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.

LondonTiger wrote:

Sgt_Pooly wrote:We need to get him with a good Geordie girl

Ultimate oxymoron?

Depends how you define good I guess.

Anyone know much about London Welsh centre Nick Reynolds?

Johan Goosen retires at 24!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38345300

This is just a dodgy way to try to get out of his contract. He wants to play 10 and preferably in SA so Racing do not belong in his future.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Anyone know much about London Welsh centre Nick Reynolds?  

Came through at the same time as Scott Williams at Llanelli and the Scarlets. Played 13 and wing, looked promising at times but just did not make the grade,

whocares wrote:This is just a dodgy way to try to get out of his contract. He wants to play 10 and preferably in SA so Racing do not belong in his future.

Wow that's a bit extreme. Would Racing not agree to an early termination of his contract next summer?

lostinwales wrote:Johan Goosen retires at 24!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38345300

24? My haircut's older than that.

Wasps chasing Marcus Watson according to TRP this week. Also Sarries after Nic Stirzaker from the Rebels

Some bloke called Welly has started a rumour on the Glaws forum that we're after Owen Williams.

What kind of sad person goes on shedweb.......

Id be gutted to lose Watson, he's improving every game. Id prefer him to Wade if I'm honest although quite similar players.

Welly wrote:  What kind of sad person goes on shedweb.......

The clinically deranged, manic depressive type of person, ie a stereotypical Glaws supporter

HongKongCherry wrote:Some bloke called Welly has started a rumour on the Glaws forum that we're after Owen Williams.

Gloucester to sign a reliable controlling flyhalf that'll kick goals and play the percentages? No way. I'd also not want to lose him from Tigers he's a good player that makes his team mates look good.

I wouldn't want to lose Owen from Tigers unless a means has been sorted to get Ford and Burns in the same squad and both happy with it. I can't see that happening at present though given that Freddie's form prior to injury was fantastic and he's at a stage of his career where he will want to start all the big games he can.

Owen would be a good fit at Gloucs and they have the budget for it with Hook leaving.

king_carlos wrote:I wouldn't want to lose Owen from Tigers unless a means has been sorted to get Ford and Burns in the same squad and both happy with it. I can't see that happening at present though given that Freddie's form prior to injury was fantastic and he's at a stage of his career where he will want to start all the big games he can.

Owen would be a good fit at Gloucs and they have the budget for it with Hook leaving.

I'd rather keep Williams than Burns if Ford was to join. Burns can still disappear when the pressure is on and Williams offers a reliability and versatility that's very useful. Note also the ice in his veins to knock over a massive late penalty to beat Munster. Having that in the locker could be vital particularly if Ford is still not getting his kicking percentages up.

Apparently Johan Goosen might be heading to Gloucs.

It could all be hearsay but the rumours are that Montpellier have played a part in him getting out of his Racing contract through 'retirement'. He won't be able to play in the Top 14 for a certain period due to retiring though. Hence he may be heading to Gloucs (soon to share owners with Montpellier) with an eye on him then returning to Montpellier when contracts would allow.

If true it is another dodgy spin in an already very murky situation!

king_carlos wrote:Apparently Johan Goosen might be heading to Gloucs.

It could all be hearsay but the rumours are that Montpellier have played a part in him getting out of his Racing contract through 'retirement'. He won't be able to play in the Top 14 for a certain period due to retiring though. Hence he may be heading to Gloucs (soon to share owners with Montpellier) with an eye on him then returning to Montpellier when contracts would allow.

If true it is another dodgy spin in an already very murky situation!

That would set a very dangerous precedent. I'd expect the international governing body to step in before this sort of thing gets out of hand.

Goosen nearly signed for Glaws 2 years ago and I think all that has happened now is that 2+2=29!! Remember the Glaws takeover hasn't been ratified and wouldn't go through until later in the season. It would be a hell of a gamble to retire on the basis this goes through. More than likely he is heading back to Super Rugby and that this has been used as an opportunity to target the takeover.

I remember when Tigers nearly signed Evans or Hernandez

Oh what could of been if we went straight for Evans im stead of trying to get JMH.

Welly wrote: I remember when Tigers nearly signed Evans or Hernandez

Oh what could of been if we went straight for Evans im stead of trying to get JMH.

By what might have been you mean years of dominance, right? We had a mean ass pack back then to give him the platform and the genius Geordie at 15. Flood did pretty well for us and we won silverware but you're right, what might have been.

You mean our Evans?

ChequeredJersey wrote:You mean our Evans?

Yep. Nick Evans had agreed to join but the head coach at the time (Loffreda) wanted Juan Martin Hernandez though so we hesitated. Quins got in and convinced Evans they were worth joining and Hernandez decided he wanted to keep his wife happy and stay in France. Left us high and dry and then Loffreda got sacked after upsetting most of our senior players. Bit of a disaster really.

Margin_Walker wrote:Wasps chasing Marcus Watson according to TRP this week. Also Sarries after Nic Stirzaker from the Rebels

Well they can keep their dirty stinking hands off him!!

GeordieFalcon wrote:

Margin_Walker wrote:Wasps chasing Marcus Watson according to TRP this week. Also Sarries after Nic Stirzaker from the Rebels

Well they can keep their dirty stinking hands off him!!

Are they set to lose one of their wingers this summer? Halai out of contract? It's not a department you'd say Wasps were short.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

ChequeredJersey wrote:You mean our Evans?

Yep. Nick Evans had agreed to join but the head coach at the time (Loffreda) wanted Juan Martin Hernandez though so we hesitated. Quins got in and convinced Evans they were worth joining and Hernandez decided he wanted to keep his wife happy and stay in France. Left us high and dry and then Loffreda got sacked after upsetting most of our senior players. Bit of a disaster really.

Dunno worked well for us!

Marvelous

formerly known as Sam wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:

Margin_Walker wrote:Wasps chasing Marcus Watson according to TRP this week. Also Sarries after Nic Stirzaker from the Rebels

Well they can keep their dirty stinking hands off him!!

Are they set to lose one of their wingers this summer? Halai out of contract? It's not a department you'd say Wasps were short.

Not sure Sam. But he's a quality player. Would be disappointed to lose him. But if theres any position we can afford to lose a player its wing.
Goneva,
Sinotti,
Kibirige - finally back and fit - he really needs to make a big case in the second half of the season. Been around a while now and not fulfilled his potential yet!
Marshall - Another young winger coming through who's getting the gametime....an absolute flyer with great footwork. But he's a little lightweight just yet.
Radwan - Another young lad of potential.

But would prefer to keep Watson.

Wade has been Poitier is season and is out of contract I think.

Welly wrote:  Wade has been Poitier is season and is out of contract I think.

Sorry on phone meant to say poorer.

Well if he does go....they'll be getting a quality winger.

Well as a Sale fan I would love this, but rather suspect this will not happen.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38381969

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2016/12/19/george-ford-free-leave-bath-next-year-wishes-says-todd-blackadder/

Diamond has said he wants five big signings. He's now got the cash to make it happen as well. He can offer Ford the cash and if he can show some seriously good forwards are also signing Ford might be tempted.

Diamond has the reputation of improving forwards to bring talented tight 5 players in. Second rows especially are an area Sale could improve their side.

Luke Braid's contract with Bordeaux is done at the end of the season. He'd be an excellent signing if his older brother could give him a nudge to join him at Sale. He'd offer a younger alternative to Seymour and Lund. Would give them quality experience to build the Curry twins into the side as well.

With Braid and Seymour more than capable of covering both flanks, Ioane covering across the back row it would give Diamond great options. Cameron Neild has been quietly impressive at blindside recently too.

Nield is supposed to be converting to hooker isn't he? If he can play in the loose like he does now but get his darts and his scrummaging up to scratch he'll be quite a player. 

Sale certainly need some second row options. What they have at the moment is all a bit average.

Sam I thought Nield was a hooker who was covering back row.

Nields stats for the season are:

14 appearances
11 starts
3 substitute

10 of the starts were at blindside with 1 start at hooker.

2 of the sub appearances were at flanker with 1 sub appearance at hooker.

Prem - 7 starts at flanker. 2 sub appearances at flanker. On the first occasion (the season opener) he was named as reserve hooker but came on at flanker for TJ Ioane after a couple of minutes due to injury.

ERCC - 3 starts at flanker. 1 sub appearance at hooker.

AWC - 1 start at hooker.

He is clearly still viewed as a hooker as well as a flanker but I wouldn't be surprised if the move went on hold with how well he's playing at blindside.

If rumours about Diamond looking to splash the cash are true I could see him targeting another hooker as well.

Thanks Carlos...

I "liked" your comment

Being serious for a moment...

Nield does look a very useful 6. And TJ is a hell of a player. Those two at 6 & 7 work well.

Maybe Diamond sees Nield more as a 6 than Hooker and as you say, will bring some in, in the summer. Losing Taylor was probably a blow...

Webber hasn't exactly hit the ground running at Sale and Briggs is only squad material. Taylor was a huge loss. A new hooker and tighthead must be fairly high up Sale's wanted list. A new loosehead wouldn't hurt either. That'll chomp away at their budget but Euoffen-Roberts and Mujarti are well past their best and should free up cap when they go. Longbottom is good when actually fit and Harrison is one they'll want to tie down.

Sale have form for swapping backrowers and hookers around. I believe both Neil Briggs and Dave Ward played a bit of both for them. I am a big fan of Nield, he is a big and powerful player, which is especially good considering his relatively young age. Sale are another example of a team who could be doing a lot better if they managed to keep hold of their talented youngsters.

Still, exciting times could be around the corner. Getting Ford would be quite a statement from the perennial 'sleeping giants'. My worry is that they won't be quite able to look after him properly without forward investment. If he is constantly behind a beaten pack, getting drubbings and in the bottom half of the table Ford's form could seriously disappear. It is a risk for Ford. However, if he could galvanise Sale and get the crowds in; a strong side in the North-West would be a good thing for England.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Thanks Carlos...

I "liked" your comment

Who the feck disliked my post!!!

Cipriani managed the galvanise Sale and keep them in the top 6. He was a huge blow to them when he went to Wasps. If Sale can nab some young Bok/Eastern European tight five forwards to mix in with what they have. Not sure they'll ever get massive crowds though.

I'm an optimistic guy, I just look at the huge population that they have got to aim at and can't help but feel that they could make hay if they get it right.

GeordieFalcon wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Thanks Carlos...

I "liked" your comment

Who the feck disliked my post!!!

Sorry Geordie, I disliked this post, it was too good an opportunity!

HongKongCherry wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Thanks Carlos...

I "liked" your comment

Who the feck disliked my post!!!

Sorry Geordie, I disliked this post, it was too good an opportunity!

Me too

Cumbrian wrote:I'm an optimistic guy, I just look at the huge population that they have got to aim at and can't help but feel that they could make hay if they get it right.  

League fans certainly love Sale.....................

Their best chance of gaining more supporters is to win more games.

And they could do with a new 1,2,3,4,5 IMO if their are to challenge the top 4.

Trouble is they are prob the most expensive positions.

Harrison is a good player, I think he's more than capable at AP level. The rest are pretty much bottom 4 players though.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Harrison is a good player, I think he's more than capable at AP level. The rest are pretty much bottom 4 players though.

I think the tighthead Longbottom is a decent player if he can ever stay fit long enough. The likes of Aulika and Mujarti though, sooner they can be replaced the better really. If/when Bristol go down they have some second rows that might be worth trying to pinch. Evans or Tuohy would work well for Sale.

Harrison is a cracking LH. If it weren't for the number of excellent young English LHs kicking around he'd be pushing the EPS.

Sale could definitely do with an experienced signing at TH, a quality hooker and second rows though. Their back row and backline playing behind a stronger tight 5 with Diamond at the helm would make a very good side.