Silly Season Transfer Rumours 19/20

First topic message reminder :

New year, new thread, new scuttlebutt, rumour and misdirection.

Speaking of welsh open-sides, there’s a lot of them. I forgot about Sam Lewis at Wuss, although probably not as good as Young.

mikey_dragon wrote:

BigGee wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:You'd assume that he's pretty good if he stepped up and played premiership rugby at 18 years old though.

He was playing today in the Wales U18 team that comfortably beat Scotland at Worcester. Premier Sports have been televising the competition. I have to say he did look very good, even if he did spill one over the line. Big, fast and powerful and a very good step. Looks like a pro player in the making all day long.

Will he play for England or Wales though, once you are in an English Academy, they have first dibs at you for the U20s. Scotland have lost a few recently who have played U18s but are based in England to the England U20s and you can't blame them for that. It does not stop them choosing to come back and play for another country further down the line.

Yeah he’s one of the future, hopefully we don’t rush him in as he will probably be spending a lot of time on the medic table. It is tempting to bring him on in, given how some of the big names in our back 3 can underperform. Luckily we have Josh Adams and Liam Williams firing.

I read an article and he’s 100% committed to Wales, even featuring for the U18s like you mentioned. I wasn’t aware that there was such a ruling in place in England, but it could explain Moriarty. Ross was also born up north which may have helped his case. A few welsh teams will be keeping him an eye on him, probably not his home region (Cardiff) though as they have a few good, young wingers.

If he moved in order to attend Hartbury College he may have designs on university which might influence any future move. We saw Underhill graduate from Hartbury and then decide to go to University in Wales which meant he left Glaws as well. Could be the potential to team up with a university to tempt him back in the near future.

Not sure how first dibs works for under 20s as both the Welsh lads in the Tigers academy have ended up representing Wales at under 20 level. Reffell captaining them for the last two seasons (when fit) and the young flyhalf Costelow making the grade at only 18 (that boy has some serious potential).

The RFU fund the academies and I think they want their bang for their buck.

Gus Ware, who played Scotland U18s and is now playing England U20s is a case in point. There was an interview with his brother, who also plays in Scotland for Ayr. He was asked why his brother had changed allegiance and his answer was that he did not really have a lot of choice in the matter if he stayed in the Sale academy.

It may not be quite as straightforward as that, as players presumably have to fulfil basic eligibility criteria as well, grandparents, parents or residence and there may be some individual exceptions as well. However the main function of the academies is to produce EQ players to play for England and they are not particularly inclined to help other countries. Last season they would not release any players for Scotland for the JWC until the week of the tournament.

It is understandable and I don't really have any problem with it. Players at that age are better just concentrating on their development and not worrying to much about the politics. It would not stop them choosing another country further down the line once they are more established in any case. No one can tie players in at U20 level now, which is a good thing.

Jesse Kriel to Saints rumour is still floating around.

Kriel in addition to Francis, Proctor, Hutchinson and Dingwall seems like overkill but Saints are rumoured to be talking to several big name centres.

I think they need a big lump of a centre to replace Burrell and enhance their offloading game, Kriel is a bit light for this. They will have a host of 85-95kg centres non of which are a heavy carrying gain line breakers. Perhaps we are going to change our style.

Kriel and Proctor would be similar signings in that they are quality 13's who cover wing and fullback. They would also be really strong additions though. Along with the versatility of Prince Harry it would give serious depth across the backline.

Naiyaravoro, Mallinder and the pinball Tuala are physical options in the back three.

Given how good Saints have looked this season with centres who release their back three I could see Kriel fitting in very well. He's defensively solid and good in contact but has the pace of a back three player when things open up. Would suit Saints game plan pretty well I reckon.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

BigGee wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:You'd assume that he's pretty good if he stepped up and played premiership rugby at 18 years old though.

He was playing today in the Wales U18 team that comfortably beat Scotland at Worcester. Premier Sports have been televising the competition. I have to say he did look very good, even if he did spill one over the line. Big, fast and powerful and a very good step. Looks like a pro player in the making all day long.

Will he play for England or Wales though, once you are in an English Academy, they have first dibs at you for the U20s. Scotland have lost a few recently who have played U18s but are based in England to the England U20s and you can't blame them for that. It does not stop them choosing to come back and play for another country further down the line.

Yeah he’s one of the future, hopefully we don’t rush him in as he will probably be spending a lot of time on the medic table. It is tempting to bring him on in, given how some of the big names in our back 3 can underperform. Luckily we have Josh Adams and Liam Williams firing.

I read an article and he’s 100% committed to Wales, even featuring for the U18s like you mentioned. I wasn’t aware that there was such a ruling in place in England, but it could explain Moriarty. Ross was also born up north which may have helped his case. A few welsh teams will be keeping him an eye on him, probably not his home region (Cardiff) though as they have a few good, young wingers.

If he moved in order to attend Hartbury College he may have designs on university which might influence any future move. We saw Underhill graduate from Hartbury and then decide to go to University in Wales which meant he left Glaws as well. Could be the potential to team up with a university to tempt him back in the near future.

Not sure how first dibs works for under 20s as both the Welsh lads in the Tigers academy have ended up representing Wales at under 20 level. Reffell captaining them for the last two seasons (when fit) and the young flyhalf Costelow making the grade at only 18 (that boy has some serious potential).

It's Hartpury. Everyone knows it's a pretty hot college for rugby so it's probably a good thing, and they have a good relationship with Gloucester rugby. And just double-checking but Hartpury is a college and a university right?

Were those two part of the exiles programme, or were they found in north Wales?

Kriel would be a perfect signing for a Premiership team. Big, strong, fast enough but with enough flair to stand out against the standard of opposition he'll be facing. Not sure you can call him small for a 13.

Latest Kriel is going Japan, the last I heard linking him to Saints was in Jan before Procter signed.

mikey_dragon wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

BigGee wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:You'd assume that he's pretty good if he stepped up and played premiership rugby at 18 years old though.

He was playing today in the Wales U18 team that comfortably beat Scotland at Worcester. Premier Sports have been televising the competition. I have to say he did look very good, even if he did spill one over the line. Big, fast and powerful and a very good step. Looks like a pro player in the making all day long.

Will he play for England or Wales though, once you are in an English Academy, they have first dibs at you for the U20s. Scotland have lost a few recently who have played U18s but are based in England to the England U20s and you can't blame them for that. It does not stop them choosing to come back and play for another country further down the line.

Yeah he’s one of the future, hopefully we don’t rush him in as he will probably be spending a lot of time on the medic table. It is tempting to bring him on in, given how some of the big names in our back 3 can underperform. Luckily we have Josh Adams and Liam Williams firing.

I read an article and he’s 100% committed to Wales, even featuring for the U18s like you mentioned. I wasn’t aware that there was such a ruling in place in England, but it could explain Moriarty. Ross was also born up north which may have helped his case. A few welsh teams will be keeping him an eye on him, probably not his home region (Cardiff) though as they have a few good, young wingers.

If he moved in order to attend Hartbury College he may have designs on university which might influence any future move. We saw Underhill graduate from Hartbury and then decide to go to University in Wales which meant he left Glaws as well. Could be the potential to team up with a university to tempt him back in the near future.

Not sure how first dibs works for under 20s as both the Welsh lads in the Tigers academy have ended up representing Wales at under 20 level. Reffell captaining them for the last two seasons (when fit) and the young flyhalf Costelow making the grade at only 18 (that boy has some serious potential).

It's Hartpury. Everyone knows it's a pretty hot college for rugby so it's probably a good thing, and they have a good relationship with Gloucester rugby. And just double-checking but Hartpury is a college and a university right?

Were those two part of the exiles programme, or were they found in north Wales?

Hartbury is technically a university but not like a mainstream one it's a specialist centre so if you want a degree in sport or vetinary science it's good. Depends what he wants to study. They have connections with the University of the West of England though.

Both Reffell and Costelow were from the Ospreys age grade and moved over at 15 to the Tigers academy. Hopefully there's no inclination to go back anytime soon because both should be emerging into the first team. Reffell is already in and around the first team at 20 and that will only continue. Costelow is playing in the A league at 18 so he'll no doubt continue to progress through with his ability to step in at 12 and play the secondary playmaker increasing his chances of game time (George Ford as a mentor is fairly ideal)

Sounds like good news, and probably a good thing that they moved aaay too. It would have opened up spots for other players back home. If Reffell is an open-side I don’t think we need him any time soon! I’m unfamiliar with Costelow but hopefully he stays as good as you say.

mikey_dragon wrote:Sounds like good news, and probably a good thing that they moved aaay too. It would have opened up spots for other players back home. If Reffell is an open-side I don’t think we need him any time soon! I’m unfamiliar with Costelow but hopefully he stays as good as you say.

Loathe though I am to quote WalesOnline they did an article on the pair. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/two-best-prospects-welsh-rugby-15344037.amp

Nice try for Costelow against England under 18s last summer. He was playing off the bench for Wales under 20s this 6N at 18.

Both are playing for the A side against Saints today.

It's an odd one, clubs in England have catchment areas where they get their academy intake from. Outside of England I suppose it's a free for all for the English clubs as the RFU won't stop them from signing up in this case Welsh talent because by the time they are ready for full caps they'll probably be EQ and then there's a choice to make. Not likely a proud Welshman would choose the Rose over the Dragon mind.

Schools make the approaches not the clubs on the whole when it comes to welsh and Scottish players. Sure the clubs will be a carrot. But Oakham will be the main driver for example.
Going to a £30,000 a year boarding school for nothing is a massive incentive.

As he does not turn 20 for another week, Reffell has plenty of learning time. He obviously has leadership qualities that will stand him in good stead - captained Wales U18s for two seasons, and now the U20s for two seasons, and has captained Leicester in the Premiership Cup.

Sam, Reffell must have played against France U20s, so will be tied to Wales.

Was that before the rule changes came in?

Welly wrote: Was that before the rule changes came in?

TBH had not realised rules had changed. Would have been last season as well as this one.

Welly wrote:  Schools make the approaches not the clubs on the whole when it comes to welsh and Scottish players. Sure the clubs will be a carrot. But Oakham will be the main driver for example.
Going to a £30,000 a year boarding school for nothing is a massive incentive.

Distinctly remember having this discussion when the rules changed from 3-5 years for residency (5 points for guessing the poster who couldn't accept it). You're much more likely to see a Mat Protheroe-style recruitment from English clubs: a two-pronged attack that incorporates the England age-grade set-up as well. By and large, I'd expect a majority of players to stick with Wales if they're good enough to play test rugby, but it's obviously a healthy breeding ground (and one that's apparently not limited by the club's catchment area) right on England's doorstep.

miaow wrote:Kriel would be a perfect signing for a Premiership team. Big, strong, fast enough but with enough flair to stand out against the standard of opposition he'll be facing. Not sure you can call him small for a 13.

Didn't call him small, he is in that 85-95kg set the same as all the others Saints have, however if he is off to Japan, the point is mute.
Prince Harry seems set on 15, a place he should be able to excel at, although I think 12 is his best position. He has the weight to crash the ball up and the hands of a 10 with an exceptional offload due to his height. Naiyaravoro is a winger who comes into the line, Tuala a full back / winger, again only going to drive up the middle occasionally; both very good at their respective positions and could be released by quality centres, but none can play the Manu, Burrell T'eo type role to make regular gain line success get Saints on the front foot.

TIGERS CHASE 10 NEW PLAYERS TO REVIVE FORTUNES

Struggling Leicester Tigers have a 10-man shopping list of reinforcements. They have only announced Kiwi flanker Jordan Taufua so far, but more deals are expected.

The Gain Line understands that the likely arrivals include: Calum Green, Tomas Lavanini, Hanro Liebenberg, Nephi Leatigaga, Jaco Taute, Andy Forsyth, Jaco Taute, EW Viljoen and Noel Reid.

Per Daily Mail. I presume that Wallace should be in place of one of the two Tautes. Great editing.

A lot of names I know nothing about.

Come on LT. GF has been banging on about how good Callum Green is most of the season. It's only when Tigers started to believe his rhetoric and looked like signing him that he stopped.

Lesson to be learnt there, some DoR seem to take the views of some members of this board seriously, if you have a diamond and want to keep it, keep quiet about it.

So rumoured signings are;

Nephi Leatigaga - prop - playing in France, supposed to be a direct replacement for Logo Mulipola. I think he's 24ish in age and stone. We tried to get an early release on his contract last summer but failed and signed Ma'afu as cover instead.

Calum Green - lock - Tigers academy graduate playing at Newcastle. Good lineout operator and does the dirty work. Replacing Kitchener.

Tomas Lavanini - lock - big nasty bruiser. Argentina international still playing at the Jags. Tendency to get carded but we do need extra power in the row.

Jordan Taufua - flanker - mobile powerful lock. Likes to tackle and likes to carry. Won Super rugby with the Crusaders.

Hanro Liebenberg - no 8 - former Bok under 20 plays for the Bulls and currently on loan at Stade Francais. Looks the stereotypical Bok backrower, confrontational and physical.

Noel Reid - centre - can also cover 10. 100 games for Leinster so can't be bad. Looks to be a thinking man's centre. Bit like Ant Allen used to be.

Jaco Taute - centre - big bloke who has done decent mobility. We've needed another powerful centre for a while so he'll fill that hole nicely.

Andy Forsyth - utility back - squad cover. Former Tigers academy graduate currently playing for Yorkshire. Has experience of prem and Championship rugby.

EW Viljoen - utility back - pacey with a step. Physical enough to play centre as well as 15 and wing. Still young.

Liebenberg is playing Super rugby currently, has played in all the bulls game this season so far.

Welly wrote: Liebenberg is playing Super rugby currently, has played in all the bulls game this season so far.

The Stade loan for the off season? Not seen much out of the YouTube highlights reel. Is he what we need?

formerly known as Sam wrote:So rumoured signings are;

Nephi Leatigaga - prop - playing in France, supposed to be a direct replacement for Logo Mulipola. I think he's 24ish in age and stone. We tried to get an early release on his contract last summer but failed and signed Ma'afu as cover instead.

Calum Green - lock - Tigers academy graduate playing at Newcastle. Good lineout operator and does the dirty work. Replacing Kitchener.

Tomas Lavanini - lock - big nasty bruiser. Argentina international still playing at the Jags. Tendency to get carded but we do need extra power in the row.

Jordan Taufua - flanker - mobile powerful lock. Likes to tackle and likes to carry. Won Super rugby with the Crusaders.

Hanro Liebenberg - no 8 - former Bok under 20 plays for the Bulls and currently on loan at Stade Francais. Looks the stereotypical Bok backrower, confrontational and physical.

Noel Reid - centre - can also cover 10. 100 games for Leinster so can't be bad. Looks to be a thinking man's centre. Bit like Ant Allen used to be.

Jaco Taute - centre - big bloke who has done decent mobility. We've needed another powerful centre for a while so he'll fill that hole nicely.

Andy Forsyth - utility back - squad cover. Former Tigers academy graduate currently playing for Yorkshire. Has experience of prem and Championship rugby.

EW Viljoen - utility back - pacey with a step. Physical enough to play centre as well as 15 and wing. Still young.

Does that look more of the same to you?
Lots of premiership workmen and a few SH non test stars coming on decent wages and a reputation they might not uphold.

The focus seems to be on signing players likely to be available all season rather than those like May who on the odd occssion when they are there can be a real point of difference.

Gooseberry wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:So rumoured signings are;

Nephi Leatigaga - prop - playing in France, supposed to be a direct replacement for Logo Mulipola. I think he's 24ish in age and stone. We tried to get an early release on his contract last summer but failed and signed Ma'afu as cover instead.

Calum Green - lock - Tigers academy graduate playing at Newcastle. Good lineout operator and does the dirty work. Replacing Kitchener.

Tomas Lavanini - lock - big nasty bruiser. Argentina international still playing at the Jags. Tendency to get carded but we do need extra power in the row.

Jordan Taufua - flanker - mobile powerful lock. Likes to tackle and likes to carry. Won Super rugby with the Crusaders.

Hanro Liebenberg - no 8 - former Bok under 20 plays for the Bulls and currently on loan at Stade Francais. Looks the stereotypical Bok backrower, confrontational and physical.

Noel Reid - centre - can also cover 10. 100 games for Leinster so can't be bad. Looks to be a thinking man's centre. Bit like Ant Allen used to be.

Jaco Taute - centre - big bloke who has done decent mobility. We've needed another powerful centre for a while so he'll fill that hole nicely.

Andy Forsyth - utility back - squad cover. Former Tigers academy graduate currently playing for Yorkshire. Has experience of prem and Championship rugby.

EW Viljoen - utility back - pacey with a step. Physical enough to play centre as well as 15 and wing. Still young.

Does that look more of the same to you?
Lots of premiership workmen and a few SH non test stars coming on decent wages and a reputation they might not uphold.

The focus seems to be on signing players likely to be available all season rather than those like May who on the odd occssion when they are there can be a real point of difference.

In the backs we don't really need any more star names. We need better squad players for the star names to work round. I think we are adding that extra quality, particularly with the centres and a bit of extra full back cover is helpful.

It's been the pack that needs reinforcing. Green reminds me a bit of Deacon in that he does the unglamorous work so that the other forwards can go and excel. Lavanini is an international and an absolute brute, exactly what we need. Front row we are in a good place so the massive Samoan is worth a punt because if we can get his fitness up like we did with Logo then it's a great weapon to have available. Big Bok 8 who's captained his team's previously is also very welcome, not enough leaders in the Tigers pack outside of the front row and he's only 23 so plenty of time for him to come of age.

Last season we looked to add some aggression and mobility to the pack and Spencer, Thompson and Denton (pre injury) have all added that. This is a continuation of the same.

Rugby Paper say Ospreys are after Moriarty and Dragons are one of four teams after Sam Davies. To be honest, if Ospreys we’re willing to pay the 400k wage for Moriarty, it would be common sense to let him go.

RiscaGame wrote:Rugby Paper say Ospreys are after Moriarty and Dragons are one of four teams after Sam Davies. To be honest, if Ospreys we’re willing to pay the 400k wage for Moriarty, it would be common sense to let him go.

Ospreys were on the point of bankruptcy a few weeks ago and now they have money to burn. How does that work?

Hardly an inspiring list for Tigers fans....a familiar story for far too long now. Tigers should really be challenging the top 4, with those signings I can see it being a bottom half finish yet again.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Hardly an inspiring list for Tigers fans....a familiar story for far too long now. Tigers should really be challenging the top 4, with those signings I can see it being a bottom half finish yet again.

Would leave us with a team of;

Genge, Youngs, Cole
Lavanini, Spencer
Taufua, Denton, Thompson
Youngs, Ford
Reid, Manu
May, Vienau, Holmes

Still an all international capped back line and a much more mobile and aggressive pack. Should be a better all round squad. We've slipped to far for a one summer turnaround but with the young lads in the development squad coming through this should move us in the right direction. A lot will depend on who we appoint as DOR.

Liebenberg would start at 8.
The guys a unit

Welly wrote: Liebenberg would start at 8.
The guys a unit

Does my heart good to hear you say that Welly. It's certainly what we need. The YouTube highlights make him look a great all rounder. Will allow us to rotate Taufua and Denton at 6 with Kalamafoni able to step in at 8 and maybe lock.

So it seems
George McGguian
Jonny Williams
Both have relegation clauses and are looking to use them.

BigGee wrote:

RiscaGame wrote:Rugby Paper say Ospreys are after Moriarty and Dragons are one of four teams after Sam Davies. To be honest, if Ospreys we’re willing to pay the 400k wage for Moriarty, it would be common sense to let him go.

Ospreys were on the point of bankruptcy a few weeks ago and now they have money to burn. How does that work?

Yeah very strange. Moriarty does look disinterested in playing for us but we’ll need a replacement. I don’t see what going to Ospreys would do for him, it’s not an interesting place right now... If anyone in that organization on a brain cell they’d be spending the money on a good coach.

RiscaGame wrote:Rugby Paper say Ospreys are after Moriarty and Dragons are one of four teams after Sam Davies. To be honest, if Ospreys we’re willing to pay the 400k wage for Moriarty, it would be common sense to let him go.

This. Especially if the Nicky Smith bit of the rumour is true. Wainwright is a better six than Moriarty now.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Hardly an inspiring list for Tigers fans....a familiar story for far too long now. Tigers should really be challenging the top 4, with those signings I can see it being a bottom half finish yet again.

Would leave us with a team of;

Genge, Youngs, Cole
Lavanini, Spencer
Taufua, Denton, Thompson
Youngs, Ford
Reid, Manu
May, Vienau, Holmes

Still an all international capped back line and a much more mobile and aggressive pack. Should be a better all round squad. We've slipped to far for a one summer turnaround but with the young lads in the development squad coming through this should move us in the right direction. A lot will depend on who we appoint as DOR.

You really think that looks much better than this season? Backline looks slightly worse, only Taufua is a major step up in the pack. I think we have these discussions every year about Tigers recruitment and every year it's disappointing, who's in charge of this???

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Hardly an inspiring list for Tigers fans....a familiar story for far too long now. Tigers should really be challenging the top 4, with those signings I can see it being a bottom half finish yet again.

Would leave us with a team of;

Genge, Youngs, Cole
Lavanini, Spencer
Taufua, Denton, Thompson
Youngs, Ford
Reid, Manu
May, Vienau, Holmes

Still an all international capped back line and a much more mobile and aggressive pack. Should be a better all round squad. We've slipped to far for a one summer turnaround but with the young lads in the development squad coming through this should move us in the right direction. A lot will depend on who we appoint as DOR.

You really think that looks much better than this season? Backline looks slightly worse, only Taufua is a major step up in the pack. I think we have these discussions every year about Tigers recruitment and every year it's disappointing, who's in charge of this???

Lavanini is clearly better than Kitchener, Taufua miles better than Williams and Denton was actually very good before the concussion problems either he or the new Bok will offer a lot more mobility and as much power as Kalamafoni. The pack has failed this season because they are too slow, undynamic and unfit. The changes to the pack will make it faster and more dynamic. A preseason without MOC will make it fitter.

Backline is the same minus Toomua who's been poor all season. No loss in fact a benefit as his cap will be used on the forwards improvement.

The recruitment is overseen by Ged Glynn mainly though previous coaches have opted to recruit certain players they wanted as well. Ged oversaw the rebuilding of the academy but is much maligned for some of this other deals though Simon Cohen has his fingers in the swap deals we did previously.

Tigers aren't first snout at the trough anymore - sadly for a Tigers fan.

If we try to buy our way out the mire in one summer then likely end result will be a starting XV that looks tasty on paper with little depth below it. The stars will spend too little time together to build partnerships, the squad players will lack the firepower to get momentum from results and we'd end up reliant on key individuals digging the side out of holes of their own making.

That paragraph sounds pretty familiar for some reason...

Kitchener ---> Green (Improvement)
Lavanini ---> Fitzgerald (Big improvement)
Taufua ---> Williams (Vast improvement)
Liebenberg ---> Mapapalangi (Vast improvement)
Taute ---> Tait (Improvement - I really like Taity but Taute will offer ball carrying Tigers need)
Reid ---> Toomua (Worse player but will likely offer Tigers more)
Viljeon ---> Owen (Improvement)

Looking at the squad as a whole rather than the starting XV it is improvement. Tigers aren't going to challenge Sarries and Exeter's consistency again overnight. Rebuild, get back amongst the chasing pack and bring through more academy players to develop a foundation again.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Hardly an inspiring list for Tigers fans....a familiar story for far too long now. Tigers should really be challenging the top 4, with those signings I can see it being a bottom half finish yet again.

Would leave us with a team of;

Genge, Youngs, Cole
Lavanini, Spencer
Taufua, Denton, Thompson
Youngs, Ford
Reid, Manu
May, Vienau, Holmes

Still an all international capped back line and a much more mobile and aggressive pack. Should be a better all round squad. We've slipped to far for a one summer turnaround but with the young lads in the development squad coming through this should move us in the right direction. A lot will depend on who we appoint as DOR.

You really think that looks much better than this season? Backline looks slightly worse, only Taufua is a major step up in the pack. I think we have these discussions every year about Tigers recruitment and every year it's disappointing, who's in charge of this???

You do know who Lavanini is right?

I think you're ratings are quite a bit off there boys.

Yes I know who he is Welly...he's a decent Int lock.

Stone Motif wrote:

RiscaGame wrote:Rugby Paper say Ospreys are after Moriarty and Dragons are one of four teams after Sam Davies. To be honest, if Ospreys we’re willing to pay the 400k wage for Moriarty, it would be common sense to let him go.

This. Especially if the Nicky Smith bit of the rumour is true. Wainwright is a better six than Moriarty now.

I could see Lydiate going the other way as well. Can't believe he's at the Ospreys to be honest. And I think Moriarty is a solid 8 now who can play 6 - perhaps out of necessity with the lack of options in Wales. But his skillset is a defensive 8, similar to Faletau, Pocock, Barclay etc.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:I think you're ratings are quite a bit off there boys.

Yes I know who he is Welly...he's a decent Int lock.

And you think he isn't an upgrade to Kitchener?

He is, but is he the direct replacement? Would you guess that Lavanini will be partnering Spencer?

Green isn't that good of a signing, he gets overrated at Falcons.

While the 3 announced signings and rumouy probably improve the squad, the first team barely changes.

It is easy to point to individuals and say the incoming are better, but we are remembering those leaving at their worst.

I am struggling to think of even a handful of guys we have signed since we last won the title in 2013 who have really delivered.

Genge, May and Veainu have all done good things. Bateman has been excellent but should really be no more than a Squad filler.

Toomua was strong for half a season last year, but overall has not been value for money. Other high profile signings such as TPN, Williams, JPP, Denton, BOC have for various reasons been underwhelming.

I do not see these signings maki g us a play off team, and unless the coaching improves we will be deep in the table again.

Welly wrote: So it seems
George McGguian
Jonny Williams
Both have relegation clauses and are looking to use them.

No surprise with Johnny.

A little surprised with Mcguigan.
If he goes I wont welcome him back again.

miaow wrote:

Stone Motif wrote:

RiscaGame wrote:Rugby Paper say Ospreys are after Moriarty and Dragons are one of four teams after Sam Davies. To be honest, if Ospreys we’re willing to pay the 400k wage for Moriarty, it would be common sense to let him go.

This. Especially if the Nicky Smith bit of the rumour is true. Wainwright is a better six than Moriarty now.

I could see Lydiate going the other way as well. Can't believe he's at the Ospreys to be honest. And I think Moriarty is a solid 8 now who can play 6 - perhaps out of necessity with the lack of options in Wales. But his skillset is a defensive 8, similar to Faletau, Pocock, Barclay etc.

If Smith is to leave the 'Our blood is black' brigade it'll be for the 'we're best region in Wales please come and play for my desperate team'. I'm not really a fan of all these guys moving around when it weakens the team they depart, unless it's Dragons they're joining up with .

LondonTiger wrote:While the 3 announced signings and rumouy probably improve the squad, the first team barely changes.

It is easy to point to individuals and say the incoming are better, but we are remembering those leaving at their worst.

I am struggling to think of even a handful of guys we have signed since we last won the title in 2013 who have really delivered.

Genge, May and Veainu have all done good things. Bateman has been excellent but should really be no more than a Squad filler.

Toomua was strong for half a season last year, but overall has not been value for money. Other high profile signings such as TPN, Williams, JPP, Denton, BOC have for various reasons been underwhelming.

I do not see these signings maki g us a play off team, and unless the coaching improves we will be deep in the table again.

Very much so. The squad is looking like it will be better next season but unless we build off the pitch as well as on it we won't get far as you say. The rumours of Chieka and Edwards have gone a little bit cold but it's encouraging that those are the calibre of DOR we should be looking at.

Report in Rugby paper, well addendum to the signings, suggests Sam Harrison leaving in December with a move to Australia.

LondonTiger wrote:Report in Rugby paper, well addendum to the signings, suggests Sam Harrison leaving in December with a move to Australia.

Heard him make comments about doing his house up in Hinckley. I'd imagine he'd like the lifestyle down in Aus and so might split his time half a year in each. Given our scrum half supply line it wouldn't be the worse thing. Having Harrison until after the RWC would cover whilst Youngs is away.