Silly Season Transfer Rumours 22/23

by Sgt_Pooly Thu 24 Nov 2022, 5:41 am

First topic message reminder :

And.....off you go.

by mikey_dragon Mon 06 Mar 2023, 10:56 pm

Oakdene wrote:Lots of outlets running with the Ealing/Ospreys merger....

I can’t see it, and don’t Ospreys have good financial backing? There is a rumoured announcement incoming, I thought it was more likely to be Ospreys finding a new stadium though.

by the-goon2 Tue 07 Mar 2023, 9:58 am

the 10k stadium rule is bonkers, how many teams fall short of 10k fans each week?

If you are good enough, you should be allowed up. it's a defacto ring-fence.

by lostinwales Tue 07 Mar 2023, 11:27 am

the-goon2 wrote:the 10k stadium rule is bonkers, how many teams fall short of 10k fans each week?

If you are good enough, you should be allowed up. it's a defacto ring-fence.

It might be a bit clumsy but it is a way of trying to make sure the clubs going up are theoretically financially viable.

by Oakdene Tue 07 Mar 2023, 11:29 am

mikey_dragon wrote:
Oakdene wrote:Lots of outlets running with the Ealing/Ospreys merger....

I can’t see it, and don’t Ospreys have good financial backing? There is a rumoured announcement incoming, I thought it was more likely to be Ospreys finding a new stadium though.

Reading a couple of different message boards it seems that players have been told of the possibility of a merger, which was said in a BBC interview with current Ospreys forward Sam Cross.

by formerly known as Sam Tue 07 Mar 2023, 12:02 pm

lostinwales wrote:
the-goon2 wrote:the 10k stadium rule is bonkers, how many teams fall short of 10k fans each week?

If you are good enough, you should be allowed up. it's a defacto ring-fence.

It might be a bit clumsy but it is a way of trying to make sure the clubs going up are theoretically financially viable.

There are various other aspects as well as the 10k, minimum medical access, catering and toilet facilities etc. It wouldn't look to great if someone were to tune in to Premiership rugby for the first time and see a ground with 2k seats in the middle of a field. Doesn't really push professionalism, looks more like your local non-league football setup.

Part of it, is trying to ensure growth and viability though. More Exeters and less London Welshs.

by LeinsterFan4life Tue 07 Mar 2023, 5:47 pm

formerly known as Sam wrote:
lostinwales wrote:
the-goon2 wrote:the 10k stadium rule is bonkers, how many teams fall short of 10k fans each week?

If you are good enough, you should be allowed up. it's a defacto ring-fence.

It might be a bit clumsy but it is a way of trying to make sure the clubs going up are theoretically financially viable.

There are various other aspects as well as the 10k, minimum medical access, catering and toilet facilities etc. It wouldn't look to great if someone were to tune in to Premiership rugby for the first time and see a ground with 2k seats in the middle of a field. Doesn't really push professionalism, looks more like your local non-league football setup.

Part of it, is trying to ensure growth and viability though. More Exeters and less London Welshs.

Minimum criteria makes complete sense, I don't think anyone has a problem with that. Its just the 10k number that doesn't make any sense. Selling out a 10k seater stadium every week would put you up there as one of the best supported rugby clubs in the world.

Was a large part on London Welshs downfall, them having to play away from their home in order to meet the 10k criteria?

by formerly known as Sam Tue 07 Mar 2023, 7:04 pm

LeinsterFan4life wrote:
formerly known as Sam wrote:
lostinwales wrote:
the-goon2 wrote:the 10k stadium rule is bonkers, how many teams fall short of 10k fans each week?

If you are good enough, you should be allowed up. it's a defacto ring-fence.

It might be a bit clumsy but it is a way of trying to make sure the clubs going up are theoretically financially viable.

There are various other aspects as well as the 10k, minimum medical access, catering and toilet facilities etc. It wouldn't look to great if someone were to tune in to Premiership rugby for the first time and see a ground with 2k seats in the middle of a field. Doesn't really push professionalism, looks more like your local non-league football setup.

Part of it, is trying to ensure growth and viability though. More Exeters and less London Welshs.
Minimum criteria makes complete sense, I don't think anyone has a problem with that. Its just the 10k number that doesn't make any sense. Selling out a 10k seater stadium every week would put you up there as one of the best supported rugby clubs in the world.

Was a large part on London Welshs downfall, them having to play away from their home in order to meet the 10k criteria?

No the problem was the model used by London Welsh. Instead of building up what they had they spent big on the team to roll the dice in the playoffs and then hoped to stay up and rebuild in the Prem. It was a high risk gamble. You can't have top tier professional rugby at Old Deer Park with only 1k seats.

8 of the 13 teams in the Prem last season averaged over 10k in attendance. Two averaged over 20k.

by Poorfour Tue 07 Mar 2023, 7:04 pm

The ability to support your typical crowd plus an average away support plus, say, 20% with a plan to build to the league average over 5 years might be a better model. It would avoid overinvestment on promotion but incentivise it if you stayed up

by LeinsterFan4life Tue 07 Mar 2023, 7:26 pm

formerly known as Sam wrote:
LeinsterFan4life wrote:
formerly known as Sam wrote:
lostinwales wrote:
the-goon2 wrote:the 10k stadium rule is bonkers, how many teams fall short of 10k fans each week?

If you are good enough, you should be allowed up. it's a defacto ring-fence.

It might be a bit clumsy but it is a way of trying to make sure the clubs going up are theoretically financially viable.

There are various other aspects as well as the 10k, minimum medical access, catering and toilet facilities etc. It wouldn't look to great if someone were to tune in to Premiership rugby for the first time and see a ground with 2k seats in the middle of a field. Doesn't really push professionalism, looks more like your local non-league football setup.

Part of it, is trying to ensure growth and viability though. More Exeters and less London Welshs.
Minimum criteria makes complete sense, I don't think anyone has a problem with that. Its just the 10k number that doesn't make any sense. Selling out a 10k seater stadium every week would put you up there as one of the best supported rugby clubs in the world.

Was a large part on London Welshs downfall, them having to play away from their home in order to meet the 10k criteria?

No the problem was the model used by London Welsh. Instead of building up what they had they spent big on the team to roll the dice in the playoffs and then hoped to stay up and rebuild in the Prem. It was a high risk gamble. You can't have top tier professional rugby at Old Deer Park with only 1k seats.

8 of the 13 teams in the Prem last season averaged over 10k in attendance. Two averaged over 20k.

I agree about Old Deer Park, minimum standards make sense as I said above. But you can have top tier professional rugby in a stadium with a capacity under 10k. To put it in perspective, Burton Albion played in one of the biggest football leagues in the world (the championship) in a 6k capacity stadium.

by Unclear Tue 07 Mar 2023, 7:50 pm

Sorry for the digression but the 10k minimum means that any ground then comes under the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975, and requires a local authority safety certificate to be issued.

For the safety of the patrons one would assume ...

by Sgt_Pooly Wed 08 Mar 2023, 5:09 am

LeinsterFan4life wrote:
formerly known as Sam wrote:
LeinsterFan4life wrote:
formerly known as Sam wrote:
lostinwales wrote:
the-goon2 wrote:the 10k stadium rule is bonkers, how many teams fall short of 10k fans each week?

If you are good enough, you should be allowed up. it's a defacto ring-fence.

It might be a bit clumsy but it is a way of trying to make sure the clubs going up are theoretically financially viable.

There are various other aspects as well as the 10k, minimum medical access, catering and toilet facilities etc. It wouldn't look to great if someone were to tune in to Premiership rugby for the first time and see a ground with 2k seats in the middle of a field. Doesn't really push professionalism, looks more like your local non-league football setup.

Part of it, is trying to ensure growth and viability though. More Exeters and less London Welshs.
Minimum criteria makes complete sense, I don't think anyone has a problem with that. Its just the 10k number that doesn't make any sense. Selling out a 10k seater stadium every week would put you up there as one of the best supported rugby clubs in the world.

Was a large part on London Welshs downfall, them having to play away from their home in order to meet the 10k criteria?

No the problem was the model used by London Welsh. Instead of building up what they had they spent big on the team to roll the dice in the playoffs and then hoped to stay up and rebuild in the Prem. It was a high risk gamble. You can't have top tier professional rugby at Old Deer Park with only 1k seats.

8 of the 13 teams in the Prem last season averaged over 10k in attendance. Two averaged over 20k.
I agree about Old Deer Park, minimum standards make sense as I said above. But you can have top tier professional rugby in a stadium with a capacity under 10k. To put it in perspective, Burton Albion played in one of the biggest football leagues in the world (the championship) in a 6k capacity stadium.

And where are they now? Fighting relegation in L1.....

It's all about sustainability as others have mentioned and safety standards. Ealing are throwing money at their squad when they don't have the fan base or stadium to support this in the long run......they're doing things back to front. They seem to be thinking that they'll get to the Premiership and then the crowds etc will come.....this isn't really how it works.

The current set-up isn't isn't ideal but it's something.

by Poorfour Wed 08 Mar 2023, 11:26 am

Jack Kenningham isn’t going anywhere - has just re-signed with Quins. This is excellent news, especially after his performance on Saturday in his first game back from long term injury.

by formerly known as Sam Wed 08 Mar 2023, 5:17 pm

Sgt_Pooly wrote:
LeinsterFan4life wrote:
formerly known as Sam wrote:
LeinsterFan4life wrote:
formerly known as Sam wrote:
lostinwales wrote:
the-goon2 wrote:the 10k stadium rule is bonkers, how many teams fall short of 10k fans each week?

If you are good enough, you should be allowed up. it's a defacto ring-fence.

Yes but if they had a modern 6k seater stadium they might well get an exemption if they coupled it with plans to extend and grow over time. They had none of this.

It might be a bit clumsy but it is a way of trying to make sure the clubs going up are theoretically financially viable.

There are various other aspects as well as the 10k, minimum medical access, catering and toilet facilities etc. It wouldn't look to great if someone were to tune in to Premiership rugby for the first time and see a ground with 2k seats in the middle of a field. Doesn't really push professionalism, looks more like your local non-league football setup.

Part of it, is trying to ensure growth and viability though. More Exeters and less London Welshs.
Minimum criteria makes complete sense, I don't think anyone has a problem with that. Its just the 10k number that doesn't make any sense. Selling out a 10k seater stadium every week would put you up there as one of the best supported rugby clubs in the world.

Was a large part on London Welshs downfall, them having to play away from their home in order to meet the 10k criteria?

No the problem was the model used by London Welsh. Instead of building up what they had they spent big on the team to roll the dice in the playoffs and then hoped to stay up and rebuild in the Prem. It was a high risk gamble. You can't have top tier professional rugby at Old Deer Park with only 1k seats.

8 of the 13 teams in the Prem last season averaged over 10k in attendance. Two averaged over 20k.
I agree about Old Deer Park, minimum standards make sense as I said above. But you can have top tier professional rugby in a stadium with a capacity under 10k. To put it in perspective, Burton Albion played in one of the biggest football leagues in the world (the championship) in a 6k capacity stadium.

And where are they now? Fighting relegation in L1.....

It's all about sustainability as others have mentioned and safety standards. Ealing are throwing money at their squad when they don't have the fan base or stadium to support this in the long run......they're doing things back to front. They seem to be thinking that they'll get to the Premiership and then the crowds etc will come.....this isn't really how it works.

The current set-up isn't isn't ideal but it's something.

by **George Carlin** Thu 09 Mar 2023, 4:15 am

It's hard to quantify what are good crowds. Over the last year, the average Super Rugby attendance in Australian stadia was 13,919 (with a low of 6,885 and a high of more than 25,000). That was up on the year before. Their clubs tend to be centred around larger cities, however.

What are average attendances at Premiership matches, do we think?

by Poorfour Thu 09 Mar 2023, 10:49 am

Quins reported in their state of the nation call last night that for the past two seasons they have sold out every home Prem game except for one where there was a train strike and they were 400 short. Add in 55k and a potential 80k for the Big Game and Big Summer Kick Off, and they are probably averaging about 25,000 with a median of 14,800.

That's very much at the top end, though. Tigers will also be doing over 20,000 on average, but all at Welford Road

by Sgt_Pooly Thu 09 Mar 2023, 10:57 am

And Falcons will be on the lower scale at approx 5-8k....

by formerly known as Sam Thu 09 Mar 2023, 11:22 am

For last season.

Club Home
games Total Average Highest Lowest % capacity
Bath 12 167,184 13,932 14,509 12,569 96.0%
Bristol Bears 12 214,977 17,915 23,438 15,873 66.4%
Exeter Chiefs 12 146,389 12,199 14,876 9,843 84.8%
Gloucester 11 140,703 12,791 16,115 10,429 79.8%
Harlequins 12 258,381 21,532 72,735 12,173 82.8%
Leicester Tigers 13 264,613 20,354 24,202 17,333 78.7%
London Irish 11 103,079 9,370 15,085 6,720 54.3%
Newcastle Falcons 11 64,246 5,840 6,746 3,376 57.3%
Northampton Saints 12 163,436 13,619 15,153 9,222 89.0%
Sale Sharks 12 71,383 5,948 8,214 3,697 49.7%
Saracens 13 150,058 11,542 49,376 7,031 78.2%
Wasps 12 119,173 9,931 13,463 7,236 30.5%
Worcester Warriors 12 83,817 6,984 8,570 6,154 60.6%

Taken from here https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021%E2%80%9322_Premiership_Rugby

Some clubs like Tigers, Bath, Gloucester, Northampton, Chiefs and Quins will all be operating at fairly high percentages of ground occupation. Even Sarries are these days. Falcons and Sale will probably post better averages now their clubs are playing better rugby.

by **George Carlin** Thu 09 Mar 2023, 1:13 pm

formerly known as Sam wrote:For last season.

Club Home
games Total Average Highest Lowest % capacity
Bath 12 167,184 13,932 14,509 12,569 96.0%
Bristol Bears 12 214,977 17,915 23,438 15,873 66.4%
Exeter Chiefs 12 146,389 12,199 14,876 9,843 84.8%
Gloucester 11 140,703 12,791 16,115 10,429 79.8%
Harlequins 12 258,381 21,532 72,735 12,173 82.8%
Leicester Tigers 13 264,613 20,354 24,202 17,333 78.7%
London Irish 11 103,079 9,370 15,085 6,720 54.3%
Newcastle Falcons 11 64,246 5,840 6,746 3,376 57.3%
Northampton Saints 12 163,436 13,619 15,153 9,222 89.0%
Sale Sharks 12 71,383 5,948 8,214 3,697 49.7%
Saracens 13 150,058 11,542 49,376 7,031 78.2%
Wasps 12 119,173 9,931 13,463 7,236 30.5%
Worcester Warriors 12 83,817 6,984 8,570 6,154 60.6%

Taken from here https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021%E2%80%9322_Premiership_Rugby

Some clubs like Tigers, Bath, Gloucester, Northampton, Chiefs and Quins will all be operating at fairly high percentages of ground occupation. Even Sarries are these days. Falcons and Sale will probably post better averages now their clubs are playing better rugby.

If anything, this shows either (a) how staggeringly resilient and loyal Bath fans are or (b) how little there is to do in Bath apart from watch rugby.
Run

God bless them. Hopefully Finn Russell will give them something to cheer for next year.

by formerly known as Sam Thu 09 Mar 2023, 1:38 pm

George Carlin wrote:
formerly known as Sam wrote:For last season.

Club Home
games Total Average Highest Lowest % capacity
Bath 12 167,184 13,932 14,509 12,569 96.0%
Bristol Bears 12 214,977 17,915 23,438 15,873 66.4%
Exeter Chiefs 12 146,389 12,199 14,876 9,843 84.8%
Gloucester 11 140,703 12,791 16,115 10,429 79.8%
Harlequins 12 258,381 21,532 72,735 12,173 82.8%
Leicester Tigers 13 264,613 20,354 24,202 17,333 78.7%
London Irish 11 103,079 9,370 15,085 6,720 54.3%
Newcastle Falcons 11 64,246 5,840 6,746 3,376 57.3%
Northampton Saints 12 163,436 13,619 15,153 9,222 89.0%
Sale Sharks 12 71,383 5,948 8,214 3,697 49.7%
Saracens 13 150,058 11,542 49,376 7,031 78.2%
Wasps 12 119,173 9,931 13,463 7,236 30.5%
Worcester Warriors 12 83,817 6,984 8,570 6,154 60.6%

Taken from here https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021%E2%80%9322_Premiership_Rugby

Some clubs like Tigers, Bath, Gloucester, Northampton, Chiefs and Quins will all be operating at fairly high percentages of ground occupation. Even Sarries are these days. Falcons and Sale will probably post better averages now their clubs are playing better rugby.

If anything, this shows either (a) how staggeringly resilient and loyal Bath fans are or (b) how little there is to do in Bath apart from watch rugby.

God bless them. Hopefully Finn Russell will give them something to cheer for next year.

Well I like the first paragraph, second paragraph less so. There's a great team there on paper unfortunately for them on grass they are shambolic.

by Cumbrian Thu 09 Mar 2023, 1:39 pm

George Carlin wrote:
formerly known as Sam wrote:For last season.

Club Home
games Total Average Highest Lowest % capacity
Bath 12 167,184 13,932 14,509 12,569 96.0%
Bristol Bears 12 214,977 17,915 23,438 15,873 66.4%
Exeter Chiefs 12 146,389 12,199 14,876 9,843 84.8%
Gloucester 11 140,703 12,791 16,115 10,429 79.8%
Harlequins 12 258,381 21,532 72,735 12,173 82.8%
Leicester Tigers 13 264,613 20,354 24,202 17,333 78.7%
London Irish 11 103,079 9,370 15,085 6,720 54.3%
Newcastle Falcons 11 64,246 5,840 6,746 3,376 57.3%
Northampton Saints 12 163,436 13,619 15,153 9,222 89.0%
Sale Sharks 12 71,383 5,948 8,214 3,697 49.7%
Saracens 13 150,058 11,542 49,376 7,031 78.2%
Wasps 12 119,173 9,931 13,463 7,236 30.5%
Worcester Warriors 12 83,817 6,984 8,570 6,154 60.6%

Taken from here https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021%E2%80%9322_Premiership_Rugby

Some clubs like Tigers, Bath, Gloucester, Northampton, Chiefs and Quins will all be operating at fairly high percentages of ground occupation. Even Sarries are these days. Falcons and Sale will probably post better averages now their clubs are playing better rugby.

If anything, this shows either (a) how staggeringly resilient and loyal Bath fans are or (b) how little there is to do in Bath apart from watch rugby.

God bless them. Hopefully Finn Russell will give them something to cheer for next year.

A little from colum A and a little from column B...

by TAFKA The Oracle Thu 09 Mar 2023, 2:54 pm

Fekitoa to Benetton. Not sure if that is old news? But some signing by Benetton. Kudos clap

by mikey_dragon Thu 09 Mar 2023, 3:04 pm

Great signing for them. I heard Charles Piatau is next Wink

.

by **BigGee** Thu 09 Mar 2023, 4:23 pm

Looks like Steve Diamond to coach Edinburgh, effective immediately!

by mikey_dragon Thu 09 Mar 2023, 6:30 pm

BigGee wrote:Looks like Steve Diamond to coach Edinburgh, effective immediately!

Thought Blair was doing alright. He’s certainly got them giving better performances, probably not as many wins as they would have liked though. Is Blair not seen as head coach material?

by **BigGee** Thu 09 Mar 2023, 6:37 pm

mikey_dragon wrote:
BigGee wrote:Looks like Steve Diamond to coach Edinburgh, effective immediately!

Thought Blair was doing alright. He’s certainly got them giving better performances, probably not as many wins as they would have liked though. Is Blair not seen as head coach material?

He bailed himself, decided it was not for him atm, wants to concentrate on being a good attack coach.

by formerly known as Sam Thu 09 Mar 2023, 10:33 pm

BigGee wrote:
mikey_dragon wrote:
BigGee wrote:Looks like Steve Diamond to coach Edinburgh, effective immediately!

Thought Blair was doing alright. He’s certainly got them giving better performances, probably not as many wins as they would have liked though. Is Blair not seen as head coach material?

He bailed himself, decided it was not for him atm, wants to concentrate on being a good attack coach.

Fair enough if he doesn't want the pressure of being top man. Much quieter life being an assistant. I'm hoping he comes down to Leicester as we'll be needing an attack coach in the summer and he'll have plenty to work with.

by formerly known as Sam Sat 11 Mar 2023, 11:10 am

Sean Jansen from Tigers to Connacht at the end of the season. He's a hard worker and mobile number 8 but down the pecking order at Tigers and didn't have enough physicality to force his way up in to the first team.

by mikey_dragon Sun 12 Mar 2023, 8:54 pm

Exeter have signed Nika Abuladze. A few more on their way to Chiefs too. Harry Thacker and Ehren Painter supposedly are two of them.

by formerly known as Sam Sun 12 Mar 2023, 9:33 pm

Rumours that Saints are looking at Davison from Falcons as a replacement

by Geordie Mon 13 Mar 2023, 7:50 am

formerly known as Sam wrote:Rumours that Saints are looking at Davison from Falcons as a replacement

I wish theyd make their mind up where hes going...Exeter, Gloucester now Saints.

by formerly known as Sam Mon 13 Mar 2023, 9:20 am

Geordie wrote:
formerly known as Sam wrote:Rumours that Saints are looking at Davison from Falcons as a replacement

I wish theyd make their mind up where hes going...Exeter, Gloucester now Saints.

The full rumour was that he's got a year left on his contract and Falcons have said he can early only if the other club buys out his final year. It would seem to suggest some clubs were interested but couldn't make it work financially.

Of course it could be a load of half truths and made rubbish to fill column inches.

by mikey_dragon Mon 13 Mar 2023, 7:22 pm

Not sure if Jack Nowell's club has been confirmed, it's La Rochelle. I heard rumours of Montpellier and Stade Francais.

by Geordie Mon 13 Mar 2023, 9:33 pm

formerly known as Sam wrote:
Geordie wrote:
formerly known as Sam wrote:Rumours that Saints are looking at Davison from Falcons as a replacement

I wish theyd make their mind up where hes going...Exeter, Gloucester now Saints.

The full rumour was that he's got a year left on his contract and Falcons have said he can early only if the other club buys out his final year. It would seem to suggest some clubs were interested but couldn't make it work financially.

Of course it could be a load of half truths and made rubbish to fill column inches.

I'd be sad to lose him but I think We've signed his replacement already and I suspect Brantingham will be playing a bigger role next season...

by formerly known as Sam Tue 14 Mar 2023, 7:32 am

Geordie wrote:
formerly known as Sam wrote:
Geordie wrote:
formerly known as Sam wrote:Rumours that Saints are looking at Davison from Falcons as a replacement

I wish theyd make their mind up where hes going...Exeter, Gloucester now Saints.

The full rumour was that he's got a year left on his contract and Falcons have said he can early only if the other club buys out his final year. It would seem to suggest some clubs were interested but couldn't make it work financially.

Of course it could be a load of half truths and made rubbish to fill column inches.

I'd be sad to lose him but I think We've signed his replacement already and I suspect Brantingham will be playing a bigger role next season...

Brantingham going to concentrate on tighthead then?

by Fluxy Tue 14 Mar 2023, 11:33 am

Davison confirmed to Saints - effective immediate

by Geordie Tue 14 Mar 2023, 11:39 am

formerly known as Sam wrote:
Geordie wrote:
formerly known as Sam wrote:
Geordie wrote:
formerly known as Sam wrote:Rumours that Saints are looking at Davison from Falcons as a replacement

I wish theyd make their mind up where hes going...Exeter, Gloucester now Saints.

The full rumour was that he's got a year left on his contract and Falcons have said he can early only if the other club buys out his final year. It would seem to suggest some clubs were interested but couldn't make it work financially.

Of course it could be a load of half truths and made rubbish to fill column inches.

I'd be sad to lose him but I think We've signed his replacement already and I suspect Brantingham will be playing a bigger role next season...

Brantingham going to concentrate on tighthead then?

Hard to say he's covering both well...they may well decide he will go TH who covers LH.

Confirmed he's gone with Heffernen coming in the other direction...

by formerly known as Sam Tue 14 Mar 2023, 2:48 pm

Painter to Chiefs, Davison to Saints and Heffernan on loan to Falcons (probably without paying much or anything in terms of salary).

Also rumours Walder is off with immediate effect.

by Geordie Tue 14 Mar 2023, 4:50 pm

Really? Haven't heard the Walder rumours

by Geordie Tue 14 Mar 2023, 4:51 pm

Wow yeah he's gone. What's going on

by Geordie Tue 14 Mar 2023, 5:46 pm

Apparently Carl Fearns said in his after match interview that " There were some big changes for next season" sounds like they knew something was happening.

by Geordie Wed 15 Mar 2023, 5:47 am

Looking increasingly like Walder has left as he has absolutely no say in who cones and goes in the playing staff...apparently loads of players are furious with the situation and looking to leave.

RiP Falcons...

by Sgt_Pooly Wed 15 Mar 2023, 5:58 am

What's going on???? We've obviously received some kind of financial compensation for Davison.....we have to budget end of the day.

Be disappointing if Walder has left, he was doing a great job.

by Geordie Wed 15 Mar 2023, 7:39 am

Sarge

Matt Thompson rejoined in the summer as Director of Off field goings on and apparently hes got full say on all transfers and player contracts etc. Walder has no say whatsovever.

Rumours Mark Wilson off in the summer...

Talk is that Trev was furious about lots of things going on in the back ground and requested a move...and other players have done the same...

All rumours so i await the factual versions.

One thought is that this season was a free run with no relegation so they gave Walder a chance...but he hasnt produced enough...and they'll be looking for a proper experienced Head of Rugby for next season.

by Sgt_Pooly Wed 15 Mar 2023, 7:47 am

Geordie wrote:Sarge

Matt Thompson rejoined in the summer as Director of Off field goings on and apparently hes got full say on all transfers and player contracts etc. Walder has no say whatsovever.

Rumours Mark Wilson off in the summer...

Talk is that Trev was furious about lots of things going on in the back ground and requested a move...and other players have done the same...

All rumours so i await the factual versions.

One thought is that this season was a free run with no relegation so they gave Walder a chance...but he hasnt produced enough...and they'll be looking for a proper experienced Head of Rugby for next season.

What do we want from the guy though to be fair? We have the lowest budget in the league and our best players are leaving............I think he's done a great job to keep us competitive and play some sort of entertaining rugby.

I'm happy we haven't went bankrupt tbh, anything else is a bonus.

by Geordie Wed 15 Mar 2023, 7:55 am

Yeah exactly...thats my thoughts...there were glimpses of some excellent rugby mixed with dire...

I guess we'll see what comes out of the Sh1t.

by Margin_Walker Wed 15 Mar 2023, 9:59 am

As an outsider looking in, it's was really tough gig for Walder. The team have played some decent rugby in patches in pretty challenging circumstances. Over the course of a season, having by all accounts easily the lowest playing budget in the league will really bite. Even the very best coach would struggle to be genuinely competitive.

Add to that the lack of control over some of your best players being offloaded mid season, and you are on a hiding to nothing. Feel for the guy.

Hopefully things stabilise quickly and there's some sort of reset for next season.

by Geordie Wed 15 Mar 2023, 11:27 am

Need some money from our Saudi neighbours...otherwise i can see us being in real trouble...

by doctor_grey Wed 15 Mar 2023, 5:01 pm

Geordie wrote:Need some money from our Saudi neighbours...otherwise i can see us being in real trouble...

Whoa, I knew Newcastle was far from London, but neighbors to the Saudis? That's far....

by formerly known as Sam Wed 15 Mar 2023, 5:18 pm

Dillon Lewis to Quins from Cardiff for next season.

by Jimmy Moz Wed 15 Mar 2023, 6:24 pm

formerly known as Sam wrote:Dillon Lewis to Quins from Cardiff for next season.

Great news for him. Church Village boy and that. Do Quins have some kind of feeder contract going on with all ex Ponty players?

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