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.

Bradbury has re-signed with Edinburgh through to 2020. Good news for Edinburgh and Scottish rugby. A good decision from the lad as well. He's come on great this season and hopefully keeps improving.

Adam Jones has signed an extension (length not disclosed) as Quins and is now officially a player-coach, taking up an assistant forwards role under Graham Rowntree. Good news for Quins and Bomb. He should make an excellent scrum coach with his experience and Rowntree is a top coach to work under for the start of his coaching career.

Shame I'd have liked Bradbury at Tigers. Probably a good move for him to stay north of the border though. He'll keep playing regularly at a time when Denton's career is falling (injury and a league in which is useless) and Strauss isn't getting any younger. Should mean he'll accumulate Scotland caps.

Scotsman now linking Jonny Gray to Toulon.
Hope he doesn't go. He'll get played to death.

George Carlin wrote:Scotsman now linking Jonny Gray to Toulon.
Hope he doesn't go. He'll get played to death.

There are a lot of good Home Nations locks but Welsh, Irish and English mostly need to stay home to get picked for Tests.

George Carlin wrote:Scotsman now linking Jonny Gray to Toulon.
Hope he doesn't go. He'll get played to death.

To be fair to Toulon they managed to keep Wilko fit for years at a time. They also managed to keep what was a fairly erm experienced pack all fit and firing whilst winning their trophies. The only issue is that the owner is a plank that doesn't see the point of international rugby.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Scotsman now linking Jonny Gray to Toulon.
Hope he doesn't go. He'll get played to death.

To be fair to Toulon they managed to keep Wilko fit for years at a time. They also managed to keep what was a fairly erm experienced pack all fit and firing whilst winning their trophies. The only issue is that the owner is a plank that doesn't see the point of international rugby.

and the pharmacy scandal last year. Racing got hit this year.

The most similar style of play to Glasgow in the Top 14 is Bordeaux. I think their starting lock is Tom Palmer (whocares, please correct my ignorance) so J Gray would represent a huge upgrade.

Toulon seem a bit stale in their play at the moment. They lack leadership more than anything. As much as I am not a big fan of AWJ, his ultimate specialism is leadership. If they are going to spend money, the is the guy to get.

The Johnny Gray to Toulon thing is an old story. He did go down there earlier in the season and have a look around, but said that he was not moving at this time.

being realistic about it though, these offers are going to keep on coming up and it is going to take a mighty good contract to keep him with us in the longer term. He is still young and there is much to play for in Glasgow at the moment, but it will be hard to see him spending his whole career with us and you can't blame players for wanting to maximise their incomes at some stage.

Landman to stay at Dragons now, so that puts to rest the rumours he has signed for Scarlets. Saying that they could do with lock back up to support first choices; Ball and Bulbring. May be Ianto Evans, who the Scarlets have been interested in before?

Hazel Sapling wrote:

The most similar style of play to Glasgow in the Top 14 is Bordeaux. I think their starting lock is Tom Palmer (whocares, please correct my ignorance) so J Gray would represent a huge upgrade.

UBB style hasn't been always great this season ...
Palmer is barely an injury cover for one of the saffa locks injured (Jandre Marais , Berend Botha). The other starting lock is Aussie Luke Jones (who was a great signing).
Would love Jonny to come down there and would welcome him myself if that were to happen alas we're not in the same league at some top14 big guns when it comes to budget and our good French players tend to get nicked by the likes of Toulouse as soon as their contract expires so we have to resort at looking at south west pro D2 clubs to find young talents which to be fair has been working ok so far.

Callum Clark from Saints to Sarries. Bristol to bring in Alby Mathewson in the new year. Quick rumour update.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Callum Clark from Saints to Sarries.

Can't think of a better fit

BamBam wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Callum Clark from Saints to Sarries.

Can't think of a better fit

Two cheats?

Welly wrote:

BamBam wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Callum Clark from Saints to Sarries.

Can't think of a better fit

Two cheats?

Clark not really a cheat more of a walking liability given his tendency to blow up on odd occasions.

Just as an extremely popular player and club!

Priestland going to Scarlett's apparently. To replace outbound Liam Williams at 15.

Good riddance, they can have him now if they want.

Bathite wrote:Priestland going to Scarlett's apparently. To replace outbound Liam Williams at 15.

Good riddance, they can have him now if they want.

Priestland to 10 and Patchell to 15 I'd have thought. Bath quickly running low in flyhalfs with Ford yet to offer any hope of him staying.

article said that patchell would be the 10.

Yep we will be looking for at least one 10.

Wonder if Bath views Hastings as maybe ready to take more of a squad role next season.

Assuming Ford is off and Preistland goes they could prob get a big ticket 10 and a reliable 10 with Hastings taking up any slack.

Wonder if Williams goes if Tigers will make an attempt to swing ford back round esp with Sale potentially facing a relegation fight if results go badly this weekend.

Hastings is pretty much third choice 10 now so that won't be much change for him really

Bathite wrote:Hastings is pretty much third choice 10 now so that won't be much change for him really

Thought Bowden was.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Callum Clark from Saints to Sarries. Bristol to bring in Alby Mathewson in the new year. Quick rumour update.

BS will be happy....

I wonder if the Sinning Saint, much criticised by you know who, will become an icon of all that is right in the game.

I am surprised that Sarries have gone for a player that seems to spend the majority of his time either suspended or injured, but I can see why Clark would want o move, Saints have too many quality backrowers and he would be hard pushed to keep a regular spot competing with Wood, Gibson and Harrison.

Good news, not for this thread I suppose, but Prince Harry returns to the 23 for Sundays game.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Welly wrote:

BamBam wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Callum Clark from Saints to Sarries.

Can't think of a better fit

Two cheats?

Clark not really a cheat more of a walking liability given his tendency to blow up on odd occasions.

Maybe hes looking for a clean break.

Sarries are used to breaking things......

Welly wrote:

Bathite wrote:Hastings is pretty much third choice 10 now so that won't be much change for him really

Thought Bowden was.

Bowden is a 12 that can cover 10. As Hastings develops he should be a much better option at 10.

Exactly. As fkas says

Bathite, sorry I don't watch much/any English rugby anymore. As a Dragons fan how is Brew getting on with you? Was a big shock that he got signed by Bath as he'd sort of disappeared into obscurity at the Dragons and was playing semi-pro. I hear a contract extension has been signed so must be doing well?

Also, has Prisetland been any good at all? Even in patches? I've never been a fan of his at international level but at club level I thought he was pretty good (at Scarlets). Just felt the extra intensity at international level was a step too far for him as he can be.... ummm.... flaky perhaps?! How's he done?

Brew has been really strong and has become a real crowd favorite because of his work rate and strong defence. He's mucked in at 12 13 and wing during an injury crisis and been very solid. He actually had a bit of a shocker in the last game against wasps, dropping two high balls that led to 14 points, but otherwise he's been a grea squad addition. Once Watson and Banahan are fit, he will be back to 3/4th choice, but I would imagine a great value option

Priestland has been awful. Barely played because always injured. Would have played last year but reversed his international retirement decision and left us in the lurch. He's played mainly at 12 for 10 minute cameos and has had zero impact. Arguably he should have started at 10 last year when ford was such in a rut, but his dad didn't have the balls to make that decision.

All in all, brew a solid dependable bloke with a point to prove and earns his contract

Priestland appears dejected and not bothered and terrible value for his alleged £300k contract.

Bathite wrote:Brew has been really strong and has become a real crowd favorite because of his work rate and strong defence. He's mucked in at 12 13 and wing during an injury crisis and been very solid. He actually had a bit of a shocker in the last game against wasps, dropping two high balls that led to 14 points, but otherwise he's been a grea squad addition. Once Watson and Banahan are fit, he will be back to 3/4th choice, but I would imagine a great value option

Priestland has been awful. Barely played because always injured. Would have played last year but reversed his international retirement decision and left us in the lurch. He's played mainly at 12 for 10 minute cameos and has had zero impact. Arguably he should have started at 10 last year when ford was such in a rut, but his dad didn't have the balls to make that decision.

All in all, brew a solid dependable bloke with a point to prove and earns his contract

Priestland appears dejected and not bothered and terrible value for his alleged £300k contract.

Cheers Bathite. 300k P.A. For Priestland: yikes!

Good to hear Brew is doing well. He was hands down my favourite player at the Dragons a number of years ago. Had a good 3 seasons or so and was a crowd favourite, top scorer, real menace on the wing, and then got snapped up by Biarritz but came back half the player and couldn't break into the squad. Which is why I was surprised (but pleased for him) that he's doing well in arguably a tougher league with greater competiton for places. Although, it also says a lot about our coaching and management as this seems to happen to a lot of players (either come here with a good reputation and the coaches can't get it out of them, or start here and show nothing but leave and do well elsewhere, or both!).

Well I guess after tonight's performance wasps will be putting the heavy word on Watson to sign for them.

Great what you can do with a load of money!!!

Sack of Sh*t like Saracens!!!

Haha

You a little upset there Geordie?

Tbh signing players isn't the be all and end all. You have to make it work too, which a lot of clubs struggle with.

I get totally where GF is coming from ... the signing team may not make all their new players work but it sure as hell doesn't help the teams they've nicked them from ... ironic that Marcus is yet another product of the LI academy - at least he didn't end up at Bath with all the rest ...

Dean Richards to Leicester

I see Kitchener and Williams are linked with Gloucester, honestly whilst Kitch is great on his day he hasn't played well this season and IMO we could do with a more big enforcer at lock IMO.

Williams after the Munster game has looked poor IMO, as long as we get a good replacement I'm fine with it.

We could do with signing 2 more ball carries in the back row, have Evans starting.

The Japan 8 Mafi apprently looking to play in the prem again, would love to have him in the squad with another ball carrier to go on the bench.

I'll gladly take Kitch and Williams off your hands, along with Balmain. That'll strengthen the squad nicely.

Kitch has been one of our better players for me Welly. I rate him significantly higher than Fitzgerald. He's excellent at the lineout and he was the only forward to show any spine against Glasgow. 

Williams is a good controlling ten that needs to work on his tactical kicking. He gives us more consistency and control than Burns who I think the club will look to convert to fullback given how more assured he looks there.

He made one good tackle v Glasgow that was it, agree with the lineout leader, but he has been pretty average this season esp compared to last and the season before.

Personally I would keep him but I also think we are in need of another big enforcing lock. Would I take him over Fitz yeah BUT I don't know whose contract comes up first, honestly I suspect it is agent talk as it was pretty vague.

Would like to see a new lock and Barrow as our starting locks with Kitch/Slater on bench next season.

Williams I don't know I'm just not sure part of me thinks Burns is a better 10 he has a lot more vision than Williams at 10.

Burns will leave the club if we try to make him starting 15 full time, he really doesn't view himself as a 15, same with Williams @ 12.

Balmain promising but behind Cole, Cilliers, Mulipola and Batrman and with the money Gloucester is offering rather spend the money elsewhere.

Fitzgerald signed two years ago, I'd assume that his contract is up for renewal.

I don't know he might of signed a 3 year deal like Williams.

Also Burns is only a better 10 when he shows up. His lack if consistency is very frustrating and why he'll never get back into the England squad bar an injury crisis. At 15 he has a future, possibly as an international, we saw him dancing up the pitch today that's when he's at his best.

Burns consistency has been good IMO, injuries have been a bigger issue.

I think Burns has personified the team's form. Away from home he's struggled for form, particularly in the two European games where he was pretty awful. At home he's been improving and playing well. 

If it's a case of Ford or Burns I'd take Ford back. If Burns wants to get more England caps he needs to convert to 15. I've been saying that for months and yesterday only reinforced my opinion. Ford at 10 and Burns at 15 kicking for goal, now you're talking.

With Jones in charge there is no chance of Freddie being capped at 15 and he'd be way back in the pecking order.

Burns isnt good enough to be an Int 15, Im not sure what youre seeing Sam. I like him at 10, hes a good option there.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Burns isnt good enough to be an Int 15, Im not sure what youre seeing Sam. I like him at 10, hes a good option there.

I'm seeing the step to get himself out of trouble (I doubt anyone beat more players than Burns yesterday), the kicking game to tactically dominate from 15 ala Goode (who he out played yesterday) and the playmaking ability and vision to launch either counter attacks or to come in as a secondary play maker.

I see him as possibly the next Geordan Murphy at 15 as opposed to a poor man's Cipriani at 10. Goode as already fallen out of favour with Jones and Brown is not the complete fullback is he.

I dont think hes anything past an average 15 tbh, but a very good 10 when on form, similar to Cipriani I guess.

I never rated Murphy hugely, but he was a much better 15 than Burns ever will be.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

I never rated Murphy hugely, .

and just like that i lose all respect for your opinion.

He was a good FB but not as good as a lot of Tigers fans seem to recall. He was no Matt Burke anyway

Murphy = The greatest 15 to play in the prem miles ahead of everyone else.

Welly wrote: Murphy = The greatest 15 to play in the prem miles ahead of everyone else.

Thus proving my point......

Matt Burke was world class, Murphy not. Jason Robinson, Josh Lewsey etc etc....