Silly Season Transfer Rumours 16/17

by stnick88 Tue 14 Feb 2017, 2:37 pm

First topic message reminder :

Gordon Reid is off to Irish.

by Welly Tue 09 May 2017, 8:30 am

And who told you that over a month ago. Wink

by Geordie Tue 09 May 2017, 8:38 am

Indeed....

by king_carlos Tue 09 May 2017, 9:21 am

GeordieFalcon wrote:Toby Flood returning looking like a done deal as we suspected.

That would be a good move for player and club. He's still only 31, will be 32 by start of next season, so he should have plenty of quality rugby in him. Plus it's a position that Falcons desperately need improvement in. Flood was always very good at getting his wingers into the game too so he's a 10 that should get the most out of Goneva and Sinoti.

I'd love him back at Welford Road next season.

by Sgt_Pooly Tue 09 May 2017, 9:25 am

I would absolutely over the moon with Flood signing.

Real class act and able to mix it up, a very rounded FH. It's been a real problem position since Gopperth left and we don't have the wedge to compete with the top clubs. Flood would be the icing on the cake really with all the other good signings we've made.

by Geordie Tue 09 May 2017, 10:14 am

king_carlos wrote:
GeordieFalcon wrote:Toby Flood returning looking like a done deal as we suspected.

That would be a good move for player and club. He's still only 31, will be 32 by start of next season, so he should have plenty of quality rugby in him. Plus it's a position that Falcons desperately need improvement in. Flood was always very good at getting his wingers into the game too so he's a 10 that should get the most out of Goneva and Sinoti.

I'd love him back at Welford Road next season.

We have DTH van der Merve aswell now...and Kibirige should finally get going next season (like dejavu)

And Mermoz and Matavesi....

FH was the key position. Hopefully Flood signing can only help Joel Hodgson aswell.

by Welly Tue 09 May 2017, 3:06 pm

Falcons backline in my eyes should be
9) Takulua
10) Flood
11) Sinoti
12) Mermoz
13) Goneva
14) DTH
15) Tait/Hammersley

Don't get me wrong Socino is a class act but I think Mermoz works best with an power runner next to him.

by Fluxy Tue 09 May 2017, 3:10 pm

Toulouse have just confirmed that they have mutually ended their contract with Flood, so he is now officially unattached!

by Geordie Tue 09 May 2017, 3:18 pm

Welly,

I think Matavesi will get gametime aswell. And Socino has been absolutely brilliant this season!

by Sgt_Pooly Tue 09 May 2017, 3:31 pm

I doubt we'll see goneva at 13 Welly, hes been fantastic on the wing. DTH is a possibility at 13 but quite happy with our centre options really.

by Geordie Tue 09 May 2017, 3:37 pm

Its being confirmed at the Dinner tonight about Toby.

Great signing.

Just need to make sure the front row and scrum are "fixed" for next season and all will be good!! Very Happy

by mid_gen Wed 10 May 2017, 8:49 am

I haven't seen Flood play in a while, but unless he's gone desperately downhill, he'd have been a great signing for any AP team imo.

*sits around waiting to hear of a Quins signing*

by **Ozzy3213** Wed 10 May 2017, 11:27 am

Rumour on The Craic that we have signed Tyler Ardron the Canadian second row from the Ospreys.

by SirJohnnyEnglish Wed 10 May 2017, 11:29 am

Decent signing Pete has looked good whenever I've seen him in the Pro 12 and available all year helps!

by **Ozzy3213** Wed 10 May 2017, 11:30 am

Just seen a counter rumour that he's off to Super Rugby with the Chiefs though.

by Sgt_Pooly Wed 10 May 2017, 11:31 am

That was the shortest rumour ever....

by **Ozzy3213** Wed 10 May 2017, 11:43 am

So doing some research he's off to the Chiefs next season, so I guess Feb/March 2018.

It may be that we've got him on a short term deal until then, which is entirely plausible given that we were supposed to be signing Jim Hamilton but that now appears off, so we may have needed to sign someone at really short notice.

by munkian Wed 10 May 2017, 11:49 am

Ruaridh Jackson rumour back on now the Dragon's fate has been decided/prolonged

by **BigGee** Wed 10 May 2017, 12:04 pm

munkian wrote:Ruaridh Jackson rumour back on now the Dragon's fate has been decided/prolonged

Would he get much game time at Drags with O'Brien and Henson there (though you will be lucky to get half a dozen games out of Gav, that's been about his average for the past 5 years)

Jackson is a decent player, Scotland are taking him on tour this summer as a FB, but he keeps moving to clubs where he hardly gets any games and is not really doing his career much good.

by munkian Wed 10 May 2017, 1:43 pm

BigGee wrote:
munkian wrote:Ruaridh Jackson rumour back on now the Dragon's fate has been decided/prolonged

Would he get much game time at Drags with O'Brien and Henson there (though you will be lucky to get half a dozen games out of Gav, that's been about his average for the past 5 years)

Jackson is a decent player, Scotland are taking him on tour this summer as a FB, but he keeps moving to clubs where he hardly gets any games and is not really doing his career much good.

I'd hope so, he seems a solid club player. Im not sure why we keep recruiting all these backs though as we desperately need some bulk for the 1st and 2nd row.

by **Rugby Fan** Wed 10 May 2017, 1:46 pm

Ozzy3213 wrote:..we were supposed to be signing Jim Hamilton but that now appears off...

What's happening there? He's definitely out of contract at Saracens, and suggested on his podacst a couple of weeks ago that he was on the verge of announcing his next move.

by Scottrf Wed 10 May 2017, 1:49 pm

Saints sign Francois Van Zyk. Any info?

by munkian Wed 10 May 2017, 1:53 pm

Scottrf wrote:Saints sign Francois Van Zyk. Any info?

Francois Daniel "Slak" van Wyk is a South African rugby union player who currently plays as a loosehead prop for the Western Force in the international Super Rugby competition. Wikipedia
Born: 30 July 1991 (age 25 years), Bellville, Western Cape, South Africa
Height: 1.89 m
Weight: 114 kg
Education: University of Cape Town
Date joined: 2014 (Western Force)
Other name: Slak

by Scottrf Wed 10 May 2017, 2:06 pm

Something beyond his wiki page...

by **LondonTiger** Wed 10 May 2017, 2:55 pm

https://rugby.statbunker.com/players/GetHistoryStats?player_id=34517&comps_type=-1&dates=-1

by Scottrf Wed 10 May 2017, 3:12 pm

Eek. Not much rugby.

by king_carlos Wed 10 May 2017, 4:44 pm

As of next season...

Falcons ex-Tigers - Green, Fonau, Young, Flood, Mermoz, Goneva

Tigers ex-Falcons - McGuigan, Barrow, Tait

How times change hey Sarge and GF Wink

by lostinwales Wed 10 May 2017, 4:56 pm

king_carlos wrote:As of next season...

Falcons ex-Tigers - Green, Fonau, Young, Flood, Mermoz, Goneva

Tigers ex-Falcons - McGuigan, Barrow, Tait

How times change hey Sarge and GF

Flood is of course a Falcon-Tiger-Falcon though

by king_carlos Wed 10 May 2017, 5:29 pm

lostinwales wrote:
king_carlos wrote:As of next season...

Falcons ex-Tigers - Green, Fonau, Young, Flood, Mermoz, Goneva

Tigers ex-Falcons - McGuigan, Barrow, Tait

How times change hey Sarge and GF

Flood is of course a Falcon-Tiger-Falcon though

As is Micky Young. My immaturity doesn't take in such semantics though Whistle

by king_carlos Wed 10 May 2017, 7:25 pm

Geoff Parling to leave Exeter in the summer for a short-term deal in Japan. He is then likely to go to an Australian Super Rugby side according to Chiefs.

by Welly Wed 10 May 2017, 7:33 pm

Would be surprised if he goes to a super rugby team in aus since they are getting rid of 2 teams.

by formerly known as Sam Wed 10 May 2017, 10:00 pm

king_carlos wrote:Geoff Parling to leave Exeter in the summer for a short-term deal in Japan. He is then likely to go to an Australian Super Rugby side according to Chiefs.

He loves his surfing so a short term deal in Australia as a player coach would suit him down to the ground.

by **LondonTiger** Thu 11 May 2017, 10:53 am

Simon Cohen - CEO Leicester Tigers wrote:Cohen revealed that Leicester have secured new signings for the 2017-18 season, but the names would be under wraps for now.

"We will announce the players when they are no longer playing for their clubs," said Cohen.

"It is a little bit of a giveaway to say their current clubs are still involved in competition, but as soon as those competitions are over we will make those announcements.

"It is not really fair to those players and clubs to make announcements when they are still in running for trophies."

by propdavid_london Thu 11 May 2017, 10:58 am

Exciting LT - who do you think is on the radar?

by Sgt_Pooly Thu 11 May 2017, 11:02 am

king_carlos wrote:As of next season...

Falcons ex-Tigers - Green, Fonau, ~~Young, Flood, Mermoz~~, Goneva

Tigers ex-Falcons - McGuigan, Barrow, Tait

How times change hey Sarge and GF

You're not claiming Young, Flood and Mermoz surely!

by **LondonTiger** Thu 11 May 2017, 11:08 am

propdavid_london wrote:Exciting LT - who do you think is on the radar?

I suspect that as Gloucester and Yorkshire are still in competitions it may be Kalamafoni, Ford sr and Holmes (not sure if they have been officially announced).

by beshocked Thu 11 May 2017, 11:30 am

I think the most obvious transfer from Leicester to Newcastle has been Dean Richards himself.

by formerly known as Sam Thu 11 May 2017, 12:20 pm

LondonTiger wrote:
propdavid_london wrote:Exciting LT - who do you think is on the radar?

I suspect that as Gloucester and Yorkshire are still in competitions it may be Kalamafoni, Ford sr and Holmes (not sure if they have been officially announced).

Kalamafoni has been as good as officially announced as Cohen himself mentioned it and board member Ben Kay discussed it on BT Sport. Ford Snr and Holmes I think are the ones he's referencing. Unless there's another utility player coming?

by Welly Thu 11 May 2017, 12:40 pm

LondonTiger wrote:
propdavid_london wrote:Exciting LT - who do you think is on the radar?

I suspect that as Gloucester and Yorkshire are still in competitions it may be Kalamafoni, Ford sr and Holmes (not sure if they have been officially announced).

And maybe a couple of others not yet rumored.

by WELL-PAST-IT Thu 11 May 2017, 1:31 pm

I see Tigers backline will be if real benefit to England next year.

by propdavid_london Thu 11 May 2017, 2:11 pm

Ha, I am sure Tuilagi will be fit and playing..........

by **LondonTiger** Thu 11 May 2017, 2:16 pm

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:I see Tigers backline will be if real benefit to England next year.

Is this a dig?

First choice backline next season: Youngs, Ford, JPP(meh), Toomua, Tuilagi, Thompstone, Veainu. 4 from 7 England qualified, 3 in contention for England places if fit and in form. Not great, but could be worse.

by WELL-PAST-IT Thu 11 May 2017, 2:23 pm

Sorry LG, meant Falcons

by Sgt_Pooly Thu 11 May 2017, 2:31 pm

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:Sorry LG, meant Falcons

None of our players ever get selected anyway

by SirBurger Thu 11 May 2017, 2:34 pm

LondonTiger wrote:
WELL-PAST-IT wrote:I see Tigers backline will be if real benefit to England next year.

Is this a dig?

First choice backline next season: Youngs, Ford, JPP(meh), Toomua, Tuilagi, Thompstone, Veainu. 4 from 7 England qualified, 3 in contention for England places if fit and in form. Not great, but could be worse.

If Betham plays at his best I would expect him on one wing.

by formerly known as Sam Thu 11 May 2017, 3:18 pm

SirBurger wrote:
LondonTiger wrote:
WELL-PAST-IT wrote:I see Tigers backline will be if real benefit to England next year.

Is this a dig?

First choice backline next season: Youngs, Ford, JPP(meh), Toomua, Tuilagi, Thompstone, Veainu. 4 from 7 England qualified, 3 in contention for England places if fit and in form. Not great, but could be worse.

If Betham plays at his best I would expect him on one wing.

We've not seen Betham play his best for about a year now. Second season syndrome has hit him badly. We have some young lads coming through but I'm not sure Worth or Thacker will be more than good club players. Currently a number of back up options are at least EQ in Harrison, Joe Ford, Tait, Smith, Holmes and potentially Hardwick (if he's deemed ready).

by **Rugby Fan** Tue 16 May 2017, 4:02 pm

Jim Hamilton said on his podcast that he probably would have stayed with Saracens if offered another year (he knew some time ago he wouldn't be). He has gone for retirement because he has two children, and his wife is expecting twins, which makes him reluctant to uproot the family.

He also concedes that the thought of trying to start again at another side after three good years with Saracens would be hard on mind and body.

Hamilton says he's also heard Tom Croft is on the move, destination unknown.

by Bathite Tue 16 May 2017, 5:56 pm

Some chat on the bath board that croft leaving too. Many joking that we haven't hired a semi retired tiger in a while!

by formerly known as Sam Tue 16 May 2017, 6:10 pm

Hopefully Crofty will head off to Japan and get a nice boost to hs retirement fund. The pace of the league will suit him. As far as I know he still has to manage his bad back so he's not as dynamic as he used to be but when he has played he's still been great at the lineout and is one of the few players in the squad who can stop a rolling maul.

If he retires I'm sure Tigers will find a place for him whether coaching or otherwise. He's a top bloke.

by king_carlos Tue 16 May 2017, 11:22 pm

I still hope that Crofty stays. He isn't the force he once was but as fkaS says he is still excellent in the line-out in attack and defence. His defensive work is still strong too, he might not have the explosive pace to burn wingers in attack but he still uses the pace he does have to get through a lot of defensive work.

The rumour coming from Fissler is that MOC wants to bring in some of his own players and a few of the current squad will be cut to accommodate it. If Croft is one of those cut then he better hope that the players he bring in make the grade. Injuries have taken their toll but he is still one of the most popular players with fans and rightly viewed as a Tigers legend. If he's cut to accommodate a project player that doesn't come off then it won't go down well with fans.

If Tom does leave Welford Road then Japan would be an excellent destination for his skill set. In French div 2 he could still have a very positive impact on most sides.

by **George Carlin** Wed 17 May 2017, 6:15 am

Haven't seen anyone else say it here but Glasgow have signed the fantastic Lelia Masaga from the Chiefs. Thank you Dave Rennie.

So that's Hogg, Seymour, Sarto and Masaga competing for back 3 slots with the likes of Rory Hughes and Lee Jones very able deputies. I like it. Very Happy

...but we do need more full back cover.

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