Silly Season Transfer Rumours 17/18

First topic message reminder :

New season, new thread.

George Carlin wrote:

Welly wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

BigGee wrote:Dave Denton to leave Worcester Warriors, strongly tipped by Mark Palmer to be heading to Welford Rd (he has the inside info on Scottish Rugby and is nearly always right with his predictions).

Cornel du Prez moves down from Edinburgh to replace him.

Oh please not that useless lump. He's been linked several times and everytime he's gone somewhere else I breathed a sigh of relief. He's been poor for both Bath and Worcester in the AP.

Good signing for Saints. That'd a unit of a winger.

Worcester fans seem gutted he is off, which is odd if he has been poor for them?

Denton has just won back to back player of the month awards..

Change of coach might be suiting him. I still have no interest in an expensive show pony in the WR forwards. We want grit and aggression, players that'll power through and offload in attack and mix it in the tight.

Well prepare to be disappointed as denton is off to Tigers.

Wouldn't surprise me. MOC never had the plot to lose so signing an 8 who will only flourish on the back of a big pack going forward should be what we expect. When we have an underpowered pack going backwards.

But we are looking to strengthen the pack Spencer and Thompson helps. Also in talks with a few more.

I was at Murrayfield on Sunday and I must say that Denton did catch the eye when he came on. A clear intent off the ball to get involved and some good aggression when he got the ball. It was the closest I've seen to the performances of a few years ago that got many talking about him.

That said I think it's the first time I've been very impressed with him for a few seasons. He played well against Tigers earlier in the season but our pack that game was so poor that positive comparison wasn't hard to find.

Fluxy wrote:Naiyaraovo the Ozzie winger has signed for Saints next season

This is good for Saints. He is a big lad who can score. Backs are mostly set, now fix the front row..........

Welly wrote: But we are looking to strengthen the pack Spencer and Thompson helps. Also in talks with a few more.

Unless those talks involve a forwards coach that will stand up to MOC or a new head coach I fear they'll make little difference. We've been tactically awful all year. The players are less cohesive then when we had Mauger in charge.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Wouldn't surprise me. MOC never had the plot to lose so signing an 8 who will only flourish on the back of a big pack going forward should be what we expect. When we have an underpowered pack going backwards.

When Denton was at his peak, Scotland were far from having a dominant pack, quite the opposite I would suggest.

I really like Denton and if he can gain consistency, he's a hell of an asset. I think he's a player that could fit in really well at Tigers.

Saints have lost Brooke to gain Naiya...the Fijian. He was decent at Glasgow without being dominant and kicked up a massive fuss after Australia promised to cap him. Interesting to see how his tune has changed. If he works harder and runs a line from 5m out, not many can stop him short. He could be devastating in open space. If Northampton are after a battering ram, they have signed the right player.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Wouldn't surprise me. MOC never had the plot to lose so signing an 8 who will only flourish on the back of a big pack going forward should be what we expect. When we have an underpowered pack going backwards.

When Denton was at his peak, Scotland were far from having a dominant pack, quite the opposite I would suggest.

I really like Denton and if he can gain consistency, he's a hell of an asset. I think he's a player that could fit in really well at Tigers.

The only time I've been impressed with Denton was at he last world cup. The Vern Cotter forward pack gave him a platform and he ran rampant on the front foot. I saw his debut for Bath at WR where he was shocking, saw him a few times playing for Bath and he was barely any better. Seemed either injured or benched for Worcester under Gold. With the change in DOR he seems to have kicked on which provides some hope but currently we are getting the minimum out of the majority of our pack not the most. He is also not going to be the sort of abrasive presence we need to inject up front.

Hazel Sapling wrote:Saints have lost Brooke to gain Naiya...the Fijian. He was decent at Glasgow without being dominant and kicked up a massive fuss after Australia promised to cap him. Interesting to see how his tune has changed. If he works harder and runs a line from 5m out, not many can stop him short. He could be devastating in open space. If Northampton are after a battering ram, they have signed the right player.

Brookes looked to be re-capturing some of the form that got him capped, was one of the few who looked good at the weekend. So, we put up with half a year of form, 2 years of injury and ineptnes and the minute he starts to recover some form he decised to go elsewhere.

Waller will be back shortly so we are good at LH, we are going to struggle at TH though, especially with Hill not producing these days

Denton going to Tigers has given me a chuckle. To be fair he was unlucky with injuries at Bath but when fit as a supposed ball carrier it was embarrasing how he invariably got smashed in the tackle.
Fair play if he has regained some form, although given how Tigers like their back rows there is either a change of style coming or MOC is losing it......

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Welly wrote: But we are looking to strengthen the pack Spencer and Thompson helps. Also in talks with a few more.

Unless those talks involve a forwards coach that will stand up to MOC or a new head coach I fear they'll make little difference. We've been tactically awful all year. The players are less cohesive then when we had Mauger in charge.

Mark Bakewell starts today. (Or sometime this week already forgotten).
And given how he and Meehan had a falling out isn't scared to be vocal.
Borthwick and Flatman love him so we shall see.

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:

Hazel Sapling wrote:Saints have lost Brooke to gain Naiya...the Fijian. He was decent at Glasgow without being dominant and kicked up a massive fuss after Australia promised to cap him. Interesting to see how his tune has changed. If he works harder and runs a line from 5m out, not many can stop him short. He could be devastating in open space. If Northampton are after a battering ram, they have signed the right player.

Brookes looked to be re-capturing some of the form that got him capped, was one of the few who looked good at the weekend. So, we put up with half a year of form, 2 years of injury and ineptnes and the minute he starts to recover some form he decised to go elsewhere.

Waller will be back shortly so we are good at LH, we are going to struggle at TH though, especially with Hill not producing these days

Maybe he's finding form so he can continue playing Prem Rugby somewhere. Good riddance.

Welly wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Welly wrote: But we are looking to strengthen the pack Spencer and Thompson helps. Also in talks with a few more.

Unless those talks involve a forwards coach that will stand up to MOC or a new head coach I fear they'll make little difference. We've been tactically awful all year. The players are less cohesive then when we had Mauger in charge.

Mark Bakewell starts today. (Or sometime this week already forgotten).
And given how he and Meehan had a falling out isn't scared to be vocal.
Borthwick and Flatman love him so we shall see.

Be a good start. Badly need some changes up front.

Ashley Beck also to Worcester. A pity as I felt he should have been in contention for a Wales spot, he certainly should have been in last season. Injuries have occasionally disrupted his progress and I guess we have a lot more competition at centre now.

Hazel Sapling wrote:Saints have lost Brooke to gain Naiya...the Fijian. He was decent at Glasgow without being dominant and kicked up a massive fuss after Australia promised to cap him. Interesting to see how his tune has changed. If he works harder and runs a line from 5m out, not many can stop him short. He could be devastating in open space. If Northampton are after a battering ram, they have signed the right player.

Definitely. He's even more George Northy than George North is/was.

Guessing mark Bakewell will be joining the Tigers coaching team?

https://twitter.com/JordanCrane86/status/963796313082122241

All confirmed, we have a new forward coach

Matt Scott leaving Gloucester for Edinburgh....

Quins sign an academy lock....Welsh U20s Alex Dombrandt

George Carlin wrote:

Hazel Sapling wrote:Saints have lost Brooke to gain Naiya...the Fijian. He was decent at Glasgow without being dominant and kicked up a massive fuss after Australia promised to cap him. Interesting to see how his tune has changed. If he works harder and runs a line from 5m out, not many can stop him short. He could be devastating in open space. If Northampton are after a battering ram, they have signed the right player.

Definitely. He's even more George Northy than George North is/was.

As long as he can catch kicks under pressure and does not get lazy defending grubbers into the in-goal, then he will be fine.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

Welly wrote: Earles has his chances and didn’t impress IMO.

Eddie disagrees somewhat....

ummm

Sinckler being linked to a move to sarries or sale even though he has a year left on his contract

Nnooooo!!!

Sam aspland Robinson to Tigers

Sinks going would be a tragedy...

propdavid_london wrote:Sinks going would be a tragedy...

Right now it would make sense for Sinckler and Sarries. Surprised that they can afford to buy him out of his contract though and stay within the cap (unless that no longer counts towards the cap)

I don't know how it used to be, but transfer fees haven't  been included in the cap for the last few years at least.

(i) any  transfer fees paid by a Club directly to another rugby club or to an official foreign  rugby  union  in  connection  with  the  transfer  of  a  Player  to  the  first-mentioned  Club  shall  be  disregarded  and  shall  not  count  as  "Salary"  for  the purpose of the Regulations.

Fuzzy Dunlop wrote:I don't know how it used to be, but transfer fees haven't  been included in the cap for the last few years at least.

(i) any  transfer fees paid by a Club directly to another rugby club or to an official foreign  rugby  union  in  connection  with  the  transfer  of  a  Player  to  the  first-mentioned  Club  shall  be  disregarded  and  shall  not  count  as  "Salary"  for  the purpose of the Regulations.

Ta.

http://www.planetrugby.com/news/blade-thomson-to-join-scarlets-next-season/

Don't know if this is Barclay's or Beirne's replacement.

Hazel Sapling wrote:http://www.planetrugby.com/news/blade-thomson-to-join-scarlets-next-season/

Don't know if this is Barclay's or Beirne's replacement.

Must be Beirne's replacement.

Wouldn't blame any players for leaving quins.

Amazed Walker hasn't left already with the way Kingston treats him, scores pretty much every time he's on the pitch and yet remains 3rd or 4th choice. Hope he does get taken on by a decent team soon.

Fluxy wrote:

Hazel Sapling wrote:http://www.planetrugby.com/news/blade-thomson-to-join-scarlets-next-season/

Don't know if this is Barclay's or Beirne's replacement.

Must be Beirne's replacement.

I'll be surprised if he does replace Beirne, as the player himself prefers to play at 8. He's mobile too so I'm guessing Pivac has brought him in as a like for like replacement for Barclay, having also now lost Condy to injury retirement the other day. He might play in the boiler house a couple of times as cover though.

mid_gen wrote:Wouldn't blame any players for leaving quins.

Amazed Walker hasn't left already with the way Kingston treats him, scores pretty much every time he's on the pitch and yet remains 3rd or 4th choice. Hope he does get taken on by a decent team soon.

Structure just isn't right at Quins, unless something changes soon I would expect players to start leaving rather than renewing.
Sinks would be a good fit for pretty much any club.

Solomona signed new 4 year deal with sharks. http://www.salesharks.com/news/5884.php#.WpXKm5-ny9e

Haley to Munster doing the rounds. Apparently he qualifies to play for Ireland. He signed a new contract in 2016 though so unless Sale will let him out a year early there'll be a fee to pay.

Odd rumour of cipriani going back to Sale. Not sure I believe it, but if Haley does leave and O'Conner is seen as fullback over 10 then it might have some truth, but over a move to France I suspect not.

propdavid_london wrote:

mid_gen wrote:Wouldn't blame any players for leaving quins.

Amazed Walker hasn't left already with the way Kingston treats him, scores pretty much every time he's on the pitch and yet remains 3rd or 4th choice. Hope he does get taken on by a decent team soon.

Structure just isn't right at Quins, unless something changes soon I would expect players to start leaving rather than renewing.
Sinks would be a good fit for pretty much any club.

It's all a bit baffling.

I guess there's the chance to live in London and the south of England too which helps swing players. But I'm amazed so many he re signed.

Of course we're doing Poopie. So maybe these guys re signing isn't helping!

Welshmushroom wrote:

Fluxy wrote:

Hazel Sapling wrote:http://www.planetrugby.com/news/blade-thomson-to-join-scarlets-next-season/

Don't know if this is Barclay's or Beirne's replacement.

Must be Beirne's replacement.

I'll be surprised if he does replace Beirne, as the player himself prefers to play at 8.  He's mobile too so I'm guessing Pivac has brought him in as a like for like replacement for Barclay, having also now lost Condy to injury retirement the other day.  He might play in the boiler house a couple of times as cover though.

Beirne is a lock first and foremost. Thomson must be the like-for-like to fill in for Shingler - good signing. I'm not sure if Scarlets will sign another lock when they have Ball, Bulbring, Cummins and Rawlins - at least two of them being available all year barring injury.

In other depressing news, Dragons sign has-been LH who could never scrum.

Haley note confirmed to Munster. Real shame as a Shark and England supporter.

englishborn wrote:Haley note confirmed to Munster. Real shame as a Shark and England supporter.

Good signing for Munster. Still young but a good all round 15. Sale have got better at keeping their own academy products in recent years so this will be disappointing for them but the lure of international rugby was to much.

Blair Cowan on loan to sarries from irish for rest of the season, bit odd considering irish's position but they see him as third choice 7 now.

Not quite sure what London Irish get out of it but Saracens could do with an experienced backrower to fill in a position where Saracens are currently a bit depleted.

Makes sense for Cowan himself as well. Likely envious of Maitland.

Perhaps some ££ have changed hands? Perhaps Saracens will be asked to repay the favour at some point by loaning out a player?

he leads the turnover stats this season.
im sure there is a financial benefit for irish or the promise of a player on loan next season or something.

If he's leading the turnover stats why is he your 3rd choice 7?

good question.
his carrying and work around the park isn't as good as it used to be, suppose it could be an age thing. the coaches obviously like the pace that Northcote-Green and Gilsenan bring.

For me he still edges Northcote-Green. Blair's carrying is underrated in my book. He doesn't run over people but he has good footwork and always buys himself a few more seconds with that and good ball presentation. He is far better than Gilsenan who has a high work-rate but really doesn't offer much else in my book. Neither MNG or Gilsenan are particularly effective at the breakdown, whereas Blair is obviously a specialist in that area.

if we had a genuine chance of staying up I cant imagine we would have let him go. coaches probably realise its done and dusted, cowan would have got wind of the offer from sarries and said yes please. cowan isn't the future for irish, MNG or Gilsenan could be though both need improvements. I don't really get the gilsenan hype, works hard but doesn't seem to do much. MNG is fairly decent at the breakdown.