Silly Season Transfer Rumours 17/18

Rumours are that I want to move to another company because my boss is an @rse.

And there's something to those rumours, I can assure you.

Teams continue their pillaging of the Toyota Cheetahs squad with Ospreys signing Tom Botha as a replacement for Arhip, who's off the Top 14. We expected this to happen if the SA teams were any good, which isn't great for SA rugby. Hopefully SA can contract some good players to both their Pro14 Franchises for next season (and keep hold of them).

Anyone know the story of Johan Goosen? I thought he had retired from rugby, obviously to get away from Racing Metro, yet he's starting for Cheetahs against Munster this weekend. I've done a bit more reading on wiki and according to that Montpellier have bought out his contract with Racing. It's a strange one for sure.

At the Cheetahs to get match fitness ahead of a move to Montpellier next season by the looks of things. Very dodgy.

Logovi'i Mulipola to Falcons for next season (rumour).

Times reporting Jack Paddyson to Clermont

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Logovi'i Mulipola to Falcons for next season (rumour).

Would be a blow to lose him. There's been rumours of negotiations being long with Tigers. Logo rumoured to want big name prop money whilst Tigers are concerned over his injury history (he's had quite a few). Falcons come in and offer that level of salary then he might move. We lost Goneva in a similar way (although we were also concerned about the length of contract he wanted for a winger of his age).

Be a great signing for Falcons. He seemed a humble and friendly guy off the pitch as well. I met him at a (very) amateur game where he'd come down to watch. Happy to talk and pose for selfies.

Mulipola is great BUT at 31 and the style of play he enjoys the injury front is a bit of a worry.

One of those I can understand either way.

31 is prime age for a prop though. Could easily carry on for another four years. Don't think many would be keen to give him a three year deal though.

Agree with all that, but that seems to be the way we're doing things lately. A good AP player on possibly less wages but over 3 years or so.

Logo would be a welcome addition to our rather pitiful prop stable. Past Welsh and Lockwood (Who's improving every game), there's little available. We're falling back on semi-pro's and cheap foreign imports at the minute.

We're also rumoured to be signing a lump of a tighthead from the Championship, Mark Tampin?? If he's as good as Lockwood, I'll be happy with this one.

It's been an area of concern for a number of years....we generally sign poop props (Bar Welsh and Lockwood).

And Hayman and Golding

A bit further back Yappy!!

I never rated Golding that highly tbh, although he was good in the loose. I think I could have played at LH and looked good alongside Hayman....who was an absolute animal in his prime.

the rumour is a one year deal for Logo.

That would be a bit strange Welly.

Tom Arscott signs for Falcons. Not too excited with this one with 2 good young English options waiting in backup.

We have confirmed Winger Tom Arscott is joining us next season. Squad player who is EQP and replaces the out going Agulla.

Sensible.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:That would be a bit strange Welly.

Tom Arscott signs for Falcons. Not too excited with this one with 2 good young English options waiting in backup.  

I think its an Agulla replacement Sgt. Solid squad player who can cover a few positions and Is English. Not a bad move.

Now Mulipola, im not convinced on that one. But then Dean has proved me wrong in the past.

Apparently fitting Logo and Cilliers in under the cap is the problem facing Tigers. If it's a choice of one or the other I'd take Logo any day. Both have injury problems but Logo is the better player by a mile.

He's had a positive impact this season since getting fit, with some proper rotation I think Logo still has a lot to offer any team.

I heard a rumour Tigers were looking at Shaun Knight as a squad prop the other day. We might as well keep Baumann and Traynor for all the good signings such as that would add. If we want value for money in a squad prop then look to the Championship as Baxter has done at Exe or Falcons did with Lockwood.

king_carlos wrote:Apparently fitting Logo and Cilliers in under the cap is the problem facing Tigers. If it's a choice of one or the other I'd take Logo any day. Both have injury problems but Logo is the better player by a mile.

He's had a positive impact this season since getting fit, with some proper rotation I think Logo still has a lot to offer any team.

I heard a rumour Tigers were looking at Shaun Knight as a squad prop the other day. We might as well keep Baumann and Traynor for all the good signings such as that would add. If we want value for money in a squad prop then look to the Championship as Baxter has done at Exe or Falcons did with Lockwood.

Knight will be cheap TBF.

He was once quite rated at one time, maybe Boris would get an Indian summer out of him (Saying Indian summer he is 28).
Champ props are not that cheap anymore most the better scrummaging props (Ealing's) have been snapped up


Saying that Knight will be the third prop tigers have been linked to with Cortes and Paddy Ryan being the other 2.

Paddy Ryan? Really Welly?

GeordieFalcon wrote:Paddy Ryan? Really Welly?

Not your one the other one.

Shaun Knight - Bath
Gaston Cortes - Bristol
Paddy Ryan - Waratahs

All currently linked. The Irish scouts always find decent scrummaging SA props with a bit of an edge. Why can't we?

Welly wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Paddy Ryan? Really Welly?

Not your one the other one.

Well it looks like we're signing Mulipola, Johnny Williams and someone called Hanpin / tanpin?? Never heard of him

GeordieFalcon wrote:Well it looks like we're signing Mulipola, Johnny Williams and someone called Hanpin / tanpin?? Never heard of him

Mark Tampin?

Ealing Tighthead.

Aren't Ealing supposed to have a good scrum? Good signings.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Aren't Ealing supposed to have a good scrum? Good signings.

Yep, although they are already losing 2 other props to prem clubs next season.

A scrummaging TH would be a welcome addition and would take the burden off Welsh. A good pre-season for Lockwood should see him return stronger, he's getting better every game. Mulipola would obviously help a lot too.

Craig Willis ---> Ealing.

Huge potential in that team.

Ah...a Good TH...well that would be a welcome addition! Poor Jon Welsh has worked his socks off this season!

Welly wrote: Craig Willis ---> Falcons.

Huge potential in that team.

I don't get you Welly, you've heard he's leaving?

Edit.....he's off to Ealing.

Sad news as he's got something about him. He's be an excellent backup for an AP club.

Ealing have signed Harry Sloan from Quins - real shame as Harry looked to have been doing really well barring injury and a 'Lion' being in front of him.

Ealing seem to be in the top half of the championship on a more regular basis now - seem to have real ambitions, which is great to see in an area that has so many clubs

propdavid_london wrote:Ealing have signed Harry Sloan from Quins - real shame as Harry looked to have been doing really well barring injury and a 'Lion' being in front of him.

Ealing seem to be in the top half of the championship on  a more regular basis now - seem to have real ambitions, which is great to see in an area that has so many clubs

Well their Owner is worth £200+ million so not surprised if they are ambitious.

Willis is off to Ealing sgt?? What?

Ah seen it on the unoffy now.

Don't get why he hasn't been used more...

We have Connon still coming through though and Matavesi Snr can play 10 aswell.

Ealing backline potentially of
9. J.Burns (Rumoured with Simpson)
10. Clegg
11. Cordy-Redden
12. Willis
13. Armitage
14. Packman
15. Johnston

Is really handy.

Will be interesting to see who Irish can keep / sign.

As in Joe Simpson? He'd clean up at Championship level.

Will they get their backline any ball with losing their props?

LI should be able to maintain most of their squad. They'll have their best young talent cherry picked but the established first team players will probably remain.

formerly known as Sam wrote:As in Joe Simpson? He'd clean up at Championship level.

Will they get their backline any ball with losing their props?

LI should be able to maintain most of their squad. They'll have their best young talent cherry picked but the established first team players will probably remain.

They have signed a few props TBF i think they have a really good coaching system over there..

Would be surprised if
Bell
Marshall
Cokasigna
Williams
Botha
Are there next season. (Maybe Brophy-Clews and Steele aswell).

COuld see a few retiring.

Bell just ruptured his Achilles, so doubt he'll be picked up.

Think Steele will likely be off as he's out of contract anyway. Would hope to keep Brophy Clews and Marshall of those listed.

Obviously impossible to compare LI and Ealing (on paper anyway) until the dust settles, but we should retain a decent squad, albeit be harder hit than last time we went down

David Halaifonua off to Coventry

Logo confirmed to Falcons....very happy with this one.

I think he'll be getting the Dean fitness treatment. He'll want him able to play more than a few brief bench run outs.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Logo confirmed to Falcons....very happy with this one.

You are getting better value for money taking our "older" players than Bath ever did.

GeordieFalcon wrote:I think he'll be getting the Dean fitness treatment. He'll want him able to play more than a few brief bench run outs.

8 starts and 7 appearances from the bench in the AP this season (so 75% of games so far)

LondonTiger wrote:

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Logo confirmed to Falcons....very happy with this one.

You are getting better value for money taking our "older" players than Bath ever did.

Mermoz is prob not the best value marquee player in the world though. (Prob rich considering Manu is one of ours.....).

wonder how much the 2 year thing came out of it, World cup year normally takes alot out of a player let alone one with knee issues.

Excellent player though.

LondonTiger wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:I think he'll be getting the Dean fitness treatment. He'll want him able to play more than a few brief bench run outs.

8 starts and 7 appearances from the bench in the AP this season (so 75% of games so far)

Yep match fitness isn't his issue it's injuries which unfortunately are hard to predict.

Welly wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Logo confirmed to Falcons....very happy with this one.

You are getting better value for money taking our "older" players than Bath ever did.

Mermoz is prob not the best value marquee player in the world though. (Prob rich considering Manu is one of ours.....).

wonder how much the 2 year thing came out of it, World cup year normally takes alot out of a player let alone one with knee issues.

Excellent player though.

Not sure Mermoz was with us long enough to count

Welly wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:I think he'll be getting the Dean fitness treatment. He'll want him able to play more than a few brief bench run outs.

8 starts and 7 appearances from the bench in the AP this season (so 75% of games so far)

Yep match fitness isn't his issue it's injuries which unfortunately are hard to predict.

Considering his size and playing style he's put some impressive shifts in for us this season. Sad to see he's off.

Ah ok, I wasn't aware he was fit enough, I just seemed to always see him coming off the bench.

I don't think we have a marquee player on the books. From previous mentions from Deano, we have one if not the smallest budgets in the league and don't get near the limit. I know Sale had a smaller budget too (they have a small squad) but they've signed a few big names this past season in JOC etc.

I'm sad to see Logo go but it sounds like a similar situation to Goneva whereby Falcons could simply offer a much higher salary than Tigers viewed as value for money. Niki has returned on the investment so far for Falcons IMO and I hope Logo does the same.

He's a top player and a fantastic bloke with the fans.