SILLY SEASON TRANSFER RUMOURS 20/21

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mikey_dragon wrote:

y ddraig goch wrote:Jac Morgan is leaving the Scarlets for the Ospreys to go and learn his trade off Tipuric. Big loss for the Scarlets but makes sense with Dan Davies, Josh Macelod, and James Davies still on the books. Jac looks like a future Welsh international so it might be a good move for Wales in the long run with the Ospreys finally starting to live up to their potential with a return to the top level of Europe given the players on their books.

Davis and Davies aren’t that good, McCleod is very good but has awful luck with injuries lately. Scarlets’ supporters can’t see why Jac is being let go. Boyde was another good 7 that they let go.

Ospreys are a long way off their potential if last night is anything to go by.

He isn't 'being let go', he's apparently an Ospreys fan and wants to leave despite the offer on the table.
Considering the conditions, the young players in key positions, and the momentum killing refereeing performance (for both sides), Ospreys came out of it with a victory which is what they needed to help secure champions cup rugby next season.
I think it would be better to judge them as of next season when, if all the murmurs are to be believed, we will have a higher proportion of games played with full strength sides.

Seems to be a good young attacking full back. Wuss fans are not happy to be losing him.

Nick David does seem to be very highly rated. Not seen him play I don't think but he's had some age grade representation and at 22 should be prime age to kick on. Brown is a tough act to follow.

Dwayne Peel named scarlets head coach with Worcester’s Matt Sherratt joining Blues instead.

London Irish sign SA hooker Mike Willemse from Edinburgh ...

AWJ has signed a one year contract with Ospreys.

Carl Fearns confirmed to Falcons with immediate effect.

Good signing...but we need to clear out alot of back row now...we have too many

Carl Fearns signs for Falcons with immediate effect.

Happy with bringing him on board, but another backrower??? Maybe he can play prop.

6. Wilson
7. Graham
8. Fearns

Is a scary backrow mind.....or we put out:

6. Welch
7. Hardie
8. De Walt

(I won't do the front 5).

Haha...beat me to it GF! I should use my mod super powers and delete yours

6 Fearns
7 Wilson / Graham
8 Chick

Get shot of Hardie, De Walt and put the money in to the front row.

You still have Welch, Basham / Farrar / Marshall to cover....

I don't think Chick is quite up to it yet GF, maybe a bench option. Big fan of De Walt though.

You see I think Chicks looking Better and better. I think he's a much better all round 8 now. And his carrying this season since he came back from injury has been very good...

Fearns was excellent when he left the prem.
I am sure I read something about him pushing for the 'players player' of the year for a couple of seasons in the T14 too! Not sure if I imagined that or not.
In any event, a quality player.

Connacht sign Irish qualified Mack Hansen from Brumies.

i see Jake Kerr has been released by Tigers, Sam.
I thought he was a young hope?

GeordieFalcon wrote:i see Jake Kerr has been released by Tigers, Sam.
I thought he was a young hope?

I like him as a player. Decent lineout though can flulff his line on occasion, huge work rate in the loose very much in the Scottish mold of the hooker being almost an additional flanker. Borthwick just didn't seem to fancy him. Positive words though which would probably indicate that he had the right approach but just wasn't what Borthwick was looking for.

The hookers we've gone for under Borthwick are good at the scrum and the rolling maul. Anything after that's a bonus. Montoya, Youngs and the journeyman Clare who to be fair has played out of his skin for us, he does very much have limitations but he works hard and is good in the areas Borthwick likes. The writing was on the wall for Kerr when we picked up Nick Dolly from Coventry, he's 21 a former England age grade hooker and looks more in line with what Borthwick wants.

Kerr will rock up at a Scottish team shortly and no doubt do well. Well I hope he does well he's seemed likeable during his time at Tigers and was liked by the fans for his tenacity.

I rate Kerr. He impressed early then slipped into the position many young players (particularly tight five forwards) can where he needed to work on a few things to keep improving but struggled for game time to prove if he had improved. A lot of guys in their early to mid-twenties end up in that limbo and it must be very frustrating as a young player that's working hard.

It infuriated me a couple of seasons ago when the direly out of form Youngs and Polota-Nau (one of my favourite players at his peak) were playing ahead of Kerr but underperforming whilst taking up a ridiculous amount of salary cap in what is on average the lowest paid position in the Premiership. Hooker was the focus of my ire around Tigers diabolical recruitment for a while!

With Montoya joining as a genuinely world class first choice, Youngs re-finding his form and signing a contract with a salary more in keeping with the player he now is, Clare performing far above what was expected, Nic Dolly an affordable project and the impressive Archie Vanes coming out of the academy our hooker stocks have done a u-turn from overpaid and underperforming to very well balanced.

A shame to see Kerr go but he needs to play and was 4th choice here with the 3 ahead of him now actually there on merit of recent performances.

I hope Jake ends up at Edinburgh. Selfishly, as I live there and would love to see him progress at the new baby Murrayfield. I also think he'd slot into that squad very well and get game time, especially with Willemse leaving.

king_carlos wrote:

It infuriated me a couple of seasons ago when the direly out of form Youngs and Polota-Nau (one of my favourite players at his peak) were playing ahead of Kerr but underperforming whilst taking up a ridiculous amount of salary cap in what is on average the lowest paid position in the Premiership. Hooker was the focus of my ire around Tigers diabolical recruitment for a while!

This. I didn't want TPN because I thought he was passed it got told on the official forum how wrong I was and... what a waste of money. Youngs well that was different as things were happening off the field that I can't blame him for being effected by.

Kerr deserved more of a chance at the time but had the misfortune of MOC as head coach. A man so far out of his depth he couldn't see the surface followed by the Murphy limbo period. I honestly think he'll be a success north of the border and you'll enjoy watching him Carlos. As that's two Edinburgh hookers announced as going they must need another.

Owen Williams now being linked with Wuss.

mikey_dragon wrote:Owen Williams now being linked with Wuss.

They are allegedly desperate to acquire an 8 and a flyhalf. Owen Williams won't be cheap he'll be the sole marquee signing I'd imagine. He seemed to accept that injuries meant he wasn't going to be a regular Wales international when he took the money in Japan instead of going back to Wales. I doubt he'd risk his body by coming back to the Prem for anything short of a good pay day. Staying in Japan would be good financially and we've seen it lengthen players careers that have had injuries.

Worcester sign Sione Vailanu from Wasps.

Ben Meehan leaves LI with immediate effect for personal reasons

Still 2 marquee players next season. I'd imagine that Duhan will definitely fill one spot for Worcester.

king_carlos wrote:Still 2 marquee players next season. I'd imagine that Duhan will definitely fill one spot for Worcester.

Is there? I thought we were down to one spot for next season.

Worcester are apparently having a mammoth clear out with as many as 20 players going. They are being linked with Sutherland and generally splashing the cash this summer on a serious rebuild.

mikey_dragon wrote:Owen Williams now being linked with Wuss.

Confirmed.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

king_carlos wrote:Still 2 marquee players next season. I'd imagine that Duhan will definitely fill one spot for Worcester.

Is there? I thought we were down to one spot for next season.

Worcester are apparently having a mammoth clear out with as many as 20 players going. They are being linked with Sutherland and generally splashing the cash this summer on a serious rebuild.

Yep. The senior ceiling comes down to £5m for the 2021/22 season but stays at 2 marquee players. Then for 2022/23 it's £5m senior ceiling and 1 marquee player.

The agreement to reduce the cap in light of covid was only agreed by all the shareholder clubs on the stipulation it went back to "at least" £6.4m from the 2023/24 season as well so there will only actually be one season with the cap down at £5m and just the one marquee player.

I believe the marquee dispensation is planned to remain at one player a season after the cap goes back up in 2023/24 but I'm not certain on that to be honest.

The cap this season is still at £6.4m and 2 marquee players but with the wage cuts agreed by most (or is it all now?) clubs last season I'd guess every club is well below that at present anyway.

Pablo Matera has signed for the Crusaders...big signing that.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Pablo Matera has signed for the Crusaders...big signing that.

Well that'll be interesting to watch. Might see him kick on again, he's developed in one hell of a player in recent years.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Pablo Matera has signed for the Crusaders...big signing that.

Saw that, what a great signing for them

It’s been rumoured for a while but now it looks like a done-deal, Ospreys are signing Michael Collins - WQ through a grandparent. It looks like they’ll also been singing his teammate Jack Regan, formerly of Ulster.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/56998171
This snuck in under the radar a bit!
Replacement for Lang I guess

mikey_dragon wrote:It’s been rumoured for a while but now it looks like a done-deal, Ospreys are signing Michael Collins - WQ through a grandparent. It looks like they’ll also been singing his teammate Jack Regan, formerly of Ulster.

Yeah saw that about Regan. He was one of two Irish men playing in Super rugby NZ. Son of a famous Offaly hurler.

Hope he does well.

propdavid_london wrote:https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/56998171
This snuck in under the radar a bit!
Replacement for Lang I guess

I presume Tommaso will retire from international rugby now. Quins have needed some good flyhalf cover so this move makes sense.

Nic Groom has signed for LI until the end of the season.

He was allowed to leave Edinburgh early and the move to LI makes sense for him to attempt to earn a contract for next season should he wish to stay in the UK.

Slightly disappointed to see LI sign Nic Groom instead of giving some youngsters a chance in a season where there's no relegation.

Lee Blackett has confirmed that Wasps have a new front row worth of players signed but not announced and has said they are looking for two locks and a 6/8 that can jump in the lineout. Leaving it a bit late to do business but sounds like they'll be making announcements soon.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Slightly disappointed to see LI sign Nic Groom instead of giving some youngsters a chance in a season where there's no relegation.

Lee Blackett has confirmed that Wasps have a new front row worth of players signed but not announced and has said they are looking for two locks and a 6/8 that can jump in the lineout. Leaving it a bit late to do business but sounds like they'll be making announcements soon.

I was slightly surprised by it too. Fully expected them to get a Groom type player in next season, but thought we may finish the season with the cover we have. Unless Phipps has picked up a niggle we don't know about.

Couple of Young 9s at the club who have had virtually no rugby this season with Covid doing away with the minor competitions like the Prem Cup and Phipps/Meehan proving extremely durable. Brand is the older of the two, but he's been leapfrogged in the pecking order by Englefield who they clearly rate fairly highly and is more of a classical 9 with better basics.

Short term Groom gives us two experienced options in the position, but I think they should have taken the risk on this one.

I remember Brand from his under 20s days and I'd imagine that he'd be ideal for LI as an impact sub particularly with the attacking style they play with. Very quick player. Doesn't surprise me that there's another one ready to come out of the bumper LI academy already either.

Scarlets are set to sign Tomas Lezana. Not sure why, no Welsh team should be signing flankers. Argentina also rumoured to be coming to play Wales in Wales, as we can’t travel there. I hope fans are permitted to go to live games by then.

Josh Iosefa-Scott from Waikato to Exeter Chiefs, seen as a ‘project player’.

mikey_dragon wrote:Josh Iosefa-Scott from Waikato to Exeter Chiefs, seen as a ‘project player’.

6 foot 4 and north of 20 stone. There's plenty to work with there for Rob Baxter.

I'd rather Scarlets sign another NWQ than come sniffing round Tommy Reffell at Tigers.

I think Reffell can stay put for another few seasons and we’ll see how he goes, and it appears to be going well for him so far. If we bring another one home then I would prefer it to be Thomas Young.

mikey_dragon wrote:I think Reffell can stay put for another few seasons and we’ll see how he goes, and it appears to be going well for him so far. If we bring another one home then I would prefer it to be Thomas Young.

I'm always surprised when Young's contract comes up for renewal and no Wales Regions make a big play to take him back nor do the WRU seem that fussed. He's a very good player and offers something slightly different to Tipuric and Navidi but at the same time fits with the way Wales play. At 28 now I doubt he'll head home. Probably stay at Wasps to his early 30s and then take a pay day in France or Japan.

Reffell is more Warburton in style (not ability, yet). I'd be more than happy for Tigers to hand him a long term or rolling contract to ensure that he stays at the club even if Wales selection comes his way. He's very much in and around the first team this season and is only not playing at the minute through injury. I like his flexibility as he can switch between tackling all day when we don't want to compete at the breakdown and fetcher when we do conceding very little in the way of penalties when he does compete and winning far more.

Collins to Ospreys now confirmed. Great signing, a lot of work still needed at the Region, they were gash against Gash-Scarlets on Saturday.

The 27-year-old played for the Auckland Blues and Otago Highlanders, but is no stranger to west Wales having been a Scarlet in the 2015-16 season.

He is Wales-qualified through his Llanelli grandfather and played for New Zealand Under-20s five times in 2013.

Collins said Ospreys head coach Toby Booth sold him on the move after sharing his plans for the team.

"The Ospreys are a pretty young side at the moment, and they are a group who are improving and that was just an exciting challenge for me," he said.

"Having watched them from afar this season, the Ospreys are playing quite extravagant rugby and that is exciting too.

"I do have a Welsh qualification but for me, this is all about what I can do for the Ospreys and playing well for the Ospreys, and making a contribution to the team."

Reports in New Zealand have also linked Collins' Otago team-mate, Irish lock Jack Regan, with a move to Ospreys.

Birr native Regan, the son of Offaly All-Ireland hurling winner Daithi, joined Otago in 2020 after being released by Ulster, having played one senior game for the Irish province.

Not sure if I have seen it mentioned, but Elliott Stooke to Wasps confirmed.

Fluxy wrote:Not sure if I have seen it mentioned, but Elliott Stooke to Wasps confirmed.

Think it was rumoured a month or so back. Makes sense, good like for like replacement for Rowlands.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Fluxy wrote:Not sure if I have seen it mentioned, but Elliott Stooke to Wasps confirmed.

Think it was rumoured a month or so back. Makes sense, good like for like replacement for Rowlands.

Probably an upgrade if anything, good signing.

Juarno Augustus signed for Northampton Saints.

Pooly, if I remember correctly, he was a favourite of Matt's in the old AP game

Fluxy wrote:Juarno Augustus signed for Northampton Saints.

Pooly, if I remember correctly, he was a favourite of Matt's in the old AP game

He must be good then!

He'll be fuming that AWJ is Lions captain.....I miss that guy.

Fluxy wrote:Juarno Augustus signed for Northampton Saints.

Pooly, if I remember correctly, he was a favourite of Matt's in the old AP game

Big 18st+ lump who is known for his "hard yards" ability. Could be just what they need as the backrow at the moment is very lightweight. Mind you Harrison does make an awful lot od ground despite being a 16.5 stone lightweight

Owen Franks to the Hurricanes on a one year deal well so go the rumours.

Ngani Laumape signed for Stade Francais