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.

I'd heard that Tigers had this seasons 'magic Monday' coming on Monday next week. Judging by twitter it will start today though.

May well just be re-signings rather than new signings. That is fine by me though.

Next one I'd want re-signed is Harry Thacker please.

I'll second that Carlos. Betham and Kitch are good retentions.

Barrow staying.

Will Evans now confirms a new deal.

Welly wrote: Will Evans now confirms a new deal.

Excellent news. Starting to look like Ickle Arry is gone though

Another good and a vital retention. Come on Thacker next.

Where is Harry going..? And in what position? Hooker or Back row?

GeordieFalcon wrote:Where is Harry going..? And in what position? Hooker or Back row?

Who knows. If we are going to play like we did in the second half vs Wasps going forward then he'll be a success in either. The pressure defence around the rucks and drift across the backs suits him perfectly and the overload attacking play will see some score weekly given the game time.

That's it for today.

Glad kitch is sticking around as is betham, betham has improved this season

Betham is a great player. Really rate him.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Where is Harry going..? And in what position? Hooker or Back row?

Worcs is the rumour GF.

Mauger said on the radio a few days back that they are close to signing a new contract.

If he's being offered game time elsewhere then it could turn his head. I really hope not though, the lad is a Tiger through and through, papa Troy was a Tiger, Charlie his younger brother made his Prem debut at the weekend. Plus he is a fantastic talent that the club should be keeping hold off.

If keeping him means giving him game time in the back row then I'd rather see it tried and not work than see him go elsewhere. I would happily see him at openside and still throwing into the line-out too. Throwing in is his best role in the line-out no matter what position he's playing given he's not going to be a jumper or lifter at his height. He's excellent at controlling a maul from the back and he's a runner off the back.

Thacker is staying from what I gather

Welly wrote: Thacker is staying from what I gather

Many will be delighted if true, Welly.

Where have you heard that from if you don't mind me asking?

I haven't seen this posted here yet.

Underhill ---> Bath

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38582151

Apparently the transfer fee Bath have forked out is in the region of £150,000. It's a rare occasion where it could pay-off though if Underhill stays at Bath long term and develops into the player he could be.

HongKongCherry wrote: Jeremy Thrush appears to be off to France.

Not for the 1st time I was talking through my rear end. Thrush is very much staying next year and will make our pack even better, especially if we do still sign Gilchrist. Gutted to have missed out on Kitch again though.

HongKongCherry wrote:

HongKongCherry wrote: Jeremy Thrush appears to be off to France.

Not for the 1st time I was talking through my rear end. Thrush is very much staying next year and will make our pack even better, especially if we do still sign Gilchrist. Gutted to have missed out on Kitch again though.

Unless it's Kitch Jnr...

Kvesic to Exeter confirmed

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38587003

BamBam wrote:Kvesic to Exeter confirmed

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38587003

Logical signing for them. They really struggled when both Armand and Salvi were injured. Should help them rotate and stay competitive.

Has Armand hit any form yet after injury? I know he's represented England in Saxons - I wonder if he is likely to be involved with Argentina tour!

Underhill will likely be on the Argentina tour. Now he's signed for Bath he becomes eligible in the summer.

Will Kvesic improve his England chances by the move? He's only 24.....

Exeter seems a good fit for him. Really depends on what Jones is looking for and has asked him to do (assuming he's spoken to him). He's fallen out of England discussions as he appears to be ignored no matter his form.

Surely these guys are more likely to be the six nations squad given the injuries. I can't see many of our flankers going to the Lions given it'll be a Welsh love in.

Now he's signed for an AP club Underhill is selectable for the 6N. Good timing considering the injuries we have. Armand, Underhill and Mike Williams are all the physical and mobile style flankers Eddie likes.

Jones had told Kvesic to work on his attacking game. His link up play was apparently too limited and he didn't carry well enough. Interestingly Glaws have asked him to be more attacking this season and he hasn't achieved this. At present Rowan is the clear starter ahead of him; he offers far more pace and link up options. He has also struggled with the new breakdown laws, in particular his style of turnover meant he was always on the verge of being off his feet and this season he's been pinged for this. I understand he was consistently doing this in training, hence why he was dropped in favour of Rowan.

This all sounds like sour grapes, but in fact it is far from it. He was the outstanding 7 in the Jeff for the last 2 seasons. His omission from England was always a bemusement to me as he'd outplay all his competitors. He has the ability to become a world class player and with the right guidance I believe he can still achieve this. My concern is that if Laurie Fisher who is renowned for developing 7s can't help him, will Baxter et al be able to? I sincerely hope they do. Kvesic is a massive loss to us, based on his previous seasons' form and is compounded by him being one of the few local lads in the squad. I wish him well and Chiefs have got a great player, although I am rather looking forward to seeing Fearns play 7!

On a different note, all of the transfer activity this week shows the farce that is the supposed rule of no contact prior to 1st January. We've known Kvesic was off to Exeter since September. Likewise, Balmain was known since October and Ruskin and Williams since December. In previous years Freddie Burns had effectively been confirmed to Tigers, before his final season had already started! So isn't it time we stopped facade of no contact?

Rumour from the Saracens network - that Saracens are looking at signing Calum Clark.

Personally I'd rather Saracens didn't sign another bad boy.

Schalk Burger,Jim Hamilton and Ashton have had issues but Calum Clark IMO is another matter.

I know Saracens have a reputation but come on....

Rumours that Harry Thacker is off to Warriors, not sure how true they are.

beshocked wrote:Rumour from the Saracens network - that Saracens are looking at signing Calum Clark.

Personally I'd rather Saracens didn't sign another bad boy.

Schalk Burger,Jim Hamilton and Ashton have had issues but Calum Clark IMO is another matter.

I know Saracens have a reputation but come on....

Ill leave the moral aspects aside...on ability...hes a perfect fit for Saracens. Tough, physical, lineout option. Would work well in their tactical set up etc.

But as I say...its the other side that's the issue...he's gone way beyond being a .."bad boy"

He has, but i do sometimes wonder if it's the Saints environment that causes some of these issues. I mean Hartley is in that environment too.

I'm not sure Clark is a particularly dominant tackler which will mean he'll have to put in some work in the pre season because the Saracens blitz defence is brutal on players technique. You get flat footed as you come up quick then you miss the tackle or under the new interpretations go high and get carded. Clark is more of a chop and compete tackler so they'll have to be some adapting but his breakdown and lineout game will suit Sarries perfectly.

Rumour on the Irish message board that we might have signed Gordon Reid from Glasgow for next season.

he would be a decent replacement and upgrade on Tom Court

Yes. Not going to set the world alight, but solid, hard-working pro and a great player to mentor and help drive Smallbone and Hobbs-Awoyemi onto the heights that we hope they can reach.

A bit more energy around the Clark to Sarries move

http://www.planetrugby.com/news/clark-to-move-to-saracens/

It seems Ryan Grant's move to Brive is off now, something fairly catastrophic went on in the negotiations there.

It seems his destination may be Worcester now instead. Glasgow seem happy enough to off load him, just not at any price.

Apparently Bath have told Ford he can't leave this summer. Which means Tigers will have to search elsewhere for another 10

I'm 75% sure Ford will be a Tigers player come next season.

Also 90% sure he will def be a Tigers player come the season after

Welly wrote: I'm 75% sure Ford will be a Tigers player come next season.

Also 90% sure he will def be a Tigers player come the season after

Really hope you are right, will be great to have him back player under mauger

Ford is the best playmaker in the league at present. His kicking from the tee is very average. I'd happily have him back but we need to get a secondary goal kicker into the backline. Burns at 15...

I'm 99% certain he won't be at Bath. His kicking is so weird. He just has off days that are so horrifically bad. But overall he's pretty good, like today he was 100%. He will have 5 games at 80% and then a 30% game, which normally costs us the game and then everyone writes about it. His kicking from hand is brilliant. I really think he one of the best playmakers in the world, not just the league. There's only Barrett that I'd have over him in a bath shirt.

Maxime Mermoz ---> Tigers

BBC Leicester reporting that he will come in the next few days as a medical joker for the rest of the season. After that a three year deal is signed starting from the summer.

I'm delighted with that personally.

Great signing. Was rumored to come to bath for ages after eadtmond and devoto left, but never worked out.

Bathite wrote:Great signing. Was rumored to come to bath for ages after eadtmond and devoto left, but never worked out.

Been rumoured to us previously as well. He's obviously had his agent touting him around bigger clubs in the AP.

Who have Bath got lined up to replace Ford?

Priestland has extended his stay at Bath so he's the obvious option to take the ten shirt. He's an experienced international.

Adam Hastings being touted to head to Glasgow next season as well. Bath may be looking for a couple of FHs!

formerly known as Sam wrote:Priestland has extended his stay at Bath so he's the obvious option to take the ten shirt. He's an experienced international.

bet you are saying that with a straight face too....

lostinwales wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Priestland has extended his stay at Bath so he's the obvious option to take the ten shirt. He's an experienced international.

bet you are saying that with a straight face too....

I might have been smirking inside. Their other option at the minute is Dan Bowden  , he is a good 12 to be fair but at 10 no real kicking game.

Losing Adam Hastings would be a blow he's a very talented youngster. Blackadder will have some contacts in NZ, he'll be able to source a flyhalf for Bath.

Cruden been mentioned but think he has been offered to every club in Europe

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Bathite wrote:Great signing. Was rumored to come to bath for ages after eadtmond and devoto left, but never worked out.

Been rumoured to us previously as well. He's obviously had his agent touting him around bigger clubs in the AP.

I can't remember hearing any rumours about him going to Falcons....