Silly Season Transfer Rumours 19/20

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Not a great position for Saints, captain and international level hooker looks likely so they've resorted to signing what is at best squad filler. Presumably Haywood and Fish will carry the bulk of the playing time.

The Kpoku boys are from that beck of the woods so staying at Sarries would be staying at home for them. I know someone that used to play with them in the feeder side for the Sarries academy and the said they are quite family orientated and humble guys. Sarries fans as well so there might be some loyalties keeping them there.

Takulua being reported in the french media now as joined toulon with immediate effect, and for 2 years after that.

Good luck to the lad...hes a very good player.

Dissapointed by the complete silence from the club though.

Marvin Orie is apparently talking to a few European sides. He's a very good line-out lock who will struggle for international caps due to the strength in depth the Saffas have at lock. At 27-years old I could see it being true that he's trying to cash in.

Half inched from elsewhere;

TRP Rumours:

Ben Earl - Saracens >>> Bristol (Loan)
Max Malins - Saracens >>> Bristol (Loan)
Ben Spencer - Saracens >>> Bath
Will Spencer - Leicester >>> Bath
Cameron Redpath - Sale >>> Bath
Sonatane Takulua - Newcastle >>> Toulon
Oisin Heffernan - Nottingham >>> Various

Toby Booth apparently joining Ospreys as head coach.

Heffernan is Notts 24 year old Irish tighthead. Normal starting tighthead. Notts are pretty good at picking up young talent that hasn't made the transition between academy and first team and top clubs. Heffernan has a few appearances for Leinster previously.

Bath linked with Lozowski and Redpath suggests they want some more 10 cover or creation in their backline. They've gone bosh at 12 and speed at 13 for a while. Maybe time for a change and playmakers at 10/12 to get the ball in the hands of Roko and Big Joe quicker would make sense.

Orie didn't look too good for Ospreys, then again it would have been difficult to shine in that team. Speaking of which, I feel Toby Booth would just be repeating this cycle again. Poor appointment.

mikey_dragon wrote:Orie didn't look too good for Ospreys, then again it would have been difficult to shine in that team. Speaking of which, I feel Toby Booth would just be repeating this cycle again. Poor appointment.

Got to say I thought Dai Young would have been the obvious appointment there. He's patched together some very ordinary tight five players at Wasps and got them playing some very good attacking rugby. Unless Young will come in as DOR over Booth. That wouldn't be a bad combination adding in the right backs/attack and defence coaches.

Redpath confirmed to Bath with immediate effect after an early release fee agreed. That might pause the Lozowski rumour. But with Burns and a couple of centres not renewed yet, maybe not.

Good signing for Bath. Talented young player that can play a number of positions. Rumoured three year deal.

Confirmed 3 year

Hope it works out for him, never looks great though, effectively walking out on a contract because you are not getting game time, rather than staying and fighting for your place.

BigGee wrote:Hope it works out for him, never looks great though, effectively walking out on a contract because you are not getting game time, rather than staying and fighting for your place.

The first team at Sale is pretty much settled and he's lost out it Luke James in the young utility back stakes. I guess Bath came along and offered him the chance to go in the summer. With Roberts early departure there's some spare cap and so they've brought him in early. Makes sense as if Sale know he's going they aren't going to spend time developing him any further.

Rhys Webb confirmed to the Rec for the rest of the season

https://twitter.com/bathrugby/status/1232220287485333504

Wow.

Webb needed a way out of Toulon and he's got it. Bath looking for a little loft until the end of the season.

Tigers meanwhile sign Zack Henry from Nevers in the French second division. A 10/15 who played for Bath Uni and England Uni team before heading to France. Apparently a good goal kicker and likes to play attacking rugby. Should be cheap as well.

Sanjay confirmed to Scarlets:

https://twitter.com/scarlets_rugby/status/1232243726736658433

For the remainder of the season. As he hasn't played for Sarries this season then his salary won't count towards the cap.

Thats why Takalua has gone to Toulon

Come on you Bath.

been without a decent scrum half since Stringer left.

Toby Booth to Ospreys confirmed now. I’m not sure what to think of that, I think they need a harder coach. Was Booth in charge when LI got to the premiership final?

mikey_dragon wrote:Toby Booth to Ospreys confirmed now. I’m not sure what to think of that, I think they need a harder coach. Was Booth in charge when LI got to the premiership final?

In his first season after taking over. He oversaw a lot of the LI academy golden generation coming through the academy before being promoted to first team duties if I remember rightly. After his first season I think it became a bit mid table mediocrity but if you have your best talent pilfered as regularly as LI then it's hard to progress.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Toby Booth to Ospreys confirmed now. I’m not sure what to think of that, I think they need a harder coach. Was Booth in charge when LI got to the premiership final?

In his first season after taking over. He oversaw a lot of the LI academy golden generation coming through the academy before being promoted to first team duties if I remember rightly. After his first season I think it became a bit mid table mediocrity but if you have your best talent pilfered as regularly as LI then it's hard to progress.

Toby was great as head coach under Brian Smith as DoR for us at LI. He was innovative and did a great job at making our forwards competitive. He was useless when he got promoted to DoR. Different roles, and he was not suited to being the top man.

That might be what is required for now and I think he could make a difference to a set of underperforming forwards. I don't expect he is the type of coach who can get them silverware within 3 years, and they have a very good squad that's capable of that tbh.

Ozzy3213 wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Toby Booth to Ospreys confirmed now. I’m not sure what to think of that, I think they need a harder coach. Was Booth in charge when LI got to the premiership final?

In his first season after taking over. He oversaw a lot of the LI academy golden generation coming through the academy before being promoted to first team duties if I remember rightly. After his first season I think it became a bit mid table mediocrity but if you have your best talent pilfered as regularly as LI then it's hard to progress.

Toby was great as head coach under Brian Smith as DoR for us at LI.  He was innovative and did a great job at making our forwards competitive.  He was useless when he got promoted to DoR.  Different roles, and he was not suited to being the top man.

Yes I do remember LI being very good at one point. They got the H-cup semi-final too I think. Afterwards it just went downhill and carried on that way, not sure why. Hopefully Booth is surrounded by better coaches than Clarke was.

Ozzy3213 wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Toby Booth to Ospreys confirmed now. I’m not sure what to think of that, I think they need a harder coach. Was Booth in charge when LI got to the premiership final?

In his first season after taking over. He oversaw a lot of the LI academy golden generation coming through the academy before being promoted to first team duties if I remember rightly. After his first season I think it became a bit mid table mediocrity but if you have your best talent pilfered as regularly as LI then it's hard to progress.

Toby was great as head coach under Brian Smith as DoR for us at LI.  He was innovative and did a great job at making our forwards competitive.  He was useless when he got promoted to DoR.  Different roles, and he was not suited to being the top man.

Well it's noticeable that he went from DOR to forwards coach and stayed as a forwards coach until taking this head coach position. The man himself seems to think DOR wasn't his thing either. Sometimes taking a good coach away from the coaching and giving him those extra DOR responsibilities just doesn't work. I still hold that Cockers becoming DOR was part for he downfall at Tigers, fantastic head coach but didn't have the vision for DOR.

TightHEAD wrote:Come on you Bath.

been without a decent scrum half since Stringer left.

While he may have been at the back end of his career, Fotuali'i was still a very good scrum half - and imo a step up on the Stringer that was at Bath (who again was at the back end of his career)

Not a patch on him, Stringer was a proper international class scrum half and it showed.

But yet another opportunity to disagree with me uh!

#BeKind

Kahn was a good scrum half for Bath. Webb should be another level on top of that though. Priestland and Webb should know each other as well so there should be some cohesion there. Well Falatau, Webb, Priestland I'm sure at some point that's been the Wales 8, 9, 10.

TightHEAD wrote:Not a patch on him, Stringer was a proper international class scrum half and it showed.

But yet another opportunity to disagree with me uh!

#BeKind

#BeKind.

#Everyonematters

#Metoo

Mat Protheroe from Bristol to Ospreys.

mikey_dragon wrote:Mat Protheroe from Bristol to Ospreys.

From memory Protheroe is the absolutely rapid one that is built like a twig. Played 10 at age group but got moved to the back three at Bristol I think. Could do a job at 15 but unless he has bulked up an awful lot isn't likely to be at 10. Given he was born in Swansea it was always likely he'd head to Wales at some point in his career. I think he got his England age grade chance at a time we didn't have a 10 available. I think he was in the same year as Mallinder and Brophy-Clewes who were both with their clubs during the 6N which gave Protheroe the caps and then he didn't make the JWC squad. 6N midfield that year from memory Protheroe/Thacker Jnr/Worth and JWC Mallinder/Williams/Marchant difference in quality was like night and day.

Well he’s over 80kg now so that’s a good start. Seems like he has a good build for a 10. Some of our others might be too small.

Tipuric has re-signed. Great news for Ospreys. Must be some belief there that the team can get better. Bristol probably didn’t have any cap left anyway!

I see the Josh Hodge to Exeter stories are gathering pace.

Wow the Falcons fans will be livid if that goes through....

Titi Lamositele ---> Montpellier

Being reported by the French press.

While also in talks with Leicester and Sale, Gloucester rumoured to be close to agreeing a deal with Nick Isiekwe.

LondonTiger wrote:While also in talks with Leicester and Sale, Gloucester rumoured to be close to agreeing a deal with Nick Isiekwe.

I thought Quins were favourites for Isiekwe. The bloke is understandably in high demand.

He plays in such a competitive position for England that one season in the Championship would likely be enough for others to leapfrog/stay ahead of him. I'd personally have him in the England squad ahead of Ewels and Moon - both good players themselves.

LondonTiger wrote:While also in talks with Leicester and Sale, Gloucester rumoured to be close to agreeing a deal with Nick Isiekwe.

Lamisotele in talks with Tigers? Oooh that's a new one. Not sure we need another prop unless Gigena isn't getting another visa. Plenty of other positions we very much need a prop. He'd be a great addition to the very capable stable of props Sale are developing.

Isiekwe will be wanted by the entire league. Glaws would be an odd choice as they have a few very good locks with Slater, Mostert and Grobbler already there. There'd be other clubs with less competition like Quins for example.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:While also in talks with Leicester and Sale, Gloucester rumoured to be close to agreeing a deal with Nick Isiekwe.

Lamisotele in talks with Tigers? Oooh that's a new one. Not sure we need another prop unless Gigena isn't getting another visa. Plenty of other positions we very much need a prop. He'd be a great addition to the very capable stable of props Sale are developing.

Isiekwe will be wanted by the entire league. Glaws would be an odd choice as they have a few very good locks with Slater, Mostert and Grobbler already there. There'd be other clubs with less competition like Quins for example.

May relate to project and wanting something new. Quins may be too much of a rival to Sarries and are not going to be competing overnight with old stalwarts starting to fall off a bit (see Sinckler leaving to Bristol as well). Leicester are in a bit of a mess as well with older players leaving/dropping off. Glaws are likely favourites as a top 4 side based on squad for at least a couple more seasons and the west country is a world away from the city if he wants to try something different.

Looks like Nadolo is joining Tigers?

mikey_dragon wrote:Looks like Nadolo is joining Tigers?

Been rumoured for a while. We've been missing a physical presence in the backs other than Manu since Nikki Goneva left so Nadolo would be a very welcome addition.

Sadly we also need to sign much better starters at hooker, second row and number 8 to compete with many sides.

We could also do with Ben Youngs looking like the same player for Tigers as he does for England.

Gengey and Ford have re-signed though...

I read an article that seemed to think it was done, but it was probably click bait. I first heard about the rumour on here.

Mefin Davies from Wuss to Dragons, linking back up with Dean Ryan.

king_carlos wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Looks like Nadolo is joining Tigers?

Been rumoured for a while. We've been missing a physical presence in the backs other than Manu since Nikki Goneva left so Nadolo would be a very welcome addition.

Sadly we also need to sign much better starters at hooker, second row and number 8 to compete with many sides.

We could also do with Ben Youngs looking like the same player for Tigers as he does for England.

Gengey and Ford have re-signed though...

Alemmano and Nadolo supposed to be coming in which helps both the extra physicality and additional quality at lock. Batley may also stay to help out on depth.

With Kalamafoni out of contract there's an opportunity to look at the 8 market. If Kalamafoni is another that takes a pay reduction then we can add extra quality as the more mobile physicality we can bring in the easier it will be to integrate some of our younger guys.

Hooker/lock/physical back (ideally utility) and ball carrying 8. Get one of each and that would help. We might need two hookers though.

Genge, ? , Cole
Lavanini, ?
Liebenburg, Taufua, ?
Youngs, Ford
Eastmond, Manu
May, TV, Nadolo

Lots of potential there, hopefully the new coach will get it going.

Don't know why people think Alemmano is so done just yet.

Nadolo is 100% done though.

Welly wrote: Don't know why people think Alemmano is so done just yet.

Nadolo is 100% done though.

I said supposed as that was what was alleged in the Argentinean press. We know our head of recruitment was in Australia during the summer and Argentina in the autumn negotiating with players and their agents so who knows what deals have been done. Could be none but I doubt it given the excellent business done last summer.

Nadolo has effectively announced it several times on social media.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Half inched from elsewhere;

TRP Rumours:

Ben Earl - Saracens >>> Bristol (Loan)
Max Malins - Saracens >>> Bristol (Loan)
Ben Spencer - Saracens >>> Bath
Will Spencer - Leicester >>> Bath
Cameron Redpath - Sale >>> Bath
Sonatane Takulua - Newcastle >>> Toulon
Oisin Heffernan - Nottingham >>> Various

Toby Booth apparently joining Ospreys as head coach.

Heffernan is Notts 24 year old Irish tighthead. Normal starting tighthead. Notts are pretty good at picking up young talent that hasn't made the transition between academy and first team and top clubs. Heffernan has a few appearances for Leinster previously.

Bath linked with Lozowski and Redpath suggests they want some more 10 cover or creation in their backline. They've gone bosh at 12 and speed at 13 for a while. Maybe time for a change and playmakers at 10/12 to get the ball in the hands of Roko and Big Joe quicker would make sense.

Any idea which clubs he's rumored to join? He was seen as a good prospect for us but never quite cut the mustard, which to be fair is no shame at Leinster.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Half inched from elsewhere;

TRP Rumours:

Ben Earl - Saracens >>> Bristol (Loan)
Max Malins - Saracens >>> Bristol (Loan)
Ben Spencer - Saracens >>> Bath
Will Spencer - Leicester >>> Bath
Cameron Redpath - Sale >>> Bath
Sonatane Takulua - Newcastle >>> Toulon
Oisin Heffernan - Nottingham >>> Various

Toby Booth apparently joining Ospreys as head coach.

Heffernan is Notts 24 year old Irish tighthead. Normal starting tighthead. Notts are pretty good at picking up young talent that hasn't made the transition between academy and first team and top clubs. Heffernan has a few appearances for Leinster previously.

Bath linked with Lozowski and Redpath suggests they want some more 10 cover or creation in their backline. They've gone bosh at 12 and speed at 13 for a while. Maybe time for a change and playmakers at 10/12 to get the ball in the hands of Roko and Big Joe quicker would make sense.

Any idea which clubs he's rumored to join? He was seen as a good prospect for us but never quite cut the mustard, which to be fair is no shame at Leinster.

No I half inched that from another forum. Not unusual for prem clubs to take a punt on a Championship prop. The Championship is a fairly brutal finishing school for props. Harry Williams and Tomas Francis both came up from the Championship to be internationals for Exeter. Will Stuart, Kyle Sinckler and Dan Cole all England tightheads and all had loans in the Championship. Christian Judge is likely to be capped in the summer and worked his way up the leagues.

Cole, Stuart and Williams all spent time at Nottingham as well so Heffernan is at a club with some pedigree for finishing tightheads. At a guess Wasps, Newcastle, Sale maybe Saints or Tigers might all take a punt on what would be a cheap option.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Half inched from elsewhere;

TRP Rumours:

Ben Earl - Saracens >>> Bristol (Loan)
Max Malins - Saracens >>> Bristol (Loan)
Ben Spencer - Saracens >>> Bath
Will Spencer - Leicester >>> Bath
Cameron Redpath - Sale >>> Bath
Sonatane Takulua - Newcastle >>> Toulon
Oisin Heffernan - Nottingham >>> Various

Toby Booth apparently joining Ospreys as head coach.

Heffernan is Notts 24 year old Irish tighthead. Normal starting tighthead. Notts are pretty good at picking up young talent that hasn't made the transition between academy and first team and top clubs. Heffernan has a few appearances for Leinster previously.

Bath linked with Lozowski and Redpath suggests they want some more 10 cover or creation in their backline. They've gone bosh at 12 and speed at 13 for a while. Maybe time for a change and playmakers at 10/12 to get the ball in the hands of Roko and Big Joe quicker would make sense.

Any idea which clubs he's rumored to join? He was seen as a good prospect for us but never quite cut the mustard, which to be fair is no shame at Leinster.

No I half inched that from another forum. Not unusual for prem clubs to take a punt on a Championship prop. The Championship is a fairly brutal finishing school for props. Harry Williams and Tomas Francis both came up from the Championship to be internationals for Exeter. Will Stuart, Kyle Sinckler and Dan Cole all England tightheads and all had loans in the Championship. Christian Judge is likely to be capped in the summer and worked his way up the leagues.

Cole, Stuart and Williams all spent time at Nottingham as well so Heffernan is at a club with some pedigree for finishing tightheads. At a guess Wasps, Newcastle, Sale maybe Saints or Tigers might all take a punt on what would be a cheap option.

Thanks for the info Sam. Yeah, there is no doubting the pedigree of the championship when you see all the players that have come from it. I was fuming at the RFU's decision to cut funding to it.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Half inched from elsewhere;

TRP Rumours:

Ben Earl - Saracens >>> Bristol (Loan)
Max Malins - Saracens >>> Bristol (Loan)
Ben Spencer - Saracens >>> Bath
Will Spencer - Leicester >>> Bath
Cameron Redpath - Sale >>> Bath
Sonatane Takulua - Newcastle >>> Toulon
Oisin Heffernan - Nottingham >>> Various

Toby Booth apparently joining Ospreys as head coach.

Heffernan is Notts 24 year old Irish tighthead. Normal starting tighthead. Notts are pretty good at picking up young talent that hasn't made the transition between academy and first team and top clubs. Heffernan has a few appearances for Leinster previously.

Bath linked with Lozowski and Redpath suggests they want some more 10 cover or creation in their backline. They've gone bosh at 12 and speed at 13 for a while. Maybe time for a change and playmakers at 10/12 to get the ball in the hands of Roko and Big Joe quicker would make sense.

Any idea which clubs he's rumored to join? He was seen as a good prospect for us but never quite cut the mustard, which to be fair is no shame at Leinster.

No I half inched that from another forum. Not unusual for prem clubs to take a punt on a Championship prop. The Championship is a fairly brutal finishing school for props. Harry Williams and Tomas Francis both came up from the Championship to be internationals for Exeter. Will Stuart, Kyle Sinckler and Dan Cole all England tightheads and all had loans in the Championship. Christian Judge is likely to be capped in the summer and worked his way up the leagues.

Cole, Stuart and Williams all spent time at Nottingham as well so Heffernan is at a club with some pedigree for finishing tightheads. At a guess Wasps, Newcastle, Sale maybe Saints or Tigers might all take a punt on what would be a cheap option.

Thanks for the info Sam. Yeah, there is no doubting the pedigree of the championship when you see all the players that have come from it. I was fuming at the RFU's decision to cut funding to it.

The funding cut is quite frankly a disgrace. At best short sighted incompetence at worst pandering to the elite level of the game in the hope of future pay days and protecting the RFU suits cushy pay.

Joe Taufete'e ---> Lyon

Worcester have confirmed that.

That could free up that cap needed for Worcester to make Singleton a competitive offer. Apparently Singleton is more open to permanent contract at Worcester than elsewhere. Hence why Gloucester contract is rumoured to be a one year deal.

Marvin Orie ---> Tigers

TRP reporting that as a done deal today. I'd heard that McGinity had been in talks with him.

I'd take that as a Tigers fan. Orie was in a few Currie Cup sides of the year last season, started 18 of 19 games when the Lions reached the Super Rugby final and has been on the fringes of the Boks squad. He'd be a step up as a line-out lock which Tigers direly need.