Silly Season Transfer Rumours 16/17

First topic message reminder :

Nit before the Lions tour. Don't think any of the All Black internationals will end their career pre tour.

stnick88 wrote:Petrus Du Plessis and Jim Hamilton both linked with a move to London Irish.

Both old but would be solid options for a year if we were to get back up, which is looking more and more likely.

Jim Hamilton might be able to play for a couple of years because he's 33 now but Petrus Du Plessis is 35.

Wouldn't surprise me if it's Venter recommending those two for LI.


http://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/gloucester-set-to-sign-much-wanted-back-row-forward/story-29874849-detail/story.html

Looks like Gloucester are going to sign up Carl Fearns.

Dollar Bill wrote:Matawalu has moved to Exeter til the end of the season

best piece of transfer news this year!

Bathite wrote:

Dollar Bill wrote:Matawalu has moved to Exeter til the end of the season

best piece of transfer news this year!

As a 9 or as a winger? He's been a dreadful signing for Bath.

Du Plessis and Hamilton will add some solidarity to the LI pack in the short term. LI have an academy that churns out young talent but they sometimes lack a bit of nasty up front and those signings will offer that in the short term.

The former Bath head coach signed Matawalu without any understanding of how that player should be used.

Bath's entire game plan involved giving structured service to Ford. Matawalu came from a team whose entire ethos was strike running from anywhere and with 9-13 given free and equal reign to create havoc.

Niko scored 26 tries in 74 Glasgow matches, won the championship and still holds the Pro12 record for consecutive man of the match awards won (4). He didn't suddenly become a bad player. Townsend used him on the wing or at 9 depending on what was needed from him at any given stage of the game.

I struggle to believe this was anything other than an obvious and Bath marquee signing whose position in the team was assessed after he arrived.

George Carlin wrote:The former Bath head coach signed Matawalu without any understanding of how that player should be used.

Bath's entire game plan involved giving structured service to Ford. Matawalu came from a team whose entire ethos was strike running from anywhere and with 9-13 given free and equal reign to create havoc.

Niko scored 26 tries in 74 Glasgow matches, won the championship and still holds the Pro12 record for consecutive man of the match awards won (4). He didn't suddenly become a bad player. Townsend used him on the wing or at 9 depending on what was needed from him at any given stage of the game.

I struggle to believe this was anything other than an obvious and Bath marquee signing whose position in the team was assessed after he arrived.

Agreed George. It felt then, and still does now, like Boudjellal style signing but from big Bruce's pocket instead. Bath wanted to add that bit more quality after a fantastic season but one in which they fell short against Sarries in the Prem final. So they used their financial clout to get a guy everyone was raving about without seeming to wonder how he'd fit into the set-up.

The whole situation of course wasn't helped by the end of the Burgess fiasco, Ford snr falling out with most his playing and coaching staff, vital tight 5 players from the season before losing form completely or getting injured, which meant their set-piece fell apart.

Looking back, Peter Stringer was such an important part of that Bath wheel the flattened many sides 2 seasons ago.

George Carlin wrote:The former Bath head coach signed Matawalu without any understanding of how that player should be used.

Bath's entire game plan involved giving structured service to Ford. Matawalu came from a team whose entire ethos was strike running from anywhere and with 9-13 given free and equal reign to create havoc.

Niko scored 26 tries in 74 Glasgow matches, won the championship and still holds the Pro12 record for consecutive man of the match awards won (4). He didn't suddenly become a bad player. Townsend used him on the wing or at 9 depending on what was needed from him at any given stage of the game.

I struggle to believe this was anything other than an obvious and Bath marquee signing whose position in the team was assessed after he arrived.

This.

Though Blackadder is now using Fotuali'i superbly

Niko was basically injured for the entire time he was at Bath so we never saw the best of him. Hopefully he does better at Exe, with Chudley out they could do with a spark at 9.

king_carlos wrote:

George Carlin wrote:The former Bath head coach signed Matawalu without any understanding of how that player should be used.

Bath's entire game plan involved giving structured service to Ford. Matawalu came from a team whose entire ethos was strike running from anywhere and with 9-13 given free and equal reign to create havoc.

Niko scored 26 tries in 74 Glasgow matches, won the championship and still holds the Pro12 record for consecutive man of the match awards won (4). He didn't suddenly become a bad player. Townsend used him on the wing or at 9 depending on what was needed from him at any given stage of the game.

I struggle to believe this was anything other than an obvious and Bath marquee signing whose position in the team was assessed after he arrived.

Agreed George. It felt then, and still does now, like Boudjellal style signing but from big Bruce's pocket instead. Bath wanted to add that bit more quality after a fantastic season but one in which they fell short against Sarries in the Prem final. So they used their financial clout to get a guy everyone was raving about without seeming to wonder how he'd fit into the set-up.

The whole situation of course wasn't helped by the end of the Burgess fiasco, Ford snr falling out with most his playing and coaching staff, vital tight 5 players from the season before losing form completely or getting injured, which meant their set-piece fell apart.

Looking back, Peter Stringer was such an important part of that Bath wheel the flattened many sides 2 seasons ago.

I couldn't believe they didn't do more to keep Stringer. He managed the pack and provided good ball to Ford. He was the perfect 9 for the game they were playing. Matawalu was literally the opposite. If he'd been deployed on the wing as a counterpoint to the bigger Roko and Banahan that could have worked.

At Exeter who play a fast paced game he might flourish a little more. A move to Quins would have been better yet but right now they have different issues.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37923300

Sounds like Glaws have signed Fraser Balmain from Tigers for next season.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Sounds like Glaws have signed Fraser Balmain from Tigers for next season.

Perhaps him and Ben Morgan can just swap houses?

LondonTiger wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Sounds like Glaws have signed Fraser Balmain from Tigers for next season.

Perhaps him and Ben Morgan can just swap houses?

Same weight and mobility. Balmain probably has a better work rate though Morgan carries better. Sounds a fair trade. I'd prefer we signed someone with more aggression and work rate. Morgan is unreliable and inconsistent.

As long as he's a better prop than Morgan I'll be happy! I'm also hopeful this signals the end of PDJ...

Balmain is a good prop, HKC. He's solid at the scrum, with plenty of talent to improve further. He's also a strong carrier and works hard around the park.

He has had a tendency to lose fitness over the off season and after injury breaks but more responsibility and game time should quickly fix that.

Most Tigers fans would happily keep him but with Cole, Genge, Ayerza, Mulipola and Cilliers already on the books it's a simple case of money could be better spent elsewhere. I think all are still in contract for next season as well. Although I'm not certain on Mulipola.

I'd happily keep Balmain ahead of Bateman personally. I presume his lack of game time this season is due to him falling out with Cockers who often leaves out players who won't commit their future to the club.

He's a solid but not destructive scrummager. Great work rate around the park and if you give him the ball when he's got some momentum up he'll leave a defender on their backside. Decent tighthead.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37975472
Fearns 3yr deal with Gloucester - should be a good combination if Kvesic stays.

propdavid_london wrote:http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37975472
Fearns 3yr deal with Gloucester - should be a good combination if Kvesic stays.

Excellent signing. We may have paid through the nose for him, but its about time we signed a gritty forward like those we're historically known for. Sadly though, he definitely won't be in a combination with Kvesic as he's definitely off; it clearly can't be confirmed yet, but its 99.9% likely he's joining Exeter. You don't need a 7 these days, so we can have a backrow of Moriarty, Fearns and Morgan/Kalamfoni!

That's a tasty back row HKC. Just need to get a decent front 5 platform to play off.
I thought there were rumours that Morgan was off too?

How has fearns been playing? He was one of the only ones who looked crazily physical when he came on the scene.

Just seemed to have too many injury problems.

If he's fit these days he'll be a cracking signing

HKC, you've still got Rowan. He do a job for you on the openside with Fearns and Moriarty filling our the backrow.

GF, by all accounts he's been exceptional for Lyon. Think he got man of match when they played Toulon a couple of weekends back. Fearns seems to have flourished in France and he'll be a get signing for Glaws if he carries that form back into the AP.

Conjecture but that's what a rumour thread is for but put the following facts together and you decide

Pienaer is leaving Ulster
Pienaer is continuing with his application for British citizenship as he wants to live permanently in NI
Sale have gone public in stating they have 4 or 5 big signings lined up for next year
Stringer is old
Manchester is a hop from Belfast by plane

alternatively....

Pienaer is leaving Ulster
Pienaer is continuing with his application for British citizenship as he wants to live permanently in NI
He has a lot of old mates at Gloucester
Laidlaw is leaving
Bristol is a hop from Belfast by plane

Thought Moriarty was leaving Glaws as well.

Sam, I don't expect us to play those 3 in the backrow and Rowan has been playing very well and is deservedly ahead of Kvesic at the moment.  With Dan Thomas coming through, we will have a proper 7 for some time to come.

Prop, Morgan was meant to be off, however, it seems that Tigers haven't been chasing him and that he has signed a new contract.  This may well signal the end of Kalamafoni, which would be a great shame as I'd rather have K over Morgan.

Mikey, unless the WRU want to make us a huge offer, Moriarty is going nowhere.  He has 18 months to run on his contract and whilst I fully expect him to sign a dual contract there is no need to let him go early.

HongKongCherry wrote:Sam, I don't expect us to play those 3 in the backrow and Rowan has been playing very well and is deservedly ahead of Kvesic at the moment.  With Dan Thomas coming through, we will have a proper 7 for some time to come.

Prop, Morgan was meant to be off, however, it seems that Tigers haven't been chasing him and that he has signed a new contract.  This may well signal the end of Kalamafoni, which would be a great shame as I'd rather have K over Morgan.

Mikey, unless the WRU want to make us a huge offer, Moriarty is going nowhere.  He has 18 months to run on his contract and whilst I fully expect him to sign a dual contract there is no need to let him go early.

Is Gareth Evans still injured? I always thought he was your most talented option at 8. He tore us apart a few times. Would welcome him with open arms at Irish.

I used to be a huge fan of Kalamafoni but he appears to have lost the power that once made him a real threat. Perhaps I am watching the wrong games though.

HKC, Fearns has played 8 I'm France but played 6 for Bath. Moriarty has played 6 and 8 for Wales and 6 for Glaws. Two big physical units allowing Rowan freedom to do his thing.

Geoff, Sale have Stringer (who is playing well) under contract for another year, Mike Phillips and the very promising Mitchell all under contract at 9 for next season. Gloucester would seem more likely, get a pad in Cheltenham and it's not far to Birmingham airport.

Sir B, Evans has just returned from injury again. Sadly this is the story of his career, he puts together an excellent run then gets a lengthy injury. Full of potential but I'm just not sure his body can take professional rugby.

Hear what you are saying Sam but Stringer will be 39 and Phillips 35 at the start of next season and Steve Diamond went public on the 4 or 5 big signings for next season.
By comparison to those two Pienaer is a mere strip of a lad !

Out of interest In what positions do people thing those 4 or 5 signings could be in ?

formerly known as Sam wrote:HKC, Fearns has played 8 I'm France but played 6 for Bath. Moriarty has played 6 and 8 for Wales and 6 for Glaws. Two big physical units allowing Rowan freedom to do his thing.

Geoff, Sale have Stringer (who is playing well) under contract for another year, Mike Phillips and the very promising Mitchell all under contract at 9 for next season. Gloucester would seem more likely, get a pad in Cheltenham and it's not far to Birmingham airport.

Fearns played 6 7 and 8 for bath. He was best at 8 or coming off the bench at 6. Great player, always made an impact.

Been tearing it up in France, was player of year at club last year and in the div2 team of the year. Has been in the team of the week a few this month also.

Great signing for Gloucs.

geoff999rugby wrote:Hear what you are saying Sam but Stringer will be 39 and Phillips 35 at the start of next season and Steve Diamond went public on the 4 or 5 big signings for next season.
By comparison to those two Pienaer is a mere strip of a lad !

Out of interest In what positions do people thing those 4 or 5 signings could be in ?

Well I'd probably say that Sale will spend up front. A new loosehead, tighthead, lock and flanker will be high in the list and if they can land an international quality flyhalf they'll certainly spend there. Lewis-Roberts and Mujarti are getting on so Sale will look to recruit to replace them and improve their scrum, Kruger left them in the lurch in the summer so Diamond will no doubt look to add quality in the second row and improve the lineout. Seymour isn't getting any younger and since Braid retired they've lost a little bite in the backrow, they've got ball carriers but a scavenger would help them compete against the bigger sides. At 10 Mugford looks very raw and struggles off the tee whilst McGinty struggles with no being injured, losing Cips was a massive loss.

Pienaar is a quality player and most clubs would love to have him but he will be a marquee signing and a drain on club funds. Sale would be a better team with him but there's no point splashing the cash on him without having the pack and the 10 to make the most of his skills.

Etzebeth rules out any move up North before the start of the next Super Rugby season. 
Probably because he won't fancy attempting to run at Billy V or any of the other big 8's in the AP! 

Interestingly watching Sale they seem quite strong up front but lack a wide game

Agree re Mugford looks well short of what is required inspite of some hype at the start of the year.
McGinty is a much better player but he cant place kick.

Throw another one in for you - Saints, supposedly, sniffing around Jackson maybe Sale should as well.

Saints being looking for a replacement for Myler for a couple of year now - have they decided Hanrahan is not the answer?

I think they look pretty good up front because Diamond is such a good coach, for me he's one of the best in the league. Their forwards do tend to make errors and I think a little bit of extra quality would move them on and create the extra room out wide for their backs. Hacksaw Dam and Leota aren't getting any younger but Sale do have some good centres coming through,  particularly Sam James.

Haley, Charnley and Odogwu should be a pretty tasty back three once they get settled. 

Hanrahan seems to be a let down at Saints. Jackson would be a good fit for them though I think he turned down Sale last summer having looked likely to sign which might not have impressed Diamond. Hanrahan might do well to move to Sale as Diamond has a good track record for improving players who are willing to work hard.

Sale front row to me has been pretty crap IMO.

Sam fair enough, you are entitled to your opinion, my opinion of Diamond has generally been the same - he's a bit overrated.

Let me ask you this - how many forwards has Diamond turned into England contenders? Sure there is Taylor and Beaumont but both are very much fringe players at the moment.

I feel like he can make a pack workmanlike but I don't really feel like he adds class to a pack.

Compare this to the contribution of other clubs in the AP in terms of forwards, it's not great is it?

Even when Diamond got a player like R.Gray he squandered his potential IMO.

Glasgow sign another gigantic Fijian-Aussie ex-league winger for no apparent reason. 

Because the first one obviously worked out so well. 

The Sale front row has suffered since Cobilas left, but he is a perfect example of Diamond's coaching. A massively underrated player, but was the best TH in the Jeff for a couple of years.

Carl has been awesome over here for Lyon. Met him a few times in the pub and he's been loving it over here but has always had the intention of getting a move back to England so I am glad he has got it. Also know that he will take a bit of pleasure from signing for Gloucester as his departure from Bath wasn't exactly amicable.

geoff999rugby wrote:Interestingly watching Sale they seem quite strong up front but lack a wide game

Agree re Mugford looks well short of what is required inspite of some hype at the start of the year.
McGinty is a much better player but he cant place kick.

Throw another one in for you - Saints, supposedly, sniffing around Jackson maybe Sale should as well.

Saints being looking for a replacement for Myler for a couple of year now - have they decided Hanrahan is not the answer?

Saints are reportedly sniffing around everyone, but Olver seems to be coming on nicely. He has done well in the AWC so far and then there is Prince Harry and James Wilson both who can play there to good effect if required.

Do you mean Rory Jackson? currently @ Quins.
I would be surprised if he wants to move again so soon - although he isn't getting a lot of gametime (not sure if that is injury or choice)

Not sure about best tighthead HKC. Cobilas was certainly reliable and did the basics of a tighthead well.

Beshocked, Diamond regularly guides Sale into the top 6 with a budget you'd expect a lower half finish. We've seen Thomas, Beaumont and Taylor into England recognition. Haley, James and Harrison into Saxons recognition and Addison, Jennings and Nield all come through as regular AP players. That's a good return from the academy. Add in those he's signed and rejuvenated, most notably Cipriani and he's doing pretty well.

Richie Gray was a waste of space and generally still is. Often lazy and seemed to expect Sale to do the work for him and just show up. Only started playing once Diamond dropped him for a prolonged period and he thought his Scotland place was a risk. Honestly I think Sale were glad to see the back of him. Telling no AP club tried to sign him before he went to France. I'd be very disappointed if he turned up at Tigers, his brother on the other hand is a properly good player.

WPI Saints have got good options but a long term injury for Myler and how comfortable do you feel with Hanrahan, Olver or Wilson covering for several months? Wilson for a game or two, off the bench that's fine. Olver in a couple of years with Mallinder at 12 that's a great combo. Short term though a little insurance might not be a bad thing. Plus some real competition for Myler.

propdavid_london wrote:Do you mean Rory Jackson? currently @ Quins.
I would be surprised if he wants to move again so soon - although he isn't getting a lot of gametime (not sure if that is injury or choice)

Think its Paddy Jackson at Ulster

It is indeed Paddy.

Rory Jackson is not the solution - Saints need a top class 10 and neither Myler or Hanrahan fit the bill

formerly known as Sam wrote:Not sure about best tighthead HKC. Cobilas was certainly reliable and did the basics of a tighthead well.

I'm not into all this props running with the ball lark. Cobilas was the best scrummager and from memory made it into the best XV for various journos, etc for a number of years

HongKongCherry wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Not sure about best tighthead HKC. Cobilas was certainly reliable and did the basics of a tighthead well.

I'm not into all this props running with the ball lark. Cobilas was the best scrummager and from memory made it into the best XV for various journos, etc for a number of years

His ability to hold up his side of the scrum, stay fit and do his share of the work in the tight meant he was always an easy selection for a best XV in a year with no outstanding candidates. His work round in the loose was fairly non-existent mind. To be honest I would prefer to see young props follow his example more than some of the current trend who want to play more like 8's who pack differently at the scrum. 

Paddy Jackson leave Ulster, wouldn't that effectively end his international career?

A few players are too valuable to ignore - Murphy, Bowe, Easterby, Sexton

Jackson may just fit that category especially with Sexton over 30.

There are also off field reasons he might be open to such an offer.

Don't get me wrong I am 85% he will be an Ulster player next year - but there is a chance

Eggchasers podcast says George Ford might be talking to Sale.

They know it sounds daft but suggest he's not happy at Bath, and Leicester can't afford him right now. Sale can, and Ford's girlfriend is up in Manchester.

Rugby Fan wrote:Eggchasers podcast says George Ford might be talking to Sale.

They know it sounds daft but suggest he's not happy at Bath, and Leicester can't afford him right now. Sale can, and Ford's girlfriend is up in Manchester.

Ford would be a great signing for Sale. A huge statement of intent if possible. How bad are things at Bath though if he's desperate to get out of a long term lucrative contract to sign for a team that is expected to finish below you in the league?

There has been musings of how Tigers would manage to crowbar three flyhalfs into their squad, unless Burns was converting to 15 to replace the outgoing Tait.

Sale to have new money behind them don't they and presumably plenty of space under the cap. I think actually the mood at Bath is very good but in a way that might be a problem. If your team mates are constantly saying how much better it is without your dad I can see how you might want a change.

Ben Morgan signs a new deal with Glaws.

Well that's a shame. I was hoping Morgan would move to Leicester and reignite his career.

In my opinion Morgan has been lacklustre for Gloucester.

I believe a change in scenery is needed.