Silly Season Transfer Rumours 22/23

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And.....off you go.

Can anyone confirm whats happened to Ethan Grayson the young 12 at Saints. Ive heard he was released. Does anyone know where hes gone...he looked a real potential so curious to hear that.

Kyle Rowe to Glasgow

Good signing for the Weegies!

Really pleased for the guy.

LI's collapse hasn't been well timed for him, not having played for a year. Glad he's got enough credit in the bank to pick up a decent gig back home.

Not seen anything on Ethan Grayson, Geordie. It's a surprise he looked to have some real potential and it was a surprise he and the younger Sleightholme were cut adrift. I'd have thought Championship deals as a minimum would be coming their way.

Kyle Rowe will be a bit of a punt after such a long lay off but pre injury he was in really good form. I wouldn't be surprised if he had more than one offer of employment with clubs looking for a slight risk/high reward signing.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Not seen anything on Ethan Grayson, Geordie. It's a surprise he looked to have some real potential and it was a surprise he and the younger Sleightholme were cut adrift. I'd have thought Championship deals as a minimum would be coming their way.

Kyle Rowe will be a bit of a punt after such a long lay off but pre injury he was in really good form. I wouldn't be surprised if he had more than one offer of employment with clubs looking for a slight risk/high reward signing.

Ethan is a good young player. He has to land somewhere. Frankie Sleights has a lot of upside but still very young.

Fischetti signs a contract for Zebre

Jack Maunder has signed for Melbourne Rebels

Billy Searle signed for Toulouse as RWC cover

Wow. That's a hell of a coup for Billy Searle. No disrespect to the bloke but he's done pretty well to get that deal!

Darn on Fischetti. I was rather hoping he'd be the new LH Tigers are rumoured to have signed. I think he's a terrific player.

JJ has been confirmed to Biarritz. Which makes sense given he's out the England picture.

Will Goodrick-Clark hasn't been announced anywhere yet, I think he could develop nicely in the Tigers environment.

If he and Watson were announced to today that would finish the squad off nicely.

Yep, assuming Loader is Stormers bound, WGC is the pick of the English players unsigned so far from LI. Prem ready, strong scrummager. Would fit into that Tigers squad well.

There was a rumour that Ealing had signed him, so we'll see. Him and Alo would be a fairly scary Championship front row.

Margin_Walker wrote:Yep, assuming Loader is Stormers bound, WGC is the pick of the English players unsigned so far from LI. Prem ready, strong scrummager. Would fit into that Tigers squad well.

There was a rumour that Ealing had signed him, so we'll see. Him and Alo would be a fairly scary Championship front row.

I had heard the rumour Ealing were sniffing around a few of the LI players. So this wouldn't be a surprise. A Premiership quality front row in the Championship....

Yeah, Collins sounds like he's signed (albeit only a LI player in the loosest sense of the word!) and wouldn't surprise me if there were a few more. The are paying decent enough money and the players wouldn't need to relocate.

Margin_Walker wrote:Yeah, Collins sounds like he's signed (albeit only a LI player in the loosest sense of the word!) and wouldn't surprise me if there were a few more. The are paying decent enough money and the players wouldn't need to relocate.

And as if by magic, they announce Matt Cornish as re-joining them.

Margin_Walker wrote:

Margin_Walker wrote:Yeah, Collins sounds like he's signed (albeit only a LI player in the loosest sense of the word!) and wouldn't surprise me if there were a few more. The are paying decent enough money and the players wouldn't need to relocate.

And as if by magic, they announce Matt Cornish as re-joining them.

He was in Ealing's academy? I thought one or two other LI players had signed with Ealing, but can't recall - and can't search and try to look it up at the moment.

doctor_grey wrote:

Margin_Walker wrote:

Margin_Walker wrote:Yeah, Collins sounds like he's signed (albeit only a LI player in the loosest sense of the word!) and wouldn't surprise me if there were a few more. The are paying decent enough money and the players wouldn't need to relocate.

And as if by magic, they announce Matt Cornish as re-joining them.

He was in Ealing's academy?  I thought one or two other LI players had signed with Ealing, but can't recall - and can't search and try to look it up at the moment.  

Yeah, he was. He also played for the LI Wild Geese whilst he was with them iirc.

It's certainly a move that makes sense for him.

Margin_Walker wrote:Yep, assuming Loader is Stormers bound, WGC is the pick of the English players unsigned so far from LI. Prem ready, strong scrummager. Would fit into that Tigers squad well.

There was a rumour that Ealing had signed him, so we'll see. Him and Alo would be a fairly scary Championship front row.

They've signed two looseheads already this summer and one of them is Lewis Boyce from Bath so they shouldn't be to badly in need.

AWJ to Toulon is a rumour I’m hearing this morning. If true, that’s a bit of a brutal move, physically, for a player of his age!

TAFKA The Oracle wrote:AWJ to Toulon is a rumour I’m hearing this morning. If true, that’s a bit of a brutal move, physically, for a player of his age!

Yeah that's not a move I'd fancy at his age, some big French packs over there!!

ETA: as a medical joker during the RWC.

Oakdene wrote:

TAFKA The Oracle wrote:AWJ to Toulon is a rumour I’m hearing this morning. If true, that’s a bit of a brutal move, physically, for a player of his age!

Yeah that's not a move I'd fancy at his age, some big French packs over there!!

ETA: as a medical joker during the RWC.

Oh right, ok. So a short contract then probably? Must be making it worth his while!

Super AWJ strikes again. All the best to him. He mostly receives complimentary well-wishes, when he receives the opposite it’s always from English. Funny that.

mikey_dragon wrote:Super AWJ strikes again. All the best to him. He mostly receives complimentary well-wishes, when he receives the opposite it’s always from English. Funny that.

All the English fans st Twickenham for the recent Barbarians match gave him a standing ovation. He's very much appreciated. And that's what rugby's about.

TAFKA The Oracle wrote:

Oakdene wrote:

TAFKA The Oracle wrote:AWJ to Toulon is a rumour I’m hearing this morning. If true, that’s a bit of a brutal move, physically, for a player of his age!

Yeah that's not a move I'd fancy at his age, some big French packs over there!!

ETA: as a medical joker during the RWC.

Oh right, ok. So a short contract then probably? Must be making it worth his while!

I am sure they are.  He has earned it.

I wonder how many matches that applies to. There are three Top 14 weekends before the RWC, then the league suspends the season to avoid conflict with the RWC, and picks up again the same weekend as the RWC final (October 28).  Perhaps the three games before the RWC and maybe three after when the internationals are resting up?

Mr Bounce wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Super AWJ strikes again. All the best to him. He mostly receives complimentary well-wishes, when he receives the opposite it’s always from English. Funny that.

All the English fans st Twickenham for the recent Barbarians match gave him a standing ovation. He's very much appreciated. And that's what rugby's about.

Glad to hear it. I haven’t visited twickenham yet, but when I do I expect a standing ovation. Not asking for much.

I'd give you a standing ovation Mikey - can't speak for all those others

I'd sooner give mikey one than awj *cough*

Highlanders also on the list of clubs wanting Rhys Patchell. I think Dragons are out of the race, as we are supposedly close to signing Cai Evans. Super Rugby would be a good place for Patchell, he should fit in and hopefully he will grow.

Mr Bounce wrote:I'd give you a standing ovation Mikey - can't speak for all those others

I would be happy to trade a standing ovation for a nice soulful rendition of GSTK.....

Cai Evans to Dragons now, apparently. I thought Cardiff were nailed on for him. I do think it’s a bit of depth, but we need a stronger ten to threaten a start. Plus the obvious front five players.

RiscaGame wrote:Cai Evans to Dragons now, apparently. I thought Cardiff were nailed on for him. I do think it’s a bit of depth, but we need a stronger ten to threaten a start. Plus the obvious front five players.

He hasn't played much for a 24 year old, has he had injuries?

formerly known as Sam wrote:

RiscaGame wrote:Cai Evans to Dragons now, apparently. I thought Cardiff were nailed on for him. I do think it’s a bit of depth, but we need a stronger ten to threaten a start. Plus the obvious front five players.

He hasn't played much for a 24 year old, has he had injuries?

No, he just couldn't cut the mustard so he went back down to a lower level. From that perspective, and as it's now been confirmed, it isn't a great signing. He featured last season a bit and looked better, I hope that form continues.

mikey_dragon wrote:Highlanders also on the list of clubs wanting Rhys Patchell. I think Dragons are out of the race, as we are supposedly close to signing Cai Evans. Super Rugby would be a good place for Patchell, he should fit in and hopefully he will grow.

Both guys confirmed now... Patchell signs with Highlanders for just one year.

mikey_dragon wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Highlanders also on the list of clubs wanting Rhys Patchell. I think Dragons are out of the race, as we are supposedly close to signing Cai Evans. Super Rugby would be a good place for Patchell, he should fit in and hopefully he will grow.

Both guys confirmed now... Patchell signs with Highlanders for just one year.

Freddie Burns replacement.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Highlanders also on the list of clubs wanting Rhys Patchell. I think Dragons are out of the race, as we are supposedly close to signing Cai Evans. Super Rugby would be a good place for Patchell, he should fit in and hopefully he will grow.

Both guys confirmed now... Patchell signs with Highlanders for just one year.

Freddie Burns replacement.

Anyone know where Freddie is off to?

Freddie confirmed on a podcast he's going back to Japan. I don't believe it's been formally announced where yet.

The Highlanders stop was to tick off a dream of playing in NZ in-between. From rumours I heard at Leicester he'd already signed the Japan deal when he left Tigers early. With Tigers picking up Charlie Atkinson after Wasps folded it worked well for all parties.

Cheers Carlos,
Anyone know how he got on in NZ - out of curiosity.
I remember Haskell going to the Highlanders at the tail end of his career - having a good time but not sure if he played much!
Same for Marchant (although that was covid time) dont recalling him getting much game time.

By all accounts Burns ended the season well. Took a little time to work his way into the starting 10 shirt and then hurt is arm (break/fracture), when he was fit he was back in. Highlanders looking far from a vintage team and with Aaron Smith leaving I doubt they'll see much improvement next season.

Ospreys have signed ex-Scarlets and Jersey Reds scrum-half Luke Davies. They need depth at 9 but given how Webb was leading and running the show, there's an opportunity to bring in a big name here (if they can afford it). Someone needs to ensure the U20s Hughes and Williams are tied to Regions too, we need to see more players with potential and less Lewis Jones-types.

Glasgow pick up the other Scottish winger at LI last season, Logan Trotter.

He was previously in their acacemy, so should be a good fit.

Marcus Smith extends his contract with Quins, despite a persistent rumour he was off to France

Poorfour wrote:Marcus Smith extends his contract with Quins, despite a persistent rumour he was off to France

Racing were linked every few weeks but other than he'd fit their attacking style it always seemed unlikely. Post world cup he should be getting more caps as England build over the next four years and Quins have really built around him.

And Quins will have a like-for-like in Jarrod Evans who will be available during the 6N, etc. Jarrod was deserving of more caps but it’s not too late for him, I expect he will establish himself well in the premiership. The current U20 centre (Bradley) could be stepping up to pro level in a season or two too.

We’ll also likely be calling upon Joe Jenkins and Josh Hathaway in the near future. Good old Quins, Glaws and Exeter.

mikey_dragon wrote:And Quins will have a like-for-like in Jarrod Evans who will be available during the 6N, etc. Jarrod was deserving of more caps but it’s not too late for him, I expect he will establish himself well in the premiership. The current U20 centre (Bradley) could be stepping up to pro level in a season or two too.

We’ll also likely be calling upon Joe Jenkins and Josh Hathaway in the near future. Good old Quins, Glaws and Exeter.

Evans will get good opportunities whilst Smith is on international duty for the world cup but with the lack of Prem games clashing with the 6N he's likely to be playing a lot less than previously. The season after next that might well change back though and he might get a better spread of game time.

Dom Morris to Ospreys on a season long loan. Not first choice at Sarries obviously but seems to be highly rated. Ospreys have had two centres move on along with utility Hawkins and Kieran Williams could become a regular for Wales, seems like a good signing. Hopefully in the near future we can bring back the U20 centres. I expect Hennessy and Bradley to be getting game time for Bath and Quins this season.

mikey_dragon wrote:Dom Morris to Ospreys on a season long loan. Not first choice at Sarries obviously but seems to be highly rated. Ospreys have had two centres move on along with utility Hawkins and Kieran Williams could become a regular for Wales, seems like a good signing. Hopefully in the near future we can bring back the U20 centres. I expect Hennessy and Bradley to be getting game time for Bath and Quins this season.

Dom Morris is a decent player. Mobile and physical. There's some rumours that the IRFU are interested in recruiting him for one of the provinces as he's IQ.

I bet he’s WQ too…

mikey_dragon wrote:I bet he’s WQ too…

No idea. He's IQ through his grandmother though he's also also born in England and played age grade for England which is normally how the WRU look to find players for the national side.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:I bet he’s WQ too…

No idea. He's IQ through his grandmother though he's also also born in England and played age grade for England which is normally how the WRU look to find players for the national side.

Exactly. It’s also about time we found Itoje’s Welsh granny, we’ve been searching for years now.

mikey_dragon wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:I bet he’s WQ too…

No idea. He's IQ through his grandmother though he's also also born in England and played age grade for England which is normally how the WRU look to find players for the national side.

Exactly. It’s also about time we found Itoje’s Welsh granny, we’ve been searching for years now.

You might have a wait before the three year rule makes him available to switch nation as well as he isn't about to stop being selected anytime soon.

Falcons have signed Hooker Michael Van Vuuren on a one year deal from Emirates Lions.

Geordie wrote:Falcons have signed Hooker Michael Van Vuuren on a one year deal from Emirates Lions.

He's had more clubs than Tiger Woods.

We have more hookers than a brothel...