Silly Season Transfer Rumours 22/23

First topic message reminder :

And.....off you go.

Back in day, none of the regions were interested in Shannon Frizzel! Imagine that. I've seen this banded about lately with all the dual-nationailty drama.

Oakdene wrote:

TAFKA The Oracle wrote:

Oakdene wrote:

TAFKA The Oracle wrote:Ex-LI player George Nott is at Dragons and has been very good.  I think he's staying so maybe he can have a word with some LI boys to bring them over.

That said, the WRU is blocking Welsh teams signing certain players so who knows?  Not sure what their criteria is for a signing (I doubt they've got one!).

From reading elsewhere this appears to be anyone who would need a work permit.

So is that anyone from outside the UK and/or without a UK passport?  Not sure how it all works.  How does the EU fit in now since Brexit? Any special arrangements or are EU players in need of permit too?

That's way above my level that!!

Harry Potter confirmed as leaving Tigers and heading back to Australia.

Solomone Kata confirmed as incoming from Exeter Chiefs. Has previously worked with the Tigers incoming head coach at the Brumbies.

Harry Potter is leaving Leicester to go back to Hogwarts Australia

Sam Carter joins Tigers from Ulster for next season. Tigers needed a veteran lock and this signing should do the job.

What's the betting Eddie caps Potter for Australia after not picking him for England.

mountain man wrote:What's the betting Eddie caps Potter for Australia after not picking him for England.

Don't think many bookies will take that bet

Rumours are that the move back was encouraged by Jones. Potter's biggest asset is his kick chase and all round skills. He doesn't have an obvious weak area and his kick chase is genuinely fantastic.

England have several wingers who are good on kick chase whereas Australia don't as much. It wouldn't surprise me if Jones looks to have one big wing (Koroibete if fit, maybe Nawaqanitawase) and one all rounder. Potter might be in the running for that. Personally I'd rate Wright and Kellaway as slightly better players in a similar mould.

Tigers back three recruitment has been strong but Potter will still be a big loss as he's so consistent.

We're still waiting on what's happening with Watson.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Sam Carter joins Tigers from Ulster for next season. Tigers needed a veteran lock and this signing should do the job.

I feel sorry for you.
Decent in the lineout but makes no yards ball in hand and tackling is poor.
Well past his sell by date.

Glad to see the back of him

geoff999rugby wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Sam Carter joins Tigers from Ulster for next season. Tigers needed a veteran lock and this signing should do the job.

I feel sorry for you.
Decent in the lineout but makes no yards ball in hand and tackling is poor.
Well past his sell by date.

Glad to see the back of him

We've got a good selection of locks but they are quite young. Martin and Ollie Chessum both capped by England and then Scotland squad man but yet uncapped Henderson. All under 23 and likely to be the three that make up the match day squad. Clubman Wells who has an England cap to his name, he's 30 and before Carter was announced our oldest lock by 7 years.

England under 20 captain Lewis Chessum, all 6ft9 of him is coming through the development squad with his massive mate Rob Carmichael (6ft10 and also an England under 20).

With possible call ups for the young three guys likely to be the mainstay of our 23 and then only one experienced lock before we turn to the kids what we wanted was a capable veteran who could hold the fort for max 10 games whilst the young guys push on through.

king_carlos wrote:Rumours are that the move back was encouraged by Jones. Potter's biggest asset is his kick chase and all round skills. He doesn't have an obvious weak area and his kick chase is genuinely fantastic.

England have several wingers who are good on kick chase whereas Australia don't as much. It wouldn't surprise me if Jones looks to have one big wing (Koroibete if fit, maybe Nawaqanitawase) and one all rounder. Potter might be in the running for that. Personally I'd rate Wright and Kellaway as slightly better players in a similar mould.

Tigers back three recruitment has been strong but Potter will still be a big loss as he's so consistent.

We're still waiting on what's happening with Watson.

Tom Wright is a great player but might Eddie use him at fullback and then use Potter on the wing as the work horse?

Rhys Patchell linked with Saracens. Would be good for him and Sarries.

I always thought Patchell was a player who was really going to make it big but whether through injury, form or just not getting picked by Wales he hasn't. The potential he showed when he started was there but never cracked on. Obviously for Wales Biggar last 10 years been first choice but there were times I thought Patchell would have at least got on bench.

Be an odd move for Patchell if he's leaving Wales because Cardiff couldn't afford him. Sarries won't be offering anything like what he could get in France or Japan. He probably won't see a lot of action outside of international windows either. Sarries have depth at fullback and Farrell at 10.

On an English viewpoint it will mean less development time for Manu Vunipola which isn't ideal.

mountain man wrote:I always thought Patchell was a player who was really going to make it big but whether through injury, form or just not getting picked by Wales he hasn't. The potential he showed when he started was there but never cracked on. Obviously for Wales Biggar last 10 years been first choice but there were times I thought Patchell would have at least got on bench.

He was so important for us, Scarlets, in our title winning year. Such a shame he has been hampered by injuries.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Be an odd move for Patchell if he's leaving Wales because Cardiff couldn't afford him. Sarries won't be offering anything like what he could get in France or Japan. He probably won't see a lot of action outside of international windows either. Sarries have depth at fullback and Farrell at 10.

On an English viewpoint it will mean less development time for Manu Vunipola which isn't ideal.

Without being hard on him, would Patchell get a contract in France?

Ratti to the Ospreys confirmed.

mountain man wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Be an odd move for Patchell if he's leaving Wales because Cardiff couldn't afford him. Sarries won't be offering anything like what he could get in France or Japan. He probably won't see a lot of action outside of international windows either. Sarries have depth at fullback and Farrell at 10.

On an English viewpoint it will mean less development time for Manu Vunipola which isn't ideal.

Without being hard on him, would Patchell get a contract in France?

Why wouldn't he get a contract in France? International flyhalf, can also play fullback. Injury history means probably not for a top team but an ambitious side that's just been promoted or is aiming for promotion from ProD2, yeah.

Because they are very keen to develop home talent and likely will only buy in for a top name and with all respect to Patchell I don't think he fits that criteria.

There's a certain allocation of non-French players allowed. Doesn't seem to stop most of the French clubs from having a wealth of non-French options. For next season:

Bayonne have signed Reece Hodge
Brive have signed Jackson Garden-Bachop
Clermont have signed Benjamín Urdapilleta
La Rochelle has (re)signed Ihia West
Pau have signed Joe Simmonds
Perpignan have signed Tommaso Allan
and there's rumours Stade Francais have done a deal to sign Zach Henry

That would be half the league acquiring non-French flyhalfs in the summer. I don't think a move for Patchell would be put of place in the slightest.

formerly known as Sam wrote:There's a certain allocation of non-French players allowed. Doesn't seem to stop most of the French clubs from having a wealth of non-French options. For next season:

Bayonne have signed Reece Hodge
Brive have signed Jackson Garden-Bachop
Clermont have signed Benjamín Urdapilleta
La Rochelle has (re)signed Ihia West
Pau have signed Joe Simmonds
Perpignan have signed Tommaso Allan
and there's rumours Stade Francais have done a deal to sign Zach Henry

That would be half the league acquiring non-French flyhalfs in the summer. I don't think a move for Patchell would be put of place in the slightest.

Clubs can bump up their jiff player quotas by rotating for away games. What a lot of clubs do down in the lower leagues in France especially is... they will play their best possible side at home but for away games, they'll throw out a few young French lads just to bump up their jiff numbers.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:There's a certain allocation of non-French players allowed. Doesn't seem to stop most of the French clubs from having a wealth of non-French options. For next season:

Bayonne have signed Reece Hodge
Brive have signed Jackson Garden-Bachop
Clermont have signed Benjamín Urdapilleta
La Rochelle has (re)signed Ihia West
Pau have signed Joe Simmonds
Perpignan have signed Tommaso Allan
and there's rumours Stade Francais have done a deal to sign Zach Henry

That would be half the league acquiring non-French flyhalfs in the summer. I don't think a move for Patchell would be put of place in the slightest.

Clubs can bump up their jiff player quotas by rotating for away games. What a lot of clubs do down in the lower leagues in France especially is... they will play their best possible side at home but for away games, they'll throw out a few young French lads just to bump up their jiff numbers.

Good point.

The fact they have massive squads certainly helps this and it's good development for the home grown talent as well.

Some clubs also sign overseas players so young they are classed as JIFF. I believe several of the best Georgia players in the Top 14 are JIFF for instance but you'd never expect that unless it's something you're sad enough to really dig into. Entrer, moi.

Dragons also linked with Patchell, as well as Halfpenny (kicking coach) and JD Schickerling. Pretty good to at least target them, that’s a step up on our past recruitment work.

mikey_dragon wrote:Dragons also linked with Patchell, as well as Halfpenny (kicking coach) and JD Schickerling. Pretty good to at least target them, that’s a step up on our past recruitment work.

Big lock and international flyhalf. Nah, far to logical. The nth coming of Tovey and a hybrid lock/6 incoming.

Haha. I’ve already suggested in a few places about Tov, for a laugh.

Shick was dismissed by Kirwan. Probs a bit more accurate when he suggested we are after a currie cup player. We can’t afford a player from Japan, with the money he can make. Even if we are still WRU owned (which I hate).

Connacht Rugby have done a good bit of business over the last few months in clearing out some deadwood and bringing in a few quality names under the radar.

They've brought in a couple of players from Ulster on season-long loans to help reduce Ulster's wage bill - Declan Moore a NZ-born Irish qualified hooker, and Michael McDonald, a scrum-half who grew up in Oz but born in Ireland.

Joe Joyce has moved from Bristol to bolster their lock stocks, and Sean Janssen, another IQ player from NZ moves from Leicester to provide a strong back row option.

JJ Hanrahan continues his travels from France and Wales, to back up Carty at 10, and in the back-three, they've acquired Santiago Cordero, an Argentine test full-back.

On top of that, they're bringing in two Leinster academy players - Andrew Smith on the wing, and yet another Sean O'Brien to play in the back row.

Pete Wilkins might be quietly confident about how they'll do at the start of next season, as they'll be missing very few players for the RWC.

You won't be able to fault the effort of Jansen he gets about the park and throws himself into the heart of the action. He lacks a little impact in the contact though and his skillset is a tad limited. Good squad man but I'll be surprised if he pushes into the first team.

Tigers have announced their coaching set up.

Leicester Tigers 23/24 Coaching Team
Dan McKellar, Head Coach
Brett Deacon, Assistant Coach
Alan Dickens, Attack & Backs Coach
Matt Everard, Defence Coach
Dan Palmer, Scrum Coach
Ollie Richardson, Head of Physical Performance
Matt Smith, Skills Coach & Lead Academy Coach

Pot Hale wrote:
They've brought in a couple of players from Ulster on season-long loans to help reduce Ulster's wage bill - Declan Moore a NZ-born Irish qualified hooker, and Michael McDonald, a scrum-half who grew up in Oz but born in Ireland.

.

Declan Moore contract has been brought out - he is not on loan to Connacht, he has left

geoff999rugby wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:  
They've brought in a couple of players from Ulster on season-long loans to help reduce Ulster's wage bill - Declan Moore a NZ-born Irish qualified hooker, and Michael McDonald, a scrum-half who grew up in Oz but born in Ireland.

.

Declan Moore contract has been brought out - he is not on loan to Connacht, he has left

Even better. One less wage bill.

Interesting, Tomas Francis linked with Provence Rugby, another French D2 outfit.

mikey_dragon wrote:Interesting, Tomas Francis linked with Provence Rugby, another French D2 outfit.

Would be odd for a tighthead prop like Francis to head to ProD2 whilst still in his prime age. You'd have thought a Top14 team would have been interested if France was his aim.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Interesting, Tomas Francis linked with Provence Rugby, another French D2 outfit.

Would be odd for a tighthead prop like Francis to head to ProD2 whilst still in his prime age. You'd have thought a Top14 team would have been interested if France was his aim.

That's bizarre. I would have him at Saints in a heartbeat.

By the way, Alex Waller was fgine for the Barbarians yesterday. And knowing Alex, it was so easy to see him having real fun out there. A lot of people who saw it thought so, as well. After 350 games for Saints, glad to see him getting a bit of recognition.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Interesting, Tomas Francis linked with Provence Rugby, another French D2 outfit.

Would be odd for a tighthead prop like Francis to head to ProD2 whilst still in his prime age. You'd have thought a Top14 team would have been interested if France was his aim.

That's bizarre. I would have him at Saints in a heartbeat.

By the way, Alex Waller was fgine for the Barbarians yesterday. And knowing Alex, it was so easy to see him having real fun out there. A lot of people who saw it thought so, as well. After 350 games for Saints, glad to see him getting a bit of recognition.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Interesting, Tomas Francis linked with Provence Rugby, another French D2 outfit.

Would be odd for a tighthead prop like Francis to head to ProD2 whilst still in his prime age. You'd have thought a Top14 team would have been interested if France was his aim.

The France Pro D2 teams have serious money available to them. He knows its probably his last big contract so if money was the goal probably was not that bothered who the club is. The danger for signing for that league though is he might end up playing 30 games next year at club level. They play a lot of matches in the second division.

Welshmushroom wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Interesting, Tomas Francis linked with Provence Rugby, another French D2 outfit.

Would be odd for a tighthead prop like Francis to head to ProD2 whilst still in his prime age. You'd have thought a Top14 team would have been interested if France was his aim.

The France Pro D2 teams have serious money available to them.  He knows its probably his last big contract so if money was the goal probably was not that bothered who the club is.  The danger for signing for that league though is he might end up playing 30 games next year at club level.  They play a lot of matches in the second division.

Only the top sides have good money behind them. The likes of Aurillac for example pay very basic wages. European club rugby is shrinking and with the loss of three clubs just this year and with squads being trimmed, there are now so few places available for players to go. That's why you are seeing moves like this.

We could do with Japan and the USA steeping up here.

Provence did sign Temana Harrison and Johnny McPhillips last season, two guys with Prem experience. They've obviously got a little bit of cash behind them and let's face it play in a seriously nice part of the world.

Francis would undoubtedly get more in the Top14 though and get the chance to keep playing top flight European Rugby with a bit of luck.

Toulon have released Kolbe from his contract, judging by his reaction on social media it wasn't something he requested.

Oakdene wrote:Toulon have released Kolbe from his contract, judging by his reaction on social media it wasn't something he requested.

I thought he'd signed a better contract in Japan.....

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

Oakdene wrote:Toulon have released Kolbe from his contract, judging by his reaction on social media it wasn't something he requested.

I thought he'd signed a better contract in Japan.....

Well his quote on social media was:

"An emotional couple of weeks it has been for me & my Family. Some people might not understand, neither do I, but as I was told 'its a business....."

Well French clubs have always had a reputation of not being friendly towards current internationals from other countries.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

Welshmushroom wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Interesting, Tomas Francis linked with Provence Rugby, another French D2 outfit.

Would be odd for a tighthead prop like Francis to head to ProD2 whilst still in his prime age. You'd have thought a Top14 team would have been interested if France was his aim.

The France Pro D2 teams have serious money available to them.  He knows its probably his last big contract so if money was the goal probably was not that bothered who the club is.  The danger for signing for that league though is he might end up playing 30 games next year at club level.  They play a lot of matches in the second division.

Only the top sides have good money behind them. The likes of Aurillac for example pay very basic wages. European club rugby is shrinking and with the loss of three clubs just this year and with squads being trimmed, there are now so few places available for players to go. That's why you are seeing moves like this.

We could do with Japan and the USA steeping up here.

Not True - Here are the Pro D2 budgets for 2022/23 season just finishing.

Club Buget
FC Grenoble Rugby 13,480 M€
SU Agen 13,079 M€
USON Nevers 12,551 M€
RC Vannes 12,052 M€
Provence Rugby 11,599 M€
Oyonnax Rugby 11,223 M€
US Montalbanaise 10,761 M€
Biarritz Olympique 10,202 M€
US Colomiers 8,559 M€
AS Béziers Hérault 8,094 M€
Mont de Marsans 7,777 M€
Rouen Normandie 7,386 M€
Soyaux Angoulême 6,676 M€
Stade Aurillacois 5,964 M€
US Carcassonne 5,952 M€


If both the Top14 and Pro D2 continue their growth every other league in the world will become a feeder league.

I assume that is the total club budget and not just playing squad?

Japan will probably be able to compete financially. Major League rugby is getting attendances into the 3,000's and is growing fairly quickly. Certainly puts down the gauntlet for the UK, Ireland and Italy to up their respective club leagues.

Welshmushroom wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

Welshmushroom wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Interesting, Tomas Francis linked with Provence Rugby, another French D2 outfit.

Would be odd for a tighthead prop like Francis to head to ProD2 whilst still in his prime age. You'd have thought a Top14 team would have been interested if France was his aim.

The France Pro D2 teams have serious money available to them.  He knows its probably his last big contract so if money was the goal probably was not that bothered who the club is.  The danger for signing for that league though is he might end up playing 30 games next year at club level.  They play a lot of matches in the second division.

Only the top sides have good money behind them. The likes of Aurillac for example pay very basic wages. European club rugby is shrinking and with the loss of three clubs just this year and with squads being trimmed, there are now so few places available for players to go. That's why you are seeing moves like this.

We could do with Japan and the USA steeping up here.

Not True - Here are the Pro D2 budgets for 2022/23 season just finishing.

Club Buget
FC Grenoble Rugby 13,480 M€
SU Agen                13,079 M€
USON Nevers        12,551 M€
RC Vannes                12,052 M€
Provence Rugby        11,599 M€
Oyonnax Rugby        11,223 M€
US Montalbanaise 10,761 M€
Biarritz Olympique 10,202 M€
US Colomiers          8,559 M€
AS Béziers Hérault  8,094 M€
Mont de Marsans  7,777 M€
Rouen Normandie    7,386 M€
Soyaux Angoulême  6,676 M€
Stade Aurillacois  5,964 M€
US Carcassonne          5,952 M€


If both the Top14 and Pro D2 continue their growth every other league in the world will become a feeder league.

That must be their budget for everything. If Grenoble were throwing around 13 million euro on players they'd be signing current ABs.

Hazel Sapling wrote:I assume that is the total club budget and not just playing squad?

Japan will probably be able to compete financially. Major League rugby is getting attendances into the 3,000's and is growing fairly quickly. Certainly puts down the gauntlet for the UK, Ireland and Italy to up their respective club leagues.

Japan has very strict foreign quota rules (stricter than necessary imo) but their attendances have been impressive this year in their new league. The MLR is unfortunately miles behind and is struggling to gain traction. Some teams are doing ok, like Utah, New England, Seattle and San Diego but others like New York, Atlanta and NOLA are regularly getting sub 1k crowds. There's also no paid TV deal in sight which is a bit worrying.

Hazel Sapling wrote:I assume that is the total club budget and not just playing squad?

Japan will probably be able to compete financially. Major League rugby is getting attendances into the 3,000's and is growing fairly quickly. Certainly puts down the gauntlet for the UK, Ireland and Italy to up their respective club leagues.

It is - but even if only 50% of that budget is assigned to players wages its still indicates at least the top half of that division is competitive against teams in the URC and Premiership.

Telusa Vieanu confirmed as signing for Sale for just next season. Presumably to facilitate a world cup tilt with Tonga. Still a great signing for Sale.

Coenie Oosthuizen heading back to Cell C Sharks.

Well if Tomas Francis really wants out of Wales then Sale would be a great fit for him.

That would be much better than D2.