Silly season transfer rumours III...

First topic message reminder :

Aaron Jarvis has signed for Clermont (http://www.planetrugby.com/news/ospreys-prop-jarvis-to-join-clermont/). The Osprey's signed Rhodri Jones as a replacement I guess.

Steve Shingler (of is he eligible for Scotland or not fame) has gone to the Blues. Straight swap of Shingler for Patchell. Hope Cardiff are paying less as Scarlets got the better player (http://www.planetrugby.com/news/shingler-swaps-scarlets-for-blues/)

BigGee wrote:

NeilyBroon wrote:The express is claiming Sean Maitland is looking at moving to Saracens. Likely complete bs but as a Scotland fan I hope so!

The Mail is saying it is Gloucester!

I think all we can say for sure is that he is going somewhere and it is very unlikely to be in Scotland. His agent is definitely putting him out there in the marketplace, nothing like waiting for the last game or anything like that!

At the player sponsor night at London Irish last night, Maitland told his sponsor who is a close friend of mine that he does not have a relegation clause in his contract. He said the club have said that he playing budget has to be cut a bit and he is waiting to have talks with the club which won't happen until after the wasps game.

Ozzy3213 wrote:

BigGee wrote:

NeilyBroon wrote:The express is claiming Sean Maitland is looking at moving to Saracens. Likely complete bs but as a Scotland fan I hope so!

The Mail is saying it is Gloucester!

I think all we can say for sure is that he is going somewhere and it is very unlikely to be in Scotland. His agent is definitely putting him out there in the marketplace, nothing like waiting for the last game or anything like that!

At the player sponsor night at London Irish last night, Maitland told his sponsor who is a close friend of mine that he does not have a relegation clause in his contract.  He said the club have said that he playing budget has to be cut a bit and he is waiting to have talks with the club which won't happen until after the wasps game.

They would be mad to keep him, he clearly does not want to be there and will be costing them a few quid. As I said before, this will be his agent touting him around and trying to drum up some interest. I am sure someone will bite, Glaws or Sarries would both be good moves for him.

Most Irish fans won't be to fussed if Maitland goes to be honest. He's a strange one, as ball in hand he's looked decent, but defensively at full back has been really poor, with some of it looking like a lack of commitment. That said, I think he just has a fairly lazy looking style if you know what I mean, and it may not be commitment issue at all. Either way, there's only really a handful of fans who i've spoken to who think he's done ok for us.

Ozzy3213 wrote:Most Irish fans won't be to fussed if Maitland goes to be honest.  He's a strange one, as ball in hand he's looked decent, but defensively at full back has been really poor, with some of it looking like a lack of commitment.  That said, I think he just has a fairly lazy looking style if you know what I mean, and it may not be commitment issue at all.  Either way, there's only really a handful of fans who i've spoken to who think he's done ok for us.

Interestingly it was never his defensive work that was questioned for either Glasgow or Scotland and it was that all round aspect to his play that got him his Lions place. It was his lack of try scoring that baffled everyone Scottish, having seen the newsreels of him running them in at will for the Crusaders. He just never seem quite to back himself in the way that a true finisher like Visser always would. He is an outstanding athlete though, for whom rugby comes very easy. He can run very fast without it ever seeming like he is trying. I can see why people get annoyed at that.

HongKongCherry wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Wouldn't Glaws be better off targeting Franks and Symons from LI? They have pretty good back three options as is and Thorley the academy lad who has come in looks like another off the conveyor belt. Upgrades up front so they can deploy the fire power out wide has to be a priority surely?

We couldn't go after Franks as we couldn't play him in the same 23 as Afoa and Thrush. ...
.

Would of thought Afoa might of had a UK passport by now.

I personally don't think Symons will leave this season.

If they fail to come straight back up Though he will.

Sale Sharks have signed up Mike Phillips for next season/.

Well i guess there was a worry that Sale might have a 9 under the age of 30.

Ozzy3213 wrote:Most Irish fans won't be to fussed if Maitland goes to be honest.  He's a strange one, as ball in hand he's looked decent, but defensively at full back has been really poor, with some of it looking like a lack of commitment.  That said, I think he just has a fairly lazy looking style if you know what I mean, and it may not be commitment issue at all.  Either way, there's only really a handful of fans who i've spoken to who think he's done ok for us.

Has McCusker featured for you much this season?

McCusker has played are fair amount, he was a regular for large parts. My understanding is that he would like to stay, but the club won't make a decision on him until they've reviewed everything starting on Monday.

Welly wrote: Well i guess there was a worry that Sale might have a 9 under the age of 30.

As a Sharks fan I do wish we had a younger good 9 to turn to. Mind you he would likely be poached/tempted away quite quickly by larger clubs. Be interesting to see how Phillips does, with Cips leaving I fear our backs will struggle more to make an impact, so a physical 9 might be in order for us to be challenging again for top 4 or even 6

Welly wrote: Well i guess there was a worry that Sale might have a 9 under the age of 30.

They've got Mitchell a former England under 20s scrum half. He's developing well but they probably don't want to risk him and so having two senior options means he can be drip fed into the first team. Sale are normally pretty good at developing their academy players, just not so good at keeping them.

Eoin Sheriff to London Scottish.

Great signing for Quins http://www.gloucestercitizen.co.uk/Harlequins-confirm-Jonas-Mikalcius-signing/story-29227626-detail/story.html

I've always been very impressed with him, he's very raw, but definitely has potential to be an excellent player.

Wonder why Glous where not interested?

Welly wrote: Wonder why Glous where not interested?

I honestly don't know. It'll either be that with Ollie Thorley lined up to join the senior squad they felt we didn't need another raw winger; or perhaps more likely they consider his defence an issue. He is a relatively new winger and his alignment can be somewhat wayward! I'd have no doubt he could pick it up, but given that we're releasing Rob Cook on the grounds of defence it wouldn't surprise me if this were the reason. Nevertheless, I do think we've missed the opportunity to sign a very good prospect.

HongKongCherry wrote:

Welly wrote: Wonder why Glous where not interested?

I honestly don't know. It'll either be that with Ollie Thorley lined up to join the senior squad they felt we didn't need another raw winger; or perhaps more likely they consider his defence an issue. He is a relatively new winger and his alignment can be somewhat wayward! I'd have no doubt he could pick it up, but given that we're releasing Rob Cook on the grounds of defence it wouldn't surprise me if this were the reason. Nevertheless, I do think we've missed the opportunity to sign a very good prospect.

Yeh it would of been one of those Low Risk High reward signing IMO.

Esp with LV cup being back, a season or two in the championship/Nat 1 and LV cup/A league rugby would of made perfect sense for them.

We have signed two USA internationals - lets hope they are Better than Eric Fry and Todd Clever.

David Tameilau - Backrower of Islander heritage, 6'5 and 19st
Nick Civetta - Lock forward, 6'8.

The back rower looks another power house like the rest of the singings we have made so far...but Civetta looks the interesting one. He looks an amazing carrier...not gangly like most locks...he looks a natural.

But we shall see how they are tested in the prem.

Looking at the Saints website, they appear to have signed Kieran Brookes twin brother, also called Kieran who has played at least one game for the 1st XV.

http://www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/rugby/profiles/

We obviously have a surfeit of tight heads for next year, perhaps we don't need a Denman replacement after all.

Having relooked at the website, we seem to have an awful lot of twin brothers with the same name, probably a world record number. Starting to think they have c0cked up as there can only be one Teimana Harrison.

HongKongCherry wrote:Great signing for Quins http://www.gloucestercitizen.co.uk/Harlequins-confirm-Jonas-Mikalcius-signing/story-29227626-detail/story.html

I've always been very impressed with him, he's very raw, but definitely has potential to be an excellent player.

Yay! A signing!

Though I would like us to sign a scrum half please!

Just looked at the web site, too.  Talk about genetic improbabilities.  It just goes to show nothing is impossible on the internet.  It would be nice if we had twins of players who actually know how to score tries.  

That would be????????

Borrowed from the Tigers off page. Some confirmed club leavers.

announced as leaving @ Saracens Player awards night by Nigel Wray 
Keiran Longbottom (Sale)
Jacques Burger (Retirement)
Charlie Hodgson (retirement)
Rhys Gill (Cardiff)
Hayden Smith (N/A)
Ben Ransom (N/A)
Biyi Alo (N/A)
Nils Mordt (N/A)
Hayden Kerr (N/A0
Kieran Low (N/A)
Aaron Morris (Harqleuins)
Max Wilkins (N/A)

Announced by Waps @ Players awards night
George Smith (Suntory)
Siale Piutau
Charles Piutau (Ulster)
Carlo Festuccia (Harlequins)
Ruaridh Jackson
Ben Jacobs
Ed Shervington (retirement)
James Downey
Jamie Stevenson
Alex Lozowski

Announced by Harlequins ON WEDNESDAY 4TH MAY
Ben Botica (Montpelier)
Tito Tebaldi (Treviso)
Beau Robinson
Sam Egerton
Kieran Treadwell (Ulster)
Luke White

I suspect a few clubs are looking at the less famous Piatau brother and Ben Ransom the former England age grade full back live wire. Ben Jacobs and Haydon Smith are good squad player options for somebody as well.

I thought Siale Piutau was doing really well with Wasps? Has he received offers from elsewhere else or was he cut in favour of someone else?

Wasps are going to struggle losing Jackson, Smith and both Piutaus

LeinsterFan4life wrote:I thought Siale Piutau was doing really well with Wasps? Has he received offers from elsewhere else or was he cut in favour of someone else?

None of the above

He was signed as injury cover and was already in contract with a Japanese club before wasps.

Talk is he will return once said contract is over next season.

Welly wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:I thought Siale Piutau was doing really well with Wasps? Has he received offers from elsewhere else or was he cut in favour of someone else?

None of the above

He was signed as injury cover and was already in contract with a Japanese club before wasps.

Talk is he will return once said contract is over next season.

Ah I was going to say he'd be a good signing for us.

Kahn Fotauli confirmed to Bath too

I wondered if Wasps were struggling for cap space with a Smith and Piatau replacements raking up big chunks of cap (rumoured to be Brussow and Beale) with the high profile return of Cipriani not cheap and not available as the marquee signing. Wasps will look to sign him long term when he returns from Japan, he suits their style of play very well.

Wasps have made contact with Steffon Armitage as a replacement for Smith.

How's he been this season? Without the RWC there doesn't seem to have been the OTT write ups about him from the media.

So I take it the Brussow to Wasps rumours weren't true.

They were in advanced talks with Brussow, not sure what happened.

Didn't know it was advanced just heard they were in talks with

Beeb says Aulika to Sale

Aulika to Sale is confirmed.

Good one for Irish to get off the books. highest paid player which is mad.

decent player but a bit of a penalty machine. probably do better at Sale in a better pack.

averaged a try every 4 games in his time at irish which is pretty dam good for a prop.

Diamond is good at getting the most from players so in a player like Aulika he could probably drag out a lot. Sale are adding quite a bit to their pack this off season. Kruger, Longbottom and Webber already joining what is a tough unit to break down (lost one home game all season). Guess they'll need he extra forward power with no superstar replacement for Cips.

Webber will hopefully bring down there lineout stats though.

I doubt it, once Diamond is finished with him I doubt Bath fans will recognise him.

Bathite wrote:Kahn Fotauli confirmed to Bath too

I pity Ford!!!!!!!!

Bathite wrote:Kahn Fotauli confirmed to Bath too

Woah. Two livewire scrum halves. Perhaps they would have been better buying a traditional 9 with a fast pass who is a great technician (like Henry Pyrgos at Glasgow) and would give Ford more of a structure and more time to make his own decisions. Not sure if having Kahn as an option is going to help the current sort of issues which they are having with Matawalu.

Matawalu could be used on the wing next season of the don't unload him in the summer. Cook seems to have been the preferred option for most of this season.

Matawalu to replace Agulla in the back 3 would be interesting.

Ford has already said that Mata will be a back three option next year. Will Ford be there though??

Really not happy with Kahn coming in. Just shows how much of a shocker letting Stringer go was. Cook is a great little player, but needs more development and experience to be a true #1 at this stage.

We've also just signed Harry Davies, a 6 foot 5 winger from Cardiff. Let's hope he isn't anything like Jack Cuthbert.

Bathite wrote:Ford has already said that Mata will be a back three option next year. Will Ford be there though??

According to the Telegraph ( Bath coach Mike Ford calls for backroom staff freshen up after disappointing season) Ford and the coaches present their vision of the future to the orange one this week.

Mike Ford wrote:The headline is to understand our game better.“We have a good understanding of what we need to do already. Clearly we have got to look at the coaching structure and to freshen things up. We will get that appointment right.

But yes, I wonder if ford will be around to reshuffle his backroom staff, or if he will be reshuffled out the door.

There's talk of Michael Foley coming back into the backroom setup.

Bathite wrote:Ford has already said that Mata will be a back three option next year. Will Ford be there though??

Really not happy with Kahn coming in. Just shows how much of a shocker letting Stringer go was. Cook is a great little player, but needs more development and experience to be a true #1 at this stage.

We've also just signed Harry Davies, a 6 foot 5 winger from Cardiff. Let's hope he isn't anything like Jack Cuthbert.

Alternatively you could have continued to hone the development of Jonny Evans, but he wasn't really given a chance and has been let go. Unfortunately for him he's also going to be third choice at the Scarlets so the blame lies with him for making some bad career choices. If he had stayed put with Dragons he would have continued to get a lot of game time and likely continued to become a better player - maybe even third choice for Wales behind Webb and Davies at some point this season or next.

I've never heard of Harry Davies, he must be a Cardiff RFC player. He's not likely to make an immediate impact.

U20 lock Will Witty signs a new deal at Falcons. Great news as rumoured to be off to Gloucester. Hopefully see much more of next season.

Crane to Bristol confirmed.

If they do come up Bristol will have a pretty good squad, could be a bit old though.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:U20 lock Will Witty signs a new deal at Falcons. Great news as rumoured to be off to Gloucester. Hopefully see much more of next season.

Just saw that...great news. I guess the Gloucester stuff was rubbish.

Means our suspicions on Furno and Thompson gong is accurate....and we wont miss them anyway!

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:

Bathite wrote:Kahn Fotauli confirmed to Bath too

I pity Ford!!!!!!!!

He never should have left the Ospreys and chased the money. He was outstanding for us in the last season before wasting his career at Northampton. Never mind, his departure opened up the door for Rhys Webb

yappysnap wrote:Crane to Bristol confirmed.

If they do come up Bristol will have a pretty good squad, could be a bit old though.

That's a good signing for Bristol. There are few in the Prem (perhaps only Easter?) who control the ball at the base of the scrum as well as Crane. For a side coming up who may well take some pummeling in the scrum that could be very useful on it's own. Plus of course he has a very good work rate and is solid as anything.

He suffered from losing form in the winter months this season which prevented him getting the game time he usually would expect so I expect he's moved on largely to play more. He also took a pay-cut for his last contract so a pay rise will likely have helped as well.

All in all he's a fantastic servant to the Tigers who has been a vital part of some excellent sides and excellent performances. With the game against Bath likely to have been his last I'm delighted he went out with his best performance in a while.

He can kick goals as well you know...

Crane would have been an international for years if it weren't for those two knee injuries that restricted what pace he had. Good player who has a massive engine and as said above is awesome at the back of the scrum. His offloading game is hugely underrated as well.