Silly Season Transfer Rumours 19/20

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mikey_dragon wrote:It’s an unfortunate coincidence I think, but his injury record was exemplary before he linked up with Bath.

His last lengthy injury was a collarbone issue suffered in a Wales training camp. Probably a bit of a mixed bag. It's hard once you start getting injuries to get out of the cycle as often one leads to another, Falatau managed to break the same arm some four or five months apart. Something Billy Vunipola managed as well.

I think Carlos is right. With the financial squeeze clubs are going to look for more value for money and less marquee names. Johnny May certainly found that when he went to discuss his new contract as did Ben Youngs.

RiscaGame wrote:Good luck to him. Always hoped we'd see Dolly back in the Kingdom of Gwent, before he hung his boots up.

I presume he must have some other business interests down in Devon as I doubt Sidmouth rugby club will be paying much if anything. He seems to still be fit enough to play if he wanted to and if he's still going to pull his boots on at a lower level he mustn't be feeling any old injuries. I'm sure they'd have been a club somewhere that would have offered him another contract of he'd really wanted one.

I feel for the guy. Very deserving of a cap, when he was called up he suffered an injury in the premiership final.

Tigers and Edinburgh apparently looking at Luan de Bruin the Cheetahs tighthead.

Tigers and Sale apparently both vying for Wigglesworth's signature. He'd be a good signing for Tigers given we've lost our scrum-half coach David Mele, will continue to lose Ben Youngs to England (his form for Tigers is patchy at best anyway) and are playing with a game plan that suits Wigglesworth.

Peter O'Mahony has offers from Japan and the Premiership.

Hell, I thought the European clubs are in financial strife. Yet still they keep recruiting. Time to leave our players alone for a bit.

I knew it would be a matter of time before de Bruyn was i the NH. Big prop, not on the Bok radar. Available all year.

He was part of the Green team in the Springbok showdown match in October.

That’s probably what got him recognised but I noticed him a year ago. I think more Cheetahs will be on the radar of some NH clubs. Their lock forwards and No.7 in particular. Their centres were decent too.

Exeter sign Maks van Dyk to cover for Francis and Williams being on international duty. He's a good player and signing but hopefully wont block too many minutes for the talented Marcus Street.

Jamie Gibson has signed for Gloucester.

He was released by Saints, but came back to provide cover for Tom Wood who was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism.

I expect that Gibson has signed to allow Freddie Clarke to play lock more to give them second row depth. Good to see he has got a Prem contract. I think Gibson and Skivington overlapped briefly at London Irish as players so won't be strangers either.

Scarlets supposedly targeting WillGriff John. Great call on getting him back to Wales. I do believe he would be better at another region, probably Ospreys or Blues. Scarlets would lose two TH's in all likelihood, as Lee will either be also called up or injured. They need to be looking at guys like de Bruin.

Hopefully it comes off, then we can get Dillon Lewis out of the Wales squad.

Wigglesworth at Leicester. Random.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Wigglesworth at Leicester. Random.

Not really. After Ben Youngs our scrum halfs are about 22, 20 and 19. I suppose Simmons could go back to playing 9 but he's only 22 ish as well. With the unions insistence on flogging the players to death it makes sense to have another experienced option.

Our scrum half coach who worked with academy, development and first team left a couple of months back so he might be doing some of that. He did help coach Canada at the world cup.

Well i was initially thinking hes a bit of a blocker to those young guys. If its more of a coaching arm.round the shoulder and guiding them makes sense.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Well i was initially thinking hes a bit of a blocker to those young guys. If its more of a coaching arm.round the shoulder and guiding them makes sense.

Could end up becoming a player/coach role as our attack coach left unexpectedly (compassionate grounds) and trying to get someone else in is problematic in the current climate. Wigglesworth helped coach Ealing last season and went to the World Cup as a coach with Canada. Could get the gig this season. The only other internal candidate is Matt Smith who is also head coach of the academy.

Simmons seems to be playing in the back three now (a move I really like) which left Youngs, White and Jack van Poortvliet. JvP is a big talent but I don't think there's any club in the Premiership, Top 14, Pro 14 or Super Rugby with an U20 scrum-half as their 3rd choice.

I rate Ben White higher than some Tigers fans. He's come in for flack with our box kicking heavy game plan but that's tactical IMO. At 22 he needs competition to improve though which Wigglesworth will offer. Youngs will barely be a Tigers player until after the 6 Nations this year and currently when the 6 Nations will be played is up for discussion.

At the end of the day if White or the other youngsters are performing well hopefully they will start ahead of Wigglesworth. If they are struggling then having an experienced scrum-half to partner Bonilla or Henry will be crucial.

Hamish Watson rumoured to be looking at moving away from Edinburgh. Racing mentioned.

At 29, he is approaching the twilight as an OS but he is a top 5 OS in the NH and probably has a good three seasons left in him.

Hazel Sapling wrote:Hamish Watson rumoured to be looking at moving away from Edinburgh. Racing mentioned.

At 29, he is approaching the twilight as an OS but he is a top 5 OS in the NH and probably has a good three seasons left in him.

I've always loved the idea of the Mish back at Tigers but his age, recent injuries, international unavailability and Reffell playing so well for his age probably rule it out.

If Taufua moves on then Tigers will be looking for a replacement but I'd rather that money were directed at a lock to be honest.

Watson is one of the funnest players in rugby to watch on the field though. In the pragmatic world of professional sport that can sometimes be overlooked. He'd definitely suit the way Racing play, the evergreen Antonie Claassens must be approaching retirement.

What age did Watson break through? Doesn't seem to have been around that long.

profitius wrote:What age did Watson break through? Doesn't seem to have been around that long.

I think he was 25 when he really started hitting his straps. He also came in when Hardie was a force to be reckoned when he spent less time powdering his nose.

Apparently had a hard time breaking into Leicester from the academy before he was picked up by Edinburgh. He spent some time on the sevens circuit too.

king_carlos wrote:

Hazel Sapling wrote:Hamish Watson rumoured to be looking at moving away from Edinburgh. Racing mentioned.

At 29, he is approaching the twilight as an OS but he is a top 5 OS in the NH and probably has a good three seasons left in him.

I've always loved the idea of the Mish back at Tigers but his age, recent injuries, international unavailability and Reffell playing so well for his age probably rule it out.

If Taufua moves on then Tigers will be looking for a replacement but I'd rather that money were directed at a lock to be honest.

Watson is one of the funnest players in rugby to watch on the field though. In the pragmatic world of professional sport that can sometimes be overlooked. He'd definitely suit the way Racing play, the evergreen Antonie Claassens must be approaching retirement.

Given the number of locks coming through the need to purchase locks in future seasons should be limited. If Lavanini is off then we might need to go shopping. Having said that we have two good opensides and potentially another one coming up so sadly can't see Watson coming back. I also agree he'll be great in the Racing system.

Scarlets close to signing Pieter Scholtz as TH cover for the rest of the season. If he’s any good he might be able to pick up another contract with someone else. He’ll move on from Scarlets if they sign WillGriff John.

Alex Gray formerly of Falcons, London Irish and more recently NFL is returning to rugby having signed with Bath.

king_carlos wrote:Alex Gray formerly of Falcons, London Irish and more recently NFL is returning to rugby having signed with Bath.

Signed as a winger. He's a big lad for the wing and with his tight end skill set will be a good option for the crossfield kick.

Bath have been a bit ambiguous and said a player for the wide channels, centre and wing. So could see him at 13 perhaps. With JJ, McConnichie, Coko, Watson likely away for large parts, it seems sensible affordable cover.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

king_carlos wrote:Alex Gray formerly of Falcons, London Irish and more recently NFL is returning to rugby having signed with Bath.

Signed as a winger. He's a big lad for the wing and with his tight end skill set will be a good option for the crossfield kick.

The new bananaman

I think JP Du Preez is going to SAle...

That's been the rumour Mikey. Should be announced soon I'd have thought. Good injury dispensation signing. At 6ft10 I presume he'll help their lineout...

Leicester sniffing around Louis Lynagh, according to TRP.

LondonTiger wrote:Leicester sniffing around Louis Lynagh, according to TRP.

A fullback who sees his long term future as playing for Australia? Yeah I'm not keen and I think that's agent talk. Especially as we have Steward who looks fantastically secure at the back for a 19 year old and Murimurivalu for this season and next at least.

I thought Lynagh just signed on for Queensland Reds?

Cumbrian wrote:I thought Lynagh just signed on for Queensland Reds?

That's younger brother Tom. Louis is still at Quins.

Oops, I didn't even realise he had a younger brother!

Cumbrian wrote:Oops, I didn't even realise he had a younger brother!

There is an even younger one who is also quite handy as well!

All three eligible for Australia, England and Italy

Michael Lynagh, what a pistol!

Cumbrian wrote:Michael Lynagh, what a pistol!

His wife is Italian, they do tend to like larger families. If they all play as well as their dad and all want to play for Australia then Australia will get a boost in a few years time when they all come into their prowess.

Rowlands to Dragons next summer, as expected.

Dave Ribbans to Cardiff Blues.

That's England losing their top two lock forwards now.

Ribbans is very good player. Powerful second row. Be surprised if he was leaving England for Wales though as he can't play internationally for them and Saints should be throwing money at him to stay given their lack of power in the pack.

Rowlands couldn't get into the top 5 English locks maybe not top 10. Fully expecting him to head to Wales when his contract finishes. Be a blow for Wasps they haven't got that many good locks.

10 EQ locks in no particular order I'd have over Rowlands: Itoje, Kruis, Isikwe, J Hill, Launchbury, Lawes, Ribbans, Ewels, Kpoku, Slater.

Ribbans to Cardiff is just an unsubstantiated rumour at this point. You’re right he is a very good player, another one plucked from SA. England should tie him in.

I know you guys hate Rowlands because he’s a little bit Welsh, but I’ve watched a lot of premiership rugby since getting my subscription. Ribbans and Rowlands were two of the best in the league. They do everything so well. I know neither are as good as the England trio of Itoje, Kruis and Lawes; but claiming Rowlands is something like the 30th best lock in England is quite a naf thing to say.

Anyway, was only trying to get a bite with that one and it worked. There are some good locks in premiership teams, certainly a lot better than the Welsh teams. I wouldn’t rate the depth that highly though. SA have about 20 lock forwards who could walk into any team, no other nation can say that.

Lewis Bean is making a good impact at Glasgow, and he’s an absolute beanpole. He might not be an international but could have a good club career. Maybe Saints should bring him back.

Yeah most international countries would love to have half of the forward depth SA has. Ridiculous amount of talent.

I'm glad you're happy with Rowlands he's in the form of his life. I'm perfectly happy he's playing for Wales as well, for one thing it hampers Wasps and as a Tigers fan that will always be fine by me. He's just not a stand out player in the Prem. He's a good second row but would have never been in the England lock discussion the 10 I've mentioned have been. Slater maybe the odd one out as he hasn't been for a while but that was bad luck getting a knee injury just before he got his shot. He's also a lineout leader of great physicality and a captain. If he was a couple of years younger and qualified for Wales your be capping him.

Keep your eye on Kpoku, he's going to be an England mainstay in a couple of years. Big lad, carries hard, good in the lineout and mobile. I'm expecting him and Itoje to eventually form a partnership for Sarries and England. He's just a bit raw at the minute.

Steve Diamond steps down as Sale Sharks director of rugby due to personal reasons.

https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12321/12155085/steve-diamond-steps-down-as-sale-sharks-director-of-rugby-due-to-personal-reasons

The transfer season is nearly here.
Looks like a strong possibility Zach Mercer is off to Montpellier. Unhappy about that particularly given that Faletau, other than the occasional glimpse of form, has generally been a waste of money.
Exeter are making noises about Obano and agents are making noises about JJ & Watson, who have undoubtedly suffered substantial pay cuts in absolute money  terms.
Hooper will have his work cut out to replace those with EQ equivalent players.

Recwatcher16 wrote:The transfer season is nearly here.
Looks like a strong possibility Zach Mercer is off to Montpellier. Unhappy about that particularly given that Faletau, other than the occasional glimpse of form, has generally been a waste of money.
Exeter are making noises about Obano and agents are making noises about JJ & Watson, who have undoubtedly suffered substantial pay cuts in absolute money  terms.
Hooper will have his work cut out to replace those with EQ equivalent players.

That would be a total waste of your time spent on Mercer but ive heard those rumours aswell.
Whats your thoughts on MIles Reid? Is he a flanker or an 8...or alrounder like most are these days? Do you rate him?

Hopefully everyone stays away from the young falcons squad...and Dean tells anyone who does... to go away...

GeordieFalcon wrote:

Recwatcher16 wrote:The transfer season is nearly here.
Looks like a strong possibility Zach Mercer is off to Montpellier. Unhappy about that particularly given that Faletau, other than the occasional glimpse of form, has generally been a waste of money.
Exeter are making noises about Obano and agents are making noises about JJ & Watson, who have undoubtedly suffered substantial pay cuts in absolute money  terms.
Hooper will have his work cut out to replace those with EQ equivalent players.

That would be a total waste of your time spent on Mercer but ive heard those rumours aswell.
Whats your thoughts on MIles Reid? Is he a flanker or an 8...or alrounder like most are these days? Do you rate him?

Geordie, Miles Reid has been talked about since he signed up to Bath and came to prominence through the U18s and the academy and can genuinely play all three back row positions but ultimately I think he will be a six (in the Tom Curry mode). He was unlucky with an ACL injury last year but doesn't seem to have been too impacted - he is young (22).
Mercer is going to end up like Devoto having left Bath a season too early and establishing a first team slot - perhaps he just fancies a couple of years by the Mediterranean, very disappointing if he goes.

Santiago Carreras signs for Gloucester until the end of the season. A very good player but perhaps not where Gloucester need a signing, particularly with Trinder being fit again.

It makes me wonder slightly whether there may be more to Cipriani's absence than meets the eye. LLoyd Evans was the only specialist 10 in their last 2 matchday squads and Adam Hastings has been rumoured to Gloucester for next season. Perhaps Carreras will be used to play 13 with Twelvetrees covering 10 more, then if/when May/Thorley/LZR are absent he can cover the back three very well.

Aren't both Glaws fullbacks injured? He could slot in there in the short term. Then add some pace at 13 when they have options at 15 again. When the international backs are away there's not much pace in the Glaws backline.

TRP rumouring Duhan van der Merwe to Worcester.

That would be a strange move for him.

I can understand him being lured away from Edinburgh, but surely he could do better than Worcester.

They must be offerring him a shed load

300k a year apparently