Silly Season Transfer Rumours 16/17

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

Quins have had two big wins at home this season. It's on the road where Quins have suffered. Shouldn't be too disheartened.


Saracens have been good at picking up good players and not all have come in at the height of their value.

Lozowski was 3rd choice FH at Wasps.

Barrington is another who though not an academy product was brought in from Jersey.

You have to also factor in that Maitland was brought in from LI who were relegated last season. Hardly can bargain from a position of strength.

Bosch had injury issues and left a sinking Biarritz. Figallo had serious injury issues.


Not sure if it's counted but Rawaca left Saracens to go home. I assume his salary doesn't count anymore as he's not being paid.

Was Figallo the prop that was not allowed to play in the T14 because of his long term injuries?

Re Cathrakilis it is quite ironic for Quins that he is now below Botica in the MHR FH picking order

whocares wrote:Was Figallo the prop that was not allowed to play in the T14 because of his long term injuries?

Re Cathrakilis it is quite ironic for Quins that he is now below Botica in the MHR FH picking order

Yup it's Figallo.

http://www.planetrugby.com/news/injury-forces-figallo-to-saracens/

mikey_dragon wrote:Oh right, I was unsure of their age and limitations. Koch is the current SA tighthead isn't he? I wasn't aware that they'd signed him. Are Sarries still being investigated for salary cap breaches or has that been swept under the rug? It's a superstar team - I think they'll have a period of dominance like that Toulon team did.

Pretty sure they'll be under the cap now, but the 'investigation' won't see the light of day for one reason or another.

*cough cough" cover up *cough cough* we'll sue you *cough cough*

Dear me, has anyone seen our v2 Doctor about?

whocares - You aren't serious are you? Botica is the no.1 pick at Montpellier?
Well, at the moment - before they get Cruden.

propdavid_london wrote:whocares - You aren't serious are you? Botica is the no.1 pick at Montpellier?
Well, at the moment - before they get Cruden.

Not always but in Toulon he was their FH while last weekend he was playing FB anyway.

EDIT : sometimes Fran Steyn also is played at 10 so difficult to know who is their N1

propdavid_london wrote:whocares - You aren't serious are you? Botica is the no.1 pick at Montpellier?
Well, at the moment - before they get Cruden.

I hope they don't sign Cruden. What a waste. Maybe Cotter will change things when he gets there but currently Montpellier aren't a pretty team to watch and we're quick to marginalise their last attacking 10 Trunh-Duc. Having said that I've not seen them this season but White is a pragmatic coach first and foremost.

He started 5 games at fly half, which is more then the other two. So I assume he is first choice but there's been rotation/injury or poor form to change things.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

propdavid_london wrote:whocares - You aren't serious are you? Botica is the no.1 pick at Montpellier?
Well, at the moment - before they get Cruden.

I hope they don't sign Cruden. What a waste. Maybe Cotter will change things when he gets there but currently Montpellier aren't a pretty team to watch and we're quick to marginalise their last attacking 10 Trunh-Duc. Having said that I've not seen them this season but White is a pragmatic coach first and foremost.

He'd be wasted in this current team. Jake white has ruined them, they're terrible to watch, their fans dislike them and White refuses to change or look at more exciting players, the way he treated local boy Trinc-Duc was terrible. They went the football route and baught success and for that they've got anti rugby and less fans then they've had in the last 3 or 4 seasons.

Makes me so angry that Quins played bad enough to let them beat them.

I felt that Dragons weren't far off them either - which considering the names in their lineup is absolutely ridiculous.

yappysnap wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

propdavid_london wrote:whocares - You aren't serious are you? Botica is the no.1 pick at Montpellier?
Well, at the moment - before they get Cruden.

I hope they don't sign Cruden. What a waste. Maybe Cotter will change things when he gets there but currently Montpellier aren't a pretty team to watch and we're quick to marginalise their last attacking 10 Trunh-Duc. Having said that I've not seen them this season but White is a pragmatic coach first and foremost.

He'd be wasted in this current team. Jake white has ruined them, they're terrible to watch, their fans dislike them and White refuses to change or look at more exciting players, the way he treated local boy Trinc-Duc was terrible. They went the football route and baught success and for that they've got anti rugby and less fans then they've had in the last 3 or 4 seasons.

Makes me so angry that Quins played bad enough to let them beat them.

Quins didn't even show up for that final! Never mind playing badly......I was quite Miffed when Kingston said in a recent interview that Quins put everything into that final!

yappysnap wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

propdavid_london wrote:whocares - You aren't serious are you? Botica is the no.1 pick at Montpellier?
Well, at the moment - before they get Cruden.

I hope they don't sign Cruden. What a waste. Maybe Cotter will change things when he gets there but currently Montpellier aren't a pretty team to watch and we're quick to marginalise their last attacking 10 Trunh-Duc. Having said that I've not seen them this season but White is a pragmatic coach first and foremost.

He'd be wasted in this current team. Jake white has ruined them, they're terrible to watch, their fans dislike them and White refuses to change or look at more exciting players, the way he treated local boy Trinc-Duc was terrible. They went the football route and baught success and for that they've got anti rugby and less fans then they've had in the last 3 or 4 seasons.

Makes me so angry that Quins played bad enough to let them beat them.

That's the dilemma.

Do you want to watch exciting but ultimately losing rugby or boring winning rugby if you had a choice?

Montpellier are currently 3rd in the Top 14, won the Challenge Cup last season. From a result's perspective that's not bad going.

"Exciting" generally means mercurial, capable of brilliance but also madness.

It's romantic to want exciting rugby, attacking from your own 22 every single time but it's not pragmatic.

It also requires very high skill levels to execute.

beshocked wrote:

yappysnap wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

propdavid_london wrote:whocares - You aren't serious are you? Botica is the no.1 pick at Montpellier?
Well, at the moment - before they get Cruden.

I hope they don't sign Cruden. What a waste. Maybe Cotter will change things when he gets there but currently Montpellier aren't a pretty team to watch and we're quick to marginalise their last attacking 10 Trunh-Duc. Having said that I've not seen them this season but White is a pragmatic coach first and foremost.

He'd be wasted in this current team. Jake white has ruined them, they're terrible to watch, their fans dislike them and White refuses to change or look at more exciting players, the way he treated local boy Trinc-Duc was terrible. They went the football route and baught success and for that they've got anti rugby and less fans then they've had in the last 3 or 4 seasons.

Makes me so angry that Quins played bad enough to let them beat them.

That's the dilemma.

Do you want to watch exciting but ultimately losing rugby or boring winning rugby if you had a choice?

Montpellier are currently 3rd in the Top 14, won the Challenge Cup last season. From a result's perspective that's not bad going.

"Exciting" generally means mercurial, capable of brilliance but also madness.

It's romantic to want exciting rugby, attacking from your own 22 every single time but it's not pragmatic.

It also requires very high skill levels to execute.

I agree completely.

With White and Montpellier though he went too far, badly mismanaged popular local players and brought in too many over seas players. He may have won something but he's lost the fan base (ticket sales are down a lot) is regularly hounded in the papers, and is now getting released at the end of the season.

There's a balancing act between success and keeping the fans happy and White screwed up big.

Stuart Hogg re-signs at Glasgow on a 2 year deal until 2019.

Laidlaw has signed for Clermont.

If I was Glous I would try and sign a cheap oldish 9 and blood Braley, and use that Marquee signing in the front 5 or maybe 10/15.

George Carlin wrote:Stuart Hogg re-signs at Glasgow on a 3 year deal until 2019.

Disappointing.... he's the one Scotsman not already playing for us I would have liked to seen playing for Sarries even though it would be unlikely he'd come.

A hell of a coup for Glasgow as he's Scotland's MVP though.

Glaws lost Robson as he sat behind Laidlaw and now Laid law has gone as well. Not great for them but they do have the experience of Heinz and young Bareley to develop. Harbury may well have another gem waiting for them as well as Glaws do generally have a productive academy. Though a real general in the midfield still eludes them.

Great news for Glasgow though I was hoping that Mauger and Cockers might have had a work in his ear this weekend and pointed out the benefits of playing in Leicester. Hogg is a very good player with a great rounded skill set. The probable Lions selection.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Glaws lost Robson as he sat behind Laidlaw and now Laid law has gone as well. Not great for them but they do have the experience of Heinz and young Bareley to develop. Harbury may well have another gem waiting for them as well as Glaws do generally have a productive academy. Though a real general in the midfield still eludes them.

Great news for Glasgow though I was hoping that Mauger and Cockers might have had a work in his ear this weekend and pointed out the benefits of playing in Leicester. Hogg is a very good player with a great rounded skill set. The probable Lions selection.

We do indeed. Harry Randall, the current England U20 SH, who is still only 18 is a hell of a prospect. He probably isn't ready to play regularly next year, but I'd like to see him feature.

Gutted re Laidlaw, but not unexpected and I completely understand his decision; we're a rubbish team and he can be paid far more to be part of a successful side, albeit Clermont are like Glaws in that they choke in finals...

Tigers have signed Argentinian back row Tomas Leonradi. Not stated whether it's injury dispensation for Mike Williams or something longer term. Either way he's been immediately registered for European action at the expense of Michelle Rizzo.

I can't say I know much about him (other than recognising the name from his time at Edinburgh) but he seems a bit of a journey man in recent seasons. Tigers definitely need something in the back row with Williams out, whether Leornadi is what we need will be seen though.

HongKongCherry wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Glaws lost Robson as he sat behind Laidlaw and now Laid law has gone as well. Not great for them but they do have the experience of Heinz and young Bareley to develop. Harbury may well have another gem waiting for them as well as Glaws do generally have a productive academy. Though a real general in the midfield still eludes them.

Great news for Glasgow though I was hoping that Mauger and Cockers might have had a work in his ear this weekend and pointed out the benefits of playing in Leicester. Hogg is a very good player with a great rounded skill set. The probable Lions selection.

We do indeed. Harry Randall, the current England U20 SH, who is still only 18 is a hell of a prospect.  He probably isn't ready to play regularly next year, but I'd like to see him feature.

Gutted re Laidlaw, but not unexpected and I completely understand his decision; we're a rubbish team and he can be paid far more to be part of a successful side, albeit Clermont are like Glaws in that they choke in finals...

Is Randall is the midget scrum half with the jet propelled pace and step? If so then he's a potential game changer once he's grown a little bit.

Leonardi is a bit of squad filler. Not really what we were hoping for really. He'll be combative and offer some good experience but it's worrying Croft is not on the scene as I'd prefer him to in the squad. I also hope this isn't going to impact the game time for Evans who is an outstanding young talent.

That's the one Sam. With him and Mat Protheroe coming through we could end up with the smallest and fastest half back pairing ever!

Is Croft the new tom Rees? Wouldn't be surprised if I heard he never played again

Eztebeth deal to Sarries, according to Mark McCall is off.

HongKongCherry wrote:That's the one Sam. With him and Mat Protheroe coming through we could end up with the smallest and fastest half back pairing ever!

Protheroe is very quick but looked a rabbit in headlights when at 10 for the under 20s. Well out if his depth. A move to 15 might be the best option for him though his tackling is nearly non existent.

HongKongCherry wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Glaws lost Robson as he sat behind Laidlaw and now Laid law has gone as well. Not great for them but they do have the experience of Heinz and young Bareley to develop. Harbury may well have another gem waiting for them as well as Glaws do generally have a productive academy. Though a real general in the midfield still eludes them.

Great news for Glasgow though I was hoping that Mauger and Cockers might have had a work in his ear this weekend and pointed out the benefits of playing in Leicester. Hogg is a very good player with a great rounded skill set. The probable Lions selection.

We do indeed. Harry Randall, the current England U20 SH, who is still only 18 is a hell of a prospect.  He probably isn't ready to play regularly next year, but I'd like to see him feature.

Gutted re Laidlaw, but not unexpected and I completely understand his decision; we're a rubbish team and he can be paid far more to be part of a successful side, albeit Clermont are like Glaws in that they choke in finals...

Is Harry Randall that tiny SH? That played in the U20s WC?

Sorry - just realised that was answered above!

Alex King leaving Saints - http://www.planetrugby.com/news/northampton-announce-king-exit/

propdavid_london wrote:

HongKongCherry wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Glaws lost Robson as he sat behind Laidlaw and now Laid law has gone as well. Not great for them but they do have the experience of Heinz and young Bareley to develop. Harbury may well have another gem waiting for them as well as Glaws do generally have a productive academy. Though a real general in the midfield still eludes them.

Great news for Glasgow though I was hoping that Mauger and Cockers might have had a work in his ear this weekend and pointed out the benefits of playing in Leicester. Hogg is a very good player with a great rounded skill set. The probable Lions selection.

We do indeed. Harry Randall, the current England U20 SH, who is still only 18 is a hell of a prospect.  He probably isn't ready to play regularly next year, but I'd like to see him feature.

Gutted re Laidlaw, but not unexpected and I completely understand his decision; we're a rubbish team and he can be paid far more to be part of a successful side, albeit Clermont are like Glaws in that they choke in finals...

Is Harry Randall that tiny SH? That played in the U20s WC?

Yes, he was a wales under 16 cap before moving to Hartpury. Can't see him having a career though as he is like 5ft. Would get smashed about on the pitch.

Any chance you could send Protheroe home please, we could do with fullback cover and the guy is electric

He should be fine IMO Thacker isn't that big and is playing AP and European rugby @2! Being a 9 he should be fine.

Let's hope so Welly, he stole the show (along with Paul Graysons son) when England under 18s beat us last year

Dragons are rumoured to be in talks with backs coach Alex King. Early days yet though, we've only had a coffee at Starbucks. Supposedly Bristol and a couple French teams wanted to also speak with him (Toulon's name banded about).

News in France that Toulon are losing Giteau and Mitchell. But are replacing them with Ashton and Dagg.

Apparently the Ashton deal is wrapped up while the Dagg deal is on going.

Looks like Chris has given up on an England place and is looking to the future.

Neither of which are a replacement for Giteau by the sound of it, and apparently it's him they miss the most? They might also be losing another high percentage kicker in Halfpenny...

Shane Geraghty to Bristol.

Surely Ashton still a bit too young to sign for Toulon? He's only 29 after all...

Dagg is too young as well.

Like the discussions about Cruden and other ABs - its unlikely that any of them would want to miss out on playing the Lions. So any deal would be after that tour.

Saia Fainga'a to London Irish

Dagg has struggled to get his place back from Ben Smith and with the rise of Damien McKenzie may be thinking an extra 2 years of high pay may be more worthwhile than potentially missing the WC squad again.

Dagg has played almost all RC games on the wing and has looked pretty good tbh. I'd be surprised if he was looking for a move at the minute but money talks.

mikey_dragon wrote:Neither of which are a replacement for Giteau by the sound of it, and apparently it's him they miss the most? They might also be losing another high percentage kicker in Halfpenny...

Giteau I'd a monumental loss. So much creativity and a midfield general at 10 or 12. Watching him in tandem with Wilko using the Toulon glory years was awesome.

They have already signed Goramaru who has similar strengths to Halfpenny. Halfpenny looked someway short of his best vs Sarries and I still think James O"Connor can become an incredible 15 if he applies himself.

Are these LI movements mid season or summer moves? 

Dagg is 29 and has struggled with bad injuries previously. He might see this as the best way to secure his pension. Two years in France then a swansong in Japan at 32 could make life post rugby a lot easier for him and his family.

Don't shoot me for this but I believe Dagg is 27 because he was in the same age group as Halfpenny. He formed a back 3 with Maitland and Guildford for the baby blacks I'm sure of it.

A wiki search says he's 28. Maitland, Guilford and Dagg so much unrealised potential.

I remember watching the Sharks crusaders game in Twickenham 5 years back. That crusaders backline was unreal with maitland dagg guildford fruean. So much unrealized potential with the exception of dagg! Hopefully fruean will be a beast from november

The luxury of Slade and Carter at that time as well as Crotty. The Crusaders certainly had some talented options. Might have some coming through now as well in Havali and Mo'unga. Can't see them breaking theor hoodoo and winking another Super 15 title though.

Not with how the chiefs and hurricanes have progressed TBH, but then anything can happen.

formerly known as Sam wrote:A wiki search says he's 28. Maitland, Guilford and Dagg so much unrealised potential.

I think they did play together at junior level - either Dagg is one of the oldest or he's a year ahead. The other full back in that back 3 was Trent Renata I think. He didn't really kick on beyond NPC. These guys played in the same back line at Dan Kirkpatrick if that name rings a bell - he had a few seasons in France.

Nicky Thomas has left Glaws with immediate effect to join Scarlets. Good scrummager, infinitely better than PDJ (but then who isn't?!), sadly his non-EQP status coupled with his considerable mid-rift limited his chances for us. An old school prop.

We've replaced him with another old school prop who hopefully will consign PDJ to just prodding the turf at half time with a fork. Salesi Ma'afu has joined us from Cardiff; he may be a shadow of his Saints days, but if we could get him even 50% of the way he'd be a considerable step up from PDJ and provide proper back up to Afoa. Afoa can comfortably play a whole game, but this should work well with Ma'afu coming on for the last c.20 minutes (if we can get him properly fit!).

Good luck getting him fit, the blues been trying that for nearly a year. He hasn't played for us this year and instead has featured a few times for the rags, very unfit and seemingly no desire to get fitter.

Didn't he have some criminal problems off the pitch? Perhaps mentally his heads just not in the game.