Silly Season Transfer Rumours 23/24

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I need rumours.....and I need them now!

This is very good news. At least it gives us a couple of seasons more with both and hopefully we can sort ourselves out a bit then.

I am not sure how many other "names" we will retain, as I still expect Basham and Brown to leave. But these two could help with convincing incoming signings hopefully.

Should help the club when talking to targets for next season if two of the bigger names in the squad have just committed to the project.

A couple of Scarlets seem to think Basham joining them is a done deal. If he moves in it might entice our coach to retain Griffiths when really we should be letting him and Brown go. I suppose Brown will come back to us injured after Wales duty as well.

Lots of excitement from Cardiff rugby Twitter (and you know who) about the new owners/investors at Cardiff. Their fans seem to be saying it’s huge. I’m not sure what the implications are to be honest, or who the investors are. But immediately they’ve announced the re-signing of Callum Sheedy back to the club from Bristol. He only left a season or so ago. The move also helps Sheedy’s international ambitions as he’s under the 25 caps needed.


Edit: ignore me! Was confusing him with the guy who left Cardiff for Harlequins! (Jarrod Evans). Sheedy hasn’t played for Cardiff before. So not a re-signing. But nice to see a player coming home.

Yep, Cardiff born and bred but Sheedy's first link up with the Blues. A bit like Freddie Burns when he went to Bath.

I rate Sheedy. MacGinty is the better player at their respective best IMO. It's difficult to say that MacGinty has offered better value though given the gap there must be between their wages. That's the story of Pat Lam's recruitment though. "So, Pat, for season after season you invest too much in the starting XV and tend to be light in the tight five. What are you thinking for next season?". "Get me Bill Mata's number". "Pat, back row might already be the best depth you have in the squad?". "Bill. Mata's. Number."

It's a good signing for Cardiff, though if you're de Beer, you probably aren't too chuffed. You would have to imagine Sheedy should be playing more often than not.

Good depth for them though. Certainly waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay healthier than Dragons' options.

De Beer has been one of the highlights for me for Cardiff this year. He attacks well and I’ve seen him winning a number of jackal turnovers in defence (not something 10s seem to do much). A very good player so far.

Yes, great if it’s developing depth at Cardiff. But they’re all ambitious players, with Ben Thomas highly rated as a possible 10 too when he’s not playing centre, so in the modern age of pro rugby you wonder if someone will get itchy feet and think about moving to guarantee (if there is such a thing) first team rugby elsewhere. Hope that’s not the case.

A season ago I was hopeful we could nick Ben Thomas from Cardiff and play him at 10, before he extended his stay with his home team. We get umm, Cai Evans instead. Sheedy is a good signing for Cardiff and hopefully we can get a few more Welsh players back at the struggling regions, but Cardiff have two good 10s already (De Beer and Thomas) so I’m not sure if Sheedy was required. They could do with depth at TH and second row - I just don’t know what they see in Seb, Teddy and Turnbull. No point in doing the fancy stuff if your forwards are going to keep getting beaten.

Is there much truth in Kevin Sinfield linking up with Scotland?

mikey_dragon wrote:Is there much truth in Kevin Sinfield linking up with Scotland?

Where did you get that from Mikey?

I think it was Rugbypass but I no longer have sight of the article, it appeared on my news feed. Perhaps a non-story if you haven’t heard any rumours.

Scotland don't have an obvious coaching vacancy atm but someone of Sinfield's character would never be ignored if he was available and interested in the role.

I have not seen any rumours to that effort, but will keep my ears out!

Be an odd move to be honest. Tigers would take him back in a heartbeat as it would free up Everard to run the attack instead of the nobody we currently have in the role since September when the attack coach went on an indefinite leave of absence.

Rumours Louie Johnson is the other Falcons prospect being courted by Saracens. The rumour going round suggests he has a contract on the table and is mulling over the move.

Bristol will have to move for another flyhalf now Sheedy is off as well. McGinty will be what? 34 at the start of next season. Might be asking a bit much to have him as the week to week flyhalf with no specialist back up.

RiscaGame wrote:This is very good news. At least it gives us a couple of seasons more with both and hopefully we can sort ourselves out a bit then.

I am not sure how many other "names" we will retain, as I still expect Basham and Brown to leave. But these two could help with convincing incoming signings hopefully.

By all accounts he is coming to Parc Y Scarlets.

Billy Burns to Munster, replacing Joey Carberry.

Oakdene wrote:

RiscaGame wrote:This is very good news. At least it gives us a couple of seasons more with both and hopefully we can sort ourselves out a bit then.

I am not sure how many other "names" we will retain, as I still expect Basham and Brown to leave. But these two could help with convincing incoming signings hopefully.

By all accounts he is coming to Parc Y Scarlets.

Good luck to him. He hasn’t been great for us this season, but maybe his head has already left.

Allegedly Courtney Lawes has signed for Brive next season.

Fluxy wrote:Allegedly Courtney Lawes has signed for Brive next season.

Hard to blame him really, given his all for club & country.

Fluxy wrote:Allegedly Courtney Lawes has signed for Brive next season.

It's a huge blow for Saints with Ludlam already heavily rumoured to be departing, Ribbans gone last season and Moon rumoured to France too.

Archie Griffin has agreed a 'contract variation' with Bath, according to Bath Twitter. Interesting wording that! He's in the Wales squad for the 6N so have they got in early to make sure Griffin is not scuppered by the Welsh cap rule???

https://twitter.com/BathRugby/status/1752304012374814882

TAFKA The Oracle wrote:Archie Griffin has agreed a 'contract variation' with Bath, according to Bath Twitter.  Interesting wording that!  He's in the Wales squad for the 6N so have they got in early to make sure Griffin is not scuppered by the Welsh cap rule???

https://twitter.com/BathRugby/status/1752304012374814882

Perhaps something similar to what LRZ had with his Glaws contract. I think Griffin could be a good player. Ideally, I think he should have moved on for more regular game time as he has two internationals ahead of him in Stuart and Du Toit. I'm not sure Carre would be first choice at Sarries either but he is a regular in Cardiff 23 and arguably should be back in the Wales squad.

Moon confirmed as off to Bayonne.

Reffell is rumoured to have signed a similar sort of contract. The first well known one was Tomas Francis. Tons of rugby players sign 2+1 deals which are commonly announced as 3-year contracts. It's 2 years locked in with the option of the third and varying clauses around either side opting out. Francis had a single contract with Chiefs with potential rolling extensions that both parties were happy to take repeatedly. Hence he avoided Gatland's rule for a long time. There are some rumours that Reffell has done the same at Tigers and got in just before he was capped. Other rumours that he simply signed a longer deal. I'd presume that Griffin has done the same judging by that wording.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Moon confirmed as off to Bayonne.

That is 4 England internationals departing at the end of the season. Makes a large saving in their wage bill mind you.

We will need to bring in some more quality players for next season, particularly in the back row, Lawes and Ludlam are just about impossible to replace, each unique in their own way, only leaves Augustus, Graham, Pearson and Scott-Young plus some kids. Irvine will need to kick on and perhaps Logan.

With the new rfu contracts too if the Northampton players go well and get picked you may be rolling in it.

Itoje confirmed as signing a long term contract. And Marchant apparently signing with Saracens for next season.

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:Moon confirmed as off to Bayonne.

That is 4 England internationals departing at the end of the season. Makes a large saving in their wage bill mind you.

We will need to bring in some more quality players for next season, particularly in the back row, Lawes and Ludlam are just about impossible to replace, each unique in their own way, only leaves Augustus, Graham, Pearson and Scott-Young plus some kids. Irvine will need to kick on and perhaps Logan.

Moon isn't an England international. Ludlam and Lawes will be huge losses for you. Big leaders in the side.

Marchant to Saracens

lostinwales wrote:Marchant to Saracens

Lynagh rumoured as well.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2024/01/31/saudi-arabia-buy-leicester-gloucester-northampton-newcastle/


Yuck. Rugby about to sell its soul.

No 7&1/2 wrote:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2024/01/31/saudi-arabia-buy-leicester-gloucester-northampton-newcastle/


Yuck. Rugby about to sell its soul.

Strange to think that this is rugby "selling it's soul" and not that it's already happened with deals like CVC. Those American investors with London Irish seemed great too.

Tigers have been on the market before. They have two main owners and then a large fan ownership. The two main owners own the bulk of the club and are getting on in age and want to pass the torch to the next custodian. I'm not sure this will pass through though I can imagine talks would be interesting.

Falcons would happily jump into the deal and Glaws are for sale. Surprised Saints are in there but if there's enough cash in the deal who knows.

Been rumours up here for a while...explains Diamond coming in maybe...

No 7&1/2 wrote:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2024/01/31/saudi-arabia-buy-leicester-gloucester-northampton-newcastle/


Yuck. Rugby about to sell its soul.

Yeah, it's rank.

I'm already most of the way out of the door, but that would do it for me with Prem rugby if it came to pass

Is that because of the money or who it is who's buying it?

Geordie wrote:Is that because of the money or who it is who's buying it?

Who's buying it.

Personal thing and each to their own though

I have to say that I would be very disappointed if Saints went that way, they are technically a PLC, but around 95% of the shares are owned by the Barwell family so it would be them selling. Ella Barwell is the current and third Barwell incumbent, she will have been brought up as a Saint so if they do go that way there will have to be a very good reason. Saints net worth is only about £20M based on share value, although I suspect that does not include the goodwill that would enhance that. I don't know if that includes the ground, I would think not as they have a very substantial lump of land with all the parking both on and off site.

Would you want to sell your soul for a one off £2M. This may be enhanced by sponsorship, but it is a bit off, four clubs having the same part owners and sponsors. It is a good job that Islamic law prohibits gambling or I could see some lively debates when games go against the odds.

Apparently Diamond has said in another press conference that Brantingham is defo off to Saracens.

The Saudi's would be limited to 19% stakes in each club if they wanted to invest in all four.

Don't want it at Tigers. I could maybe tolerate sponsorship of the stadium but ownership would be going to far.

Ludlam confirmed as off.

Couple of Instagram accounts saying Bayonne are keen to sign Danny Care from 'Quins.

Tomas Lavinini - released from Clermont
Rory Sutherland leaves Oyonnax to sign with Glasgow Warriors
Lovejoy Chawatama - leaves Quins to sign for Bristol

It's not a surprise Clermont aren't renewing Lavanini's contract there's been murmurings about him not proving to be value for money. 25 games across his first two seasons wasn't quite the input Clermont were after when they wrote the cheque to get him over from Tigers (who also had a bit of buyers remorse, though he was good at scrum time).

Sinckler rumoured to be following Ludlam down to Toulon. Hence Lovejoy moving to Bristol, considering he's down the pecking order at Quins he does need a move.

Sinfield to Harlequins.

That's quite a coaching team Quins are set to have. Among them already is Wilson, Jones and Evans.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Sinfield to Harlequins.

Telegraph reporting Quins are wanting to discuss him replacing Flannery who's off to the Boks.

He'd be a good addition. Will build a smothering defence that will suit the jacklers in the Quins ranks. Good leader as well for the players to follow.

Flannery to the Boks is a hell of a fillip for him. He'll effectively be replacing Nienaber and Jones' defensive workload. A massive challenge but he'd be taking charge of the best defence in rugby currently, most the same players should still be available.

Yeah its a great appointment for him and for the Boks. Its a good time for Irish coaches.

Especially when you have guys going and getting overseas experience like this who can then return. Goodman going to NZ, coming back to Leinster and taking over from Catt with Ireland for instance. ROG of course has won back to back Champions Cups at La Rochelle.

I'm interested to see how Erasmus does leading a third RWC in charge but losing Nienaber and Jones. They certainly seemed to be the biggest influences after Erasmus in that setup. Stick, Davids and Human are still there though. They weathered Aled Walters moving on pretty well considering they retained their RWC title!

There are a few big players in their early thirties too. An age where they can all keep making an impact in the coming RC but odds are quite a few wont make the 2027 RWC. Kitshoff (31), Malherbe (33), Koch (33), Nyakane (34), Mbonambi (33), Etzebeth (32), Mostert (33), Lood (31), PSdT (31), Kolisi (32), Faf (32), Reinach (33), de Allende (32). Then suddenly you realise a few of the replacements are nearly 30 too but seem like up and comers as you're so used to the incumbents. Esterhuizen and Kriel are 29 for instance. Kwagga and Orie are 30.

It was an absolutely perfect age profile for a RWC. Young enough to have a ton of players in their peak years, but packed with experience as well.

If needs be, Boks could select most of their players from Bulls - I don't think there would be a drop in intensity there. Under Jake White the Bulls have already turned over Ireland (Leinster) and SA!