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.

Absolutely...

I guess the coaches are happy with the first choice and replacements and can cover any injuries. It does make me think we'll be seeing Robinson and Matt Dalton in the back row quite a bit at 6. Van Der Walt is out long term until next year i would imagine.

We shall see how it goes.

Reports in France suggesting this morning that Kyle Hatherell has signed for La Rochelle and left Worcester.

Falcons have signed Elliott Obatoyinbo on a short term contract with the potential for longer term

Welshmushroom wrote:Reports in France suggesting this morning that Kyle Hatherell has signed for La Rochelle and left Worcester.

Steve Diamond said he was the only player that wanted out because of the financial situation

GeordieFalcon wrote:Falcons have signed Elliott Obatoyinbo on a short term contract with the potential for longer term

I was surprised Sarries didn't offer him a deal at the end of last season. He was used as squad cover and seemed to be rated, maybe he didn't take his chances and reduced squad size counted against him.

Have Falcons got injury concerns at 15? That's where he tended to play for Sarries last season, you can't be short of wingers.

geoff999rugby wrote:

Welshmushroom wrote:Reports in France suggesting this morning that Kyle Hatherell has signed for La Rochelle and left Worcester.

Steve Diamond said he was the only player that wanted out because of the financial situation

Cant blame him, he's been round the lower leagues for most of his career and Worcester more than likely got a bargain with him. At 27 he probably wants to make the most of the next five years worth of contracts as those will be the ones most likely to set him up financially. La Rochelle is a pretty city and a club in a far better position than Worcester. I'm sure his salary will be substantially improved from this deal and he's the type of player that will go well in the Top14.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Falcons have signed Elliott Obatoyinbo on a short term contract with the potential for longer term

I was surprised Sarries didn't offer him a deal at the end of last season. He was used as squad cover and seemed to be rated, maybe he didn't take his chances and reduced squad size counted against him.

Have Falcons got injury concerns at 15? That's where he tended to play for Sarries last season, you can't be short of wingers.

Yeah Penny out, Stephens out, we had to roll old man Tait out on Saturday. Hes a FB by trade, and only 23 and wont be expensive either. Hope he comes good.
For all i rate Penny so highly, his injury record just counts against him. So this could be a good move.

I see Fissler is saying Blamire is off to Saints.

GeordieFalcon wrote:I see Fissler is saying Blamire is off to Saints.

Fissler throws so much random stuff out there occasionally some of it sticks.

Falcons have a few good hookers, one less since Saints poached Smith in the summer. Blamire wants starts he's not getting at Falcons so a move wouldn't surprise me.

Yeah agree...i said on the unoffy this is a critical year for him and really he needs to be first choice now. But he's clearly behind McGuigan in the coaches eyes.

We lost Robbie Smith to Saints in the summer, but we have Maddison on our books who is a solid local guy (about 30) , and two young home grown hookers coming through who are highly rated...Ollie Fletcher, in the England U20s last season and Charlie Smith in the England U18s last season.

Blamire needs to nail that position...and playing flanker isnt going to help his cause. The other thing we all noticed was how much weight he has lost. He genuinely looks half the size...he stood in the backs a few times and didnt look out of place,

Defo a one to watch this season...and i wouldnt be surprised if he left either. In fact i dont think many Falcons would be.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/falcons-vow-not-to-harm-jamie-blamires-england-chances/

Well i see Walder has made it clear hes a hooker. So his weight loss must be getting him in prime shape.

Mathieu Basteraud is back at Toulon
Ollie Lawrence linked to Sale Sharks for next season.
George Bridge set to sign for Montpellier, after being excluded from the AB's squads

Lawrence presumably being eyed up to replace Manu when his contract expires.

Wonder if Bastareaud is as a number 8 or centre?

Sam Simmonds going to Montpellier from next season to replace Mercer. Big loss for Chiefs.

king_carlos wrote:Sam Simmonds going to Montpellier from next season to replace Mercer. Big loss for Chiefs.

Confirmed by Ali Hepher.

Just looking at rhat Exeter pack....if the worst happens to Worcester (which despite yesterday I genuinely hope it doesnt) would Ted Hill be a perfect fit there.

As to Simmonds they'll replace him well. Got a season to do their homework and get it right. Exeter are generally very good at that.

Rumours Nowell is off to France as well. Big blows to Chiefs but also big lumps off their salary budget.

Geordie, spot on. Hill would suit them perfectly, they'll be some serious competition for his signature.

Stu Lancaster is leaving Leinster at the end of this season. I wonder if he's another one heading to Dragons?

It's already confirmed that Lancaster is going to Racing.

Could be a bit of a fire sale at Worcester tonight, if, as expected, they go into administration.

Any club looking for any squad fillers will find them on the cheap.

BigGee wrote:Could be a bit of a fire sale at Worcester tonight, if, as expected, they go into administration.

Any club looking for any squad fillers will find them on the cheap.

I doubt many bar Newcastle have any free cap space unless it's injury dispensation related. The SRU might assist the trio of Scottish options to go back North but it looks pretty grim for the rest. The French teams will get some but the Prem teams still suffering the Covid hangover won't have much spare cash to invest unless from a wealthy backer even if the cap is lifted.

You'd imagine that the PRL will offer a little wriggle room with the cap in relation to these players surely, else yes there'll be a few people off to the other 2 leagues, and maybe Saracens and Leicester have some room in their caps.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

BigGee wrote:Could be a bit of a fire sale at Worcester tonight, if, as expected, they go into administration.

Any club looking for any squad fillers will find them on the cheap.

I doubt many bar Newcastle have any free cap space unless it's injury dispensation related. The SRU might assist the trio of Scottish options to go back North but it looks pretty grim for the rest. The French teams will get some but the Prem teams still suffering the Covid hangover won't have much spare cash to invest unless from a wealthy backer even if the cap is lifted.

Id take half their team and Steve Diamond....but be amazed if we take one.

Diamond is one one of the few people to come out of this shambles with credit in the bank.

You would not imagine he will be out of work very long

Rory Sutherland linked to Ulster, Glasgow and Castres

Kingshu wrote:Rory Sutherland linked to Ulster, Glasgow and Castres

I'm sure he's one of several Wuss players who's agents are fielding a lot of phone calls.

George Martin, JVP and Freddie Steward sign new deals at Tigers.

Telegraph says Max Malins will leave Saracens for Bristol next season, to get more game time at full back.

That surprises me actually.

Malins off to Bristol for 23/24.

Makes sense. I thought Malins (and Earl) added a lot to Bristol when they were on loan there, and if they've got space for him to develop in the position he now prefers I can see him wanting to return there.

Charles Piatau out of contract next season as well so looks like Malins is his replacement at Bristol.

Poorfour wrote:Makes sense. I thought Malins (and Earl) added a lot to Bristol when they were on loan there, and if they've got space for him to develop in the position he now prefers I can see him wanting to return there.

Brizz hit the jackpot getting those two players at an absolute steal in those specific positions with strengths that suited their game plan.

Earl in particular just further improved their attack as a rapid forward in the wide channels whilst also adding a huge amount to their defence with his line speed, dominant hits, breakdown work and discipline from Sarries systems.]

Malins returning there makes sense for both parties.

It will be interesting to see if Sarries lose some of their younger back three players jostling for game time. Goode is a fabulous player and Maitland a stalwart but when I saw both in their back three for last season's final I was over the moon as a Tigers fan. It just lacked pace, I was very happy to see someone such as young Rotmi Segun not playing from an opposition fans perspective.

KC we signed one of their former young lads (Full Back), Elliott Obatoyinbo a few weeks back. Initially as cover, but hes made quite an impact in his first game that i suspect it could be a permanent move.

I do wonder if he is the type of player who has suffered because of the budget issue and was released when maybe in previous seasons he would have been kept on...as he really looks a prospect. Different from our speedsters (Stephens, Radwan etc) seems to just bounce off tackles (slippery) and looks tremendous under the high ball.

We might have got lucky with a quality player there.

i do wonder what a side like Saracens could do with someone like Ollie Lawrence aswell.

Geordie wrote:i do wonder what a side like Saracens could do with someone like Ollie Lawrence aswell.

Set him up with a property company of some sort, I imagine. Allegedly

I can see Lawrence ending up at Sale as a Manu replacement. The cap will be there and he'd be an absolute weapon outside Quirke and Ford.

I've heard some rumours that Kelly has been in contact with Sale as well. It's his boyhood club and he's very close to Ford. I really hope it's just silly season stuff but Tigers have had lots of young players, hence on relatively small contracts, outperforming what we realistically expected due to their progress. Most have now re-signed with Steward, Martin and JvP announced. The remaining two not announced are Reffell and Kelly with Reffell rumoured to have signed an extension before being capped. Which would leave Kelly. I'd hate to lose him as he's an absolute lynchpin at 12 but if we were to struggle to meet the increased wage demands of all those youngsters turned nailed on first XV players it wouldn't be the biggest surprise.

king_carlos wrote:I can see Lawrence ending up at Sale as a Manu replacement. The cap will be there and he'd be an absolute weapon outside Quirke and Ford.

I've heard some rumours that Kelly has been in contact with Sale as well. It's his boyhood club and he's very close to Ford. I really hope it's just silly season stuff but Tigers have had lots of young players, hence on relatively small contracts, outperforming what we realistically expected due to their progress. Most have now re-signed with Steward, Martin and JvP announced. The remaining two not announced are Reffell and Kelly with Reffell rumoured to have signed an extension before being capped. Which would leave Kelly. I'd hate to lose him as he's an absolute lynchpin at 12 but if we were to struggle to meet the increased wage demands of all those youngsters turned nailed on first XV players it wouldn't be the biggest surprise.

Those rumours all seem to be swirling because he was seen having dinner with Ford up near Manchester. Can't say it would be a surprise to see someone having dinner with a friend particularly if they were combining the trip to see family. He's good mates with Steward as well (housemates) so he's still got friends at the club. Hopefully it's just rumour mongering.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

king_carlos wrote:I can see Lawrence ending up at Sale as a Manu replacement. The cap will be there and he'd be an absolute weapon outside Quirke and Ford.

I've heard some rumours that Kelly has been in contact with Sale as well. It's his boyhood club and he's very close to Ford. I really hope it's just silly season stuff but Tigers have had lots of young players, hence on relatively small contracts, outperforming what we realistically expected due to their progress. Most have now re-signed with Steward, Martin and JvP announced. The remaining two not announced are Reffell and Kelly with Reffell rumoured to have signed an extension before being capped. Which would leave Kelly. I'd hate to lose him as he's an absolute lynchpin at 12 but if we were to struggle to meet the increased wage demands of all those youngsters turned nailed on first XV players it wouldn't be the biggest surprise.

Those rumours all seem to be swirling because he was seen having dinner with Ford up near Manchester. Can't say it would be a surprise to see someone having dinner with a friend particularly if they were combining the trip to see family. He's good mates with Steward as well (housemates) so he's still got friends at the club. Hopefully it's just rumour mongering.

This is of course meaningless but I had heard prior to that dinner that re-signing the gun youngsters at once was proving tough. Which was always likely to be the case even if the cap went up.

Yes, that's just silly season "my aunties, neighbours, cabbies, mistress overhead something in an orgy" but if there isn't a place for that in this thread I don't know where there could be.

He last re-signed in March '21 as well so may well even be in contract beyond this season but some speculation has been there.

Im seeing rumours of Hill and Lawrence going to Bath on loan.

Think Hill would be a coup for Bath, let's face it, they are desparate for something to lift their pack.

Geordie wrote:Im seeing rumours of Hill and Lawrence going to Bath on loan.

Bath are to take four players on loan from troubled Worcester Warriors - England centre Ollie Lawrence and forwards Ted Hill, Fergus Lee-Warner and Valery Morozov.

It's apparently for four weeks. Makes sense given the sea of Bath injuries and those guys will want to play. Makes payroll easier in the short term for the administrators and helps protect club value in regards to a sale.

Not sure if I read this right, but since the recent announcement from Worcester - all contracts are cancelled.
This includes the loan deal with Bath for those 4 players. So, Lawrence and Hill are back on the open market (so to speak).

Or at least those players are free agents and able to negotiate on their own behalf. Not sure if loaned players are accounted for in the salary cap in the same way as full time contracts - So not clear on if this recent development helps or hinders Bath or the players.

It'll be interesting.

Some of those Hill and Lawrence etc will have England ambitions but English clubs might not have cap available.

They might get some nice offers from abroad though...will the RFU make exemptions for those players.

Geordie wrote:It'll be interesting.

Some of those Hill and Lawrence etc will have England ambitions but English clubs might not have cap available.

They might get some nice offers from abroad though...will the RFU make exemptions for those players.  

Not sure that it fits those exceptional circumstances bill, when there are other players available in those positions!
Prem Rugby have also previously said there is no shifting of the salary cap for these players either.
As most of the Prem sides have really had to downsize for the current cap then there is not likely to be any room for new players this late in the season (unless they are willing to accept contracts for peanuts). So, its either a move abroad and putting international ambitions on hold - or a championship side for a season.

If thats the case i wouldnt be surprised to see a few of them having a little jolly across the water.
See if it has a positive effect on their games like it has many others such as Zac Mercer etc.

Or take a pay cut for the rest of the season before the cap goes back up. Or injury dispensation.

I said prior to the season starting when discussing Wasps, before the Wuss news came out, that the Prem needed some clear rules in place for if a club went pop midseason. What happens with the table re games already played or cancelled? Can new bye weeks be filled with fixtures if better for clubs? And vitally how do we look after the players?

I argued then and still would now that I actually think the league should look to support those, both EQP and non-EQP, who want to stay in England. Even those not eligible for England may well have mortgages here, kids in schools, be in process of applying for citizenship, etc. Rugby aside I think there should be a system in place to look after those players, who at the end of the day are employees, in these circumstances. Thus far it seems like standard PRL wait and panic though.

Thinking of individual players I'd be delighted if Tigers could pick up Francois Venter. He wouldn't be the bank but is a very good defender and organiser at 12 or 13.

Last season Tigers midfield defensive alignment was one of our biggest strengths. Having Kelly, Moroni, Porter and Scott with largely good availability meant we could rotate whilst being very strong. Moroni moved on then injuries to Kelly, Porter and Scott have left it bare early on this season. The defence doesn't look the same at all.