. His debut lasted barely ten minutes before a stupid yellow card and his highlight reel this season includes a lovely offload to Habana in his own 22. The RWC made him look good now he's flattering to deceive just like on every 6N game I ever saw him in. Less Ferrari more Focus ST.

Matawalu can't pass, that's basic for a 9. The move to Bath may still come good once the Bath tight five recover from injury and indifferent form and give him some good ball to work with.

Healy pointed out early on this season that Mata would never work with Ford. Ford was at his best with stronger giving him pinpoint service quickly from every ruck and making the right decisions to kick or pass at the right times.

Mata is the opposite. You can not play the two together.

Point being that what he was signed for and what he is good at are different regardless of the model of car. As for not playing in any kind of structure, he has played well for Edinburgh and Scotland neither of whom would be confused with Fiji or Samoa. You have to know what you are buying. I think he would have been good for Leicester, but Cockerill would have killed him for his work rate in the tackle and the ruck. Probably put him off.

Undoubtedly. The work rate of a Tigers 8 is expected to be fairly big particularly in the tight. With Mauger coming in its even more. He'd be down the pecking order and given we have a 19 stone mobile monster of an 8 who is developing nicely it wouldn't have been a good signing for us long term.

When the ground firms up Denton might come to the fore a little more. At the minute he's a bench option for Bath and next season might not even be that.

Denton would have been good for Saints. Reminds me a bit of some of the 8s they had in the past.

And hasn't Dickinson gone down Hill? Funny to think we were all calling out for him to be capped last year.

yappysnap wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Although a move does a player a lot of good it wouldn't be the first time a player has gone to another club only for it to not work out well. It happened to Jenkins and Lydiate in France, but apparently that was because both were crap players despite continually showing their worth both for club and country. It seems if you aren't welsh then you're exempt for criticism.

Do you need some tissues?

Yeah. What's the nationality of your club's best player nowadays?

mikey_dragon wrote:

yappysnap wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Although a move does a player a lot of good it wouldn't be the first time a player has gone to another club only for it to not work out well. It happened to Jenkins and Lydiate in France, but apparently that was because both were crap players despite continually showing their worth both for club and country. It seems if you aren't welsh then you're exempt for criticism.

Do you need some tissues?

Yeah. What's the nationality of your club's best player nowadays?

Reckon it's pretty close between 

English (Brown)
English (Care)
English (Robshaw)
English (Marler)
English (Clifford) 

I'd argue that Wallace is in that group too!

BamBam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

yappysnap wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Although a move does a player a lot of good it wouldn't be the first time a player has gone to another club only for it to not work out well. It happened to Jenkins and Lydiate in France, but apparently that was because both were crap players despite continually showing their worth both for club and country. It seems if you aren't welsh then you're exempt for criticism.

Do you need some tissues?

Yeah. What's the nationality of your club's best player nowadays?

Reckon it's pretty close between 

English (Brown)
English (Care)
English (Robshaw)
English (Marler)
English (Clifford) 

So delusional . There's a certain Welshmen above all of them, and no it ain't Adam Jones!

mikey_dragon wrote:

BamBam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

yappysnap wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Although a move does a player a lot of good it wouldn't be the first time a player has gone to another club only for it to not work out well. It happened to Jenkins and Lydiate in France, but apparently that was because both were crap players despite continually showing their worth both for club and country. It seems if you aren't welsh then you're exempt for criticism.

Do you need some tissues?

Yeah. What's the nationality of your club's best player nowadays?

Reckon it's pretty close between 

English (Brown)
English (Care)
English (Robshaw)
English (Marler)
English (Clifford) 

So delusional . There's a certain Welshmen above all of them, and no it ain't Adam Jones!

Roberts has been good, and he makes a big difference to the backs, but Care or Robshaw or Evans are our best players for me

For me Lowe had made just as big a difference in the backs. And Visser was very handy.

And there's Evans too

Worcester have signed Springbok flanker Dewald Potgieter from Yamaha Jubilo (Japan). He's available for their game against Bath at the weekend.

TRP rumour mill:

Exeter have signed Francois Hougaard on a short term deal, he will arrive next month. I thought he'd moved to 7s with an eye on Rio?

Sale are also looking at Jordan Crane as well as Laurence Pearce. Hopefully that means Pearce is closer to staying as I really want to keep the big fella!

Toby Flood is likely staying at Toulouse. If that means continuing to play centre then I think he'd be better off finding a decent Prem side. He's still only 30 so could do a good job of getting a decent backline firing.

Midi olympique rumours:

Goneva to Racing Metro.

New France wing Vakatawa is wanted by Toulon.

Rabah Slimani the Stade and France prop is also wanted by Toulon.

Clermont want Wasps Cittadini.

Niki Goneva is being looked at by Racing.

Goneva to Racing makes a lot of sense. He'd fit their style of play and he should be looking to secure his financial future with this contract.

I'd also like to keep Pearce around, he's a big unit that can move and his handling isn't bad either. Think he could fit in well with our game plan given a little more time. He's certainly never looked out of place this season when called upon.

Elliott Stooke on loan to Irish for the rest of the season.

Marcel Coetzee to Ulster is gathering momentum

That would be an unbelievable signing

Ozzy3213 wrote:Elliott Stooke on loan to Irish for the rest of the season.

I suppose it makes sense that he joins the Bath academy first...



I can't claim credit for this joke as it was posted on the Glaws forum yesterday, however, definitely worth repeating!

HongKongCherry wrote:

Ozzy3213 wrote:Elliott Stooke on loan to Irish for the rest of the season.

I suppose it makes sense that he joins the Bath academy first...  



I can't claim credit for this joke as it was posted on the Glaws forum yesterday, however, definitely worth repeating!

Depressing for LI, a backline of McKibbon, Geraghty, Yarde, Williams, Joseph, Watson, Maitland would have been fairly handy if they had held on to their young players.

Out of interest, if Worcester, LI or Newcastle go down, which player from each (that would be a member of their squad for next year) would you most like your team to bring in?

If 2 of them can get wins, I can add Bath to that list for kicks.