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.

ACL, 9 to 12 months.

Ford confirmed not back until end of December. Sanderson thanked Tigers for pushing through the op despite Ford having played his last game for the club so that Ford would have the minimal amount of time out. Sanderson hoping Ford will be back for the game against Tigers.

Manu or more accurately Manu's agent and brother Freddie is off doing the rounds in France again and holding out for a hefty wedge for Manu. Freddie seems to do this regularly, probably so he can lunch round France on the free for a few months. Can't blame him.

Manu would be better to go to France now and get a nice pay day in the sun.

Might actually keep him injury free.

Manu will presumably see out his contract with Sale to try to make the RWC then head to Japan or France.

I just feel for Manu with the injuries. Nearly 50 caps, a Lions tour and many trophies obviously isn't a bad career in any way whatsoever. With better injury luck Manu could've been a genuine great though. It's such a shame how much rugby a player that's so fun to watch has missed due to injury.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Manu would be better to go to France now and get a nice pay day in the sun.

Might actually keep him injury free.

The French league is more attritional than the Prem. He'd be better off going to Japan and playing in a league where often players end up lighter due to the high tempo nature of the rugby. Less strain on the body, shorter seasons and he could be a big name over there. If the body held up maybe even play a little Super Rugby should the opportunity arise.

GeordieFalcon wrote:How bad is Ewells injury? Is he out all season?

That must be his WC chances gone...

As ACL injuries go it was a bad one, according to VG and said doubtful he will get much game time if any next season but wouldn't put a time frame on it. So yes the RWC also looks doubtful, which will please most folk on here !

Roux could turn into a pretty useful replacement for a couple of years and in time he will no doubt provide an insight (because he will be asked), on the differences between the PRL/T14 and the URC.....

It will please no-one to see a player injured so badly no matter how they feel about his ability.

But it will open the door for someone to step in.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/wallabies/exclusive-tahs-sign-wallaby-on-cheap-deal-as-promising-hooker-joins-england-premiers/news-story/0207ad0a3a7fbfdb3e5b8a009df01905

Tigers sign some short term hooker cover to help with the period Dolly is out of the side and Montoya is away with the Pumas. Another former Sydney Uni player from the same squad as Porter and Potter.

Regan Grace is injured and out for the season.

Well that stops the Regan Grace to the world cup stories then. I'm sure Racing are delighted with that signing.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/62406225

Exeter sign a route 1 carrying option in the form of a Tongan international centre. Given some of their injuries in that department a good option.

The vibes coming out of KP are very positive, and our new Fijian army back is apparently a side stepping bulldozer. Cant wait to see him in action.

And Ben Stevenson back in full fitness aswell and looking fast aswell. Like a new signing.

Gloucester after Mercer.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Gloucester after Mercer.

Feels like he gets linked with a new club every month. Some of the rumours going round at the minute really feel like it's a slow news week with no games so let's put player out of contract next summer in talks with club we can almost connect them to or have a player in a similar position out of contract next summer.

Wouldn't have really thought Glaws would need a new 8, they are going into this season with four of them on the books. Even if Morgan were to retire Ackerman, Clement and Tuisue are still there.

That being said half the league would like to have Mercer in the squad based on his form from last season.

Ruck are running the mercer story, so it MUST be true!    

They are saying that he has been talking to Jones about England call ups if he returns.

If mercer is only back for the season starting Sept 2023 how will that be enough time to make the WC squad? Especially if Billy is still there, Dombrandt, Tom Willis, maybe Barbaery is performing also...

Precedent has already been set with Shields that if you're moving you can be selected.

Ah right.

He's playing well, but Im not sure he offers anything that that Dombrandt, Willis etc doesnt which should give him VIP selection.

Willis has a job on his hands getting a start for Wasps.

He does, but i think he a cracking player...offers more than Barbaery all round as an 8.

I believe Underhill was picked before actually making an appearance for Bath as he'd signed with a Prem club as well.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Ah right.

He's playing well, but Im not sure he offers anything that that Dombrandt, Willis etc doesnt which should give him VIP selection.  

His form at Montpellier has been outstanding. Looks like he's bulked up a bit but remained just as mobile. Apparently he's very popular with the press over there, I've seen a few articles suggesting that an English player hasn't had that much of an impact since Johnny joined Toulon. Mercer was man of the match in the Top14 final as Montpellier beat Castres.

Easy to do it on the Med...but can he do it on a cold night in Coventry...

PS Steffon Armitage had quite an impact,

GeordieFalcon wrote:Easy to do it on the Med...but can he do it on a cold night in Coventry...

PS Steffon Armitage had quite an impact,

Quoting the article with the biggest impact since Johnny. If he didn't fancy the world cup I think he could make himself pretty wealthy staying in the South of France.

Its a tough decision...depends on how much he wants to represent his country at a World Cup. Its not set in stone either...Jones could easily say he'll pick him and then never look at him. I wouldnt trust anything Jones said.

But yeah I cant imagine he has a horrible life down there, and he'll be nicely paid. Its a short career really...

GeordieFalcon wrote:Its a tough decision...depends on how much he wants to represent his country at a World Cup. Its not set in stone either...Jones could easily say he'll pick him and then never look at him. I wouldnt trust anything Jones said.

Isn't a coach saying that if a player's available they'll look at them then making a decision on options available when that player is back how selection should work though?

I think Jones has done a lot of pish in the last three years. He's nibbled around the edge of many players without developing a huge number and the tactics went from incredibly stale to extremely ambitious with nothing between leading to a ton of disjointed, rubbish performances.

I've never really got the idea that "Jones plays mind games" and "can't be trusted" though. He just drops players that he doesn't think are good enough same as any coach from what I see.

If the coaches want brute force against set defence then Billy is the man. He showed the footwork he's added around contact over the summer. Billy's handling and offloading game has come along way too. He was also back to making a lot of tackles around the fringes. If they want more offloading/passing game, a quicker back row option, someone who can be a threat wider out then Dombrandt and Mercer would be very good options.

Back row really isn't my concern for England though. It's the second rows outside Itoje currently lacking and the backs needing several players that keep getting injured (not just Manu) to stay fit that worries me.

I think a lot of Premiership clubs will see significant player movement for the 2023/24 season when the cap is due to go back up though.

Many clubs signed players on long term deals due to expire at that point so naturally there will be players out of contract who signed 3/4 years ago. That is a long time for players value to rise or drop compared to their previous deal.

Then factor in that more players usually move in the seasons just after a RWC.

I can see silly season for the coming year being out of control.

Except for Falcons of course who will sign a centre from the Championship, a squad fly-half and try to convert a hooker to loosehead. 

Are you Dean Richards in disguise?

Charlie Matthews has returned to Quins. He's a good player and Quins need a lock so it makes sense but I still think Quins are going to struggle without Tizard and Symons. I rate Herbst and Matthews but not nearly as highly as those two who are quality players and played a lot. 22 Prem apps for Symons and 23 for Tizard last season for instance.

In terms of potential player movement it's worth Wasps financial woes again too. They failed to repay the £35m bond from 2015 they secured to fund the stadium. Cov city are now postponing home games as the pitch is in such a state it's unpayable. Rumours that it was due to be relayed but no contractor would take on the job without payment up front.

TRP running a story that they've put a halt on player recruitment even though Blackett still wants to sign players to round out their squad.

Basically it looks like they are in a massive financial hole.

Actually KC, im very happy with our transfer work, and with the squad in general. A good mix of ages, and pace and brute power

Everything coming out of KP is very positive...a new style of faster more attacking rugby to suit our players. A better defensive structure

Injured players back...such as Ben Stevenson who missed the whole season with a bad ankle, will be like signing a good young premiership player.

Mark Wilson in coaching...if we can get the intensity up to his level as a squad and get some of the player improved in the actual collision aspect of the game...then happy days.

Not looking for miracles but just a quicker more varied game...and give our talented wingers the chance to actually score tries, rather than sit on the wing catching cold and the four defenders they usually have on top of them.

And we made an operating profit last season...

king_carlos wrote:Charlie Matthews has returned to Quins. He's a good player and Quins need a lock so it makes sense but I still think Quins are going to struggle without Tizard and Symons. I rate Herbst and Matthews but not nearly as highly as those two who are quality players and played a lot. 22 Prem apps for Symons and 23 for Tizard last season for instance.

I think many will be keeping an eye on how he goes early this season with Saracens. He will improve again i think...

Like some of your tiger locks KC.

The Falcons outside backs I think are really exciting. Moroni is world class and Orlando is also quality. I really rate Stevenson and Wacokecoke as younger centres. Radwan is already quality at club level with the potential to be far more. Earle has abundant talent. Carreras is a very good winger. It's a really good group.

If Schoeman can stay fit he'll be an upgrade at 10 too.

Prop and second row still seem an issue though?

GeordieFalcon wrote:Like some of your tiger locks KC.

Tigers locks are in a good place for sure.

Ollie Chessum came so far in one season. I genuinely think he could be a Kruis level player. He's got the natural ability as a jumper from his very good hands and getting up in the air so quick but is developing as a lineout leader too. Plus he carries well. I'm hoping that Chessum and Tizard can force their way into the England 23 with Itoje over the coming year.

At the end of 2020/21 Cam Henderson was starting one merit then got injured. He could easily be a starting lock if he picks up where he left off.

Then George Martin could of course end up back there. It seems he's going to be a back row for the time being looking at the squad though. We have plenty of locks but not a lot of back rows with van Staden gone but not replaced - yet at least.

If I had to predict I'd say that Chessum, Henderson and Wells will probably be the 3 locks in the Tigers 23 at full strength come the end of this season with Martin still playing back row predominantly.

Yeah and young Stephens also.

Actually props and locks are looking better. Brocklebank is really coming good at LH he seemed to click. He was scrummaging a few tightheads off the park. So we'll see how he goes again this season. Davison is a solid workhorse who covers both sides and is always available. Conrad Cade is the young LH who was showing up very impressively for Doncaster in the champs and you know about Brantingham. I think we'll be pretty solid in the front row this season.

Locks...maybe more of a concern. Robinson is a class act. Peterson also...they work very well together. The new signing Josh Peters from Doncaster is a huge bloke...but i know very little about him...we shall wait and see. Then a few journeymen like De Chaves and Merrick for back up.
Young Coulston in the academy is a Cumbrian and they reckon hes a bit of a bruiser. But a few years away.

We shall see how we go.

So if its confirmed over the next few weeks that Mercer has signed for Glos (for next season)  as is the news going round...then does he become eligible for the this Autumn games and the 6n in feb...? or eligible next summer?

Havent Glos already got 3 goods 8's?

Nadolo off to Waratahs at some point during the season.

GeordieFalcon wrote:So if its confirmed over the next few weeks that Mercer has signed for Glos (for next season)  as is the news going round...then does he become eligible for the this Autumn games and the 6n in feb...? or eligible next summer?

Havent Glos already got 3 goods 8's?

4. Tuisue, Clement, Morgan and Ackerman. I suppose Clement might be more potentially good comparable to the rest though. Either Morgan is retiring or they are expecting some of those guys to be versatile in the positions.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Nadolo off to Waratahs at some point during the season.

Yep confirmation of the rumours. Supposedly 1st December so he'll cover during the AIs and then head home. His wife was ill earlier in the year, the time Nadolo disappeared from the team for a few weeks. With a little un at home and then that it's not a massive surprise they want to be closer to family.

16 tries in 37 games is a pretty handy return. Hopefully he'll add a few more before he goes and gets a proper send off at Welford Road.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:So if its confirmed over the next few weeks that Mercer has signed for Glos (for next season)  as is the news going round...then does he become eligible for the this Autumn games and the 6n in feb...? or eligible next summer?

Havent Glos already got 3 goods 8's?

4. Tuisue, Clement, Morgan and Ackerman. I suppose Clement might be more potentially good comparable to the rest though. Either Morgan is retiring or they are expecting some of those guys to be versatile in the positions.

Isn't Polledri due back as well?

I believe Mercer would be available immediately but unsure. It's intentionally vague for that reason I'd imagine.

Gloucester have moved towards a smaller squad with quality over quantity so will need players to cover lots of positions. Tuisue has played lock, 6 and 8 internationally. Ackerman covers the back row. Clement and Polledri are equally at home at 6 or 8. Then you've got the specialist 7s in Ludlow and Reid.

The Gloucester senior squad has 4 locks and 6 back rows with Clement and Freddie Thomas in academies who will feature plenty. Very much quality over quantity.

I'd imagine that Morgan will retire and Mercer take his place if it's completed.

I really like the look of the Gloucester squad that Skivington has built. It hurts my brain that 36 has been there since 2012 though. In my head he just left Tigers yesterday.

Mercer to Gloucester is a bit of an odd one really with their abundance of back rowers who can play there (Is Morgan actually retiring?).

I don't really get the clamour for him from an England perspective either tbh. He wasn't in the frame when he was here.....he isn't exactly the 8 Eddie goes for.....he's not a huge grafting player that EJ likes....he's not great at carrying in the tight....it's an odd one.

Mercer is a very talented player who is outstanding on the front foot. He's seen as somewhat as a luxury option though in some circles, I'm not sure how he fits in for England.....we already have one 8 who doesn't offer much when the backs are against the wall.

I really liked mercer. Thought he was a bit unlucky to be tarred with that awfully reffed Japan game. Who is the 8 that doesn't graft sarge?

I was suggesting Simmonds. Not that he doesn't graft, but more he doesn't add a lot to game if he isn't finding space to exploit. If Mercer is to be drafted in, I would assume it's for Simmonds? Billy seems to back in favour at least.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Mercer to Gloucester is a bit of an odd one really with their abundance of back rowers who can play there (Is Morgan actually retiring?).

I don't really get the clamour for him from an England perspective either tbh. He wasn't in the frame when he was here.....he isn't exactly the 8 Eddie goes for.....he's not a huge grafting player that EJ likes....he's not great at carrying in the tight....it's an odd one.

Mercer is a very talented player who is outstanding on the front foot. He's seen as somewhat as a luxury option though in some circles, I'm not sure how he fits in for England.....we already have one 8 who doesn't offer much when the backs are against the wall.

Mercer looked liked he'd bulked up and was more physical when I saw him play for Montpellier. It is quite possible that playing in the more attritional French league has seen him develop. Eddie wants more go forward in the side. Simmonds looks more like a flanker than an 8 at international level, same with Earl. Dombrandt looked to error prone and unluckily for him injury stopped him showing he could adapt in the summer. Don't want all the eggs in one Vunipola basket.

I'd love to be going into the world cup with Willis curry dombrandt with the likes of Barbeary Underhill and Mercer all.pushimg personally. I like the fact that it looks like Mercer still has England in mind when he's obviously very liked in France.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:I was suggesting Simmonds. Not that he doesn't graft, but more he doesn't add a lot to game if he isn't finding space to exploit. If Mercer is to be drafted in, I would assume it's for Simmonds? Billy seems to back in favour at least.

i would say Simmonds is a very hard grafter. His tackle rates are usually high, he works his socks off. Hes just more of a 12 for me than a back rower.

GeordieFalcon wrote:

Sgt_Pooly wrote:I was suggesting Simmonds. Not that he doesn't graft, but more he doesn't add a lot to game if he isn't finding space to exploit. If Mercer is to be drafted in, I would assume it's for Simmonds? Billy seems to back in favour at least.

i would say Simmonds is a very hard grafter. His tackle rates are usually high, he works his socks off. Hes just more of a 12 for me than a back rower.

Agreed, well apart from the 12 bit. High work rate but low impact. The England pack needs someone to break the line more regularly that isn't in the front row.

Jason Woodward to Sale on a 1 year deal

Simon Hammersley retired at the end of last season to explore a career outside of rugby. Woodward is very talented but nearly always broken in recent times. He was probably a cheap signing, worth a punt.