Silly Season Transfer Rumours 19/20

First topic message reminder :

Not a great position for Saints, captain and international level hooker looks likely so they've resorted to signing what is at best squad filler. Presumably Haywood and Fish will carry the bulk of the playing time.

Following on from yesterday's graphic, here are the most valuable positions combined across @premrugby, @PRO14Official and @top14rugby.

#ForRugbyByRugby https://t.co/pxozpi844m

Found this on Twitter.

Lowest paid position in the 3 main NH leagues is hooker (followed by open side and LH)

Highest paid second row (followed by FH)

Ellis Genge extends his contract with Tigers (and maybe pushes LH prop up that list above)

Maybe slightly. I guess Itoje and Etzebeth push lock up that list quite a bit.

Johnny Gray leaving Glasgow this summer, BBC say he is going to Exeter.

Sounds like a good move for both of them.

Great move for him and Exeter. Would have loved him to come to Tigers but given our current state I can understand him heading elsewhere. Be interesting to see how the Chiefs make room within the salary cap for him.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Great move for him and Exeter. Would have loved him to come to Tigers but given our current state I can understand him heading elsewhere. Be interesting to see how the Chiefs make room within the salary cap for him.

They played Sarries last week, maybe the owners have buried the hatchet and Sarries have given Exeter some tips on how to "make room"?

Too soon?

LondonTiger wrote:

Following on from yesterday's graphic, here are the most valuable positions combined across @premrugby, @PRO14Official and @top14rugby.

#ForRugbyByRugby https://t.co/pxozpi844m

Found this on Twitter.

Lowest paid position in the 3 main NH leagues is hooker (followed by open side and LH)

Highest paid second row (followed by FH)

Always thought TH was the most sought after and commanded the highest wages (not including the superstars).
I am also surprised that wings were high up there!

LondonTiger wrote:Ellis Genge extends his contract with Tigers (and maybe pushes LH prop up that list above)

Hopefully this doesn't up the pressure on Sinkler leaving quins.

propdavid_london wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:

Following on from yesterday's graphic, here are the most valuable positions combined across @premrugby, @PRO14Official and @top14rugby.

#ForRugbyByRugby https://t.co/pxozpi844m

Found this on Twitter.

Lowest paid position in the 3 main NH leagues is hooker (followed by open side and LH)

Highest paid second row (followed by FH)

Always thought TH was the most sought after and commanded the highest wages (not including the superstars).
I am also surprised that wings were high up there!

Where did Twitter get its info though?

I'd have had Hooker being one of the higher paid forwards. Look at some of the hookers playing (or just recently stopped playing), Rory Best - National Captain. Stuart McInally - National Captain. Jamie George - Club Captain. Ken Owens - Club Captain .....................

It's also a bloomin scary position to play where if the scrum goes down you only have your face to break your fall.

Must admit, thought it was most of the front row getting the highest salary.
Then followed up with the more specialist positions - such as 10, 9 and then back 5 and 12/13's/15s.
Then the wings being the least technical/specialist etc.

Caveat obviously for exceptional players - like your Wilkos, Billy V etc who will be picking up additional revenue etc.

tigertattie wrote:

propdavid_london wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:

Following on from yesterday's graphic, here are the most valuable positions combined across @premrugby, @PRO14Official and @top14rugby.

#ForRugbyByRugby https://t.co/pxozpi844m

Found this on Twitter.

Lowest paid position in the 3 main NH leagues is hooker (followed by open side and LH)

Highest paid second row (followed by FH)

Always thought TH was the most sought after and commanded the highest wages (not including the superstars).
I am also surprised that wings were high up there!

Where did Twitter get its info though?

I'd have had Hooker being one of the higher paid forwards. Look at some of the hookers playing (or just recently stopped playing), Rory Best - National Captain. Stuart McInally - National Captain. Jamie George - Club Captain. Ken Owens - Club Captain .....................

It's also a bloomin scary position to play where if the scrum goes down you only have your face to break your fall.

Saracens captain is Brad Barritt not Jamie George. Also I'm not sure Jamie is that far up the payment pecking order. Itoje, Farrell, Williams, Koch are all probably on more. Then there's the Vunipola boys and Alex Goode. All key men. As an England player he gets appearance money which I doubt is taken into account in that graffic plus you then have the squad men which like most clubs won't be on the same kind of money. Sarries have Singleton who agreed to rejoin before really breaking into the England squad so will be on ok money but not international level cash. After that Joe Gray who was without a club and looking at moving to the Championship before he got picked up as well as Woolstencroft who has failed to live up to early potential at Bath before refinding his way at Sarries. Those two would have been signed on the cheap bringing the overall average down considerably.

It'll be the same at a lot of clubs. Hookers are never normally the star names and there's always some cheap squad options kept on just in case as it's a pretty all action position.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

tigertattie wrote:

propdavid_london wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:

Following on from yesterday's graphic, here are the most valuable positions combined across @premrugby, @PRO14Official and @top14rugby.

#ForRugbyByRugby https://t.co/pxozpi844m

Found this on Twitter.

Lowest paid position in the 3 main NH leagues is hooker (followed by open side and LH)

Highest paid second row (followed by FH)

Always thought TH was the most sought after and commanded the highest wages (not including the superstars).
I am also surprised that wings were high up there!

Where did Twitter get its info though?

I'd have had Hooker being one of the higher paid forwards. Look at some of the hookers playing (or just recently stopped playing), Rory Best - National Captain. Stuart McInally - National Captain. Jamie George - Club Captain. Ken Owens - Club Captain .....................

It's also a bloomin scary position to play where if the scrum goes down you only have your face to break your fall.

Saracens captain is Brad Barritt not Jamie George. Also I'm not sure Jamie is that far up the payment pecking order. Itoje, Farrell, Williams, Koch are all probably on more. Then there's the Vunipola boys and Alex Goode. All key men. As an England player he gets appearance money which I doubt is taken into account in that graffic plus you then have the squad men which like most clubs won't be on the same kind of money. Sarries have Singleton who agreed to rejoin before really breaking into the England squad so will be on ok money but not international level cash. After that Joe Gray who was without a club and looking at moving to the Championship before he got picked up as well as Woolstencroft who has failed to live up to early potential at Bath before refinding his way at Sarries. Those two would have been signed on the cheap bringing the overall average down considerably.

It'll be the same at a lot of clubs. Hookers are never normally the star names and there's always some cheap squad options kept on just in case as it's a pretty all action position.

So you are saying the average salary for a hooker is low because a lot of teams keep spares on small contracts

Partly and partly because not many star players moving for big cash are hookers. There's no Etzebeth style hooker signing going on is there.

SA locks probably drive up the price for 2nd rows, also the likes of Itoje would be in high demand. Wing probably isn't a specialist position, but how many clubs would have wanted Nadolo playing for them?

I guess we need to think about this objectively and look at the average salary per position across the squad rather than the individual star performers. Not sure if those stats are out there somewhere.

tigertattie wrote:

propdavid_london wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:

Following on from yesterday's graphic, here are the most valuable positions combined across @premrugby, @PRO14Official and @top14rugby.

#ForRugbyByRugby https://t.co/pxozpi844m

Found this on Twitter.

Lowest paid position in the 3 main NH leagues is hooker (followed by open side and LH)

Highest paid second row (followed by FH)

Always thought TH was the most sought after and commanded the highest wages (not including the superstars).
I am also surprised that wings were high up there!

Where did Twitter get its info though?

I'd have had Hooker being one of the higher paid forwards. Look at some of the hookers playing (or just recently stopped playing), Rory Best - National Captain. Stuart McInally - National Captain. Jamie George - Club Captain. Ken Owens - Club Captain .....................

It's also a bloomin scary position to play where if the scrum goes down you only have your face to break your fall.

If you go to the website of the guys who posted it, there is a full description. All players with pro contracts are assessed using information available and making various assumptions. For most clubs, even with big name hookers, the first choice is far from being the best paid player at the club, while the multiple backups are much lower paid again.

Rory Hughes joins Tigers on loan to the end if the season from Glasgow. I know sod all about him.

Big abrasive winger a little short on some of the finer skills rewuired for the job but he will want to impress as he has fallen away down the pecking order at Glasgow

He does actually have a Scotland cap, not that it says s lot

Big and strong winger - good at running over defenders. Not so good when he tries to go round them. He is a decent club player but hasn't quite cracked on as hoped when he first broke through into the first team. Being quite injury prone hasn't really helped his case. Hopefully he will stay fit and available for Tigers for the rest of the season.

LondonTiger wrote:Rory Hughes joins Tigers on loan to the end if the season from Glasgow. I know sod all about him.

Unlike many Tigers fans I try to be realistic with our signings, for instance I liked Boladau and Fosyth as affordable cover options, given we are no longer first snout at the trough.

I must say that signing Hughes disappoints me though. Living in Scotland now I follow the Scottish Premiership, now the Super 6, a fair bit and my overriding feeling when Hughes got a contract was surprise. Similar to Glenn Bryce at the same level I thought he was a very good player but lacked any standout skills to step-up. His time with Glasgow hasn't convinced me otherwise.

I hope he proves me wrong obviously but I'd much rather we signed a winger from the Championship such as Dean Adamson at Bedford who has scored tries for fun season on season. Hughes is aggressive in the kick chase though which is an area where Tigers are really poor.

Big lad. Bit of a punt in that if he doesn't step up in the next few months we can just say bye at the end of the loan. If he shows up well we'll probably retain him as the successor to Thompstone who isn't getting any younger.

Not whom I would have chosen to take a punt on but we'll see what he can do. Patrick Osborne was recently included on Taufua's Instagram apparently, that had my hopes up but nevermind.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Big lad. Bit of a punt in that if he doesn't step up in the next few months we can just say bye at the end of the loan. If he shows up well we'll probably retain him as the successor to Thompstone who isn't getting any younger.

Not whom I would have chosen to take a punt on but we'll see what he can do. Patrick Osborne was recently included on Taufua's Instagram apparently, that had my hopes up but nevermind.

Better punt than Varndell and Sarto I'd hope

Gooseberry wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Big lad. Bit of a punt in that if he doesn't step up in the next few months we can just say bye at the end of the loan. If he shows up well we'll probably retain him as the successor to Thompstone who isn't getting any younger.

Not whom I would have chosen to take a punt on but we'll see what he can do. Patrick Osborne was recently included on Taufua's Instagram apparently, that had my hopes up but nevermind.

Better punt than Varndell and Sarto I'd hope

Struggle to be much worse. Varndell looked well past it and Sarto had pub side levels of fitness.

king_carlos wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:Rory Hughes joins Tigers on loan to the end if the season from Glasgow. I know sod all about him.

Unlike many Tigers fans I try to be realistic with our signings, for instance I liked Boladau and Fosyth as affordable cover options, given we are no longer first snout at the trough.

I must say that signing Hughes disappoints me though. Living in Scotland now I follow the Scottish Premiership, now the Super 6, a fair bit and my overriding feeling when Hughes got a contract was surprise. Similar to Glenn Bryce at the same level I thought he was a very good player but lacked any standout skills to step-up. His time with Glasgow hasn't convinced me otherwise.

I hope he proves me wrong obviously but I'd much rather we signed a winger from the Championship such as Dean Adamson at Bedford who has scored tries for fun season on season. Hughes is aggressive in the kick chase though which is an area where Tigers are really poor.

He certainly got found out in that QF vs Saracens earlier last year. Made a lot of mistakes and dropped a lot of high balls during that game. But I think he is a solid option for injury cover and he'll be chomping at the bit to prove himself due to a lack of game time for Glasgow.

Im surprised leiecester arent sniffing around Adam Radwan if they want a winger. That boy is electric...and a match winner.

Also Josh Hodge...what a player he is going to be. Blistering pace, insane side steps...pure non stop energy at full back. Just needs a few pounds on him.

Dean Richards is at a cross roads in his management now...if he doesnt produce a good side with the players thats coming through...he's going to be on the end of serious negativity from the fans (its already happening)

https://www.glasgowwarriors.org/news/gray-to-join-exeter-chiefs-next-season

Jonny Gray to Exeter confirmed

I thought Redwan had recently signed a long term deal with Falcons? Can't see then releasing him to us. Plus we could do with a little more physicality in our backline that the 16 stone Hughes should help with.

We don't need a youngster, we have a couple of age grade youngsters on the way through. Browning particularly looks like he'll be an excellent winger in the next couple of years. We've got Owolfela as well. Freddie Steward looks like a monster of a fullback in the making. We need someone who already knows senior level rugby.

BigGee wrote:https://www.glasgowwarriors.org/news/gray-to-join-exeter-chiefs-next-season

Jonny Gray to Exeter confirmed

What a signing for them. Him and Hill will make a great lock pairing.

I see Jonny May hasn't yet re-signed for Tigers and may be looking at options, apparently Sarries are sniffing around him with all that money they have...

yappysnap wrote:I see Jonny May hasn't yet re-signed for Tigers and may be looking at options, apparently Sarries are sniffing around him with all that money they have...

So the rumours go. Probably his agent trying to get a three year deal knowing May is now 30 and heavily reliant on his pace whilst also missing good chunks of the season with England.

May is 30?! Bloody hell. I thought he was about 25.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

yappysnap wrote:I see Jonny May hasn't yet re-signed for Tigers and may be looking at options, apparently Sarries are sniffing around him with all that money they have...

So the rumours go. Probably his agent trying to get a three year deal knowing May is now 30 and heavily reliant on his pace whilst also missing good chunks of the season with England.

On the surface its a dilemma for a club like Tigers. If they aspire to be in the european elite they need this level of player in the squad,  but short term the amount of cap he takes up may well be better spent getting two decent premiership players. Post Varndell hes the only real try scoring winger Tigers have managed to get, doubly so in the current squad.
This years premiership hes the only Tiger to score more than two tries, and only back to have more than one. Olowofela has 4 tries in 35 appearances (many in second tier competitions) for Tigers which for a kid who was supposed to be a strike winger is frankly shocking. 
Last season was the same, Holmes got 5 in the premiership and May 11 despite missing half the season he outscored all the other wingers/fullbacks combined. 
They would have to recruit very well to replace him, this season and last hes kept the club afloat, theres noone even close to him in being able to turn opportunities into 7 points at the club and hasn't been for a decade. Holmes is a decent player, but not in his class. I dont see any of the young kids read to have a real break out year and become stars, Olowofela is better than his try scoring record and still young but in his third season now and still couldn't score in a brothel if he had 50 quid in his pants. 
The rest of the side might improve next season but without a try scorer in the backs they will remain mediocre. 

I hope they pull out the stops to keep him. They've done it in the past (not just the chequebook) to keep players like Manu. id have no issues with him getting a 3 year deal to take him up to the next world cup, even missing half the season hes producing as much as the other wingers combined.

I think Owolfela is a bit harshly judged there. He was often picked in either make shift teams or when we had injuries last season. Last season there was little for an inexperienced young winger to feed off of. His game is coming together and we saw on Saturday as he split the defence for May's second what threat he can offer in a functional backline. He actually made the half break down the blindside that set the momentum for one of the first half tries as well so there's plenty more to come from him.

The problem with giving a speed merchant a three year contract when they are 30 is one knee injury and it's all over. At that age it's very much a risk particularly when without the speed they aren't half as dangerous. May has not got the tactical game Murphy had to fall back on nor has he the physicality of a PI. One ACL and the try scoring heroics are pretty much done.

Having said that there's so very few wingers with that level speed and swagger available. He is very much a special player. His finish the other week where he got past the three defenders in contact was simply outrageous. I'd happily keep him and on good money but we realistically overpaid for Manu and we should not be spending anywhere near that kind of money on a winger. Manu is on between £350k-£450k depending on which paper you read. May should be on max £250k. He'll have his England appearances to top that up to a very nice annual pay day. At a time when we need to cultivate a fearsome pack and regain our reputation his brilliance isn't a priority.

IMO May and Holmes look their best with Veainu at 15.
His extra attacking threat just gives them that little bit more space, even without Manu being in the squad.
Olowofela 2 best games this season have also been with Veainu at 15.

Whilst Varndell scored more tries I would've taken Alex Tuilagi, Goneva, Thompstone (In his prime) over him.
Strike rate isn't the be all end all of wingers, it just tends to mean a try is scored faster than it would be.
In our premeriship final wins out wingers have been.
Goneva
Morris
Tuilagi
Hamilton
J.Murphy

In fact looking at the final the wingers have been
2018/19 - Williams, Maitland, Cuthbert, O'Flaherty
2017/18 - Maitland, Wyles, Nowell, Woodburn
2016/17 - Nowell, Woodburn, Wade, Bassett
2015/16 - Ashton, Wyles, Nowell, Woodburn
2014/15 - Strettle, Wyles, Roko, Banners

In those 5 years I would only really class Williams as world class at the time.  

Wingers shouldn't win you matches on the whole, and if they are it most likely highlights something wrong with your squad.

I think some fans desire to keep May at all costs, sort of falls into the same problem that got Tigers into this mess.
Would I like to keep May 100% yes. But IF we are looking to bring in a starting quality forward and his potential wage demands would mean we couldn't I would rather the forward.
IMO Taufua and Lavanini impact has been massive now they are settled.
 
(also Manu is on like 500-550K).

I'm a huge fan of May and have been for years now. If properly utilised that sheer pace is such a weapon and under Jones he has learned to use it in attack and defence. Tigers need to improve their second row and hooker options to get the most out of the backs though.

In order to get value from Youngs and May both will likely be offered lower contracts. May is rumoured to be on £300k currently and has been offered less during these contract negotiations.

Sarries - Kruis, Itoje, Isiekwe, Kpoku
Exeter - Hill and Skinner (just signed Jonny Gray)
Saints - Lawes, Ribbans, Moon
Gloucester - Mostert, Slater, Grobler
Sale - Lood de Jager
Bristol - Vui, Attwood
Irish - Coleman, Ruan Botha
Bath - Ewels
Quins - Symons
[Worcester - Bresler (I put this in brackets as I rate Bresler highly but Kitchener has been calling the line-out this season in their settled partnership)]

When it comes to line-out locks I'd rate those players as more influential than Green or Spencer have been this season. That leaves Wasps as the only side I wouldn't consider having a stronger set-piece lock than Tigers, no coincidence we are similarly average sides. Matias Alemanno would be a step-up in that key area.

Agree with Welly that Taufua and Lavanini have had a terrific impact. I think their extra physicality has had a noticeable impact on Kalamafoni and Genge offering more ball in hand as well now they aren't as relied upon.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Im surprised leiecester arent sniffing around Adam Radwan if they want a winger. That boy is electric...and a match winner.

Also Josh Hodge...what a player he is going to be. Blistering pace, insane side steps...pure non stop energy at full back. Just needs a few pounds on him.

Dean Richards is at a cross roads in his management now...if he doesnt produce a good side with the players thats coming through...he's going to be on the end of serious negativity from the fans (its already happening)

Is Radwan getting game time this season GF? He's a huge talent, probably more rounded than Kibirige who is doing well at Wasps.

Radwan, Hodge and Charlie Wilson are cracking talents coming through the Falcons ranks in the outside backs. Brett Connon as well if he settles at fullback. It's unsurprising that fans are expecting them to get chances whilst in the Championship.

Agreed Lavanini has been incredible since he joined. I knew Taufua would be the physical all action backrower we needed but the impact of Lavanini has been something quite exceptional I haven't seen an impact like that at Tigers in years. Not since Slater was up to his captain fantastic antics pre knee injury.

king_carlos wrote:I'm a huge fan of May and have been for years now. If properly utilised that sheer pace is such a weapon and under Jones he has learned to use it in attack and defence. Tigers need to improve their second row and hooker options to get the most out of the backs though.

In order to get value from Youngs and May both will likely be offered lower contracts. May is rumoured to be on £300k currently and has been offered less during these contract negotiations.

Sarries - Kruis, Itoje, Isiekwe, Kpoku
Exeter - Hill and Skinner (just signed Jonny Gray)
Saints - Lawes, Ribbans, Moon
Gloucester - Mostert, Slater, Grobler
Sale - Lood de Jager
Bristol - Vui, Attwood
Irish - Coleman, Ruan Botha
Bath - Ewels
Quins - Symons
[Worcester - Bresler (I put this in brackets as I rate Bresler highly but Kitchener has been calling the line-out this season in their settled partnership)]

When it comes to line-out locks I'd rate those players as more influential than Green or Spencer have been this season. That leaves Wasps as the only side I wouldn't consider having a stronger set-piece lock than Tigers, no coincidence we are similarly average sides. Matias Alemanno would be a step-up in that key area.

Or is that more coaching or hooker?
Because Calum Green was the top lineout lock in the prem for like 2 seasons running whilst at Falcons. In both takes and steals?

Welly wrote:

king_carlos wrote:I'm a huge fan of May and have been for years now. If properly utilised that sheer pace is such a weapon and under Jones he has learned to use it in attack and defence. Tigers need to improve their second row and hooker options to get the most out of the backs though.

In order to get value from Youngs and May both will likely be offered lower contracts. May is rumoured to be on £300k currently and has been offered less during these contract negotiations.

Sarries - Kruis, Itoje, Isiekwe, Kpoku
Exeter - Hill and Skinner (just signed Jonny Gray)
Saints - Lawes, Ribbans, Moon
Gloucester - Mostert, Slater, Grobler
Sale - Lood de Jager
Bristol - Vui, Attwood
Irish - Coleman, Ruan Botha
Bath - Ewels
Quins - Symons
[Worcester - Bresler (I put this in brackets as I rate Bresler highly but Kitchener has been calling the line-out this season in their settled partnership)]

When it comes to line-out locks I'd rate those players as more influential than Green or Spencer have been this season. That leaves Wasps as the only side I wouldn't consider having a stronger set-piece lock than Tigers, no coincidence we are similarly average sides. Matias Alemanno would be a step-up in that key area.

Or is that more coaching or hooker?
Because Calum Green was the top lineout lock in the prem for like 2 seasons running whilst at Falcons. In both takes and steals?

Confidence in the structures and executing basics seems the massive issue at the line-out which comes down to coaching as well as the players no doubt. As said in that post improvements are needed at hooker as well.

When I wrote that list of line-out locks I was thinking about what they offer around park, as well as being able to run the line-out. For instance Kitchener calls the line-out for Worcester now but I think Bressler is the better lock, hence I included Bressler but not Kitch. Lavanini has had a huge impact but we need a line-out leader to partner him who offers more around the park.

I rate Green but to me he's an ideal 3rd/4th choice lock not a starter at full strength if Tigers want to push back up the table. Alemanno would be a step-up and the Argentine press (usually accurate) reported that Jan McGinity has met with him.

king_carlos wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Im surprised leiecester arent sniffing around Adam Radwan if they want a winger. That boy is electric...and a match winner.

Also Josh Hodge...what a player he is going to be. Blistering pace, insane side steps...pure non stop energy at full back. Just needs a few pounds on him.

Dean Richards is at a cross roads in his management now...if he doesnt produce a good side with the players thats coming through...he's going to be on the end of serious negativity from the fans (its already happening)

Is Radwan getting game time this season GF? He's a huge talent, probably more rounded than Kibirige who is doing well at Wasps.

Radwan, Hodge and Charlie Wilson are cracking talents coming through the Falcons ranks in the outside backs. Brett Connon as well if he settles at fullback. It's unsurprising that fans are expecting them to get chances whilst in the Championship.

Radwan is first choice winger this season...scoring breathtaking tries for fun in an absolutely dire attack.

Josh Hodge is out on loan, and has played one game for us, the charity game against Melrose for Doddie. He was outstanding, his sidesteps, pace, energy and defence. This has lead to more and more fans raising questions once again why Dean doesnt put the talented kids in.

Charlie Wilson is currently studying at Durham Uni so hasnt played bar the Melrose game (similar to the Hammersley situation when he came on the scene) and Brett Connon is a bit player despite being the one fly half that gets the back line going.

Young centre / Winger Stevenson is playing regular and scoring...and our young academy Fijian FH / Centre Wakecoke has played every game at centre so far.

In a recent discussion on the falcons forum, there seemed to be a feeling that Dean has confidence putting the young forwards in...like 19 year old Rob Farrar, but seems to lack confidence blooding young backs....

George Kruis rumoured to be leaving Sarries as a consequence of the wage cap breach

Fluxy wrote:George Kruis rumoured to be leaving Sarries as a consequence of the wage cap breach

To Bristol?

mikey_dragon wrote:

Fluxy wrote:George Kruis rumoured to be leaving Sarries as a consequence of the wage cap breach

To Bristol?

japan

That would be huge. He's saracens through and through.

Not only is he homegrown Sarries but a move to Japan would rule him out of the England squad where currently he's a certain selection.

Unless of course it's a short term move and he'll be back next season after a handsome pension top up.

At least Lock is the one position we're not too bad in though Sam.

That would be a real shame to see Kruis go. He's one of the few locks in England who provides real ballast and weight to our scrum. Players like him and Dave Attwood are few and far between- heavy, scrummaging but athletic locks.

Losing Kruis would be a big blow for Sarries but arguably a wise move in the situation. If Kruis leaving allowed them to retain Isiekwe and Kpoku (his Saints deal may not be done and dusted apparently...) then it might weaken them less overall than losing Lozowski and Barritt at once for instance.

The RWC final showed what Kruis offers that England's other locks don't. He's very good in the tight. Lawes is a brilliant player and fantastic in the line-out but offers less at the breakdown and scrum than Kruis which is where we got battered by South Africa. When Kruis came on Cole immediately got he ascendancy in the scrum with Kruis behind him. I hold Kruis and Lawes in very similar regard whilst having different strengths.

There are any number of Prem clubs that would jump at the chance to sign Kruis….it would be such a shame to see him leave the country and forfeit England eligibility.

For one - Wasps and Quins who lack that pack physicality he would be ideal.

Brad Shields to Saints doing the rounds. Apparently Boyd is keen to bring him in. Shields was Canes captain under Boyd.