SILLY SEASON TRANSFER RUMOURS 20/21

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mikey_dragon wrote:

y ddraig goch wrote:Jac Morgan is leaving the Scarlets for the Ospreys to go and learn his trade off Tipuric. Big loss for the Scarlets but makes sense with Dan Davies, Josh Macelod, and James Davies still on the books. Jac looks like a future Welsh international so it might be a good move for Wales in the long run with the Ospreys finally starting to live up to their potential with a return to the top level of Europe given the players on their books.

Davis and Davies aren’t that good, McCleod is very good but has awful luck with injuries lately. Scarlets’ supporters can’t see why Jac is being let go. Boyde was another good 7 that they let go.

Ospreys are a long way off their potential if last night is anything to go by.

He isn't 'being let go', he's apparently an Ospreys fan and wants to leave despite the offer on the table.
Considering the conditions, the young players in key positions, and the momentum killing refereeing performance (for both sides), Ospreys came out of it with a victory which is what they needed to help secure champions cup rugby next season.
I think it would be better to judge them as of next season when, if all the murmurs are to be believed, we will have a higher proportion of games played with full strength sides.

Is Lozowski the type of controlling flyhalf Borthwick would want though? I think of Ford goes (and I really hope he doesn't) we go one of two ways.

1. We go abroad and look for a flybalf that's just a step below international quality for their country. Otere Black being the prime option given how he's not getting any love in NZ for club or country despite playing well. Ross Byrne perennially stuck behind Sexton and being overtaken by his brother despite being consistently good.

2. We sign someone we can mold whilst working with Burns in the short term. Finn Smith at Worcester being a prime candidate there. Potentially could just promote Lancaster into the back up role but that could be a bit high risk.

I'd back Lozowski to play that controlling role ahead of Burns to be honest. I'd certainly rate him as the better player.

I really like Freddie as he's such a fun and likable player but I watched enough of his speculative chips over the top go straight to an opposition sweeper to know that for every one that he gloriously recovers himself to set-up a try you tend to unnecessarily lose possession about 4 times. Whilst a good fly-half with a lot of strengths there are significant flaws to his game that meant he couldn't usurp Priestland at Bath.

Oh I agree Burns is very much the back up option. I don't see him as someone who can step in and replace Ford. Someone who we could use to take pressure off of an inspiring young talent but it would have to be someone special.

Lozowski I really like as a player but when I've seen him at Montpellier and Sarries at 10 he seems a bit like Furbank was for England. Talented footballer, ok he's a better kicker than Furbank but that game management aspect I'm not sure about and that's currently a significant part of our game.

Lozowski is obviously worse at managing a game than Ford but would be a step up on our other options without breaking the bank.

I really rate Otere Black but we've seen with Wasps recently that the NH club game is played very differently and performance doesn't always translate. It's a massive punt using the marquee spot in that sort of circumstance. Whereas a potential marquee signing such as Kruis we know his strengths will translate to our game.

Ford is nearing irreplaceable like for like at club level. I think there are several equal and better fly-halves in international rugby but that doesn't always translate to the same worth for a club. His fitness record is outstanding so he's available a lot, his goal kicking for Tigers has been very good and his game management is superb.

GF, Sarge, Cumbrian - Surely Falcons must have a 10 worth poaching...?

The du Preez apparently off to Glasgow isn’t one of the brothers right? It’s the really tall lock forward. Having lost John already I think re-signing Oosthuizen should be the priority.

Yep, JP the lock is rumoured to Glasgow.

Oosthuizen is chewing up a lot of cap, playing behind Schonert and not playing that well to be honest. I thought he was a huge signing when he arrived at Sale but he's not really stood out.

I rate WillGriff but as Wales and Scarlets are finding out at the minute he does have limitations. I think Sale have upgraded with Schonert who I think is a really underrated TH.

Young James Harper is a decent tighthead prospect coming through up at Sale. He played alright at the end of last season. If they can't get a deal done with Oosthuizen they could get a solid Pro in and have Schonert first choice, experienced back up and then young tyro as their three options.

KC good point with Kiwi fly halves in the Prem, for every Nick Evans there's s Stephen Donald or a Sapoaga. I think Black might be more suited to the Prem style of play mind, Sapoaga was always quite run heavy for a 10.

Slight tangent but isn't Simmonds down at Chiefs coming out of contract for next summer? Out of favour with Baxter, young, leader and good variety to his game but scope to get better. Might suit Borthwick.

formerly known as Sam wrote:...

Slight tangent but isn't Simmonds down at Chiefs coming out of contract for next summer? Out of favour with Baxter, young, leader and good variety to his game but scope to get better. Might suit Borthwick.

I hadn't twigged that given Simmonds was being touted for England so much last year, but looking at squad selection this year Skinner seems to be favoured as starting FH.

lostinwales wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:...

Slight tangent but isn't Simmonds down at Chiefs coming out of contract for next summer? Out of favour with Baxter, young, leader and good variety to his game but scope to get better. Might suit Borthwick.

I hadn't twigged that given Simmonds was being touted for England so much last year, but looking at squad selection this year Skinner seems to be favoured as starting FH.

It's an odd situation down there at Chiefs, Skinner isn't setting the world alight and his kicking off the tee is woeful to the point Slade or Simmonds from fullback have taken on the kicking duties. Joe Simmonds has struggled for form when he has played but I'm not sure Skinner has done anything to earn the continued selection. 

Could be some behind the scenes politics in regards to Simmonds contract situation or that could be 2+2=5. Either way Joe would have suitors if he decides it's time to move on.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

lostinwales wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:...

Slight tangent but isn't Simmonds down at Chiefs coming out of contract for next summer? Out of favour with Baxter, young, leader and good variety to his game but scope to get better. Might suit Borthwick.

I hadn't twigged that given Simmonds was being touted for England so much last year, but looking at squad selection this year Skinner seems to be favoured as starting FH.

It's an odd situation down there at Chiefs, Skinner isn't setting the world alight and his kicking off the tee is woeful to the point Slade or Simmonds from fullback have taken on the kicking duties. Joe Simmonds has struggled for form when he has played but I'm not sure Skinner has done anything to earn the continued selection. 

Could be some behind the scenes politics in regards to Simmonds contract situation or that could be 2+2=5. Either way Joe would have suitors if he decides it's time to move on.

Could be another reason for Exeter's poor performance this year. They seem to be very dependent on Slade.

king_carlos wrote:GF, Sarge, Cumbrian - Surely Falcons must have a 10 worth poaching...?

2 - (3) If you want Connon for free

formerly known as Sam wrote:

lostinwales wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:...

Slight tangent but isn't Simmonds down at Chiefs coming out of contract for next summer? Out of favour with Baxter, young, leader and good variety to his game but scope to get better. Might suit Borthwick.

I hadn't twigged that given Simmonds was being touted for England so much last year, but looking at squad selection this year Skinner seems to be favoured as starting FH.

It's an odd situation down there at Chiefs, Skinner isn't setting the world alight and his kicking off the tee is woeful to the point Slade or Simmonds from fullback have taken on the kicking duties. Joe Simmonds has struggled for form when he has played but I'm not sure Skinner has done anything to earn the continued selection. 

Could be some behind the scenes politics in regards to Simmonds contract situation or that could be 2+2=5. Either way Joe would have suitors if he decides it's time to move on.

I'm sure I heard somewhere that this was a tactic from Baxter to bring him on. Exeter don't have a good backup to Simmonds and apparently Baxter is thinking more to the end of the season...ie. he doesn't want a totally inexperienced 10 been thrown in for major games.

Fissler having reported Tigers were confident that Ford was going to sign a new deal imminently on Sunday is now reporting Ford has informed the club he wants to join Sale. He was rumoured to be after £600k a season so that's going to be a bit to the Sale salary cap but what a player to bring up there, they just need to confirm a big pack to secure the platform.

Fissler's been so hit and miss for a while that I don't put as much faith in him. A few years back he broke a fair few rumours. He seemed to increasingly 'report' rumours that ended up looking like agents bartering for a new deal though. Given he comes across as a colossal kumquat it wouldn't surprise me if just burnt the bridges he had over time.

Sanderson speaking so openly about it last week made me wonder if it was a done deal though. Gut says it's done.

king_carlos wrote:Fissler's been so hit and miss for a while that I don't put as much faith in him. A few years back he broke a fair few rumours. He seemed to increasingly 'report' rumours that ended up looking like agents bartering for a new deal though. Given he comes across as a colossal kumquat it wouldn't surprise me if just burnt the bridges he had over time.

Sanderson speaking so openly about it last week made me wonder if it was a done deal though. Gut says it's done.

Hmm last week felt like Sanderson knew they had a chance and he was trying to get it across the line with a bit of a charm offensive and also trying to force Ford to make a decision.

I suspect that Sale have tabled the offer Ford wants and his agent has been trying to get Tigers to match it but Sale have caught wind and want the deal done. I'm not sure the Tigers finances are in the best shape so we might be limited on how far we can push Ford's marquee salary.

To me it feels like it's done. Ford to Sale was rumoured a long while back but everything went a bit quiet so I dismissed it. Now it feels like Sale tabled him a massive offer, Tigers couldn't/wouldn't match it given financial restraints, so Ford started looking at offers from Montpellier etc but has opted for staying in the Premiership to try to regain his England spot.

His wages will have taken a massive hit over the last year. He signed the rumoured £600-650k contract around the height of wage inflation in the Premiership, then his renegotiated Tigers contract after the covid stuff and wages coming down was rumoured to be around a £200k cut.

Then falling out the England squad is a huge wage loss. The AIs players are getting around £23k per appearance plus potential £75k bonus for winning all three games  - SA game pending which I'm uncertain about with hooker injuries to be honest. From Ford's perspective that's a potential £150k extra from 3 weeks that the England players are picking up which he would've hoped to be in the frame for.

From a Tigers perspective Sale having all this cap and a potential marquee spot free means I could see them targeting George Kruis to replace Lood.

By staying in Japan for a second year Kruis hasn't been a player at a Premiership club for two full seasons so he will now be able to sign as a marquee. I don't think that's an accident.

I was really hopeful that Kruis might end up at Tigers. He is close with Borthwick, Tigers could do with a strong starting lock and I thought it was notable that Lavanini's cap space doesn't seem to have been filled. A bit like Polota-Nau's cap being left free for Montoya despite a years gap as Tigers were waiting for the right player. All the completely idle speculation seemed to add up. It was beautiful! If Ford goes Tigers would also have a marquee spot free though.

The Eggchasers JB (Who has strong links to Sale) seems to think Ford to Sale is not happening...I hope that eases you Tigers somewhat.

I'd like Kruis at Tigers but we'd have to jettison a lock for squad balance if he did join. Green, Wells, Snyman, Henderson and Chessum are all on the books. It would probably be Green out the door as you'd not want to lose either of the younger guys and both Wells and Snyman are under contract for next season.

Kruis would be a good signing at Sale but given their rumoured leavers isn't the ball carrying ballast to replace a du Preez. They'd get money out of him than they've got put of Lood to be fair though.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:The Eggchasers JB (Who has strong links to Sale) seems to think Ford to Sale is not happening...I hope that eases you Tigers somewhat.

We live in hope but the main media are running with it now so I'd expect an announcement shortly if it is. If Tigers have tried him down I'd imagine they'll be looking to announce that in the next week or so because after the bye week we've got a pretty big league game Vs Quins and won't want that overshadowing the build up.

Well for the first time in too many years, this is the first time i cant think of any urgent signings needed in the summer.

We have a great squad now with a mix of very good older guys and real talent coming through...just need to continue improving our performances now,

Ford doesn't tend to stick around once his dad has moved on does he? Still a bit surprised he's not off to France though as it looks unlikely at present he will back in the England setup soonish.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Ford doesn't tend to stick around once his dad has moved on does he? Still a bit surprised he's not off to France though as it looks unlikely at present he will back in the England setup soonish.

It's more the cash I think. He was rumoured to have taken a big pay cut to help the club out during the pandemic. £650k down to £450k was the rumour. Sale are allegedly tabling £1.6m over three years so an extra £80k a year (roughly). I don't think Tigers can afford to match it, we lost a lot of cash during the pandemic as we are very reliant on match day income, corporate events and weddings for our income. 

England selection I dunno. If Ford keeps playing the way he has done then Eddie might find it hard to ignore him. Non-selection his time made a lot of sense given Ford spent the summer rehabbing and this is effectively a rest period for him. Come the 6N I think Eddie may be more inclined to move away from Furbank as a cover all and go with three flyhalf options. Particularly because the first couple of 6N games are played in rough weather conditions normally and game management will be all important, can't risk an unexpected injury and then playing a someone at 10 who isn't a specialist like we may have at the weekend.

Losing the England cash this Autumn may have incentivised Ford to look at the more lucrative cash offer more favourably though.

Sounds done and dusted now, BBC:

Sale are set to announce the blockbuster signing of 77-cap England fly-half George Ford from Leicester.

Ford, 28, re-joined Leicester in 2017 from Bath and has helped the Tigers to eight wins from eight this season.

BBC Radio Leicester understands that the Tigers are still trying to keep Ford at the club and offered him a new deal earlier this week.

Despite his excellent club form, Ford was left out of Eddie Jones' England squad for the autumn internationals.

However he will spurn the advances of clubs in France to stay in the Premiership and continue to fight for an England recall.

Ford is set to be reunited with former Tigers team-mate Manu Tuilagi at the Sharks, while England star Tom Curry and highly-rated rookie nine Raffi Quirke are also part of Alex Sanderson's Sale squad.

After making his England debut in 2014, Ford has established himself as one of the pre-eminent fly-halves in the world game, guiding England to a Grand Slam in 2016 and the Rugby World Cup final in 2019.

Family ties behind Ford's decision?
Analysis - BBC Radio Leicester's Tigers presenter Adam Whitty

This will be tough news to take for Tigers fans, with Ford a major player and star name. His imperious play has guided Leicester to eight wins from eight in the Premiership.

Having been dropped from the England team, fans may have hoped they'd see much more from him in future years.

It's understood Leicester and Sale both competed to sign the fly-half this week, with Tigers putting an improved wage offer on the table, and larger than Sale's, to keep him at Welford Road.

Ford though has decided to leave the club he started his career with, and returned to with much fanfare four years ago. His family ties to the Manchester area, recent wage cuts caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, and the departure of his father from the coaching staff appear to have given him reasons enough for him to leave.

I doubt we had the financial muscle to outbid Sale.

Confirmed on the Tigers website he's opted not to activate the additional season in his contract and will leave.

Wow....big loss for Tigers, huge signing for Sale! Worth even more if he doesn't get back in the England fold. Quirke/Ford combo is going to be rather exciting.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Wow....big loss for Tigers, huge signing for Sale! Worth even more if he doesn't get back in the England fold. Quirke/Ford combo is going to be rather exciting.

If Faff opts to stay then it'll be 50 mins of Faff and Ford and then 30 mins of Quirke and Ford. That'll be pretty darn good won't it. With Wilkinson and Curtis there for Ford to mentor as well over the next three years, they'll learn a lot about game management and training focus (Priestland said he did when he was at Bath with Ford).

formerly known as Sam wrote:I doubt we had the financial muscle to outbid Sale.

Confirmed on the Tigers website he's opted not to activate the additional season in his contract and will leave.

According to reports he'll be on less money at Sale.



(BBC) Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson called the signing of Ford, who has won 77 England caps, "a massive boost".

"George Ford is world class - one of the very best fly-halves in the game over the past five years," Sanderson told the club website.

"This season he's probably playing the best rugby of his career so we're getting him at the right time.

"I met him twice and we had the chance to show him around the ground and the fact that he's taken this decision, in the form that he's in, with Leicester doing so well, tells me that he believes in the ambition of this club, and in the culture that we're building.

"He's a northerner and his heart is very much in this area. He's been away for some years now but he's coming back to his spiritual home. His family is hugely important to him and I know that his life outside rugby has played a part in this move."

Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick said Ford told the Premiership leaders he was leaving earlier in the week.

"I have had the pleasure of working with him for a number of years, with England and now here at Tigers, and I am grateful to have had that privilege," Borthwick said.

"We are fortunate to have the best following in rugby, who have been able to enjoy watching George represent their club for many years and I am sure they will echo me in thanking him for his contribution to Tigers."

Ford said it had been "the most difficult decision of my career".

"I am proud and grateful to represent this great club at Leicester and I will give my all for the rest of my time at Tigers," he added.

Despite his excellent club form, Ford was left out of Eddie Jones' England squad for the autumn internationals.

However, he has spurned the advances of clubs in France to stay in the Premiership and continue to fight for an England recall.

Ford is now set to be reunited with former Tigers team-mate Manu Tuilagi at the Sharks, while England star Tom Curry and highly-rated rookie scrum-half Raffi Quirke are also part of Sanderson's Sale squad.

After making his England debut in 2014, Ford has established himself as one of the pre-eminent fly-halves in the world game, guiding England to a Grand Slam in 2016 and the Rugby World Cup final in 2019.

I wonder who you'll go for to replace him? Carbery might be a good shout, possibly Pollard?

No 7&1/2 wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:I doubt we had the financial muscle to outbid Sale.

Confirmed on the Tigers website he's opted not to activate the additional season in his contract and will leave.

According to reports he'll be on less money at Sale.

As he took a £200k drop due to Covid I doubt it. He's probably on less now than his pre-Covid contract value. All rumours but he was supposed to have gone from £650k down to £450k as Tigers were struggling financially. Reports are that he's signed a £1.6m deal at Sale over three seasons so £533k a season. Which would fit with the less than pre-Covid but more than Tigers were paying currently.

Just going by the BBC report. Sounds like it's a family thing which also explains no France move.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:I wonder who you'll go for to replace him? Carbery might be a good shout, possibly Pollard?

Rumours again but we had Ford down to £450k after Covid salary reductions. Pollard was on a cool million Euros a season in France. No chance of that happening.

Carbery would be ending his international hopes by coming to WR so can't see that either. I could see Ross Byrne being tempted away from Ireland given Sexton's longevity, the emergence of his younger brother and Carbery getting fit again. He could potentially fit in well.

Finn Smith hasn't signed a new deal at Wuss and given the Tigers pack and the guidance we could offer from 9 that would be a long term acquisition that could pay some hefty dividends. Alex Lozowski, I know KC is a fan of that idea and Lozowski played 10 last season at Montpellier and looked pretty good doing it. They would both be a lot cheaper than Ford. Joe Simmonds down at Chiefs, rumoured to be available next summer and out of favour a little with Baxter. He'd be an ideal fit for how Borthwick likes to play but might be a little more pricey.

There's some annoyed Kiwi 10s not feeling the love there in one cap wonder Brett Cameron and Otere Black (not long ago good enough to force Barrett to play 15 to accommodate him) who are both doing stints in Japan after not getting the deals they wanted in NZ.

Bernard Foley remember him? Coming out of contract in Japan. Another player who would fit the game plan very nicely and two years of lower intensity rugby his body should be in good shape.

For once there could be a few flyhalf options on the market, last summer was a barren wasteland for flyhalf options and now there's quite a few so at least Ford's timing helps us out a bit.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Just going by the BBC report. Sounds like it's a family thing which also explains no France move.

Mike Ford as new defence coach at Sale? What player ever says "it's about the money"? I'm moving back closer to family is a nice and convenient line to use despite having moved down to Leicester at 15/16 and then staying down in Bath or Leicester for the next 12 years maybe he is desperate to get back  or maybe his partner is pregnant or maybe it's BS either way it'll be welcomed by Sale fans and fits the lines Sanderson has been feeding about family club etc (all clubs run a variation on that line).

Until he writes his autobiography we're unlikely to get the honest truth.

Like I said he's never stuck around when his dad has left, it's 3rd party understanding that Leicester offered more so you'll have a bit of money should anyone pop up.

Someone like Vunipola from Saracens could be a good move?

No 7&1/2 wrote:Like I said he's never stuck around when his dad has left, it's 3rd party understanding that Leicester offered more so you'll have a bit of money should anyone pop up.

Even if we didn't offer more he was on a pretty good whack of cash and our marquee so if we're going outside of the Prem we should be an attractive proposition. If we go inside the Prem then I guess Genge (rumoured circa £300k) will go to the marquee spot and then we'll still have a decent whack to entice somebody in.

As I said in reply to Sgt at least there seems to be a number of options available this year there wasn't that much about in the flyhalf department last summer. Hence Bath giving Cipriani a one year deal.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Someone like Vunipola from Saracens could be a good move?

Maybe a bit too raw and he's under contract.

Finn Smith if we're looking for a talented youngster. We've got Dan Lancaster in the books already and he's a young lad with a future in the game so if we're going young again it needs to be someone very special ala Finn Smith.

Having Burns, Lancaster and Hegarty all in the squad for next season means we have options. Don't need to sign just anybody needs to be a high class operator if we do.

formerly known as Sam wrote:I'd like Kruis at Tigers but we'd have to jettison a lock for squad balance if he did join. Green, Wells, Snyman, Henderson and Chessum are all on the books. It would probably be Green out the door as you'd not want to lose either of the younger guys and both Wells and Snyman are under contract for next season.

Kruis would be a good signing at Sale but given their rumoured leavers isn't the ball carrying ballast to replace a du Preez. They'd get money out of him than they've got put of Lood to be fair though.

The du Preez twins aren't part of Sale's rumoured leavers I don't think. Just rumours but supposedly the twins and Cobus Wiese are staying.

Faf ---> Japan
Lood ---> SA Sharks
Oosthuizen ---> SA
Akker ---> France
JP du Preez ---> Glasgow

Those are the rumours I've heard from the 'SA exodus' at Sale.

Disappointed with Ford leaving but it sounds like personal reasons. Tigers reportedly offered more so not solely money and I'd presume not trophy related as Tigers are going much better than Bath. Maybe his dad leaving did destabilize him at Tigers.

For such a great player Ford's club trophy cabinet is bare. One Premiership trophy as back up to Flood very early on then a runners up medal with Bath. I was hoping he'd finally add to it at Tigers.

Ah well. I'm wary of marquee tens as they are so hard to cover if injured. With Ford that was mitigated by an overall fantastic injury record. With are marquee lock or back row for instance you have far more other locks or back rows in the squad so an injury can be easier to cover without a huge drop. Getting injury dispensation cover in those positions is also easier (LI got Ruan Botha as injury dispensation, JP du Preez at Sale more recently for instance). Marquee tens are a big roll of the dice unless they have excellent fitness records, they will be available for most the season and you know they will suit the Premiership style. Nick Evans was a bit of a unicorn in some regards!

I hadn't heard they were leaving I had heard their contracts were up for renewal. If they can keep them, Ross and Cobus Weise then add in Beaumont, Kruis and the Curry twins and that's an exceptional selection of talent behind the front row. The front row could do with a little addition mind but if those five are off then they should have the funds to do so.

If they land Kruis and Ford for next season their recruitment team will be grinning ear to ear.

Burns is a case of what may have been. For a short time he looked like he was going to surpass Farrell quite quickly; thinking of 2012 demolition of NZ and he came on and looked so classy. I suppose this could be another chance at redemption, still got another couple of good years you'd think.

And yes whoever gets Kruis when/if he returns they'll be popping some corks.

Sam Skinner rumoured to Worcester shortly after being linked to Wasps. Not the same level as Ford, though it looks like he is leaving Exeter.

The problem with Burns is that his game management has never really taken off and he is still somewhat prone to a lack of patience. I think KC has mentioned it before but the chips over the top tend to be optimistic more than well judged. He's a skillful player and an ideal back up 10 but for this Tigers side I don't think he's first choice material.

Skinner to Worcester? Why? That one must surely be about the cash. If Worcester were turning a corner you could understand him chancing it but they've been pretty awful this season. Unless it's his agent doing the rounds to drum up interest.

Worcester do seem to be turning into West Midlands Scottish.

9 Van P
10 Finn Smith

Canny half back pairing for tigers that!

GeordieFalcon wrote:9 Van P
10 Finn Smith

Canny half back pairing for tigers that!

9.JvP
10.Fin Smith
12.Dan Lancaster

That was the 9-10-12 partnership for the successful England U20s during 4 out of 5 games in last years Six Nations.

If you add Dan Kelly and Freddie Steward in there at 13 and 15 then you could have the majority of the backline for the next decade plus.

9. JVP
10. Smith
12. Lancaster
13. Kelly
15. Steward

None of them have hit 21 yet.

Just need some wingers to come through.

I have worries we might lose Matt Scott or Matias Moroni after this year so Lancaster settling at centre would help. I think it's best suited to his skill set.

The value for money/cap space Tigers must be getting from Moroni, Scott and Kelly at the minute will be insane. Scott signed after finding out last minute he wasn't getting an Edinburgh contract with few options so needed a contract urgently. Moroni was told to look elsewhere after covid floored the Jags so needed a contract urgently. Kelly signed from Loughborough students on a development contract then stepped up to starting. Come renewal they will all have plenty of suitors and need decent wage rises to keep them.

Isn't that the truth KC. Some very good business done there. Dan Kelly signed a new deal as recently as March so he should be ok. If Taute retires as expected next summer then we'll have some spare funds to increase Moroni and Scott's salaries a bit to keep them content.

Lancaster as a 10/12 option would work out nicely. We don't really play with that secondary playmaker defined as we used to now Borthwick is in. He might change his mind as the attack develops though Lancaster would have to improve his ball carrying to play 12. He isn't a small lad so he has something to work with.

Our squad this season is one of the best we've had in probably a decade. The key was to try and keep it together but that's gone wrong already despite 8 from 8. If we can keep it together minus the more obvious leavers like Taute, Kobus van Wyk, Owolfela, SAP etc then we should have some cash to top up contracts and bring in a reinforcement or two if we need them. Not including the flybalf fund in that as that'll be pretty hefty.