2017/18 Season - How Well Has Your Team Recruited?

Would be interested to know how everyone feels that their side has fared in the transfer and academy markets during the off season.

Glasgow and Edinburghs' efforts are below. Some quality acquisitions on the Glasgow side - we are still missing a good tighthead and a ball carrying loose forward, but we may hear these announced when the Super Rugby season is over. Edinburgh have retained a good core - especially the forwards where they retain the starting Scotland front row - but they have to get a grip on their inconsistency.

The two biggest new arrivals are undoubtedly coaches. Richard Cockerill has already been receiving positive reviews from the more thoughtful of Edinburgh's squad. Dave Rennie's Chiefs are to play the Stormers on Sunday in the knockout stages of Super Rugby, so he won't be due to arrive for a while. His no.2 and team are doing the set up already.

GLASGOW

Players In

Huw Jones from Stormers
Oli Kebble from Stormers
Callum Gibbins from Hurricanes
Adam Hastings from Bath Rugby
Lelia Masaga from Chiefs
Kiran McDonald from Hull RUFC
Samuela Vunisa from Saracens
Brandon Thomson from Stormers
Jamie Bhatti promoted from Academy
Lewis Wynne promoted from Academy
Matt Smith promoted from Academy
George Horne promoted from Academy
Paddy Kelly promoted from Academy

Players Out

Sila Puafisi to CA Brive
Rory Clegg to Ealing Trailfinders
Mark Bennett to Edinburgh Rugby
Josh Strauss to Sale Sharks
Sean Lamont retired
Grayson Hart to Ealing Trailfinders
Junior Bulumakau to Doncaster Knights
Gordon Reid to London Irish
Simone Favaro to Stade Francais
Peter Murchie retired
Fraser Lyle retired
Hagen Schulte released
Tjiuee Uanivi to London Scottish
Nemia Kenatale released

EDINBURGH

Players In

Mark Bennett from Glasgow Warriors
Murray McCallum promoted from Academy
Callum Hunter-Hill promoted from Academy
Ally Miller promoted from Academy
Hugh Fraser promoted from Academy
Tom Galbraith promoted from Academy
Darcy Graham promoted from Academy
Duhan van der Merwe from Montpellier
Jason Harries from London Scottish
Robbie Fruean from Bath Rugby
Darryl Marfo from Bath Rugby

Players Out

Jack Cosgrove to Bristol Rugby
Nick Beavon released
Nasi Manu to Benetton Treviso
Michael Allen retired
Sasa Tofilau to RC Massy
Will Helu released
Alex Northam released
Kyle Whyte released

Leicester Tigers
PLAYERS IN
George Ford (Bath) - Excellent player when on form prob one the best in the NH. But can be hot and cold. (Very Very Happy)
Sione Kalamafoni (Glousceter) - Strong ball carrier, has won mutplie players awards at Glous, had an injury problem. (Happy)
Jonah Holmes (Yorkshire) - Scores for fun in the champ, seems a big enough unit excited to see how he makes the jump. (Happy)
Joe Ford (Yorkshire) - Squad player, might turn out well with the better players around him who knows (indifferent)
Valentino Mapapalangi (Manawatu) - Raw project signing, certainly has the size would need to work on fitness and speed though (Happy)
Gareth Owen (Scarlets) - Squad player who covers multiple positions (Indifferent)
Nick Malouf (Aus 7's) - Interested to see how he goes has XV's experiance and is well built (Happy)
Dominic Ryan (Leinster) - Should bring abit of agrression in a back row that lacked it (Very Happy).

PLAYERS OUT
Owen Williams (Gloucester) - Looked good, covers 10/12 (Very Sad)
Fraser Balmain (Gloucester) - never kicked on after his breakthough season (Indifferent)
Jack Roberts (Cardiff) - Starting to progress, size was his biggest issue (Sad)
Maxime Mermoz (Newcastle) - Classly player but didn't have that big an impact, certainly did the job (Sad)
Freddie Burns (Bath) - Had a great second half but like ford very hot and cold esp against the big teams. (Sad)
Marcos Ayerza (Retirement) - (VERY,VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, SAD!)
Peter Betham (Clermont) - Great first season, average second season. (Saddish)
JP Pietersen (Toulon) - Looked good but lacks speed. (Sad)
Lachlan McCaffrey - Very consistent player but not what we needed TBH. (Sad)

On that not very good.

BUT i gather that signings are not at done yet and Today's TRP rumours kind of supports that.

That's an impressive list of players coming in to a strong Glasgow team. Haven't they also signed a lock forward, or is he already with you?


Transfers In:
Bernard 'No Pudding' Jackman - coach
Gavin Henson
Zane Kirchner

Transfers Out:
Shaun Knight
Nick Crosswell
Tom Prydie
Geraint Rhys Jones
Darren Harris
Craig Mitchell

Pretty grim as it's a thinner squad. We're relying on a lot of academy boys but as far as I'm aware they were already on contracts.

Scarlets

In
Paul Asquith from Western Sydney Rams
Tom Prydie from Dragons
Geraint Rhys Jones from Dragons
Tom Grabham from Ospreys
Morgan Williams from Wales Sevens

Out
Liam Williams to Saracens
D. T. H. van der Merwe to Newcastle Falcons
Peter Edwards to Merthyr RFC
Gareth Owen to Leicester Tigers
Aled Thomas retired
Matthew Owen released
Rynier Bernardo released
Richard Smith released
Morgan Allen to Bedwas RFC

The out list is far larger, but to be honest except Sanjay, DTH and Aled Thomas, the rest were pretty much just filler and can be replaced by youngsters stepping up. Asquith has been signed as a like for like replacement for Owen, so will need to prove himself if he is to be a match day 23 contender. The Toms have been signed as cover for the wing, and to give the young wingers coming through a bit of competition. God knows why Kingsley Jnr. has been brought back, but hoping him and the other lad are just here to train between 7s comps and will be mainly paid by Wales 7s

mikey_dragon wrote:That's an impressive list of players coming in to a strong Glasgow team. Haven't they also signed a lock forward, or is he already with you?

Mikey - Big Brian Alainu’uese is well and truly with us after a great trial season. A first gift from Dave Rennie.

6'8" and 22 stones. He's only 23, so still some growing time left?

Yeah that's him, I remember the surname. Looks like Rennie doesn't want Glasgow to be underpowered whilst still playing a lot of attacking rugby. I wish one of the Welsh teams had Dave Rennie, quality coach.

As an Edinburgh fan I'm most excited about Robbie Freaun - he could be one of the stars of the league if he can stay fit and healthy.

RDW_Scotland wrote:As an Edinburgh fan I'm most excited about Robbie Freaun - he could be one of the stars of the league if he can stay fit and healthy.

Big big if. He was injured 95% of the time with us plus he's going to be at at least 4 sevens tournaments between now and June. Reckon you'll see him play 5 times. But he will be brilliant in all 5!

5 brilliant performances? By Edinburgh standards, that's enough to warrant a statue in the old town!

Move over Greyfriars Bobby!

In all seriousness, I'm quietly excited to see what Cockerill can do with some of those Edinburgh forwards - he could be what Watson, Toolis, Ritchie and Nel need to go up that extra step.

Chat is he'll have to play four 7s tournaments in 2018/19 so we should have him this season.

Welly wrote:BUT i gather that signings are not at done yet and Today's TRP rumours kind of supports that.

Did not get it this week, what did it say please?

Linked you to Damien McKenzie, that USA prop that has already been mentioned and someone else who I forgot because they were pretty underwhelming.

Arno Botha - that was it.

Marty Mckenzie
Damien McKenzie
Arno Botha
USA prop for cover

Talk of another winger aswell.

Getting MacKenzie would be an astonishing coup for any club.
He is officially the best attacking player in Super Rugby this year.

He is the poster boy for the Chiefs though so I expect they will be desperate to keep him. I suppose it depends on what he feels his All Blacks chances are. With Cruden off to Montpellier, I guess that they are better than they once were.

Saracens



Players In


France Christopher Tolofua from France Toulouse - I've heard positive things about his potential.
Wales Liam Williams from Wales Scarlets - obviously a big name but can he deliver after a long lions tour?
England Calum Clark from England Northampton Saints - could be a sleeper hit, could fit in well.
England Tom Griffiths promoted from Academy - likely to be on the fringe.
England Hayden Thompson-Stringer promoted from Academy - if he's going to make it, then probably this year is the time to make the move.
England Tom Whiteley promoted from Academy - going to be tough to make a mark but not impossible.
Australia Will Skelton from Australia NSW Waratahs - became a fan favourite with a crucial tackle on Manoa, another with the potential to be a real super signing if he can continue to develop.
Wales Dominic Day from Australia Melbourne Rebels - could play a crucial role early season.
Australia Kieran Longbottom from England Sale Sharks - he's an useful prop to re-sign.

Strong signings overall I'd say. Seem a bit light at 9 in terms of experience but hopefully Spencer or Taylor will step it up this season.

2nd row is ridiculously strong.

Hooker is really well stocked now.

Area which perhaps lacks a bit is no 8 but Wray can do a job there if Billy is injured.

Slight issue in the backs is who is going to be scoring the tries Ashton would but lots of competition throughout the backs.



Players Out

England Chris Ashton to France Toulon - As a potent try scorer, one of the best in Europe, could be a big loss.
England George Perkins to England Bristol Rugby - difficult to say
Scotland Kelly Brown retired - good servant of the club but it's time to move on.
South Africa Jared Saunders to England Jersey Reds - sadly not good enough
South Africa Neil de Kock retired - great servant of the club but time to move on now but kudos.
Scotland Jim Hamilton retired - did his job but 2nd row is an area of real strength
Samoa Brian Tuilagi to France US Dax - think he was there to try and persuade Manu to come, didn't work out
Italy Samuela Vunisa to Scotland Glasgow Warriors - didn't really gel, not a big loss
South Africa Petrus du Plessis to England London Irish - another good servant and should do a job for Irish but good that not getting any younger
Samoa Fa'atiga Lemalu released - didn't see anything of him.
England Tim Streather released - didn't quite make the cut sadly.


Only really Ashton leaving I feel could be a problem. No back three player in the squad is as potent a finisher as Ashton.

For Quins, the emphasis from John Kingston has been on signing strong club players who will be available throughout the season rather than on marquee names.

Leavers
Matt Shields - stepped up well as injury cover when recruited, but never more than a squad player
Owen Evans - ditto. Reasonable squad player, but not really pushing the starting options
George Naoupu - We barely saw him play, so hard to make a judgement
Nick Evans - A superb player but very much at the tail end of his playing career. Apparently already having a big impact as a coach
Karl Dickson - Great club player who was sometimes better than Care on form but also reached the end of his playing career. Good luck as a ref
Matt Hopper - Became a more rounded player over the years but lost some of the unpredictability in attack that made him dangerous
Natani Talai - Spent most of his time with the club injured
Mark Reddish - Retiring due to concussion. A great loss as he played well in his few games.

There's also a question mark over whether George Lowe will finally retire owing to his injuries. Nothing has been announced but I have heard informally that he will be. It would be a real shame as he was a great club player.

Joiners
Francis Saili (Munster) - an All Black centre. Very exciting signing if he can gel with the club
Demetri Catrikilis (Montpellier) - not a direct replacement for Evans (who is?) but a very experienced fly half and a good controller of the game. Interestingly, it gives Quins 4 fly halves each with a very different style in Catrakilis, Swiel, Jackson and Lang (still technically in the academy) - potentially allows for us to vary our style a lot more
Dave Lewis (Exeter) - we needed a new backup to Care, Lewis looks pretty promising. We also have Calum Waters in the Academy
Phil Swainston (Wasps)
Lewis Boyce (Leeds) - replacements for the two props who are leaving. Swainston feels more like a reliable backup; Boyce has perhaps a bit more potential to develop
Ben Glynn (injury cover) - technically cover for the injured Sam Twomey; wouldn't be surprised to see him stay if he plays well as we are a bit light on locks
Renaldo Bothma (Bulls) - bit of an unknown quantity, even though he's an international. The club are very excited by him.

Overall, it feels sensible. While it would have been nice to see another player of Evans' quality, I don't think any were realistically on the market. And with 8 current England internationals (which could be 9 if Marchant gets the call up that injury denied him over the summer), plus Visser, Roberts, Bothma and (arguably) Jackson, adding more current internationals would leave the squad at risk during international windows. This feels a bit more balanced.

Beshocked, Clark is a vicious unprincipled thug that should never be allowed on a rugby field again, or something similar was you previous post; now he could fit in well.

Bit of a change of attitude there now he is a Saracen!

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:Beshocked, Clark is a vicious unprincipled thug that should never be allowed on a rugby field again, or something similar was you previous post; now he could fit in well.

Bit of a change of attitude there now he is a Saracen!

Think most of the bashing of him because I didn't think he was a good enough player and yes he has a bad reputation. Moving to Saracens is an opportunity for Clark to improve.

Clark still has a lot to prove that he's a better player and person.

I said could fit in well, didn't say he will. Clark does indeed have a bad reputation, just as Schalk Burger but Schalk Burger's discipline has improved.

Sure Ashton was a bit of a lost cause, couldn't truly be rehabilitated. Still he scored some useful tries despite retaining his poor discipline.


My opinion on players isn't always set in stone. I have refrained from bashing Nowell now and my opinion on Ford has improved.

Sure joining Saracens will soften my stance a bit but also if players play well it does too. My stance has changed on Lawes too.




On a side note - Tigers not heavily recruiting in the pack is really weird. I feel that Tigers have slowly gone backwards because of not focusing enough on the pack.

Happy to splash money on a big name backs but not forwards.