SILLY SEASON TRANSFER RUMOURS 20/21

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GeordieFalcon wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:I think Schoeman has been injured for nearly all his time at Bath. Can play 10 and 15 though.

Chiefs look set to sign Leinster second row Dunne a 6ft8 122kg 21 year old for next season. Hasn't played this season yet due to an ankle injury. Replacement for one of the outgoing internationals it seems.

Just what we need!

At least your youngsters will get lots of game time.

Dragons have signed George Nott from London Irish. Any intel on him? Any good?

Born and raised in Wales by the sound of it.

He'll definitely be missed.

Had a decent rep as an athletic 6 for Eng U20s, but he didn't really progress much for Sale after that.

He's been a very reliable squad option for LI at lock for the last few season. Never really 1st choice, but he's durable, quick for a lock and can do most things you'd need him to. Also a model pro by all accounts.

Cheers Margin_Walker. We seem to be stocking up on locks a bit, and are pretty covered in the back row, so I guess he’s seen as lock cover. We’ve got Rowlands at lock away with Wales a lot and Carter has just broken into the Wales squad, so we need more cover.

Yeah, sounds a good fit and is primarily a lock these days. He's a guy that you wouldn't worry at all about starting for you, is rarely injured and can cover 6.

He'll leave a gap at LI, especially as he was a rare EQP tight five forward.

Margin_Walker wrote:He'll definitely be missed.

Had a decent rep as an athletic 6 for Eng U20s, but he didn't really progress much for Sale after that.

He's been a very reliable squad option for LI at lock for the last few season. Never really 1st choice, but he's durable, quick for a lock and can do most things you'd need him to. Also a model pro by all accounts.

Ah, that will probably confirm the rumour that Josh Basham is heading back down to London Irish. Shame, I had a lot of time for him.

Cumbrian wrote:

Margin_Walker wrote:He'll definitely be missed.

Had a decent rep as an athletic 6 for Eng U20s, but he didn't really progress much for Sale after that.

He's been a very reliable squad option for LI at lock for the last few season. Never really 1st choice, but he's durable, quick for a lock and can do most things you'd need him to. Also a model pro by all accounts.

Ah, that will probably confirm the rumour that Josh Basham is heading back down to London Irish.  Shame, I had a lot of time for him.

There's rumours that Tigers are picking up Olly Cracknell from LI as squad cover that would dent the LI numbers in the backrow and SOB is retiring so there's evidence that LI could use Basham back.

Yeah, Basham would be more a Cracknell replacement than a Nott replacement if there was anything in it.

We are actually pretty well stocked at 6, but would definitely take Basham back. He's a decent player on the up and obviously has strong ties to the club.

I think Nott is a decent signing for us, and is WQ (born in Wales) so it will shut a few herberts up. I prefer him to Lonsdale. Good that he covers 6, I think our team would benefit from sometimes playing him or Ben Carter there, whilst starting Rowlands and Maksymiw.

SWA think Maksymiw is off.

Rumoured anywhere in particular? It’s probably Cardiff lol.

I must have been asleep when we signed Lonsdale. I guess he’ll play back-row.

Dragons have signed New Zealander Sio Tompkinson from Highlanders.

Awesome signing, what the hell is going on!

I really hope we can keep Holmes, that would be a good link up attacking the wider channels.

The Oracle wrote:Dragons have signed New Zealander Sio Tompkinson from Highlanders.

Is that the guy with one leg?

doctor_grey wrote:

The Oracle wrote:Dragons have signed New Zealander Sio Tompkinson from Highlanders.

Is that the guy with one leg?

Would be about right for us! But no, on this occasion he seems to be a very decent player

I was excited, but then read how he has been injured this season. Fingers crossed he’s as good as he seems. Even Olowofela had a decent Super Rugby reel though ha.

Signings are turning people who were seriously contemplating not renewing season tickets, into customers again. Dangerous thing is hope and positivity

Olowofela played super rugby?! Oh jeez! Really hasn’t brought much to Dragons. Probably something to do with our backs not being great. Although he doesn’t look like he wants to tackle! And that’s down to him alone!

I wonder if one of our wings is off soon then? Did I dream it, or has Holmes announced he’s leaving? If not I imagine he’d be off soon as he only came here to get into the Wales squad and Pivac doesn’t seem interested anymore. Or maybe Olowofela has come to the end of his contract? Can’t imagine it being renewed.

Holmes will be off. That was confirmed earlier. Olowofela is on loan, so can’t see that happening again. Josh Lewis is off apparently.

The Argus said Warren is out of contract, so I guess he might be off. Cory Allen and Tom Griffiths likely to go too.

Not really sure on the contracts in our squad now, but with streamlining apparently happening, I think we will lose quite a few more. If Ioan Davies was only on a short term contract, he might be one. His contract length seemingly wasn’t disclosed, so could be a year. Will Talbot Davies and that Owen Jenkins too?

The Oracle wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:

The Oracle wrote:Dragons have signed New Zealander Sio Tompkinson from Highlanders.

Is that the guy with one leg?

Would be about right for us! But no, on this occasion he seems to be a very decent player

You have a lucky one! Saints, on the other hand, would sign his fat, older brother.....

I'd happily have Jonah Holmes back at Tigers. He's such a useful club winger. Good all round skillset, quick and fairly powerful, nose for the try line. He can cover fullback when needed as well. Plus won't cost a huge amount.

There's a very shrewd potential signing for a Premiership side there given the reduced cap is still in place for next season.

Holmes is a very good player who showed up well for Wales at wing and full-back, but for whatever reason he is shunned by Pivac. The way he was dropped for Tom Rogers just beggars belief.

king_carlos wrote:I'd happily have Jonah Holmes back at Tigers. He's such a useful club winger. Good all round skillset, quick and fairly powerful, nose for the try line. He can cover fullback when needed as well. Plus won't cost a huge amount.

There's a very shrewd potential signing for a Premiership side there given the reduced cap is still in place for next season.

Ability wise he'd be a good signing but in terms of age and EQ sadly not. He played as recently as last summer so would be another two years before he could reclaim his EQ status and he's 30 this summer. That being said a three year deal at a reasonable price would probably see him bite your hand off. If Tigers are losing Murimurivalu then he could certainly do a job for us.

I prefer Holmes stayed at Dragons, really like him. I just know that he’s been messed around by Wales a bit and I think that will tell eventually.

I think Dragons shafted Holmes a little, by not always giving him the ball. I know Holmes was shafted in the summer, with Pivac reshuffling over the three games, but I think we under utilised him in a lot of games (Connacht away aside). When Pivac doesn’t need an excuse to drop players, Dragons always help him out. If we do beat Scarlets again and maybe win another derby game, it’ll be interesting to see what happens after that. It’s too late for Holmes, but players like Keddie etc can at least get a fair chance at selection.

The Oracle wrote:I prefer Holmes stayed at Dragons, really like him. I just know that he’s been messed around by Wales a bit and I think that will tell eventually.

If he could come back to Tigers and vocalise the frustrations of going to Wales with certain promises and them not being delivered that would be good. We've got some WQ talent that I'd rather see remain at WR then head to Wales in the hope of international selection.

I don’t think he needs to vocalise things, Sam! Anyone with a modicum of sense (players, not you!) will know that there are no guarantees in international rugby. Selection is only ever a ‘chance’ sort of thing. Coaches come and go, form comes and goes, other players emerge. Sometimes it works out and often it does not. That’s pro sport I guess.

Are we also still linked with AOB? He’s starting at fullback against us.

mikey_dragon wrote:Are we also still linked with AOB? He’s starting at fullback against us.

Not just linked, but a confirmed signing I believe.

I think he is better than Josh Lewis. Depth is looking better in the backs with the dead wood expected to move on. Davies owns the 10 shirt, but it is possible that Hanrahan could take it.

Tom Youngs retires from rugby effective immediately. He was on indefinite leave from Tigers but opts to retire at the age of 35, no great surprise but a shame he won't run out at Welford Road for a proper goodbye. 

Tigers appearances: 215 (98 as captain, only Martin Johnson captained the Tigers on more occasions)

Tigers points: 115 (23 tries)

Honours: England Under-16, England Under-18, England Under-19, England Under-20, England Sevens, England Men’s (28 Test caps), British & Irish Lions (3 Test caps)

Such a shame that Tom won't get a final runout at Welford Road but his honours listed there are fantastic given the late switch to hooker plus the injuries he fought at times. He's one hell of a tough bloke and will be missed at WR.

Not a bad record that Sam....

Matt Symonds at Quins is retiring at end of season!
Need to do some decent recruiting to find a replacement.

propdavid_london wrote:Matt Symonds at Quins is retiring at end of season!
Need to do some decent recruiting to find a replacement.

I'm not sure. They have Dino Lamb and Christian Scotland-Williamson, though there is a rumour that Quins are still after Irne Herbst

Pretty sure I heard that about Symons on comms and was very surprised!

He never quite hit the heights hoped arriving in the Premiership having captained the Chiefs in Super Rugby when they were phenomenal but Symons has been very good indeed for Quins.

Losing Symons and Tizard at the same time is tough. Both good players and combined they've made 49 apps and 40 starts in the second row so far this season.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Tom Youngs retires from rugby effective immediately. He was on indefinite leave from Tigers but opts to retire at the age of 35, no great surprise but a shame he won't run out at Welford Road for a proper goodbye. 

Tigers appearances: 215 (98 as captain, only Martin Johnson captained the Tigers on more occasions)

Tigers points: 115 (23 tries)

Honours: England Under-16, England Under-18, England Under-19, England Under-20, England Sevens, England Men’s (28 Test caps), British & Irish Lions (3 Test caps)

Very good career.

Leicester apparently have got Watson coming in. Quite an impressive squad these days.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Leicester apparently have got Watson coming in. Quite an impressive squad these days.

Same Telegraph report says we are losing Nadolo though which has been rumoured before. Nadolo apparently wants to be back home in Oz for family reasons. A shame if so. He's been spectacular in attack at times.

One year deal for Watson sees him through to the RWC and gives Tigers a fantastic starting winger without risking a long contract on Watson whilst he's rehabbing a major injury. Seems reasonable. From an England perspective it gives Steward and Watson game time together as well which is good.

I wouldn't be surprised if Tigers try to reunite the Cokanasiga brothers by bringing Joe in alongside Phil for the season after next.

Cardiff have signed former Wallaby and current Tonga international Lopeti Timani. Assume he is there to play lock, but he also plays 8. A good signing, not only will it strengthen the front 5 but it looks as though he can fit the way Cardiff want to play.

Poorfour wrote:

propdavid_london wrote:Matt Symonds at Quins is retiring at end of season!
Need to do some decent recruiting to find a replacement.

I'm not sure. They have Dino Lamb and Christian Scotland-Williamson, though there is a rumour that Quins are still after Irne Herbst

Who's Irne Herbst??

yappysnap wrote:

Poorfour wrote:

propdavid_london wrote:Matt Symonds at Quins is retiring at end of season!
Need to do some decent recruiting to find a replacement.

I'm not sure. They have Dino Lamb and Christian Scotland-Williamson, though there is a rumour that Quins are still after Irne Herbst

Who's Irne Herbst??

Saffa lock who's been at Treviso since 2017, played a solid role in their improvements. I wouldn't say he's as strong a player as Symons or as talented as Tizard but he's a good lock.

For reference when Tigers signed Eli Snyman from Treviso I commented that Herbst had impressed me more from what I'd seen of both there. Snyman has turned into a really consistent performer with good forwards coaching at Tigers.

Wouldn't be a bad signing at all.

yappysnap wrote:

Poorfour wrote:

propdavid_london wrote:Matt Symonds at Quins is retiring at end of season!
Need to do some decent recruiting to find a replacement.

I'm not sure. They have Dino Lamb and Christian Scotland-Williamson, though there is a rumour that Quins are still after Irne Herbst

Who's Irne Herbst??

I think he’s Namibian or something. Played in SA before having a few decent seasons with Benetton, then I imagine Tigers picked him up at an affordable rate. Admittedly Tigers don’t seem have great locks, but their pack is almost back to being the best.

Cheers for the info guys.

Shame to be losing Tizzard and Symonds. Tizzard has improved so much this season, it'll be annoying if he's then stuck behind the other talent at Sarries and ends up being one of those players that doesn't settle and moves around, he should be a starter for a Prem club.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Tom Youngs retires from rugby effective immediately.

And lineout jumpers around the world........make a huge sigh of relief.

One of worst players I've ever seen get a prolonged career in an English jersey, the dark dark days when set piece basics took a back seat to mobility in the loose.

I know the Tigers fans have a deep affection for him and I hope he enjoys his retirement doing farm stuff (I'm picturing him continually missing the barn doors...).

Sarge still never missing a chance to have a swipe at something Tigers related feels warm and comforting. Hilarious to think this started well over a decade ago now when Tigers signed Flood and Parling in successive seasons.

mikey_dragon wrote:

yappysnap wrote:

Poorfour wrote:

propdavid_london wrote:Matt Symonds at Quins is retiring at end of season!
Need to do some decent recruiting to find a replacement.

I'm not sure. They have Dino Lamb and Christian Scotland-Williamson, though there is a rumour that Quins are still after Irne Herbst

Who's Irne Herbst??

I think he’s Namibian or something. Played in SA before having a few decent seasons with Benetton, then I imagine Tigers picked him up at an affordable rate. Admittedly Tigers don’t seem have great locks, but their pack is almost back to being the best.

Herbst is South African, Snyman is Zimbabwean born. They played at Treviso together for a few years but Snyman signed with Tigers for this season. Herbst is currently with Treviso still but rumoured to Quins.

Eh! Don't forget Ben Woods!

Tom Youngs holds a special place in my heart, completely unrelated to anything Tigers. His lineout throwing for England was just next level awful when it really mattered, I will never forgive him for his inept performances. I can't think of a player over recent times I've passionately disliked in the England shirt as much as him.

Surely we all have had these players that you just can't get? 7.5 and Wilson springs to mind somewhat.....perhaps Ben Youngs a little more.

I get Wilson, decent at all things, great at none. Not international standard in relation to ever threatening to make himself 1st choice. Different for me to Youngs who was very good, out of him and Hartley I preferred the latter, but I'm racking my brains and I don't think I ever thought someone else should be in those 2 spots at the time. Could be wrong but Webber was a solid 3rd choice for a time, then George came onto the scene and surpassed Youngs.

Ben Youngs, was very good for a number of years. Since about 2017 I've felt he's outstayed his welcome as other players offered more of what I want from a scrum half. When he came through though I liked him alot (again because of who else was available).

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/61255454

Northampton Saints have signed Australian winger James Ramm for the 2022-23 Premiership season.

Ramm, 23, joins Saints from Super Rugby side New South Wales Waratahs, for whom he has made 20 league appearances since making his debut in 2020.

He represented Australia at the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in 2018 and has made senior training squads, but is also qualified to play for England.

"I'm thrilled to be signing for Northampton Saints," said Ramm.

"The Premiership is one of the most competitive leagues in the world and I'm looking forward to getting over there to show the club's supporters what I can do."

Ramm is a former gymnast who specialised in floor and vault disciplines, and has been studying for a degree in bio-medical engineering during his playing career in Australia.

Northampton's director of rugby Phil Dowson added: "James is tall, strong, aggressive and talented under the high ball.

"He's obviously an impressive athlete given his top-level gymnastics background, but he's grown into an excellent rugby player."

Ramm is Saints' third signing for next season from the same country following deals for lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and loose forward Angus Scott-Young.

Saints scout in Australia is certainly putting in the hours.