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 formerly known as Sam Wed 17 May 2017, 9:10 am

king_carlos wrote: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.

Harrison is the other rumoured name. Croft people might understand, particularly if he heads off for a nice pension top up (dome of the Aussie Super 15 sides could with him organising their lineout). Harrison well I'm not sure many fans would forgive that he's a local lad that puts his body on the line every game. He's a bit of a cult hero who is good enough to start for some teams in the league.

by **Ozzy3213** Wed 17 May 2017, 12:05 pm

Manasa Saulo from Toulon to London Irish being rumoured on Twitter amongst other places online.

Would suggest if true that Petrus du Plessis is also following the Jim Hamilton route and retiring rather than coming to us as planned.

by mikey_dragon Wed 17 May 2017, 3:35 pm

George Carlin wrote: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.

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

Looks like Rennie is preparing for the international window - I think Glasgow are going to do really well under this guy.

by mikey_dragon Wed 17 May 2017, 3:36 pm

Petrus Du Plessis rumoured to be joining Dragons. Ianto has had to retire unfortunately, so we're trying to get in touch with Etzebeth.

by mikey_dragon Tue 23 May 2017, 4:35 pm

No luck with Etzebeth unfortunately. Du Plessis is keen, however as he is England qualified he is waiting to see if he is called up to address England's TH crisis. Dragons now rumoured to be in talks with Pierre Spies.

by **Ozzy3213** Thu 25 May 2017, 12:54 pm

Alex Gray has signed for the Falcons*

*The ones based in Atlanta, as a Tight End!!!

by munkian Thu 25 May 2017, 1:22 pm

mikey_dragon wrote:No luck with Etzebeth unfortunately. Du Plessis is keen, however as he is England qualified he is waiting to see if he is called up to address England's TH crisis. Dragons now rumoured to be in talks with Pierre Spies.

Why the fupp are we getting rid of Crosswell ?

by **RiscaGame** Thu 25 May 2017, 4:24 pm

munkian wrote:
mikey_dragon wrote:No luck with Etzebeth unfortunately. Du Plessis is keen, however as he is England qualified he is waiting to see if he is called up to address England's TH crisis. Dragons now rumoured to be in talks with Pierre Spies.

Why the fupp are we getting rid of Crosswell ?

Heard a rumour that now Kingsley has had to get rid of the kids, he's going to give himself some pro games instead. So we don't need too much backrow now.

Otherwise, it's lunacy. Especially with what happened to Ed Jackson. I'm only really a fan of one of Kingsley's preferred backrow nowadays.

by ScarletSpiderman Thu 25 May 2017, 5:22 pm

Has Crosswell just been released or has he signed elsewhere (not yet announced), a bit like when Adron was announced as leaving the Ospreys without there being an official destination?

by **RiscaGame** Fri 26 May 2017, 3:07 am

He was released.

by ScarletSpiderman Fri 26 May 2017, 7:57 am

Yeah in that case it really doesn't make sense. He may not be a player who is sitting the world alight, but he's a decent player to have in the squad. Fingers crossed they released him as they have someone better lined up then.

by Welly Sun 28 May 2017, 11:52 am

Peter Betham -> Exeter and Clermont.

by formerly known as Sam Sun 28 May 2017, 12:44 pm

Welly wrote:Peter Betham -> Exeter and Clermont.

We'll he has been off form for a year. Wouldn't be massively surprised to see him move on.

by Fluxy Tue 30 May 2017, 12:43 pm

Dave Denton joins Worcester Warriors

Juan De Jongh has joined Wasps

by formerly known as Sam Tue 30 May 2017, 3:11 pm

Fluxy wrote:Dave Denton joins Worcester Warriors

Juan De Jongh has joined Wasps

More Denton's level to be fair. He should bring something extra to Worcester, surprised he did to head to France.

De Jongh is a really talented centre. Not sure he's a great signing for Wasps. If anything their midfield lacks some physicality they have plenty of skillful pace options. Though there is a rumour that Eastmond will leave so that would explain things.

by beshocked Tue 30 May 2017, 3:54 pm

I still don't know why Eastmond isn't utilised as a 9. Too small for centre IMO. I think he'd be ideal.

I'd like to see Saracens try to sign him and convert him to 9. Risky sure but I don't think the pint sized Eastmond is being utilised properly.

Risks have been taken before, some have worked, some haven't.

by RuggerRadge2611 Tue 30 May 2017, 4:04 pm

Feel a little sorry for Denton, he never really got a chance at Bath.

by Bathite Tue 30 May 2017, 4:18 pm

Eastmond at scrum half would never work. Horrible idea.

Good news on Denton leaving, that frees up a huge section of salary cap. Now that we have Mercer and Grant as back up to Faletau, the squad has much better balance.

by beshocked Tue 30 May 2017, 4:39 pm

Bathite could you elaborate why you feel that way?

So having a tiny centre is great but a small zippy player at 9 is horrible?

by king_carlos Tue 30 May 2017, 4:57 pm

Box kicking is a very specialised skill and one that takes years to develop. Trying to do that at this stage of his career would be unrealistic for Eastmond. Whilst he has a good kicking game it doesn't have huge range either which would hold back his box kicking.

Eastmond's a very good 12 IMO who has been unlucky with injury this season. He was exceptional between Ford and Joseph a couple of seasons ago. It would have been interesting to see him in the Wasps back line.

It's sounding like Wasps will be losing Eastmond and Beale to go with Alapati Leaiu. That's three centres departing, as such Juan De Jongh is an excellent signing.

by Recwatcher16 Tue 30 May 2017, 5:01 pm

There was talk about Eastmond becoming nine whilst at Bath, as the skills were there but at the time the tactical awareness and timing wasnt and don't think Eastmond himself was keen. I remember him playing a couple of games at nine for Bath United but it didn't go anywhere further.

Denton is no loss and the style of Bath play didn't seem to suit him as he made no impact as a ball carrier closer to the rucks rather than further out - which Bath attempt to play. Garvey however was a huge loss this season, when injured, because he does so much of the hard yards carrying in order for Faletau/Mercer/Grant to do the glamour stuff further out in midfield.

A TH prop and hulking inside centre are the Blackadder targets in the close season and Denton's (& Davey Wilson's) salary will make a significant contribution.

by Bathite Tue 30 May 2017, 6:32 pm

beshocked wrote:Bathite could you elaborate why you feel that way?

So having a tiny centre is great but a small zippy player at 9 is horrible?

Yeah it's as simple as that. Unfortunately this is real life, not football manager.

Physical attributes aren't the only thing that dictate players position. It's the most technical and difficult position on the pitch outside of prop. Takes years to learn the basic skills. Would be a complete waste of his skills.

by **Ozzy3213** Tue 30 May 2017, 7:11 pm

Is Denton actually any good? Every time I've seen him for Bath he's been at best average, and more often than not anonymous.

by Bathite Tue 30 May 2017, 8:24 pm

I agree ozzy. Never seen anything impressive. Delighted to get him off the books to be honest

by Hazel Sapling Tue 30 May 2017, 8:39 pm

Watch Denton for Scotland in the 2015 WC. That is what convinced Bath to go get him. He is a limited player in that he is a good carrier but offers little else that could be considered more than average and I am not sure he knows how to pass. Asking him to play at 6, 7 and second row was never going to work. Injuries did not help and stopped him developing at least something else in his game (except maybe punditry).

Funnily enough Ozzy, a Coman, Cowan and Denton back row would be well balanced.

by Bathite Tue 30 May 2017, 9:00 pm

Burgess exit and injury disaster is what 'convInced' bath that they needed an extra body in the back row. He was honestly behind grant and Mercer as an 8 option

by formerly known as Sam Tue 30 May 2017, 9:10 pm

Bathite wrote:I agree ozzy. Never seen anything impressive. Delighted to get him off the books to be honest

I'm not surprised, I've not seen an international player look that work shy in the AP since Gray signed for Sale. As a ball carrier he only works as the secondary carrier, in the tight he punches well below hs weight.

by Welly Tue 30 May 2017, 10:57 pm

Eastmond to tigers being mentioned around the web.

by Hazel Sapling Tue 30 May 2017, 11:41 pm

Welly wrote: Eastmond to tigers being mentioned around the web.

Is there a bigger contrast of centres than Eastmond and Tuilagi?

by Welly Tue 30 May 2017, 11:50 pm

Hazel Sapling wrote:
Welly wrote: Eastmond to tigers being mentioned around the web.

Is there a bigger contrast of centres than Eastmond and Tuilagi?

Prob not.

Would be nice to see that partnership again thought out of all Lancaster's 12/13 combos those two looked the best IMO.

by Bathite Wed 31 May 2017, 12:45 am

Hazel Sapling wrote:
Welly wrote: Eastmond to tigers being mentioned around the web.

Is there a bigger contrast of centres than Eastmond and Tuilagi?

Both injured far too much

by **Ozzy3213** Wed 31 May 2017, 9:34 am

Betham to ASM confirmed

by Scottrf Wed 31 May 2017, 9:35 am

Tigers want another centre who didn't play last season?

by Sgt_Pooly Wed 31 May 2017, 9:47 am

Little harsh on Denton who obviously wasn't a good fit for Bath. He strikes me a player that needs a backrow built around him rather than just slotting in, there's few better carriers in the NH when he's fully firing. I think he'll be a fantastic signing for Worcester, they're starting to look pretty good for next season.

by formerly known as Sam Wed 31 May 2017, 11:53 am

Scottrf wrote:Tigers want another centre who didn't play last season?

If that means we get him cheaper then all the better. He's going to be a back up player but he knows Ford and fits the type of 12 we want in the squad. We are short in the midfield so signings would be welcome though I thought he'd be more likely to go for physical option.

Sgt I think Denton will work better at Wuss. Hougaard plays a high tempo and if he can get some of the big frauds over the gain line and disrupt thw defence and then have Denton as an option off the shoulder that'll work. Denton is good when there's a gap to power through he's just not good at beating a man or making a gap which is why Falatau, Mercer and Grant all overtook him at Bath.

by beshocked Wed 31 May 2017, 11:56 am

Credit to rugby network for this.

http://talkofthetown.ie/dundalk-rugby-star-tadgh-mcelroy-on-verge-of-move-to-saracens/

Rumour about Irish U20s hooker moving to Saracens.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2017/0529/878816-mcelroys-dramatic-removal-the-against-the-head/

Controversial.....

by HongKongCherry Wed 31 May 2017, 11:57 am

So Picamoles is off. The cash was probably freed up by the Jeff's vetoing of Altrad's investment in Glaws... Whistle

by whocares Wed 31 May 2017, 11:58 am

any news on Picamoles? he's rumored to be back to Montpelier next season with Altrad giving 1M€ to the Saints to buy back his last 2 years.

by HongKongCherry Wed 31 May 2017, 12:05 pm

whocares wrote:any news on Picamoles? he's rumored to be back to Montpelier next season with Altrad giving 1M€ to the Saints to buy back his last 2 years.

It's been confirmed today

by beshocked Wed 31 May 2017, 12:08 pm

I just don't how Saints will be able to successfully replace Picamoles.

Even if Saints bring in 2 big players, he's one of the best no 8s in the world IMO.

He was one of the only positives of an indifferent season from Saints.

by whocares Wed 31 May 2017, 12:19 pm

I would have preferred if Picamoles was staying there to be honest: he improved significantly in a short time specially in terms of fitness (being more explosive) and tactical awareness. Would be better for France to have half of their players In the AP and the other half in Clermont Smile

by yappysnap Wed 31 May 2017, 12:28 pm

Told you all Picamoles was going

by Scottrf Wed 31 May 2017, 12:31 pm

by **George Carlin** Wed 31 May 2017, 2:16 pm

I heard that Big Vern has been speaking with Picamoles for quite some time.
Nothing like getting some personal attention from your new coach.

by Hood83 Wed 31 May 2017, 4:09 pm

king_carlos wrote:Box kicking is a very specialised skill and one that takes years to develop. Trying to do that at this stage of his career would be unrealistic for Eastmond. Whilst he has a good kicking game it doesn't have huge range either which would hold back his box kicking.

Eastmond's a very good 12 IMO who has been unlucky with injury this season. He was exceptional between Ford and Joseph a couple of seasons ago. It would have been interesting to see him in the Wasps back line.

It's sounding like Wasps will be losing Eastmond and Beale to go with Alapati Leaiu. That's three centres departing, as such Juan De Jongh is an excellent signing.

This, I think he could have been a really excellent playmaker. Yes his size may have been a slight problem, but with the right players and game plan I think he's a massive asset. Would love him at the Falcons, but it'd probably be a terrible fit.

by formerly known as Sam Wed 31 May 2017, 7:15 pm

Hood83 wrote:
king_carlos wrote:Box kicking is a very specialised skill and one that takes years to develop. Trying to do that at this stage of his career would be unrealistic for Eastmond. Whilst he has a good kicking game it doesn't have huge range either which would hold back his box kicking.

Eastmond's a very good 12 IMO who has been unlucky with injury this season. He was exceptional between Ford and Joseph a couple of seasons ago. It would have been interesting to see him in the Wasps back line.

It's sounding like Wasps will be losing Eastmond and Beale to go with Alapati Leaiu. That's three centres departing, as such Juan De Jongh is an excellent signing.

This, I think he could have been a really excellent playmaker. Yes his size may have been a slight problem, but with the right players and game plan I think he's a massive asset. Would love him at the Falcons, but it'd probably be a terrible fit.

In between Flood and Mermoz? That could work.

At Tigers he won't be first choice. Then again when are we ever injury free so he'll probably get game time. He should fit in with our secondary playmaker at 12 system and he certainly knows how to break the line.

by king_carlos Wed 31 May 2017, 7:23 pm

Between injuries and Toomua being primary cover for Ford at 10, Eastmond would start more than he'd bench that's for sure.

Last I heard he was heading back to League though.

by Geordie Wed 31 May 2017, 7:27 pm

We have signed England 7's winger Cameron Cowell.

Another project like Watson? Ah well in two years one of the top sides will poach another cracking player!

by Margin_Walker Wed 31 May 2017, 7:31 pm

GeordieFalcon wrote:We have signed England 7's winger Cameron Cowell.

Another project like Watson? Ah well in two years one of the top sides will poach another cracking player!

.

Ex LI Senior Academy (played Eng U18 from memory). Looked very tricky and quick, but seemed very lightweight for senior rugby and was released. Seems to have made a decent enough go of sevens and looks a lot more robust, so could end up being a decent signing for you guys.

by Geordie Wed 31 May 2017, 7:35 pm

We have an excellent academy coaching team so hopefully can do some work.

We also have ridiculously quick winger the same also in the academy called Radwan. . But also lightweight. Get them nothing on the weights and it could be very interesting.

I'm sure training with Fonua, Latu, Goneva, Mermoz, Matavesi etc will toughen them up.

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