Silly Season Transfer Rumours 22/23

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And.....off you go.

Isn’t it Montpellier that Harry Williams is going to?

Jack Willis to Bordeaux rumours.

mikey_dragon wrote:Isn’t it Montpellier that Harry Williams is going to?

Yes that is the team he is joining.

Radrara is leaving Bristol and joining Lyon on a 2 year deal.

Welshmushroom wrote:Radrara is leaving Bristol and joining Lyon on a 2 year deal.

30 years old, has had some niggling injuries and one of the highest paid players in the league. Bristol are better off cashing out of that deal and investing in some squad depth.

Are Bristol back to chasing Tipuric? Heard that rumour.

mikey_dragon wrote:Are Bristol back to chasing Tipuric? Heard that rumour.

He has come out and said as far as he is concerned he still has another year remaining on his contract.  He's on 400K.

Wales Online are suggesting the Regions are trying to get transfer fees for already contracted players so they are able to fall in line with their reduced budgets for the season 2024/25.  That said this is Wales Online so I tend not to put to much stock into it.

The only real reason I can think Ospreys might offload him though is if they trying to better an offer to Jac Morgan who is out of contract in the summer.

It has been confirmed that the Regions will be sorting their contracts out in February so will have to see at the end of the month if this has any legs.

Its a bit quiet on signings for the URC. Only Bulls and Ulster seem to have started to make their moves.

Premiership clubs have started their signings but clearly the new 5 million budget is affecting the quality of signings for clubs. Also looks like some superstars are likely to leave the league although nothing confirmed yet. Probably going to be hard to argue the case this league is stronger than either Top14 or URC. On plus point is they do have Finn coming in to Bath so there is a top draw signing reversing the trend.

mikey_dragon wrote:Are Bristol back to chasing Tipuric? Heard that rumour.

Also Bristol have come out and now said this is untrue.

Radwan signs a new 3 year deal with rhe Falcons...

Geordie wrote:Radwan signs a new 3 year deal with rhe Falcons...

Go easy on the celebrating Geordie, tomorrow is a work day.

Good to see Falcons keeping their best young talent. They are playing better rugby (most weeks) should be an exciting place to be.

I think theres genuine hope that Walder is actually trying to change things and move us forward...slow progress and inconsistant but chinks of improvement defo.

I think we'll see quite a few changes in the summer lots out of contract and Walders known to want to put his own stamp on the squad.

If we can keep these young stars then its massive. And encourages the others like Stevenson, Stephens, Greenlaw, Pepper etc to stick around.

It will be fascinating to see what happens with Chick and Trev...as there are lots of big rumours about them.

Good backrows aren't to difficult to source so losing Chick wouldn't be the end of the world. Reliable tightheads in their prime years are difficult to find though, particularly now there's a lower cap so Davison is definitely one you could do with holding on to.

Geordie wrote:Radwan signs a new 3 year deal with rhe Falcons...

Great news! There's been some talk of our lack of ambition being banded around, but I think we've been fantastic this season. We've picked up wins against some of the better sides and have made KP a bit of a fortress.

I think we're finally playing some nice rugby and the recruitment has been within our means....but still impressive.

Bristol look like they have their Radradra replacement. I don’t know a lot about him, he’s from Fijian Drua and likely costs a quarter of Semi’s wages.

mikey_dragon wrote:Bristol look like they have their Radradra replacement. I don’t know a lot about him, he’s from Fijian Drua and likely costs a quarter of Semi’s wages.

Had a break out year for the Dura last season by the sounds of it, strong ball carrier, and immediately got snapped up by a European side. I suspect this will be an ongoing issue for that side.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Bristol look like they have their Radradra replacement. I don’t know a lot about him, he’s from Fijian Drua and likely costs a quarter of Semi’s wages.

Had a break out year for the Dura last season by the sounds of it, strong ball carrier, and immediately got snapped up by a European side. I suspect this will be an ongoing issue for that side.

Hopefully. One pro team isn't enough to get Fiji to the top echelons of rugby, the more players they have playing professionally the better imo.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Bristol look like they have their Radradra replacement. I don’t know a lot about him, he’s from Fijian Drua and likely costs a quarter of Semi’s wages.

Had a break out year for the Dura last season by the sounds of it, strong ball carrier, and immediately got snapped up by a European side. I suspect this will be an ongoing issue for that side.

Hopefully. One pro team isn't enough to get Fiji to the top echelons of rugby, the more players they have playing professionally the better imo.

That is true but at the same time it's hard to their Super Rugby team to generate any togetherness or momentum if their best talents are cherry picked at the end of every season.

Ribbans has apparently agreed to join Toulon according to L’Equipe

I think the RFUs stance on England selection is going to be interesting in a few years.

Erasmus to Leicester.

mikey_dragon wrote:Erasmus to Leicester.

I really hope not. Vern Cotter and Michael Chieka were the favourites according to the Telegraph on Wednesday. Yesterday Dan McKellar the former Brumbies and current Aussie assistant (who was tipped to replace Rennie post world cup) was apparently high on the radar.

The Tigers CEO said as recently as this week that the club had nearly finished interviewing the shortlisted candidates so probably to soon for a decision and contract to have been agreed.

Ribbans leaves Northampton and signs with Toulon for 3 years.

Andrew Davidson leaves Gloucester today and signs for Ealing.
Rhys Anstey leaves Cardiff today and signs for Ealing.

Andrew Davidson...he started with us and had some brilliant games...should have been an international regular. What happened? Another who left too early...?

Geordie wrote:Andrew Davidson...he started with us and had some brilliant games...should have been an international regular. What happened? Another who left too early...?

Good player, but has just struggled for game time, at Glasgow, once he left Newcastle, then at Edinburgh and now at Gloucester and consequently never managed to really establish himself. Unfortunately not a young prospect anymore and falling more into the squad player category. Hopefully some regular games at Ealing will re-energise him and it could work out, espcialy if ealing get promoted.

The way they are building their squad atm suggests they think it is a done deal.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Erasmus to Leicester.

I really hope not. Vern Cotter and Michael Chieka were the favourites according to the Telegraph on Wednesday. Yesterday Dan McKellar the former Brumbies and current Aussie assistant (who was tipped to replace Rennie post world cup) was apparently high on the radar.

The Tigers CEO said as recently as this week that the club had nearly finished interviewing the shortlisted candidates so probably to soon for a decision and contract to have been agreed.

Those guys were mentioned too. I was told there was a willingness to buy Rassie out of his contract, not sure if that’s economical but you’d know more about that. I thought it was Dan McFarland you were linked with too, but the source may have confused the two Dan Mc’s.

mikey_dragon wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Erasmus to Leicester.

I really hope not. Vern Cotter and Michael Chieka were the favourites according to the Telegraph on Wednesday. Yesterday Dan McKellar the former Brumbies and current Aussie assistant (who was tipped to replace Rennie post world cup) was apparently high on the radar.

The Tigers CEO said as recently as this week that the club had nearly finished interviewing the shortlisted candidates so probably to soon for a decision and contract to have been agreed.

Those guys were mentioned too. I was told there was a willingness to buy Rassie out of his contract, not sure if that’s economical but you’d know more about that. I thought it was Dan McFarland you were linked with too, but the source may have confused the two Dan Mc’s.

The CEO has stated that an outside firm was hired to find a list of interested candidates that fit a certain profile. A shortlist was created and interviewed. The interview process hasn't been completed (per the CEO this week) so nothing has happened yet bar that.

Tigers want a good quality and long term option so are taking their time and have some RFU money to buy out contracts of they need to.

Dan McFarland has allegedly already had his interview. Dan McKellar is a recent name so might be he's now had his as well. Townsend was linked but has denied talking to Tigers, maybe it's been through his agent but you'd have thought he'd have wanted to do his interview before the 6N and Tigers not wanting to wait as long as the end of the championship.

It being a shortlist that's being interviewed means there's probably several names in the frame currently. I'm not expecting an announcement this month but it would be nice if we could have someone come in before the end of the season.

Just the thought of Rassie 30 miles up the M1 is enough to increase the subscriber rate to the Northampton Chron with Rassie inevitably saying Saints were up to something dastardly (like trying to win).  And creating a series of videos showing how the refs favoured Saints because they look better in green and the world is out to get Leicester just like they were against the Boks and the media dislikes him because he is so good looking and especially English media who are up to no good because they talk about how good Rishi Sunak looks in a suit but he has to deal with the rumours in the Daily Mail about banging Liz Truss who has a friend who says she saw the cabinet meetings where they were drinking and partying with Boris Johnson who was looking for a haircut which doesn't look like an escapee from a North Korean prison.  Sorry, it's Friday.
- as dictated by Vicky Pollard.

Sione Kalamafoni departing the Scarlets at the end of this season. He’s been massive for them, a great player who is also massive. It’s probably to a French team, either way I hope he gets a big pay day.

mikey_dragon wrote:Sione Kalamafoni departing the Scarlets at the end of this season. He’s been massive for them, a great player who is also massive. It’s probably to a French team, either way I hope he gets a big pay day.

Aye he will be a big miss, heading to Vannes by all accounts.

How much money do these Pro D2 clubs have...

mikey_dragon wrote:How much money do these Pro D2 clubs have...

Well they can offer a player a contract for a start, that already puts them in a better position that the regions.

Vannes have a few players of note there. It's one of those places where rugby is the sport. A quick dig suggests Vannes has population of just over 50k but an average attendance of just under 5k. That's a mental amount of support for a club that size.

Nice old town in Brittany. If the money's half decent then it'll be a nice ease into his retirement over the next few seasons.

Not a transfer rumour but seems to be a lot of whispers that Ealing may be looking at buying the Ospreys on social media - anyone know anything about it?

formerly known as Sam wrote:Vannes have a few players of note there. It's one of those places where rugby is the sport. A quick dig suggests Vannes has population of just over 50k but an average attendance of just under 5k. That's a mental amount of support for a club that size.

Nice old town in Brittany. If the money's half decent then it'll be a nice ease into his retirement over the next few seasons.

My wife has a family house not too far away from Vannes so I get to spend Summers around that area.....it's really nice in the Spring/Summer, I can see the attraction. I keep meaning to try and catch a game there but never quite time it right.

Oakdene wrote:Not a transfer rumour but seems to be a lot of whispers that Ealing may be looking at buying the Ospreys on social media - anyone know anything about it?

Well Ealing are currently out the running for promotion currently but surely it would be less hassle to build a new stand.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Oakdene wrote:Not a transfer rumour but seems to be a lot of whispers that Ealing may be looking at buying the Ospreys on social media - anyone know anything about it?

Well Ealing are currently out the running for promotion currently but surely it would be less hassle to build a new stand.

How the hell is that going to work. Ealing-Ospreys? Ospring? Neath-Swansea-Ealing? What colour is the kit going to be...

mikey_dragon wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Oakdene wrote:Not a transfer rumour but seems to be a lot of whispers that Ealing may be looking at buying the Ospreys on social media - anyone know anything about it?

Well Ealing are currently out the running for promotion currently but surely it would be less hassle to build a new stand.

How the hell is that going to work. Ealing-Ospreys? Ospring? Neath-Swansea-Ealing? What colour is the kit going to be...

There's probably nothing in it but there does seem to be a few people on social media talking it up.

Blade Thomson retires, probably due to injuries. A shame, he was a great player.

Alex Nankivell to Munster.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Oakdene wrote:Not a transfer rumour but seems to be a lot of whispers that Ealing may be looking at buying the Ospreys on social media - anyone know anything about it?

Well Ealing are currently out the running for promotion currently but surely it would be less hassle to build a new stand.

but then no one would talk about them as much...

mikey_dragon wrote:Blade Thomson retires, probably due to injuries. A shame, he was a great player.

Alex Nankivell to Munster.

Shame that but probably for the best, he always played well for us to be fair.

I see the WOL reported on the Ealing merging with a region.

Interesting that David Humphries has been made the new director of England and Wales cricket.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Erasmus to Leicester.

I really hope not. Vern Cotter and Michael Chieka were the favourites according to the Telegraph on Wednesday. Yesterday Dan McKellar the former Brumbies and current Aussie assistant (who was tipped to replace Rennie post world cup) was apparently high on the radar.

The Tigers CEO said as recently as this week that the club had nearly finished interviewing the shortlisted candidates so probably to soon for a decision and contract to have been agreed.

Those guys were mentioned too. I was told there was a willingness to buy Rassie out of his contract, not sure if that’s economical but you’d know more about that. I thought it was Dan McFarland you were linked with too, but the source may have confused the two Dan Mc’s.

The CEO has stated that an outside firm was hired to find a list of interested candidates that fit a certain profile. A shortlist was created and interviewed. The interview process hasn't been completed (per the CEO this week) so nothing has happened yet bar that.

Tigers want a good quality and long term option so are taking their time and have some RFU money to buy out contracts of they need to.

Dan McFarland has allegedly already had his interview. Dan McKellar is a recent name so might be he's now had his as well. Townsend was linked but has denied talking to Tigers, maybe it's been through his agent but you'd have thought he'd have wanted to do his interview before the 6N and Tigers not wanting to wait as long as the end of the championship.

It being a shortlist that's being interviewed means there's probably several names in the frame currently. I'm not expecting an announcement this month but it would be nice if we could have someone come in before the end of the season.

For anyone who doesn't follow Super Rugby, McKellar would be a fabulous appointment. He took the Brumbies to SR semis from nothing with absolutely zero budget. He's currently Wallabies assistant coach so this would be a good chance for him to steer his own ship again.

I think McKellar would be a great hire. He is a very good coach, at least from what I have seen.

I don't watch much super rugby but the more I hear about McKellar and I heard a bit of a podcast he was on as well. The more I think he'd be an idea fit for Tigers. Particularly if he's got a good defence and good attack coach ready to work under him.

Brumbies have completely changed their Rugby philosophy from more of a running team to something which I think any Leicester fan (or most people really) would be happy with. Solid fundamentals, plays a lot off the 9, balanced and field position approach. I would take him at Saints....

Beauden Barrett confirmed as off to Japan after the RWC so the speculation that he would join Racing 92 and was the reason for Russell's exit have turned out to be a pile of old scrote. Who knew?

Kiwis love going to Japan, its not that far from home, low intensity rugby and you can get a million dollars per year for less games. Makes sense to wind your career down there rather than getting beat up in France.

Prop Murray MaCallum confirmed from Edinburgh to Newcastle on a two year deal from next season.

Geordie wrote:Prop Murray MaCallum confirmed from Edinburgh to Newcastle on a two year deal from next season.

Good signing. Entering prime propping years and can play both sides. Falcons will want him as well as Davison as opposed to instead of though.