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.

Margin_Walker wrote:No drama. We'll just stick Arundell at 13 whilst Joseph learns the ropes.

Yeah not sure Arundell at 13 will be the best idea, might be fun to watch though. If Rona goes you'll have enough cash for a couple of out of contract centres and there will be a few milling around looking for deals.

I wasn't being entirely serious to be fair (although he did play some schoolboy rugby there)

Would be a pain if Rona left, but not the hammer blow it would have been 12 months ago. It's actually van Rensburg that's been the irreplaceable one this season. Would be interesting to see what approach they take with the cap space if he does go.

Margin_Walker wrote:I wasn't being entirely serious to be fair (although he did play some schoolboy rugby there)

Would be a pain if Rona left, but not the hammer blow it would have been 12 months ago. It's actually van Rensburg that's been the irreplaceable one this season. Would be interesting to see what approach they take with the cap space if he does go.

van Rensburg is one of the most underrated players in the league. LI should look to sign him down for a few years, one of the top signings from last summer, if only he was EQ.

LI have found a few players like that. Ollie Hoskins was an incredible signing. Ruan Botha wasn't there for as long but given what top locks can earn now he must have been an absolute steal.

There's a lot I like about LI's recruitment. Api and Fischetti are very good signings. Juan Martin Hernandez is looking like a cracking flanker.

Luca Morisi is a gamble but likely a calculated one. He can't be costing much due to injuries but if he comes good is a very good player.

There's brilliant talent being pumped out of their academy as always seems the case.

I'm happy that Ben White is doing well there too after he played in many poor Tigers sides.

Most importantly Lovejoy Chawatama has one of the best names in all of sport.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Margin_Walker wrote:I wasn't being entirely serious to be fair (although he did play some schoolboy rugby there)

Would be a pain if Rona left, but not the hammer blow it would have been 12 months ago. It's actually van Rensburg that's been the irreplaceable one this season. Would be interesting to see what approach they take with the cap space if he does go.

van Rensburg is one of the most underrated players in the league. LI should look to sign him down for a few years, one of the top signings from last summer, if only he was EQ.

He's our player of the season for me. Just does everything to a high standard. Acts as a playmaker, great defensively, great discipline, durable, can carry well and is a nightmare to shift over the ball. More than a bit of club bias, but he'd walk into this England team at 12 if he was EQP.

king_carlos wrote:LI have found a few players like that. Ollie Hoskins was an incredible signing. Ruan Botha wasn't there for as long but given what top locks can earn now he must have been an absolute steal.

There's a lot I like about LI's recruitment. Api and Fischetti are very good signings. Juan Martin Hernandez is looking like a cracking flanker.

Luca Morisi is a gamble but likely a calculated one. He can't be costing much due to injuries but if he comes good is a very good player.

There's brilliant talent being pumped out of their academy as always seems the case.

I'm happy that Ben White is doing well there too after he played in many poor Tigers sides.

Most importantly Lovejoy Chawatama has one of the best names in all of sport.

You can never really judge recruitment until the season has played out, but last season LI hit it out of the park in terms of bang for the buck (which hasn't always been the case).

Guys like Pearson and Rowe plucked from nowhere to key members of the first team and international call ups.

Mid range signings like White and van Rensburg excelling. Gonzales looking like he's got a very high ceiling and injury cover like Cracknell far exceeding expectations. No high profile duds at all.

Hopefully the next bunch do as well.

Margin_Walker wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Margin_Walker wrote:I wasn't being entirely serious to be fair (although he did play some schoolboy rugby there)

Would be a pain if Rona left, but not the hammer blow it would have been 12 months ago. It's actually van Rensburg that's been the irreplaceable one this season. Would be interesting to see what approach they take with the cap space if he does go.

van Rensburg is one of the most underrated players in the league. LI should look to sign him down for a few years, one of the top signings from last summer, if only he was EQ.

He's our player of the season for me. Just does everything to a high standard. Acts as a playmaker, great defensively, great discipline, durable, can carry well and is a nightmare to shift over the ball. More than a bit of club bias, but he'd walk into this England team at 12 if he was EQP.

There's another SA 12 at Quins who might argue with that

We need to get some scouts over there to catch them young!

yappysnap wrote:

Margin_Walker wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Margin_Walker wrote:I wasn't being entirely serious to be fair (although he did play some schoolboy rugby there)

Would be a pain if Rona left, but not the hammer blow it would have been 12 months ago. It's actually van Rensburg that's been the irreplaceable one this season. Would be interesting to see what approach they take with the cap space if he does go.

van Rensburg is one of the most underrated players in the league. LI should look to sign him down for a few years, one of the top signings from last summer, if only he was EQ.

He's our player of the season for me. Just does everything to a high standard. Acts as a playmaker, great defensively, great discipline, durable, can carry well and is a nightmare to shift over the ball. More than a bit of club bias, but he'd walk into this England team at 12 if he was EQP.

There's another SA 12 at Quins who might argue with that

We need to get some scouts over there to catch them young!

Ha. The emphasis on 'if he was English qualified' (and the big lad at Quins wasn't)

yappysnap wrote:

Margin_Walker wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Margin_Walker wrote:I wasn't being entirely serious to be fair (although he did play some schoolboy rugby there)

Would be a pain if Rona left, but not the hammer blow it would have been 12 months ago. It's actually van Rensburg that's been the irreplaceable one this season. Would be interesting to see what approach they take with the cap space if he does go.

van Rensburg is one of the most underrated players in the league. LI should look to sign him down for a few years, one of the top signings from last summer, if only he was EQ.

He's our player of the season for me. Just does everything to a high standard. Acts as a playmaker, great defensively, great discipline, durable, can carry well and is a nightmare to shift over the ball. More than a bit of club bias, but he'd walk into this England team at 12 if he was EQP.

There's another SA 12 at Quins who might argue with that

We need to get some scouts over there to catch them young!

The big lad at Quins isn't likely to contest England selection or the LI player of the season award. Certainly does seem a rich seam of talent for South Africa in most positions currently.

Is any of the young 12's going to be worth keeping an eye on this season...

Kelly - Obviously coming through nicely
Ojomoh - Some work to do
Seb Atkinson - Wuss
Ollie Hartley - Big unit at Wasps.

Can Ollie Lawrence really pick it up?

GeordieFalcon wrote:Is any of the young 12's going to be worth keeping an eye on this season...

Kelly - Obviously coming through nicely
Ojomoh - Some work to do
Seb Atkinson - Wuss
Ollie Hartley - Big unit at Wasps.

Can Ollie Lawrence really pick it up?

If you are talking about England and the World Cup
In order:
Yes
Yes
Too early
Too early
No

Nooooooo not for England (well Kelly and Lawrence will be in the discussion)

No just to watch their potential for their clubs this season.

What dont you like about lawrence?

Ok understand
In that case those two are worth watching closely this year.
If the fixtures fall right I will get a chance to go to Worcester for the first time this coming season

For me Lawrence is limited and I dont see him getting any better

Interesting, i really see alot in Ollie, bar maybe he just hasnt got his head right.
He played very well on his return from injury in the last few games.
He has the lot, pace, power, the step...etc. Eddie had a right go at him in his autobiography...i think it was a kind of a challenge aswell, and i hope Lawrence gets his head down and really goes for it next season.

i actually think Dan Kelly could be the England 12 by the World Cup time if he continues on improving as he is.

Never been to Worcester for a game. Its a good hike for us.

We went down a couple of years ago for Falcons v Exeter, which was a Saturday game and also went to the Gloucester v Saracens game on the Friday night. That was a good game to be at.

Dan Kelly has been fantastic for Tigers, it was very much highlighted after his injury and the Tigers attack definitely stumbling in his absence. Dude is like the fourth backrow at 12. I think he might be part of the post world cup changing of the guard as opposed to pre world cup and Farrell seems likely to be at 12.

Ojomoh, looked good for Bath and he's definitely got plenty of talent. I'd have liked to see him get a go Vs Baabaas personally as that would be a game that would have suited him.

Atkinson at Wuss and Hartley at Wasps look to have potential but need to push into regular first team berths at club level before we know whether they'll threaten the England team.

Ollie Lawrence I feel is better at 13. Like Manu he can do the power thing at 12 but a little more space to use his acceleration and aim for weak shoulders brings out the best in him. Lawrence needs to stay fit and find some hunger. I think a move away from his comfort zone at Wuss to really challenge himself would be a good move.

Falcons have signed a Fijian centre /winger form the Army...big unit 6'1 and 16 and a half stone.

https://www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk/news/story/Falcons-sign-Army-7s-star-Vereimi-Qorowale

Desperately needed power option. Next season looks to be quietly promising.

Played backrow before transitioning to the backs. He should hit hard, had some mates play military rugby and it's pretty brutal.

Fingers Crossed Sam, we really need some explosive size and power in that backline and he might just be the answer.

Apparently he has been tearing it up for the Army 7's team.

Kobus van Wyk joins Zebre....after leaving Leicester earlier in the season

Welshmushroom wrote:Kobus van Wyk joins Zebre....after leaving Leicester earlier in the season

Hopefully he has a bit more luck there. He just didn't fit with what Tigers were looking for under Borthwick. Always gave his best but he's more suited to a coast to coast running attack.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Dan Kelly has been fantastic for Tigers, it was very much highlighted after his injury and the Tigers attack definitely stumbling in his absence. Dude is like the fourth backrow at 12. I think he might be part of the post world cup changing of the guard as opposed to pre world cup and Farrell seems likely to be at 12.

Ojomoh, looked good for Bath and he's definitely got plenty of talent. I'd have liked to see him get a go Vs Baabaas personally as that would be a game that would have suited him.

Atkinson at Wuss and Hartley at Wasps look to have potential but need to push into regular first team berths at club level before we know whether they'll threaten the England team.

Ollie Lawrence I feel is better at 13. Like Manu he can do the power thing at 12 but a little more space to use his acceleration and aim for weak shoulders brings out the best in him. Lawrence needs to stay fit and find some hunger. I think a move away from his comfort zone at Wuss to really challenge himself would be a good move.

Lawrence had crap luck playing for an England team that never passed the ball to him, but he didn't really look the part. Still very young though

lostinwales wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Dan Kelly has been fantastic for Tigers, it was very much highlighted after his injury and the Tigers attack definitely stumbling in his absence. Dude is like the fourth backrow at 12. I think he might be part of the post world cup changing of the guard as opposed to pre world cup and Farrell seems likely to be at 12.

Ojomoh, looked good for Bath and he's definitely got plenty of talent. I'd have liked to see him get a go Vs Baabaas personally as that would be a game that would have suited him.

Atkinson at Wuss and Hartley at Wasps look to have potential but need to push into regular first team berths at club level before we know whether they'll threaten the England team.

Ollie Lawrence I feel is better at 13. Like Manu he can do the power thing at 12 but a little more space to use his acceleration and aim for weak shoulders brings out the best in him. Lawrence needs to stay fit and find some hunger. I think a move away from his comfort zone at Wuss to really challenge himself would be a good move.

Lawrence had crap luck playing for an England team that never passed the ball to him, but he didn't really look the part. Still very young though

Yeah he's still only 22. Should have another 10 years plus of his career to go.

Sam, speaking of kids i see Lewis Chessum scored a charge down try for the U20s v Ireland.

Hes a big boy isnt he, and took the try well actually..

I'd take Lawrence at Tigers in a heartbeat if we had room in the centres. He has so much talent but thus far some bad injury luck, a weak Wuss team and rubbish time to be selected by England have conspired against him.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Sam, speaking of kids i see Lewis Chessum scored a charge down try for the U20s v Ireland.

Hes a big boy isnt he, and took the try well actually..

Yeah he's starting to fill out a bit and he's ultra competitive which always helps. Ollie really filled out last summer, I think he put at least a stone on. I'm hoping genetics holds true again and we see Lewis either this summer of next return from pre season with a bit more natural timber. Hopefully he's listening to lineout guru Borthwick because a big lad like him could make himself invaluable if he can lead a lineout.

KC, definitely. If Lawrence wants a move next summer I'd happily see him at Tigers. By next summer we'll have a bit more cap to work with and with Hegarty and Nadolo set to leave mid season we'll be down on numbers. EQ players are always useful. A pre season under Walters would transform Lawrence I reckon.

Next season the cap is due to go back up to "at least it's previous level" as per the agreement that the clubs signed to bring it down after covid. So we may see a few spending sprees.

Probably worth mentioning here the dire state of Wasps finances too. It seems there is a genuine chance they may go into administration or liquidation. The Premiership relegated Richmond and London Scottish for doing so.

If they were to go under Premiership Rugby need a genuine plan for what they will do as it raises complex problems. Especially if they went bust mid-season. In an ideal world a decision would be made in the next 6 weeks over whether Wasps are financial stable enough to make it through the season but with how Premiership Rugby operates that feels optimistic.

If they went bust mid-season what do we do with the table? Wipe all the points? Award TBP wins to those that haven't yet played them?

Is their share of the TV revenue used to remunerate clubs that will lose gate receipts from planned Wasps games?

What of their players? Whether EQP or non-EQP players who wish to continue playing in England they shouldn't be dumped in the cold IMO. Most clubs are to the cap or to their budget though. Could the RFU money allocated to Wasps and their cut of TV revenue be used to subsidise wages and some additional cap space at the other 12 Prem club to exclusively sign Wasps players?

Obviously my first reaction is how sad it would be for English rugby in general and especially Wasps fans were such a club to go under. Beyond that it raises many issues, none with easy solutions.

This all revolves around the loan notes used to purchase the stadium. I thought they had portioned this off into another company? If that's the case they might well lose the stadium and become homeless or be forced to rent it back from new owners. That would add some financial issues to already loss making Wasps but they'd probably limp to the end of the season on that as these type of things take a while to work out.

If I was Prem Rugby I'd look at merging them with Cov Rugby minus the debt. Keep the academy under Cov rugby name, be sad to see Wasps go as they have a fine tradition on the pitch but rampant mismanagement off of it. Promote Donny and Ealing should Wasps liquidate to make the 14 team league.

It's a concerning mess. The stadium that should have been their financial relief looks likely to drag then under. Covid putting the boot in there.

Kotaro Matsushima, who had a strong 2019 World Cup, will leave Clermont and return to Japan.

Matsushima had a good first season, and a more mixed second. He elected not to be vaccinated, which made him unavailable for European Cup matches, and often kept hm out of the squad during COVID outbreaks. This may well have played a role in his decision.

What a mess bloomin Covid has caused.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-11002695/England-rugby-star-arrested-suspicion-raping-teenage-girl-not-charged.html

Mail reports serious charges have been dropped against the former England rugby player. He was orginally arrested in January. The Mail says he can't be named for legal reasons, so it's probably wise not to do so here. There aren't too many players who fit the profile, so it's not hard to work out.

Report says his club will probably not renew his contract, so we'll see if there's a club somewhere willing to sign him.

If its the one i think it is, he has already moved around quite a few clubs which always made me wonder if he had an attitude problem.

Not sure many would touch him now, although Mr Folau is back on the international scene, so maybe a club would give him a chance. Slightly different scenarios though i guess.

If it's the player commonly believed it is then three clubs at 30 isn't a massive amount of moving around. I suspect he may have to move overseas as with Prem clubs operating on a reduced budget none will have space for a winger with his cost to negative publicity ratio. Disappearing into ProD2 for a couple of years is probably to go to move.

London Irish don't seem to have an issue with terrible PR on the subject, who knows if they have any contacts with whoever the person is though?

No 7&1/2 wrote:London Irish don't seem to have an issue with terrible PR on the subject, who knows if they have any contacts with whoever the person is though?

The rumoured individual is a back three player and I don't think LI have an issue in that department.

Perhaps we should just refer to the subject as Voldemort (he who must not be named).

No 7&1/2 wrote:London Irish don't seem to have an issue with terrible PR on the subject, who knows if they have any contacts with whoever the person is though?

I know you are half-joking but the PJ comparisons are inevitable. In his case, though, there was a trial, and it was evidence presented during the proceedings which colours how he is seen, even though there was a not guilty verdict. In Manchester, the charges have been dropped, so there'll be nothing else formally coming out. From a legal standpoint, he's in the same position as Ronaldo.

The woman named in the DM article has posted a full account of her version of events on social media. It’s pretty awful reading

Olowofella confirmed to Nottingham, doesn't sound like a loan. No surprise really.

Charlie Walker to Ealing, he was always a guy who looked like he could be a great Prem player but just never made it.

yappysnap wrote:Charlie Walker to Ealing, he was always a guy who looked like he could be a great Prem player but just never made it.

That was two years ago. He's just signed for Roslyn Park with Luc Jones, Matt Gordon and former Quin Aspland-Robinson.

https://rosslynpark.co.uk/new-signings-22-23/

Reports circulating that Tommy Reffell has a long term rolling contract with Tigers and so won't need to head back to Wales anytime soon in order to remain eligible. Wonderful news for Tigers fans as he's a key player and we lack a bit of depth at 7.

Is Nadolo still with you? I have seen pics of him in training...

GeordieFalcon wrote:Is Nadolo still with you? I have seen pics of him in training...

He is. Rumours are that he'll head back to Australia early but not until December. His wife was very ill earlier in the year, around the time he disappeared from the squad for a few weeks (around the time he had a ding dong on Twitter with Fissler). It sounds like they are going to head back and be around family, which is understandable but we'll have him for the start of the season and the AIs where we could possibly be stretched in terms of squad.

Makes sense. He might not have played so much for you this season anyway now?

I see Kyle Cooper is training with London Irish...that would be a decent signing for them

formerly known as Sam wrote:Reports circulating that Tommy Reffell has a long term rolling contract with Tigers and so won't need to head back to Wales anytime soon in order to remain eligible. Wonderful news for Tigers fans as he's a key player and we lack a bit of depth at 7.

How does Wales eligibility work?

profitius wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Reports circulating that Tommy Reffell has a long term rolling contract with Tigers and so won't need to head back to Wales anytime soon in order to remain eligible. Wonderful news for Tigers fans as he's a key player and we lack a bit of depth at 7.

How does Wales eligibility work?

Once capped you can't sign a contract with a club outside of Wales and remain eligible unless you have 60+ caps. Exeter previously avoided this by using a rolling contract loophole. Francis stayed there and played for Wales for sometime on the basis of his employment contract not ending unless he or Chiefs opted out of it by a given date each year. It wasn't a new deal so Wales couldn't force him to a Region, he did voluntarily head that way in the end. Sounds like Reffell and Tigers have done similar.

Tigers have let go Marco van Staden haven't they? He was a good player, could be a regular for the Boks as he's better than Kolisi.

mikey_dragon wrote:Tigers have let go Marco van Staden haven't they? He was a good player, could be a regular for the Boks as he's better than Kolisi.

Was a great player for us and could play 7 and 8. Unfortunately he missed the second half of last season after a really nasty concussion vs LI. He's taken a break from rugby to go back to South Africa and concentrate on his recovery. Real shame, hopefully he can recover.

Talking of SA players - Quinn Roux the irish international who left Connacht for Toulon has signed for Bath. Short term he is injury cover for Charlie Ewels who looks like being out for all/most of next season.

An experienced second row of Roux and Attwood will be pretty meaty, although probably not the quickest but the front and back rows are pretty quick and it has always been raw power that Bath have generally lacked.

Bath are certainly going to have a bok flavour next season, but most are at the tail end of their careers and relatively cheap contracts, until VG decides on his long term recruitment strategy.

It should be interesting to watch in what he decides on the current combinations and how it pans out. Bath are currently still committed to a very high EQ quota, which means most never get any consistent Test exposure and it shows against the best teams.

Roux is only 31, should have a few more years in the tank yet and Bath could do with the cover as Spencer is unlucky with injuries and Attwood won't play every week. Young Richards looks a talent and can add lots of lock mobility if Bath need it.

How bad is Ewells injury? Is he out all season?

That must be his WC chances gone...