Silly Season Transfer Rumours 16/17

First topic message reminder :

Gordon Reid is off to Irish.

formerly known as Sam wrote:At 31 he is getting on a bit but Nalaga is still a lethal finisher. Looking forward to seeing him in the AP. McLean is a bit meh.

Yep, just turned 31. You'd like to think he'd do the same kind of job Goneva does for Newcastle. Certainly worth a punt anyway. May end up filling in at 13

Would love to be proved wrong, but McClean is pretty military medium and we're not that short on full backs. We'll see how he gets on though.

McLean can also play 12 and has a decent boot on him. Not an inspiring signing by any stretch.

Nagala should definitely do the job and you have enough options to rotate and keep him fresh.

Interesting signing for Irish. Nalaga was fantastic a few years ago, can't say I've seen much of him lately but he's a class act. I know there were rumours we were talking to him a few months back.

Per Wiki Nalaga has managed 32 games in two season at Lyon which isn't very good but he scored 21 tries in those 32 games which is.

I'd take 16 games a season for a couple of years if he's scoring tries. No problem. Always a risk though bringing in outside backs over thirty.

Looking forward to seeing how he does.

So that's

Saia Faingaa
Gordon Reid
Petrus du Plessis
Lasha Lomidze
Ben Meehan
Luke McLean
Napolioni Nalaga

in, replacing the outgoing

Gerard Ellis
Tom Court (retiring)
Jerry Sexton (Jersey)
Joe Trayfoot
Luke Narraway (Coventry)
Tevita Koloamatangi (released)
Darren Allinson (Bath)
Connor Murphy (Rotherham)
Ross Neal (London Scottish)


For the first time in a number of years that's the quality of the incoming being very much higher than that of the outgoing

Reid, Petrus and Nalaga could be excellent signings. Over 30's wingers have worked well at Falcons with Goneva and Sinoti.

Ah crap, looks like LI beat us to Du Plessis.

There's a rumour floating around on The Craic of Steffon Armitage to Saints to replce Picamoles.

The Rugby Paper are going with Moriarty, which would seem a little more likely.

Margin_Walker wrote:The Rugby Paper are going with Moriarty, which would seem a little more likely.

To Saints? Would be a good signing for them. Massive blow to Glaws and would mean they'll have lost an entire backrow this summer. Would have to be some contract offer to beat a WRU dual contract.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Margin_Walker wrote:The Rugby Paper are going with Moriarty, which would seem a little more likely.

To Saints? Would be a good signing for them. Massive blow to Glaws and would mean they'll have lost an entire backrow this summer. Would have to be some contract offer to beat a WRU dual contract.

...has he been offered? I haven't read anything.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Margin_Walker wrote:The Rugby Paper are going with Moriarty, which would seem a little more likely.

To Saints? Would be a good signing for them. Massive blow to Glaws and would mean they'll have lost an entire backrow this summer. Would have to be some contract offer to beat a WRU dual contract.

Yep, although nothing concrete.

mikey_dragon wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Margin_Walker wrote:The Rugby Paper are going with Moriarty, which would seem a little more likely.

To Saints? Would be a good signing for them. Massive blow to Glaws and would mean they'll have lost an entire backrow this summer. Would have to be some contract offer to beat a WRU dual contract.

...has he been offered? I haven't read anything.

If a young Welsh international exile was available why would they not look to offer him a dual contract?

You would assume so, but don't forget we're talking about an organisation run by morons for mostly morons. I didn't think he was available; is his Glaws contract coming to a close?

There must be a level of availability if he's potentially going to Saints. Whilst Saints have received a big pay out from Montpellier they are still a business and that money could go a long way in sustaining them in the future. I'd be surprised if they blew it all quickly.

You'd think so, but Saints have been happy to pay 'transfer fees' in the past with the North signing, so you never know.

Would also be under pressure to get in a high profile replacement after letting Picamoles go.

It's not pressure to replace Picamoles it's necessity. They desperately need that go forward in attack. Given the state of the squad blowing all their funds on a replacement would only help slightly. The North signing was a one off and given his mixed performances I can't imagine Saints will take the risk again. Well not a big fee anyway.

I have heard a rumour that Saints were still after another flyhalf. Myler will be 33 by the time next season kicks off.

There is 0% chance of Moriarty joining Saints next season. He has one year left on his contract and with the on-going Fearns farce the board simply aren't going to concede to the possibility of letting 2 players break contracts. Furthermore, and with all due respect to Saints, but at this time Moriarty could have the pick of clubs to join, surely he'd go to a better side than Saints? I fully expect him to leave Glaws at the end of his current contract for a dual contract with the WRU.

Moriarty wouldn't replace the go forward that Picamoles provided, and Saints have stacks of flankers - good player but doesn't seem the best fit

BamBam wrote:Moriarty wouldn't replace the go forward that Picamoles provided, and Saints have stacks of flankers - good player but doesn't seem the best fit

all true.

Now Ben Morgan however

Saints are signing Bigger.

LondonTiger wrote:

BamBam wrote:Moriarty wouldn't replace the go forward that Picamoles provided, and Saints have stacks of flankers - good player but doesn't seem the best fit

all true.

Now Ben Morgan however

If Fearns does join us, and that's a big IF, then that wouldn't be the end of the world. Morgan had a better season last year and his work rate is far improved, he still rarely makes the yards we need him to. His tackling stats are great, but we could play Ludlow at 6 and have a better tackler and have Fearns/Moriarty as our 8. Nevertheless, Morgan signed a new 3 year contract so he's not going anywhere.

Welly wrote: Saints are signing Bigger.

How do you know?

Scottrf wrote:

Welly wrote: Saints are signing Bigger.

How do you know?

Because Smaller said no?

LondonTiger wrote:

Scottrf wrote:

Welly wrote: Saints are signing Bigger.

How do you know?

Because Smaller said no?

True. Maybe it was a general comment that he thinks the quality of our signings have improved.

It makes sense. Biggar has previously said, privately, that he would probably go elsewhere at the end of his contract (not sure when that ends) so he could make money. France was mentioned. Are Saints offering a considerable amount? Biggar's stock will either rise or continue to fall after this Lions tour.

mikey_dragon wrote:It makes sense. Biggar has previously said, privately, that he would probably go elsewhere at the end of his contract (not sure when that ends) so he could make money. France was mentioned. Are Saints offering a considerable amount? Biggar's stock will either rise or continue to fall after this Lions tour.

We approached him a while back supposedly but he's still on a dual contract.

...and since then you've acquired Francis, so surely you're not still looking to get Biggar?

mikey_dragon wrote:...and since then you've acquired Francis, so surely you're not still looking to get Biggar?

IMO we aren't and Francis is our signing at 10 but Welly seems sure of the contrary.

Francis isn't a 10 IMO he is more a playmaking 12 IMO.

Also it isn't for this season but next season when he is out of contract.

This is just what I have heard.


I like to think my sources have been well place some members of this forum can attest to that, but at the same time they can be wrong aswell.

Welly wrote:Francis isn't a 10 IMO he is more a playmaking 12 IMO.

Also it isn't for this season but next season when he is out of contract.

This is just what I have heard.


I like to think my sources have been well place some members of this forum can attest to that, but at the same time they can be wrong aswell.

Francis has been playing 10 consistently for the Blues for a number of weeks. He's been signed as a FH almost certainly, we have about a dozen centres.

Next season is a possibility for Biggar I'm sure.

I don't know just think Francis looks blah at 10 for the blues and doesn't look like a NH 10.


Look just saying what I have heard.

You might have dozens of Centres but the majority are more 13/wing than 12 IMO. I rate Stephenson but he is getting abit like many injury wise.

Looks like we're going back to our Pacific Island roots, Manasa Saulo and Filo Paulo to Irish.

And Jake Schatz

Good signings.

Will be interesting to see how they fit into the current squad.

The only one I'm not sure where he fits is Saulo, as that now gives us 6 senior tightheads in the squad, which seems a little over the top. I'm wondering if a couple of them may end up being released.

If Toulon do shove Halfpenny, is that Welsh deal still a possibility, or will he have to go looking elsewhere?

Rugby Fan wrote:If Toulon do shove Halfpenny, is that Welsh deal still a possibility, or will he have to go looking elsewhere?

Talk of Bath but I could see him going back to Wales.

Ozzy I wonder whether Hoskins will go as he struggled this season.

Welly wrote:

Rugby Fan wrote:If Toulon do shove Halfpenny, is that Welsh deal still a possibility, or will he have to go looking elsewhere?

Talk of Bath but I could see him going back to Wales.

Bath would have been more interested if Ford was staying I guess.

He has been to the club to check it out. Really hope we don't sign him though.

Ozzy3213 wrote:The only one I'm not sure where he fits is Saulo, as that now gives us 6 senior tightheads in the squad, which seems a little over the top.  I'm wondering if a couple of them may end up being released.

I am wondering if it might be palf that makes way due to the amount of time he has been out injured, I like him but I also think the new Fijian prop looks a right lump. ....just a thought but someone will have to make way and as Ollie Hoskins was backing up ben and not Lovejoy I don't think it will be Ollie.

I think Palf will go too (despite theoretically still being in contract), but that still leaves:

Franks
Hoskins
Lovejoy
Saulo
Du Plessis

Which is one more tighthead then I thought we'd go into the season with. I guess they may be looking in to go in protected against any prop injury crisis, with 4 looseheads and 5 tightheads. One of whom at least (Franks) can cover LH to a high standard.

I could see Palf being released and Hoskins possibly dual registered at a Championship side to get gametime and develop.

Welly wrote: I don't know just think Francis looks blah at 10 for the blues and doesn't look like a NH 10.


Look just saying what I have heard.

You might have dozens of Centres but the majority are more 13/wing than 12 IMO. I rate Stephenson but he is getting abit like many injury wise.

Saints have Mallinder, Stephenson, Burrell and at a push Hutchinson that play 12, Burrell 13 if either Stephenson or Mallinder are playing. Stephenson has been injured a lot recently, but broken legs are not the sort of persistent injury that is career threatening, unless you are very unlucky.

Welly wrote:Francis isn't a 10 IMO he is more a playmaking 12 IMO.

Also it isn't for this season but next season when he is out of contract.

This is just what I have heard.


I like to think my sources have been well place some members of this forum can attest to that, but at the same time they can be wrong aswell.

Biggar signed a 4 year NDC through to RWC 2019 season with a break clause at the end of 17/18.

So Halfpenny is now without a club.

http://www.punditarena.com/rugby/sokeefe/halfpenny-toulon-contract-saga/

pretty shoddy way to treat such a nice guy.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:So Halfpenny is now without a club.

http://www.punditarena.com/rugby/sokeefe/halfpenny-toulon-contract-saga/

pretty shoddy way to treat such a nice guy.

Well...he tried to leave the club, missed their final then gave an ultimatum, and the club didn't bow to him. Doesn't appear he's treated the club with much respect.

A bit shi//y that Cardiff Blues didn't want to add on the extra two months to their contract offer so Leigh could finish the season, the boyo was ready to go. At least he won't be working for some French idiot any more.