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.

GeordieFalcon wrote:So does Heyes have actual links to Wales?

His dad was born in Swansea because his grandfather was playing as a goalkeeper for Swansea at the time. Despite being born in Swansea his dad represented England at age grade and masters level football. His Dad and Grandad were both goalkeepers. His grandfather cane through at Leicester and his Dad at Nottingham forest.

I don't think his dad actually spent much of his life in Swansea.

Ah right thanks Sam...so very tenuous links...

Is Hayes 6'2 and just shy of 20st? Hes a big unit isnt he...

I doubt he's close to 20 stone currently. He took up running during the Covid break and shed quite a lot of weight. I think he said something like it's the lightest he's been since about 16 or something like that. Short term he looked a bit underpowered at the restart but long term I think he'll benefit. He's bulked up a bit more since then and is coming back into good form. The Tigers head of S&C is the same guy SA had at the world cup and he looks to be building Heyes up nicely. He's certainly got the frame to be a unit and if it's a lean mobile unit he could really be a very good player as technically he's quite good already. Still only 21 and 53 appearances for Tigers already, admittedly most off the bench.

I know Mikey is joking but he does qualify for Wales and if they were to somehow tempt him away a lot of Tigers fans would be gutted. Eddie clearly likes him as he was in the squad for the called off Baabaas game and is in the shadow squad currently so he wouldn't be happy to lose him to Wales either.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Ah right thanks Sam...so very tenuous links...

Is Hayes 6'2 and just shy of 20st? Hes a big unit isnt he...

That makes him English, methinks. Oh for the good old days when England were considered the white orcs...

The resetting of the Bath squad continues following Zach Mercers announcement, with TH prop Christian Judge and Will Chudley both moving to Worcester. Quite significant moves as both are no.2's in their position leaving Bath with academy replacements at SH and Henry Thomas at TH who has struggled to come back from serious injury. Bhatti the Scottish prop doesn't seem to have worked as he is going straight back to Scotland.
Priestland and Stooke appear to be next and the talk/rumours on Obano don't seem to be going away.
There is a raft of academy players coming through but it remains to be seen if they make the grade.

Recwatcher16 wrote:The resetting of the Bath squad continues following Zach Mercers announcement, with TH prop Christian Judge and Will Chudley both moving to Worcester. Quite significant moves as both are no.2's in their position leaving Bath with academy replacements at SH and Henry Thomas at TH who has struggled to come back from serious injury. Bhatti the Scottish prop doesn't seem to have worked as he is going straight back to Scotland.
Priestland and Stooke appear to be next and the talk/rumours on Obano don't seem to be going away.
There is a raft of academy players coming through but it remains to be seen if they make the grade.

Is Bath on a cost saving initiative?

doctor_grey wrote:

Recwatcher16 wrote:The resetting of the Bath squad continues following Zach Mercers announcement, with TH prop Christian Judge and Will Chudley both moving to Worcester. Quite significant moves as both are no.2's in their position leaving Bath with academy replacements at SH and Henry Thomas at TH who has struggled to come back from serious injury. Bhatti the Scottish prop doesn't seem to have worked as he is going straight back to Scotland.
Priestland and Stooke appear to be next and the talk/rumours on Obano don't seem to be going away.
There is a raft of academy players coming through but it remains to be seen if they make the grade.

Is Bath on a cost saving initiative?

With the cap coming down from £6.4m to £5m for next season, plus the league coming down to one marquee player instead of two for the season after you'd presume every club bar Falcons and Worcester will be.

I know Worcester have signed Duhan on a gigantic salary but also losing Hougaard (Worcs fans seem resigned to it already) and Weir (confirmed) so Duhan will slide into straight a marquee spot and Hougaard's deservedly large salary aside I believe Warriors spend below the cap.

Mulipola confirmed by Grenoble on their website as having signed on a 2 year deal.

Curious as Dean has recently said he hadnt signed for anyone...

doctor_grey wrote:

Recwatcher16 wrote:The resetting of the Bath squad continues following Zach Mercers announcement, with TH prop Christian Judge and Will Chudley both moving to Worcester. Quite significant moves as both are no.2's in their position leaving Bath with academy replacements at SH and Henry Thomas at TH who has struggled to come back from serious injury. Bhatti the Scottish prop doesn't seem to have worked as he is going straight back to Scotland.
Priestland and Stooke appear to be next and the talk/rumours on Obano don't seem to be going away.
There is a raft of academy players coming through but it remains to be seen if they make the grade.

Is Bath on a cost saving initiative?

I think with the Cap reduction and probable ring fencing...most clubs are looking to use their academy more, and move on fringe, back up players who are costly.

We dont have that issue as we have never been anywhere flamin near the cap!

Bath aren't the first and won't be the last to be cutting players off the squad.

GeordieFalcon wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:

Recwatcher16 wrote:The resetting of the Bath squad continues following Zach Mercers announcement, with TH prop Christian Judge and Will Chudley both moving to Worcester. Quite significant moves as both are no.2's in their position leaving Bath with academy replacements at SH and Henry Thomas at TH who has struggled to come back from serious injury. Bhatti the Scottish prop doesn't seem to have worked as he is going straight back to Scotland.
Priestland and Stooke appear to be next and the talk/rumours on Obano don't seem to be going away.
There is a raft of academy players coming through but it remains to be seen if they make the grade.

Is Bath on a cost saving initiative?

I think with the Cap reduction and probable ring fencing...most clubs are looking to use their academy more, and move on fringe, back up players who are costly.

We dont have that issue as we have never been anywhere flamin near the cap!

It's something that could work for us next season. We're used to operating on a smaller budget and we most likely won't make many (if any) cuts. Levels the playing field somewhat.

Facundo Gigena from Tigers to London Irish is sounding pretty likely, potentially imminent. A shame. He's an underrated prop who Tigers will need to replace with Genge away on England duty a lot.

Recwatcher16 wrote:The resetting of the Bath squad continues following Zach Mercers announcement, with TH prop Christian Judge and Will Chudley both moving to Worcester. Quite significant moves as both are no.2's in their position leaving Bath with academy replacements at SH and Henry Thomas at TH who has struggled to come back from serious injury. Bhatti the Scottish prop doesn't seem to have worked as he is going straight back to Scotland.
Priestland and Stooke appear to be next and the talk/rumours on Obano don't seem to be going away.
There is a raft of academy players coming through but it remains to be seen if they make the grade.

Bath have their own academy???

king_carlos wrote:Facundo Gigena from Tigers to London Irish is sounding pretty likely, potentially imminent. A shame. He's an underrated prop who Tigers will need to replace with Genge away on England duty a lot.

Despite the fact he has several years left on his contract. Either we are being forced to let him go because of the number of foreign players in the squad or we have accepted a request from Facundo to let him go earlier so he can play more rugby, in which case we might get a little bit of compensation.

He's a good scrummager and good in the tight. A bit old school unlike Genge et al but he's a very handy player to have in the squad and it'd be a shame to see him go. LI fans will certainly appreciate him.

Heaf wrote:

Recwatcher16 wrote:The resetting of the Bath squad continues following Zach Mercers announcement, with TH prop Christian Judge and Will Chudley both moving to Worcester. Quite significant moves as both are no.2's in their position leaving Bath with academy replacements at SH and Henry Thomas at TH who has struggled to come back from serious injury. Bhatti the Scottish prop doesn't seem to have worked as he is going straight back to Scotland.
Priestland and Stooke appear to be next and the talk/rumours on Obano don't seem to be going away.
There is a raft of academy players coming through but it remains to be seen if they make the grade.

Bath have their own academy???

Mulipola has signed a new two year deal with us??

What on Earth were grenoble doing saying he had signed for them ...

Gigena and Enever allowed early release from Tigers. Presumably a cost saving thing.

Gigena is allegedly about to be snapped up by LI and he'll go well there. Enever will probably go back to Australia as he's shown nothing to warrant anyone else taking a punt on him.

Tigers have some important prop recruitment for next season now. Basically a direct replacement for Luan de Bruin needed. Which wont be easy.

Gigena is a better scrummager than Leatigaga by a distance and will be a loss.

Yeah we have for next season;

1. Genge, Leatigaga, ?, Whitcombe
3. Cole, Heyes, ?, Dimen/Rowntree

We are clearly so fussed by Dimen that at 21 Whitcombe (19) has played more senior rugby. We had Heffernan in the squad for the friendly with Sarries and it makes sense to bring him in board of the coaches liked what they saw as he had rave reviews last season at Notts and will be a cheap acquisition. I don't see any point in a new deal for Bower. So we'll need to be shopping for a loosehead at least if not a loosehead and someone that can play both sides. I'm not sure Whitcombe or Rowntree will be ready next season they are perhaps a bit raw still. I suppose it depends on the level of funds we have available what with the reduced salary cap.

Sekope Kepu has left LI. Heading back to NZ for personal/family reasons

Gigena to LI also now confirmed. Will be a handy addition.

Margin_Walker wrote:Gigena to LI also now confirmed. Will be a handy addition.

Yeah you'll appreciate what he brings in the tight exchanges. Good scrummager at LH.

Apparently Ruben de Haas the USA and Cheetahs scrum-half has signed for Sarries for next season.

Previously rumoured that Ivan van Zyl has signed for them as well.

Important recruitment with Whiteley moving to Bristol and Aled Davies a long way from the standard they will want starting.

The Fearns rumour is still plodding along that he has in fact signed but yet to be announce...similar to Brown.

Lewis Bean leaving Saints for Glasgow Warriors at the end of this Season. Not surprised really, Saints have a lot of locks at the moment, he wasn't going to be getting much game time.

I have not seen a report on here recently about Marcus Smith, he has apparently committed to Harlequins according to "Premiership Rugby"

https://www.premiershiprugby.com/news/marcus-smith-commits-future-to-harlequins

Northampton Saints sign Oisin Heffernan from Nottingham in the Championship. Former Leinster academy graduate was in the Championship Dream Team last season. It was largely expected that he'd end up at a Prem team sooner rather than later. Mid 20s tighthead pulling up trees in the Championship in normally worth a punt. Franks is out injured so this puts some depth back into the Saints squad.

Be interesting to see what they do in the summer. Whether they keep Heffernan who will be pretty cost effective in cap terms and then look to lose one of Hill or Franks in order to save money.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Northampton Saints sign Oisin Heffernan from Nottingham in the Championship. Former Leinster academy graduate was in the Championship Dream Team last season. It was largely expected that he'd end up at a Prem team sooner rather than later. Mid 20s tighthead pulling up trees in the Championship in normally worth a punt. Franks is out injured so this puts some depth back into the Saints squad.

Be interesting to see what they do in the summer. Whether they keep Heffernan who will be pretty cost effective in cap terms and then look to lose one of Hill or Franks in order to save money.

He was brought in on the heels of Frank's injury, which appears to be serious enough to keep him out for quite a while, according to reports. I like to see young talent have their chance. And Saints front row has not been great for quite a while.

He's 25/26 so not particularly young but should be entering his prime as a prop. He's quite a big guy who has been tearing it up in the Championship and who Tigers had a look at in a second team game against Sarries. Should be a good and pretty cheap acquisition. Could end up being an astute signing by Saints.

As you say the Saints front row has been meh despite spending some cash on that department so worth taking the risk on a player who's shown up well in the Championship which is normally a good testing ground for props particularly tightheads. Just ask Francis, Williams, Cole, Stuart and Sinckler. With both Stuart and Williams playing some games at Nottingham.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Northampton Saints sign Oisin Heffernan from Nottingham in the Championship. Former Leinster academy graduate was in the Championship Dream Team last season. It was largely expected that he'd end up at a Prem team sooner rather than later. Mid 20s tighthead pulling up trees in the Championship in normally worth a punt. Franks is out injured so this puts some depth back into the Saints squad.

Be interesting to see what they do in the summer. Whether they keep Heffernan who will be pretty cost effective in cap terms and then look to lose one of Hill or Franks in order to save money.

Franks please, possibly very good on the training ground and giving advice and knowledge to the youngsters coming through, but has lacked what I would expect of a double RWC winning, most capped AB prop of all time even allowing for age. Hill seems to be getting his mojo back and if he can get back to where he was a couple of years ago is a way better option.

Hasn't there been a few false dawns with Hill getting his mojo back? He's not been near the England squad since 2017 and is about to turn 26. Maybe it's time he moves on to try and spark something? He's a mobile bloke and can scrum fairly well so he should be able to develop into a good modern prop.

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Northampton Saints sign Oisin Heffernan from Nottingham in the Championship. Former Leinster academy graduate was in the Championship Dream Team last season. It was largely expected that he'd end up at a Prem team sooner rather than later. Mid 20s tighthead pulling up trees in the Championship in normally worth a punt. Franks is out injured so this puts some depth back into the Saints squad.

Be interesting to see what they do in the summer. Whether they keep Heffernan who will be pretty cost effective in cap terms and then look to lose one of Hill or Franks in order to save money.

Franks please, possibly very good on the training ground and giving advice and knowledge to the youngsters coming through, but has lacked what I would expect of a double RWC winning, most capped AB prop of all time even allowing for age. Hill seems to be getting his mojo back and if he can get back to where he was a couple of years ago is a way better option.

To think we had Hayman (the most dominant tight head in the pro era imo) and you got Franks....(how did this guy get over 5 international caps???)

Well I dunno Hayman Vs Castrogiovanni was always quite the battle when they were both in their pomp.

Dragons sign Argentina and Jaguares scrum-half Gonzalo Bertranou, quite pleased with this signing. We have also signed the highly rated Ioan Davies, and Dan Baker (remember him?) on loan. All are ready to go, unless they test positive I guess.

Halaholo has signed a long-term deal to stay at Cardiff, praise the man above for that one. Looks as though he's settling here. He would be my first choice for Wales at 12.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Well I dunno Hayman Vs Castrogiovanni was always quite the battle when they were both in their pomp.

Castro was a tighthead, I can't recall him coming up against Hayman. Castro was very good, but he was part of a great unit too. Hayman made our whole pack look good! The guy was just immense in the scrum, a real force of nature. To think he almost made John Golding an international...

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Well I dunno Hayman Vs Castrogiovanni was always quite the battle when they were both in their pomp.

Castro was a tighthead, I can't recall him coming up against Hayman. Castro was very good, but he was part of a great unit too. Hayman made our whole pack look good! The guy was just immense in the scrum, a real force of nature. To think he almost made John Golding an international...

I know Castro was mainly a tighthead, though in those days you only had three props so someone had to be able to cover the other side and Castro did. I was thinking more of at the time those were the two giants in the Prem at tighthead. Castro was a modern prop ahead of time, did the job up front and then got around the park like a nutter. Shame he fell away after his food intolerance issues.

Great signing for Benetton, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro will join them next season.

mikey_dragon wrote:Great signing for Benetton, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro will join them next season.

I don't think he's pulled up trees at Bristol but he should add something to Benetton and help them weather the inevitable call ups.

Leicestershire lad Will Hurd to join Tigers from Glasgow. The Scotland under 20s player was brought up in Ashby in the North of the County. Hopefully another good tighthead who can play games from next season.

Tommy Taylor is heading back to Sale from Wasps.

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Northampton Saints sign Oisin Heffernan from Nottingham in the Championship. Former Leinster academy graduate was in the Championship Dream Team last season. It was largely expected that he'd end up at a Prem team sooner rather than later. Mid 20s tighthead pulling up trees in the Championship in normally worth a punt. Franks is out injured so this puts some depth back into the Saints squad.

Be interesting to see what they do in the summer. Whether they keep Heffernan who will be pretty cost effective in cap terms and then look to lose one of Hill or Franks in order to save money.

Franks please, possibly very good on the training ground and giving advice and knowledge to the youngsters coming through, but has lacked what I would expect of a double RWC winning, most capped AB prop of all time even allowing for age. Hill seems to be getting his mojo back and if he can get back to where he was a couple of years ago is a way better option.

For Hill, it seems all we need to do is remove him for 5 minutes, say something nasty about his mum, and send him back on....

Nobody has mentioned it on here, but Cardiff Blues are signing Rhys Priestland from Bath.

Mikey mentioned it in Jan, to be fair. I was a bit surprised to see it announced yesterday, as I thought it had been confirmed.

It does seem like the rumour has been around for longer than that though. Anyway, good signing, especially if they keep hold of Evans.

I'm a bit surprised partly because Bath have admitted they have no alternative lined up. I'm unsure why Priestland would be keen to head home because bat 34 he's unlikely to get more caps and is a regular starter for Bath whom you have assume would have offered him at least a one year deal. It's not like Bath is a long commute to Wales either if he wants to go and see family. It's less than an hour and a half I think from Bath to Cardiff so he's not moving far.

He become very tactical and pragmatic at Bath, he has previously talked up how much he learnt as understudy to Ford re match day preparation and studying the opposition. Maybe at Cardiff he'll show a bit more attacking rugby as that was what he used to be known for.

It's absolutely vital they keep hold of Evans, Thomas, and have Priestland as back-up. I've seen calls for him to be brought into the Wales team - it makes me wonder if these people have watched much rugby or just a highlights reel. Evans must be a little annoyed, being the best 10 in Wales and all, then seeing Patchell and Biggar picked ahead of him - so it wouldn't come as a surprise if he moves on.

formerly known as Sam wrote:It's not like Bath is a long commute to Wales either if he wants to go and see family. It's less than an hour and a half I think from Bath to Cardiff so he's not moving far.

To be fair, he is actually from Camarthen, I think. So you can add and extra hour down the M4 to that travelling as well.

mikey_dragon wrote:It's absolutely vital they keep hold of Evans, Thomas, and have Priestland as back-up. I've seen calls for him to be brought into the Wales team - it makes me wonder if these people have watched much rugby or just a highlights reel. Evans must be a little annoyed, being the best 10 in Wales and all, then seeing Patchell and Biggar picked ahead of him - so it wouldn't come as a surprise if he moves on.

Priestland has signed a "long term deal" that doesn't sound like he's going there to sit on the bench or in the stands. I'd agree though you want to keep hold of the 24 year old attacking international flyhalf more than you want the 34 year old pragmatic one.

I wouldn't have offered more than 2 years. Jarrod is first choice so RP should remain on the bench, otherwise they've made a big mistake.

Haven't seen it mentioned, but Siya Kolisis confirmed as a Sharks playing, leaving the Stormers after 13 years.

formerly known as Sam wrote:I'm a bit surprised partly because Bath have admitted they have no alternative lined up. I'm unsure why Priestland would be keen to head home because bat 34 he's unlikely to get more caps and is a regular starter for Bath whom you have assume would have offered him at least a one year deal. It's not like Bath is a long commute to Wales either if he wants to go and see family. It's less than an hour and a half I think from Bath to Cardiff so he's not moving far.

He become very tactical and pragmatic at Bath, he has previously talked up how much he learnt as understudy to Ford re match day preparation and studying the opposition. Maybe at Cardiff he'll show a bit more attacking rugby as that was what he used to be known for.

Bath signed Tian Schoeman, ex Cheetahs and Bulls FH who arrived in January but won't it be any surprise that Bath will want another backup as Bailey from the academy is a talent but not yet physically ready. Priestland has been lucky and avoided injuries and generally avoids tackling too but he is 34, a new extended Premiership contract was not likely and Cardiff have offered more than Bath. Good luck to him, decent player who never quite made the difference at Bath - which was and is still needed.

“Rhys’ departure means we will continue to look into bringing on board another no.10, focusing on fitting into our squad and club ethos and contribute to the kind of rugby we want to play.”

Fluxy wrote:Haven't seen it mentioned, but Siya Kolisis confirmed as a Sharks playing, leaving the Stormers after 13 years.

Kolisi moving to UK? or to Sharks in SA? He is a hell of a player. And a real leader too.