Silly Season Transfer Rumours 17/18

First topic message reminder :

New season, new thread.

Francois Venter will join the Warriors of the Worcester variety in the Summer.

stnick88 wrote: I don't really get the gilsenan hype

I wasn't aware there was any!

Fluxy wrote:Francois Venter will join the Warriors of the Worcester variety in the Summer.

Good signing for Worcester.

SirBurger wrote:

stnick88 wrote: I don't really get the gilsenan hype

I wasn't aware there was any!

he is weirdly loved by quite a few on the Craic.

then again most of them loved Tom Homer who is categorically the worst rugby player in history. Honourable mention to John Rudd.

Sam Vestey to join Northampton as Attack Coach next season.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/43315136

JP Socino to Edinburgh.

Cracking player on his day and he's been a good servant to the club, apparently wasn't offered a new contract. If I'm going to be honest, he doesn't suit our offloading game as his handling can be quite poor at times despite being an excellent.

Matavesi is clearly first choice, he's been superb.

Ben Tapuai signing with Quins at the end of this season.

Fluxy wrote:Ben Tapuai signing with Quins at the end of this season.

A badly kept secret finally officially announced

Saints also in the running to sign Ben Franks and Jeremy Thrush, two players that Boyd has good knowledge both being former 'Canes players.

Whats the non EQ levels in the Prem at the minute.

Am I reading things wrong or are they getting high again?

I think we are at +7 more Non EQP next year with the majority coming from Wuss and Bristol.

A lot of signings to come though looking at how little a lot of clubs have actually signed.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Whats the non EQ levels in the Prem at the minute.

Am I reading things wrong or are they getting high again?

Worcester seem intent on fielding a largely non EQ 15 next season and I doubt Bristol will be any better.

Not many EQ players moving about but there are a number of talented youngsters on the fringes of breaking into teams next season. Hopefully the AP head coaches and DORs will be brave enough to give them game time.

Robin Copeland leaving for pastures new. Anyone heard any rumours of exactly where?

Good player who got messed about by Ireland

Yeah I just seem to have noticed an increase in foreigners in a lot of sides recently...falcons included.

Certainly, the AP Falcons team does have a high proportion of Non EQ's, and he floods the AW and Euro teams with EQ players to raise the level for the EQ payments.

Its something ill be watching as we don't want to be in a situation again where the prem teams are full of Non EQ's
It should be mostly EQ's with a smattering of World Class / top class Non Eq's.

Interesting ... new coaches coming for LI:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2018/03/07/talk-rugby-declankidney-les-kiss-join-forces-premiership-strugglers/

GeordieFalcon wrote:Yeah I just seem to have noticed an increase in foreigners in a lot of sides recently...falcons included.

Certainly, the AP Falcons team does have a high proportion of Non EQ's, and he floods the AW and Euro teams with EQ players to raise the level for the EQ payments.

Its something ill be watching as we don't want to be in a situation again where the prem teams are full of Non EQ's
It should be mostly EQ's with a smattering of World Class / top class Non Eq's.

I may set up a thread for that.

Hazel Sapling wrote:Robin Copeland leaving for pastures new. Anyone heard any rumours of exactly where?

Good player who got messed about by Ireland

Not sure he got messed about - just wasn't good enough to make the Munster backrow - let alone Ireland

Heaf wrote:Interesting ... new coaches coming for LI:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2018/03/07/talk-rugby-declankidney-les-kiss-join-forces-premiership-strugglers/

Kidney was magnificence for Munster and Ireland but the game has moved on.

Employing yesterdays men is not a good strategy.

Neil Doak has joined Worcester as attack and backs coach.
In all the debacle at Ulster he is not a bad backs coach - our backs have certainly gone backwards under Dwayne Peel

Astute signing by Worcester

geoff999rugby wrote:Neil Doak has joined Worcester as attack and backs coach.
In all the debacle at Ulster he is not a bad backs coach - our backs have certainly gone backwards under Dwayne Peel

Astute signing by Worcester

So he's okay Doakey?

He is indeed.

Known as 'potty mouth' for his frequent use of colourful language, but get past that, he knows what he is talking about.

geoff999rugby wrote:Neil Doak has joined Worcester as attack and backs coach.
In all the debacle at Ulster he is not a bad backs coach - our backs have certainly gone backwards under Dwayne Peel

Astute signing by Worcester

Needed to be with Sam Vesty leaving. Vesty has done miracles with that Wuss backline. They've tailed off a bit with Hougaard injured and Lance returned to Aus but which teams don't struggle if they lose their two best half backs.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Whats the non EQ levels in the Prem at the minute.

Am I reading things wrong or are they getting high again?

Worcester seem intent on fielding a largely non EQ 15 next season and I doubt Bristol will be any better.

Not many EQ players moving about but there are a number of talented youngsters on the fringes of breaking into teams next season. Hopefully the AP head coaches and DORs will be brave enough to give them game time.

I would not bet on that with Solly at the helm for Worcester. His time at Edinburgh was noted for his over use of South African Journeymen!

geoff999rugby wrote:

Heaf wrote:Interesting ... new coaches coming for LI:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2018/03/07/talk-rugby-declankidney-les-kiss-join-forces-premiership-strugglers/

Kidney was magnificence for Munster and Ireland but the game has moved on.

Employing yesterdays men is not a good strategy.

Given where LI are at the moment I think it's worth a shot ...

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rugby-union/brumbies/kyle-godwin-weighs-up-super-rugby-future-as-brumbies-prepare-for-rebels-20180307-h0x5tj.html

Godwin is rumoured to be interesting Ulster

Where did you here it was specifically Ulster Hazel ?
He would be a good fit for Connacht

It would also mean Jackson is definitely away

http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/43375501

Very strong at the set piece and certainly one to keep an eye on in the near future. Now Sale have him for 5 years. The welsh teams missed out here.

After last night talk by Bryn Cunningham I reckon you can dismiss talk of
Metuisela Talebula, Dave Kearney or Godwin coming to Ulster in the short term - all paper talk.

Any NIQ will be forwards for the present.
That would change is Jackson leaves, for whatever reason

geoff999rugby wrote:Where did you here it was specifically Ulster Hazel ?
He would be a good fit for Connacht

It would also mean Jackson is definitely away

Thought it was in the link, must have misread. They mentioned it on broadcast, though I wonder if it was lazy journalism with Lealiifano recently back.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rugby-union/waratahs/waratahs-optimistic-about-keeping-big-guns-beyond-world-cup-20180308-p4z3i1.html

They say he has signed in Ireland so wonder whether they assumed Ulster on that.

geoff999rugby wrote:After last night talk by Bryn Cunningham I reckon you can dismiss talk of
Metuisela Talebula, Dave Kearney or Godwin coming to Ulster in the short term - all paper talk.

Any NIQ will be forwards for the present.
That would change is Jackson leaves, for whatever reason

That might put to bed the rumour I was told of a WQ flyhalf moving to Ulster.

My interpretation is Cunningham remains on the look out but nothing will be decided till the trial is over,
and Jacksons long term future is decided.
If he stays no 10s will be signed, if he goes then we will be looking for one
I suspect journalist can see we have a young 10, and only a 15 and a couple of 10s who have never played for the 1st XV
as cover and assumed we must be looking.

Auterac now confirmed to Quins.
Like Tapui - not much of a secret.

Not seen much of Auterac - I know he was considered to be quite a prospect a few seasons back.

Jamie Roberts swaps shirts with Tapuai

Did not see Roberts coming!!

Good news for Bath, had it been 7 years ago!

Sure, he seems like a decent bloke and he'll bring experience and the right attitude to the team but is it really a good move by Bath?

TightHEAD wrote:Good news for Bath, had it been 7 years ago!

Sure, he seems like a decent bloke and he'll bring experience and the right attitude to the team but is it really a good move by Bath?

Maybe. He'll be the perfect role model for their young IC Clark and should be winding down as Clark is stepping up for a natural succession. Should know Priestland from their Wales days as well. Roberts has been fairly average or injured during his stay at Quins, that'll mean he should fit in well at Bath.

Hahaha

Roberts is the bish bosh replacement for Banahan

Trouble is, taking the last year or so Banahan has been the much better player

Ben Franks from LI to Saints confirmed

Heaf wrote:Ben Franks from LI to Saints confirmed

As a Saints fan I must say that I find that uninspiring. Based on when I've seen him play for LI then I've can only say that I hope they have got him very much on the cheap. Hopefully hooking up with his previous coach will make a big difference but I've never really rated him or his brother.

I do hope that the rumour about Jeremy Thrush signing from Gloucester is true though. Seems to give away a few too many pens than ideal but a big lump with some ball playing ability, much needed at Saints.

Sale sign James Phillips from Bath.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/43422308

Franks has been dreadful this season. be a big wage to get off the books for us. Saints might be able to sort him out but his penalty count has been ridiculous and he has been poor in the scrum.

The worst World Cup winner to play after Piri Weepu. Both of them looked like they had zero interest, took the cash and got enormous. Donald was terrible for us, but i think that’s just his normal level.

I was about to mention Donald....boy was that lad bad.

Franks and Weepu in the same breath? Nah. Franks is a model pro. Not been effective this season, but he's been playing out of position all year and perhaps slightly on the wane now. Was our best player in the Championship last season. Could have taken the money and dialled it in, but bought into it completely and emptied the tank each week.

Yep, a bit harsh on Franks there I feel. Not been value for money this season, but top effort in the past.

That’s the only time I’ve heard any Irish fan have anything positive to say about Franks

Not sure about Franks, as has been said previously, he is struggling to cut the mustard with Irish, but is that anything to do with what is behind him in the scrum?

Thrush looks like a good signing, we need to replace Paterson who is lightweight for an openside, never mind a lock.

Sill want to see a ball trundling eight in though, Eadie again is a lightweight and not a great carrier in the tight areas, Harrison is an converted flanker who can be great when he is allowed a little space. Haskell would still be my target as he is free next year and wants to stay in England contention. He may not be Picamoles but he can still do the job in the hard yards line and clears out rucks better than anyone we have. What a player he could have been if they had given him a brain when they made him.

Bathite wrote:That’s the only time I’ve heard any Irish fan have anything positive to say about Franks

As MW says, he was probably our player of the season in the Championship. Think a lot of fans would agree with that. However, no longer value for money so not too sad he is moving on.

mikey_dragon wrote:http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/43375501

Very strong at the set piece and certainly one to keep an eye on in the near future. Now Sale have him for 5 years. The welsh teams missed out here.

Went to Perpignan (div 2) and didn't play a game...not really missing out at the moment.