Silly Season Transfer Rumours 16/17

First topic message reminder :

Gordon Reid is off to Irish.

That's a bit of a drop for Dickson! Though Sale were after him?

propdavid_london wrote:That's a bit of a drop for Dickson! Though Sale were after him?

Bedford is a lot closer to Northampton than Salford. If he doesn't want to move his family then the commute is shorter and he'll be starting his coaching career and continuing to play at the same time.

Leicester should obviously go for Gorgodze. I've said it again and again. Leicester need someone in the backrow for opposition to fear.

I don't think you'll be title contenders without some serious reinforcements there. I know you say "salary cap" etc - stop blowing money on high profile backs.

No point signing one of the smallest but exciting attacking 10s and not having strong support for him.


It's about balance. I still think Saints were right to sign Picamoles but haven't got the 10 who can make the most of it. Leicester are the opposite - need a top class backrow.

Ford needs to play on the front foot.

Not appropriate for me to put this comment on the Tigers thread, but I do hope we spend the money just freed up wisely.

LondonTiger wrote:Not appropriate for me to put this comment on the Tigers thread, but I do hope we spend the money just freed up wisely.

What would be spending wisely for you?

I personally think you need to trust Genge to develop, I think he's making nice progress.

Sure you could invest in a high profile new LH but I think Leicester have more pressing concerns.

It's by not keeping pace with the other packs which has meant you falling behind. Not as if Leicester are lacking in money or profile.

I'm actually in agreement with BS for once, Godzilla would be a great signing. Exactly the type of player you need in your otherwise (lets be honest) pretty average backrow.

beshocked wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:Not appropriate for me to put this comment on the Tigers thread, but I do hope we spend the money just freed up wisely.

What would be spending wisely for you?

I personally think you need to trust Genge to develop, I think he's making nice progress.

Sure you could invest in a high profile new LH but I think Leicester have more pressing concerns.

It's by not keeping pace with the other packs which has meant you falling behind. Not as if Leicester are lacking in money or profile.

I think he is suggesting that we spend that cap on a backrow.

I agree Sarge, Gorgodze could be a cracking signing, and one which until this morning we were unable to afford. We certainly do not need to be spending a large chunk of money on a LH.

Ayerza was deservedly on a big contract. I'd like to see us invest in a loosehead to help fill out the front row depth, ideally a young Georgian to reinforce our tight game during the winter. As we have Genge and Rizzo as well as Mulipola we don't need a big name signing just someone who can reliably scrum and ideally someone we can develop.

I agree Beshocked we could do with a better backrow, however, we've spent as much cap there as I think is reasonable. We need to look at the midfield depth, particularly 10/12 where we have Ford and Toomua the Joe Ford  (Championship level player at best) and an 18/19 year old prospect. If we have some available funds after adding loosehead depth then someone like Ryan Mills who is out of contract at Wuss would be ideal. A punt on a project 8 might be an idea depending on funds.

The back also depends on where they see Thacker. He's a player that needs to be included somewhere in the back row. The obvious one is 7. His carrying and tackling (didn't he hit 30+ tackles the other week) is too good to leave out.

If his breakdown work is not up to scratch for a 7 then so what...move that responsibility to other members of the pack who ARE good at it.

GeordieFalcon wrote:The back also depends on where they see Thacker. He's a player that needs to be included somewhere in the back row. The obvious one is 7. His carrying and tackling (didn't he hit 30+ tackles the other week)  is too good to leave out.

If his breakdown work is not up to scratch for a 7 then so what...move that responsibility to other members of the pack who ARE good at it.

The backrow resources for next season;

6. Williams, Croft
7. O'Connor, Evans, Thacker
8. Kalamafoni, McCafferey, Hamilton

Hamilton, McCaffery anf Kalamafoni are all equally comfortable at 6.

Thacker and Balmain are still able to cover hooker in the short term with Youngs and McGuigan.

LondonTiger wrote:I agree Sarge, Gorgodze could be a cracking signing, and one which until this morning we were unable to afford. We certainly do not need to be spending a large chunk of money on a LH.

I've said we should chase Gorgodze in the past, I would love for the club to do so now.

Glasgow also have some cash to spend with Strauss leaving but they also have the budget cut from the SRU to deal with. They have also been playing better rugby than Tigers this season though.

Alexandru Tarus and Jono Ross been confirmed for Sale. Looks like the Sale pack is being beefing up a fair bit.

Sale backrow looks like it's going to be meaty with Ross and Strauss at 6 and 8. Presume that Beaumont will move in to the second row for next season. Add in T J Ioane at 7 and there's a lot of carrying options there.

Phillips is retiring at the end of the season and there's no news on Stringer so you'd have thought the next move will be for a scrum half and possibly a flyhalf.

So will that hinder Nields development...or will he move back to hooker?

Wasps are reportedly after Juan De Jongh.

Other than Beale, are they losing any other big earners?

Le Roux is injury dispensation for them currently isn't he?

If so then he will need to be added to the cap for next season if he stays with Wasps.

Wasps will definitely be a good team to watch over the next few seasons before their collapse.

Wasps main weakness this season has been their tight 5, so of course they spend money on a 3/4.

At least JDJ is a strong defender which not many of their backline are. They really do need a top prop though, their scrum has took some poundings this season.

Matt Mullan has been far less solid in the scrum this season than previously. On the positive Simon McIntyre has improved out of sight over the last two seasons, he's a wrecking ball.

Marty Moore hasn't had the expected impact though.

Ashley Johnson moving to hooker hasn't helped the set-piece or props. In the loose he still consistently plays like one of the best back rows in the Prem. Why convert him?

king_carlos wrote:Matt Mullan has been far less solid in the scrum this season than previously. On the positive Simon McIntyre has improved out of sight over the last two seasons, he's a wrecking ball.

Marty Moore hasn't had the expected impact though.

Ashley Johnson moving to hooker hasn't helped the set-piece or props. In the loose he still consistently plays like one of the best back rows in the Prem. Why convert him?

Because Nathan Hughes.

GeordieFalcon wrote:So will that hinder Nields development...or will he move back to hooker?

Probably move to hooker full time as the other option behind Webber is Marc Jones and he's solid at best.

Scottrf wrote:

king_carlos wrote:Matt Mullan has been far less solid in the scrum this season than previously. On the positive Simon McIntyre has improved out of sight over the last two seasons, he's a wrecking ball.

Marty Moore hasn't had the expected impact though.

Ashley Johnson moving to hooker hasn't helped the set-piece or props. In the loose he still consistently plays like one of the best back rows in the Prem. Why convert him?

Because Nathan Hughes.

AJ played more on the flank than 8 I think. So....that's the other great options in Thompson, Haskell, Jones, Young, Reider....etc.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:AJ played more on the flank than 8 I think.

You sure? That's not what I remember at all.

Scottrf wrote:

Sgt_Pooly wrote:AJ played more on the flank than 8 I think.

You sure? That's not what I remember at all.

I think the signing of Smith and emergence of Young meant that Haskell moved to 6 and Johnson was left the odd man out. He can play 6 and 8.

May be completely wrong but that's what I recall. He didn't play too much at 8 in SA too, was mainly a 6.

Well we'll happily take Ashley Johnson in a swap deal for Fonua....

http://www.quins.co.uk/news/matt-hopper-to-leave-harlequins-for-oyonnax/
Hopper leaving Quins

propdavid_london wrote:http://www.quins.co.uk/news/matt-hopper-to-leave-harlequins-for-oyonnax/
Hopper leaving Quins

If Oyonnax can hold their place at the top of Pro D2 then it could be a shrewd move by Hopper. He will find himself playing in the Top 14. If he can stay fit I actually think he could show up OK in a league where his defence and hard running will suit the style of play.

Dragons rumoured to be after Ben Botica, whilst his younger brother currently plays for RGC. What was BB like just before he left Quins? I remember him being an okay player. He would certainly be a step-up for the departing GRJ at Dragons.

mikey_dragon wrote:Dragons rumoured to be after Ben Botica, whilst his younger brother currently plays for RGC. What was BB like just before he left Quins? I remember him being an okay player. He would certainly be a step-up for the departing GRJ at Dragons.

Hit and miss. Good at times at others a liability. See the moronic decision to kick the ball away when chasing the game in the Challenge Cup and the clock in the red.

BB did that against Saints in te AP too. Missing the top 2 inches

He's going to be a step up on Daddy's boy, but I still don't see what we've gained or are gaining by signing Macleod and him after releasing Tovey.

RiscaGame wrote:He's going to be a step up on Daddy's boy, but I still don't see what we've gained or are gaining by signing Macleod and him after releasing Tovey.

Having three fly-halves who are decent at this level, although I'm not entirely sold on AOB. And don't get me started on that former turk who will be passing them the ball - using the term 'passing' very loosely.

Post Tigers vs Falcons interview with MOC has given confirmation that Genge has re-signed with Tigers.

There has been confusion about whether he was in contract for next season and this is a further extension or if it's a contract for next season. Either way it's great news for Tigers and hopefully long term.

king_carlos wrote:Post Tigers vs Falcons interview with MOC has given confirmation that Genge has re-signed with Tigers.

There has been confusion about whether he was in contract for next season and this is a further extension or if it's a contract for next season. Either way it's great news for Tigers and hopefully long term.

Hopefully we've taken a leaf out of Sale's book and sorted him out with a five year deal.

Wasps want Fekitoa and De Jager is in talks with Irish according to the rugby paper

Smudge21 wrote:Wasps want Fekitoa and De Jager is in talks with Irish according to the rugby paper

And I repeat the comment I made higher up thsi page in relation to Wasps purported interest in Juan de Jongh:

LondonTiger wrote:Wasps main weakness this season has been their tight 5, so of course they spend money on a 3/4.

Are we talking Lood de Jager? If so then Wasps would be much better served trying to get him alongside Launchbury then trying to bring in Fekitoa.

It's unlikely to happen (LI), but I doubt Wasps have the cap space for him if all their superstar back signings come off...

The previous rumour to Wasps was Juan de Jongh. Now they are reportedly after Fekitoa. Both excellent players but as LT says not where Wasps need to invest more money.

Lood de Jager is being rumoured to LI and would be a great signing for them. He's a fantastic second row, big unit who can lead a line-out and get through a lot of dirty work.

Faf de Klerk and James O'Connor to Sale are done deals according to Fissler.

king_carlos wrote:Faf de Klerk and James O'Connor to Sale are done deals according to Fissler.

I'd be amazed if James O'Connor signs for anymore than a year. He'll be back in Australia in plenty of time to stake a claim for the next RWC.

Fruean to Edinburgh according to Fissler, who is usually hit and miss but he is sounding very sure on this even mentioned Fruean going to Edinburgh this week to do a medical.

Would be a good signing IMO, pro 12 is a league he could be worked in.

I think Cockers is gonna work wonders on Edinburgh personally, the fact that Nel re-signed is surely a good sign.

Robbie, as in the guy who had heart trouble? Was exceptional alongside Carter for Crusaders but I think those days are gone.

A lot of big names getting bandied about with Sale and Wasps......Is Fruean currently with Bath? Big chap (12/13) that wears gold boots? Only been with them this season and not had a lot of gametime.

I do hope that Quins get in on the action soon or they will miss out.....and presumably have a bit of cash to spend with NEv retiring.

Aaron Morris to Tigers being talked about now.

Makes sense in some way.

Behind Brown currently at Quins who is staying next season at Quins and Wuins apparently looking at another 15.
At Tigers he would be behind Veainu BUT unlike Brown Veainu is just as much a winger than a 15 so Could have more chance for game time IMO.

We have Worth in the Academy but given our lack of 10/12 next season i could see Worth helping to fill that gap with Charlie Thacker our 13 academy project and Hardwick coming up through the ranks. (I like Worth but do wonder if he has the top speed to make it as a proper prem 15)

Could well be Agent talk but I would like him at Tigers.

Welly wrote: Aaron Morris to Tigers being talked about now.

Makes sense in some way.

Behind Brown currently at Quins who is staying next season at Quins and Wuins apparently looking at another 15.
At Tigers he would be behind Veainu BUT unlike Brown Veainu is just as much a winger than a 15 so Could have more chance for game time IMO.

We have Worth in the Academy but given our lack of 10/12 next season i could see Worth helping to fill that gap with Charlie Thacker our 13 academy project and Hardwick coming up through the ranks. (I like Worth but do wonder if he has the top speed to make it as a proper prem 15)

Could well be Agent talk but I would like him at Tigers.

I think Worth has got the pace, I don't think he's got the footwork or the evasion skills. I'd like to see him work a bit on his high ball gathering skills as well. He does tackle big and have good all round skills.

I like Morris he's got pace and is a strong runner. Would fit in with our other wingers in carrying style and I bet he could do a job at 13 as well.