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.

PhilBB wrote:

geoff999rugby wrote:The same is being posted on the Ulster supporters site.

The understanding there is he agreed to join Cardiff, but then Scarlets step in with a more attractive offer

By more attractive offer, do you mean "compensation to Cardiff"?

No I mean more attractive to Dwayne Peel.
What has or has not passed financially between Cardiff and Scarlets is irrelevant to what package looks most attractive to Peel

Not sure if this is anywhere else but cipriani to Bath and burns to Leicester.

Yep Cipriani to Bath on a one year deal. Sounds like they hadn't planned on Priestland leaving and hadn't actually worked on getting a long term option in. Buys them 12 months to find the answer.

Burns to Tigers and Charlie Clare gets a new deal. I'm actually happier with the new deal for squad hooker Charlie Clare.

Paul Hill has signed a contract extension at Saints. Good thing as he is finally starting to show what we all knew he had in him and is getting back to the form that won him a few England caps.

Saints fans should be happy with that one, Hill has the potential to be very good and his heading into what would traditionally be a prop's peak years. If he could reach his potential it'd be handy for England and give us some depth as outside of Sinckler we have no tightheads with many caps unless Cole is brought back. Heyes and Hill should get some caps this summer, put some pressure on Stuart and Sinkler.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Yep Cipriani to Bath on a one year deal. Sounds like they hadn't planned on Priestland leaving and hadn't actually worked on getting a long term option in. Buys them 12 months to find the answer.

Burns to Tigers and Charlie Clare gets a new deal. I'm actually happier with the new deal for squad hooker Charlie Clare.

Agree with the latter, thought he had a great game tonight.

nathan wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Yep Cipriani to Bath on a one year deal. Sounds like they hadn't planned on Priestland leaving and hadn't actually worked on getting a long term option in. Buys them 12 months to find the answer.

Burns to Tigers and Charlie Clare gets a new deal. I'm actually happier with the new deal for squad hooker Charlie Clare.

Agree with the latter, thought he had a great game tonight.

The yellow card was moronic. I expected better from him as the experienced player. Other than that he was solid which is what he's done since he's got back. Is he flashy, nope but you know he's going to put a massive shift in. Sets the standard for the young guys who want to break into the team. Very happy with him as a third choice, you can see how much it means to him to wear the shirt. He sets a good example and that's important for what Borthwick wants to build.

Mike Brown confirmed at us next season...

Looks like Bulls will finally get their target Jacques du Plessis. I expect him and Coetzee will be in the South Africa team at some point, maybe not for the Lions but certainly following on from that when guys like Duane Vermeulen step down.

Looks like Fearns is coming to us. Waiting to be confirmed apparently.

So our progress continues...signing a 35 year old, a 32 year old and another 31 year old if we sign Jordaan.

Really planning for the future eh!

But short termism but the shirt term looks pretty hefty at Falcons. Won't be accused of lacking physicality.

Oh no...im happy with that aspect Sam...but its the front row we need to address...

Get smashed in the scrum...bring in another flanker...makes total sense

As a Tigers fan I condone this course of action

If Hardie and van De Walt are out than Fearns in balances that. I'm sure there's a number of props inbound and due to be announced shortly. Deano seems to be prioritising big units up front so surely a prop is next in line.

Good because we've been too "athletic" and soft for years...he's finally cottoned on that you need physicality.

Any backrow that includes both Fearns and Wilson isn't going to be considered soft. If Chick is in there as well that's up there with the sort of thing Exeter might field in terms of physicality. Pair the new South African monster with Robinson and that should be a decent second row. Now just the props or if you can keep Ah You and Welch fit.

Sadly ive given up any hope of Keeping Welsh or Ah you fit...which is a shame because Ah you is a beast when hes fit...it just happens so rarely.

Him and Logo in the front row would be a handful for anyone.

Don't know if this has already been mentioned but Trinder is leaving Gloucester and Sopoaga is off to Lyon

Leinster have announced the signing of Samoa international prop Michael Alaalatoa, who will join them from Super Rugby Aotearoa side the Crusaders.

Brother of Allan. Good signing, he's been playing well for a while in a dominant Crusaders team. It's unlike Leinster to sign an overseas guy though.

mikey_dragon wrote:Brother of Allan. Good signing, he's been playing well for a while in a dominant Crusaders team. It's unlike Leinster to sign an overseas guy though.

Has he been capped ?

LordDowlais wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Brother of Allan. Good signing, he's been playing well for a while in a dominant Crusaders team. It's unlike Leinster to sign an overseas guy though.

Has he been capped ?

Allan is capped by Australia. Michael is capped by Samoa.

mikey_dragon wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Brother of Allan. Good signing, he's been playing well for a while in a dominant Crusaders team. It's unlike Leinster to sign an overseas guy though.

Has he been capped ?

Allan is capped by Australia. Michael is capped by Samoa.

Oh well, then you are correct, it is unlike Leinster to sign overseas.

Darren Barry confirmed to France with immediate effect, Toby Salmon recalled from is loan at Saracens.

LordDowlais wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Brother of Allan. Good signing, he's been playing well for a while in a dominant Crusaders team. It's unlike Leinster to sign an overseas guy though.

Has he been capped ?

Allan is capped by Australia. Michael is capped by Samoa.

Oh well, then you are correct, it is unlike Leinster to sign overseas.

Makes sense with both Porter and Furlong in the squad. Maybe Porter will play some more loosehead as Healy isn't getting any younger unless Leinster have yet another talent emerging in that department.

Leinster do sign from overseas they just tend to do it cleverly. Lowe, Gibson-Park, Fardy.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Brother of Allan. Good signing, he's been playing well for a while in a dominant Crusaders team. It's unlike Leinster to sign an overseas guy though.

Has he been capped ?

Allan is capped by Australia. Michael is capped by Samoa.

Oh well, then you are correct, it is unlike Leinster to sign overseas.

Makes sense with both Porter and Furlong in the squad. Maybe Porter will play some more loosehead as Healy isn't getting any younger unless Leinster have yet another talent emerging in that department.

Leinster do sign from overseas they just tend to do it cleverly. Lowe, Gibson-Park, Fardy.

yes, they do but often they do it with the hope they become Irish qualified with Lowe and Gibson Park being two prime examples.

They have signed some cracking players in the past though, Contepomi, Brad Thorne and Isa Necewa spring to mind.

There are unconfirmed reports floating in the Twittersphere that Simon Zebo will be returning to Munster in order to fight for a place in the Irish setup for the next RWC.
I must emphasize the unconfirmed part.

Update: It's been confirmed and the IRFU have contributed a decent chunk of his salary so he's definately in the plans to wear green as well as red, not forgetting the Lions as well of course.

Confirmed for a one year deal.
https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2021/0414/1209832-simon-zebo-set-for-return-to-munster-report/

I wonder what that means for Haley in the Munster set up. Now that he's returning has to be automatic into the Irish squad.

Good signing, what a team Munster are starting to have... One year doesn't seem to make much sense though, unless it's been agreed he'll return to Racing after a year? It makes sense to get him into the Ireland set-up again, whilst Keenan and whoever is brought on.

Grey has re-signed for Quins.....currently not the same standard as Baldwin, but presumably on a good deal for the club.

mikey_dragon wrote:Good signing, what a team Munster are starting to have... One year doesn't seem to make much sense though, unless it's been agreed he'll return to Racing after a year? It makes sense to get him into the Ireland set-up again, whilst Keenan and whoever is brought on.

I can't imagine he'd be returning to France after one year, it could simply be that in the current climate contracts are a little more slimmed down that previous Covid-free years. I think, seeing as the IRFU are part funding that they see him as an integral part of the Irish squad in the RWC. He didn't fit into Schmidt's plans because he cannot be programmed to perform a certain role and nothing else. He was far too free spirited for Joe's way of things but fits in with the Farrell way. I'm so glad to see him back at Munster, as long as he doesn't play well against Ulster that's fine but to know he's now a leading option for the green jersey is a real comfort blanket.

i see that Saracens have stated that ALL their on loan players bar Singleton at Gloucester will be returning to them next season.

Quite a team they'll have next season;

Vunipola, George, Koch
Itoje, Kpoku
Earl, Stay, Vunipola
Davies, Farrell
Tompkins, Lozowski
Maitland, Daly, Goode

Back up 15 will be handy as well.

Barrington, Woolstencroft, Clarey
Hunter-Hill, Swinson
Reffell, Clark, Venter
Van Zyl, Vunipola
Taylor, Morris
Segun, Lewington, Crossdale

Van Zyl the only new signing I've included and knowing Sarries I'm sure they'll have another one or two lined up. Bit of pilfering from the Championship as well.

They'll come back up a force and be in contention for top 4 again.

And I've still missed out Malins.

And you have missed Isiekwe

And when is Kruis coming back?

Kruis left, he wasn't on loan was he? He has been heavily linked with Tigers again.

Kruis has the option of a second year in Japan which he seems likely to take given recent interviews. He seems to be enjoying it and there's a good chance it could lengthen his career. He has said Sarries are his team so I'm not sure how accurate the Tigers rumours are though he'd be a great addition and he has got a good relationship with Borthwick.

Fluxy wrote:Kruis left, he wasn't on loan was he? He has been heavily linked with Tigers again.

Your right...he wasnt a loanee was he...

GeordieFalcon wrote:

Fluxy wrote:Kruis left, he wasn't on loan was he? He has been heavily linked with Tigers again.

Your right...he wasnt a loanee was he...

No he was looking to go to Japan before it all kicked off with the salary cap breach. He asked Eddie's advice because he didn't want to spend his entire career at one club and not use the chance to experience different cultures that he has.

Jack Nowell to Wasps replacing Sopoaga who is off to Lyon

That would be a surprise as he only signed a new deal with Chiefs last summer.

formerly known as Sam wrote:That would be a surprise as he only signed a new deal with Chiefs last summer.

Agreed

Jarrod Evans was linked to some Prem clubs, but he’s re-signed with Cardiff. He’s one of the most promising player from the academy.

mikey_dragon wrote:Jarrod Evans was linked to some Prem clubs, but he’s re-signed with Cardiff. He’s one of the most promising player from the academy.

Not the time to move when clubs haven't got much cash to splash and the salary cap is being slashed. If he waits two years then the cap will increase again and it might be worth his while moving to the Prem. That being said Worcester, Falcons, Bath were all looking for a 10 so he should have had offers it he wanted them.

Manu Tuilagi resigns for Sale - a 2 year contract.

Not many people here would have predicted that

lostinwales wrote:Manu Tuilagi resigns for Sale - a 2 year contract.

Not many people here would have predicted that

A lot would have predicted it. Not many would have predicted that it would have been sorted inside a month and without leaks regarding offers from elsewhere and visits to training grounds of big spenders in France

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Jarrod Evans was linked to some Prem clubs, but he’s re-signed with Cardiff. He’s one of the most promising player from the academy.

Not the time to move when clubs haven't got much cash to splash and the salary cap is being slashed. If he waits two years then the cap will increase again and it might be worth his while moving to the Prem. That being said Worcester, Falcons, Bath were all looking for a 10 so he should have had offers it he wanted them.

He would fit in well, fast running game on the lad but needs to improve his goal-kicking a little. He kept Anscombe out of the 10 jersey when both were playing there.

Cardiff announce Sherratt as their assistant coach. It was meant to be Peel but it seems Scarlets have managed to get him as their head coach, not sure what the full story is there. Hopefully that improves Scarlets.

Nick David from Warriors to Quins.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Nick David from Warriors to Quins.

Presumably to replace Brown - I have only read the press release, can any Worcester fans make any comments about this guy.