Transfers 2014/2015 Continued

First topic message reminder :

Well silly season is almost upon us so thought I would keep tabs on the comings and goings.  Will put the confirmed transfers, unconfirmed transfers (rumours) and out of contract players into various columns.  Please post any news or rumours and I will keep the original post updated.

Confirmed
Jon Davies (Scarlets) to Clermont
Regan King (Clermont) to Scarlets
Ian Evans (Ospreys) to Toulon
John Afoa (Ulster) to Gloucester
Rory Kockott (Castres) to Toulon (reportedly trying to cancel deal to stay at Castres)
Richard Hibbard (Ospreys) to Gloucester
Mamuka Gorgodze (Montpellier) to Toulon
Sebastien Vahaamahina (Perpignan) to Clermont
Guilhem Guirado (Perpignan) to Toulon
Robin Copeland (Blues) to Munster
Armitev (Northampton) to Russia (unconfirmed club)
Qera (Gloucester) to Toulouse
Casey Laulala (Munster to France (Club unconfirmed but thought to be Racing Metro)
Tom Court (Ulster) to London Irish
Andre Pretorius (Blues) to Worcester
Zac Guildford (New Zealand) to Clermont
Sivivatu (Clermont) to Castres
Aled Brew (Biarritz) to Dragons
Lee Byrne (Clermont) to Dragons
Dwayne Peel (Sale) to Bristol
Thomas Waldrom (Leicester) to Exeter
Dan Evans (Dragons) to Ospreys
Ieuan Jones (Dragons) to Blues
Jean-Philippe Genevois (Biarritz) to Perpignan
Benoit Cabello (Clermont) to Perpignan
Sakiusa Matadigo (Racing) to Perpignan
Jonathan Wisniewski (Racing) to Grenoble
Leigh Halfpenny (Blues) to Toulon
Josh Turnbull (Scarlets) to Blues
Nick Abendanon (Bath) to Clermont
Anthony Perenise (Bath) to Bristol
Craig Mitchell (Exeter) to Blues
Hoani Tui (Exeter) to Lyon
Tavis Knoyle (Gloucester) to Blues
Marland Yarde (London Irish) to Harlequins
Neil Cochrane (Wasps) to Edinburgh
Henry Thomas (Sale) to Bath
Josh Matavesi (Worcester) to Ospreys
Nick Auterac (Saracens) to Bath
Boris Stankovich (Leicester) to Dragons
Bradley Davies (Blues) to London Wasps
Moray Low (Glasgow) to Exeter
Chris Cussiter (Glasgow) to Sale
Matt Stevens (Saracens) to Sharks
Sam Smith (Harlequins) to Worcester
James Gaskell (Sale) to Wasps
Eoin Griffin (Connacht) to London Irish
Sam Burgess (Rugby League) to Bath
Adam Hughes (Dragons) to Bristol
Sam Parry (Dragons) to Ospreys
Joe Rees (Ospreys) to Worcester
Ian Nagle (Munster) to Newcastle
Tom Guest (Halrequins) to London Irish
Luke Narraway (Perpignan) to London Irish
Freddie Burns (Gloucester) to Leicester
Matthew Morgan (Ospreys) to Bristol
Jim Hamilton (Montpellier) to Saracens
Toby Flood (Leicester) to Toulouse
Lote Tuquiri (Leinster) to NPC
Johnnie Beattie (Montpellier) to Castres
Ryan Jones (Ospreys) to Bristol
Greg Laidlaw (Edinburgh) to Gloucester
Brice Dulin (Castres) to Racing Metro
Antonie Claassen (Castres) to Racing Metro
Gio Aplon (South Africa) to Grenoble
Leonardo Ghiraldini (Treviso) to Leicester
Robert Barbieri (Treviso) to Leicester
Loamanu (Treviso) to Leicester
Rob Hawkins (Leicester) to Newcastle
Ian Gough (London Irish) to Dragons



Unconfirmed
Michele Rizzo (Treviso) to Leicester



Out of Contract
Adam Jones (Ospreys) - Looks like he is signing for Ospreys/WRU as indicated in press
Keith Earls (Munster)
Daniel Bowden (Leicester)
Scott Hamilton (Leicester)



Retiring
Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster)
Andrew Sheridan (Toulon - unconfirmed)
Steve Borthwick (Saracens)
Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon)
Sebastien Bruno (Toulon)
George Chuter (Leicester) moving to Worcester coaching
Johann Muller (Ulster)
Mike Tindall (Gloucester - unconfirmed)
Will James (Gloucester)

You've already brought back the American lock from the NFL, Smith. He's a pretty good squad signing which would allow Kruis to take Borthwick's shirt and partner Hargreaves with Botha also as back up. I'd imagine you'll be looking for a tight head as a priority.

True Sam but I can't see Smith being on a large salary. Certainly not in comparison to Borthwick.

Kruis is already pretty much first choice as it is plus that's been compounded with Hargreaves and Botha both being injured.

Perhaps we'll just rely on Jubb and Itoje.

I agree tight head will be a priority but they are in high demand and very expensive.

Only need to look at the lack of good EQ tightheads.

I just want to see one signing - doesn't need to be a high profile player necessarily.

Launchbury won't be coming to Glaws, despite how much I'd love him to. Whilst we arguably have the wages available for a front line lock, we won't have space under the cap to cover a transfer fee as well.

formerly known as Sam wrote:http://www.london24.com/sport/rugby/saracens_play_down_adam_jones_and_joe_launchbury_moves_but_rue_nick_auterac_bath_exit_1_3266720

Evidence indeed that Saracens are blatantly exceeding the salary cap. Just surprised that Adam Jones has stated he will probably end up staying in Wales with that kind of money on offer to him (think the hack has spent too much time writing about wendyball ).

If Launchbury does indeed move then Quins certainly have a space (and need) for him but it wouldn't help them though during international windows. Although you always want teams to buy English wherever possible you could understand them investing their $$ into a player or two who is potentially available during the 6N.

Borthwick and Stevens going will free up a large chunk of cash for someone like Jones to come in should both parties want the deal to happen. Promoting from within and using the return of Hayden Smith to cover Borthwick's retirement will give Sarries a war chest to compete for an international quality tight head. I think they are more likely to go for a South African with a couple of caps to his name and will do a good job.

Launchbury is under contract?? Why would Wasps let him go?

Rumour is Sarries are looking to pay a transfer fee

We'll be fine. We always have a couple of non EQ players, if Mo goes we will probably look to add one in the pack who fits the ethos (usually not big names). Otherwise we'll just have to find more gems from other places. Probably Pirates.

It's pretty much in Wasps hands though, why lose your best player?

I just can't see this one.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:It's pretty much in Wasps hands though, why lose your best player?

I just can't see this one.

Depends how much money is in it and whether they think tehy can use that money or cap space to acquire other options who won't be away with England. I doubt they'll let him go though

Jack O'Connell and Hudson to Bristol confirmed! Two promising players that came through the academy.

Bristol also signed max crumpton from us/Sarries, Perenese from Bath and Lam

Matthew Morgan has been confirmed to Bristol as well. Probably the best capture they have made so far. To be honest I'm gutted he hasnt come to the Dragons.

Jack lam to Bristol what a signing, they should have a heavy hitting back row next season.

Welshmushroom wrote:Matthew Morgan has been confirmed to Bristol as well.  Probably the best capture they have made so far.  To be honest I'm gutted he hasnt come to the Dragons.  

Bit of a waste I think. Would've been better competing with Tovey and being under Gatland's nose playing in Wales.

Risca Rev wrote:

Welshmushroom wrote:Matthew Morgan has been confirmed to Bristol as well.  Probably the best capture they have made so far.  To be honest I'm gutted he hasnt come to the Dragons.  

Bit of a waste I think. Would've been better competing with Tovey and being under Gatland's nose playing in Wales.

You think Mathew Morgan is international quality?

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:

Welshmushroom wrote:Matthew Morgan has been confirmed to Bristol as well.  Probably the best capture they have made so far.  To be honest I'm gutted he hasnt come to the Dragons.  

Bit of a waste I think. Would've been better competing with Tovey and being under Gatland's nose playing in Wales.

You think Mathew Morgan is international quality?

Theres no doubt he his a superbly talented player, but he is too small for international level these days, hes smaller than Shane Williams and would be a revolving door in the 10 channel.

Bristol recruiting very well!
Re the Irish players: O'Connell is a quality player but unfortunate to be behind Healy and Jack McGrath.
Hudson is a good back and I'm surprised Leinster are letting him go.

profitius wrote:Bristol recruiting very well!
.

Unbelievable how few people are critisicing them for spending spending spending without a decent business plan. Yet Toulon get hammered for spending spending spending when they turnover 20m Euros.

It doesn't sit great with me Chunky, I kind of want them to not get promoted.

Chunky Norwich wrote:

profitius wrote:Bristol recruiting very well!
.

Unbelievable how few people are critisicing them for spending spending spending without a decent business plan. Yet Toulon get hammered for spending spending spending when they turnover 20m Euros.

Do you know that Bristol don't have a decent business plan? Do you know that Toulon don't have a decent business plan? Or are you just surmising?

Well, they should be ok as long as they haven't copied the regions' business plans?!

Apparently Andy Robinson's squad at Bristol is now up to fifty players.  It would be great to have Bristol back in the AP and Mr Landsdown is certainly putting some investment into the club.

However, Bath have lost a few players now to our local rivals and this could well continue. If they get promoted, they should be pretty competitive from the start in the AP next season.

Chunky Norwich wrote:

profitius wrote:Bristol recruiting very well!
.

Unbelievable how few people are critisicing them for spending spending spending without a decent business plan. Yet Toulon get hammered for spending spending spending when they turnover 20m Euros.

We don't know how much they are paying for these signings. For example the 2 Leinster lads won't be on much wages. Its not like Toulon who were signing world class players when they were in Pro D2

Recwatcher wrote:Apparently Andy Robinson's squad at Bristol is now up to fifty players.  It would be great to have Bristol back in the AP and Mr Landsdown is certainly putting some investment into the club.

However,  Bath have lost a few players now to our local rivals and this could well continue. If they get promoted,  they should be pretty competitive from the start in the AP next season.

And if they get to the AP, then presumably their squad would have to meet the salary cap? Plus we know nothing about which players (if any) will be let go in the summer? Anyway never let the facts get in the way of a Chunky rant

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:

Welshmushroom wrote:Matthew Morgan has been confirmed to Bristol as well.  Probably the best capture they have made so far.  To be honest I'm gutted he hasnt come to the Dragons.  

Bit of a waste I think. Would've been better competing with Tovey and being under Gatland's nose playing in Wales.

You think Mathew Morgan is international quality?

No not yet, but I don't think it's doing him any favours moving out of Wales either.

Sam Hill extends his contract at Exe till 2017 - excellent news, let's hope Sladey, Jack, Ewers & co follow suit On the other hand, Shoey definitely heading back to NZ and Hawke's Bay this summer - has been terrific for us and will be missed

Risca Rev wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:

Welshmushroom wrote:Matthew Morgan has been confirmed to Bristol as well.  Probably the best capture they have made so far.  To be honest I'm gutted he hasnt come to the Dragons.  

Bit of a waste I think. Would've been better competing with Tovey and being under Gatland's nose playing in Wales.

You think Mathew Morgan is international quality?

No not yet, but I don't think it's doing him any favours moving out of Wales either.

Only need to look on a map to see that Bristol isn't that far away from Wales.

Welly wrote:Jack lam to Bristol what a signing, they should have a heavy hitting back row next season.

Agree with this, what a coup that is, I'm actually a little surprised that someone else hasn't come in for him now he is Samoan capped.
Assuming they get promoted, they should have a pretty decent team for the AP season, I can't see them 'doing a Worcester'.

Risca Rev wrote:

No not yet, but I don't think it's doing him any favours moving out of Wales either.

If N Robinson leaves Bristol Morgan may well be first choice. So you think it would be better for him to play second fiddle behind Biggar or Tovey?

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:
Do you know that Bristol don't have a decent business plan?  Do you know that Toulon don't have a decent business plan?  Or are you just surmising?

Well, they should be ok as long as they haven't copied the regions' business plans?!

Well yes we do. We know that the entire sponsorship and community income at Toulon is 150% x their playing budget.

I'm fairly confident that Bristol haven't got figures to match those.

Chunky Norwich wrote:

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:
Do you know that Bristol don't have a decent business plan?  Do you know that Toulon don't have a decent business plan?  Or are you just surmising?

Well, they should be ok as long as they haven't copied the regions' business plans?!

Well yes we do. We know that the entire sponsorship and community income at Toulon is 150% x their playing budget.

I'm fairly confident that Bristol haven't got figures to match those.

So basically you made it up   Well played, Chunky

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:
So basically you made it up   Well played, Chunky

Half a brain. That is all that is needed here.

Why not actually discuss the points I raised rather than set out for a fight?

Too many shirley's on here just want to be seen as big boys and now nothing beyond their little team. Mostly the Irish, who probably only started following rugby in the early 2000s

Bathman_in_London wrote:

Welly wrote:Jack lam to Bristol what a signing, they should have a heavy hitting back row next season.

Agree with this, what a coup that is, I'm actually a little surprised that someone else hasn't come in for him now he is Samoan capped.
Assuming they get promoted, they should have a pretty decent team for the AP season, I can't see them 'doing a Worcester'.

 This clip sums him up for me. Against the 2011 Bulls who were a huge unit. The players he goes against are the forwards as well.


fortunately there isn't many Coenie Oosthuizen about.

Chunky Norwich wrote:

profitius wrote:Bristol recruiting very well!
.

Unbelievable how few people are critisicing them for spending spending spending without a decent business plan. Yet Toulon get hammered for spending spending spending when they turnover 20m Euros.

The lack of English players in the Bristol squad and the lack of English recruitment is a little worrying but Toulon are hugely damaging to French rugby.

Only need to look at the lack of Frenchman in the HC final starting XV when they won it. Do Toulon even have an academy?

Bristol are bringing in some potentially talented players but no players with a profile comparable to Toulon.

beshocked wrote:
The lack of English players in the Bristol squad and the lack of English recruitment is a little worrying but Toulon are hugely damaging to French rugby.

Only need to look at the lack of Frenchman in the HC final starting XV when they won it. Do Toulon even have an academy?

Bristol are bringing in some potentially talented players but no players with a profile comparable to Toulon.

I totally agree. But that is not what gets most people's backs up. They think that the owner is just ploughing money in to buy player after player. When he leaves next year, and they do the same thing, I can't wait to see who they'll pinpoint as the nasty Toulon money man.

I wonder if Bris will try and target Rennie to stay? 

 They not the biggest names but the are some talented names with points to prove.

 I think it a wise investment, the fan base is they for Bristol.

Chunky Norwich wrote:

beshocked wrote:
The lack of English players in the Bristol squad and the lack of English recruitment is a little worrying but Toulon are hugely damaging to French rugby.

Only need to look at the lack of Frenchman in the HC final starting XV when they won it. Do Toulon even have an academy?

Bristol are bringing in some potentially talented players but no players with a profile comparable to Toulon.

I totally agree. But that is not what gets most people's backs up. They think that the owner is just ploughing money in to buy player after player. When he leaves next year, and they do the same thing, I can't wait to see who they'll pinpoint as the nasty Toulon money man.

I think Mourad Boudjellal is a passionate Toulon fan. I don't question that. I don't question his ability to make Toulon a successful club on and off the pitch in terms of trophies and revenue.

It's the lack of an academy and Frenchmen in the Toulon team that I question. Toulon is no longer a French team.


Bristol are only comparable because of the amount of foreigners recruited but not in terms of financial muscle,revenue and profile.

Toulon is damaging to the French rugby team, as of now bristol is not damaging to the English rugby team.

beshocked wrote:
It's the lack of an academy and Frenchmen in the Toulon team that I question.

http://www.rctoulon.com/en/page/formation/

Bristol are only comparable because of the amount of foreigners recruited but not in terms of financial muscle,revenue and profile.
.

Are you aware that the Bristol RFC owner is worth £1.4 billion?

Fair enough chunky norwich I did not know that he was worth that much. Would mean Bristol have the 2nd richest backers in English rugby.

In regards to the academy - I don't mean literally. I mean there seems to be very little productive output though perhaps you can prove me wrong again.

How much is Mourad worth?

beshocked wrote:

How much is Mourad worth?

He sold his publishing company for 40m. Speaking to a Toulon fan he reckons he's worth around 100m. That's obviously a guesstimate. Whereas Forbes and the Sunday Times both have the Bristol owners wealth at over £1billion. I'm not sure what his stake in Bristol is though.

As for productive output of the academy, there are a few class players in France that were disca5rded by Toulon at an early age. Gael Fickou and Marc Andreu spring to mind. Toulon should never have binned them but they DID learn their trade there.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23501929 Looks like he wont be making the same mistake with the rugby team.

 
Cant find anything about his stake other than he is the majority owner.

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:

No not yet, but I don't think it's doing him any favours moving out of Wales either.

If N Robinson leaves Bristol Morgan may well be first choice. So you think it would be better for him to play second fiddle behind Biggar or Tovey?

He wouldn't be guaranteed second choice behind Tovey, I expect. Also as you say he still has to compete with Robinson anyway.

beshocked wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:

Welshmushroom wrote:Matthew Morgan has been confirmed to Bristol as well.  Probably the best capture they have made so far.  To be honest I'm gutted he hasnt come to the Dragons.  

Bit of a waste I think. Would've been better competing with Tovey and being under Gatland's nose playing in Wales.

You think Mathew Morgan is international quality?

No not yet, but I don't think it's doing him any favours moving out of Wales either.

Only need to look on a map to see that Bristol isn't that far away from Wales.

Oh isn't it? Do you really think Gatland is really going to bother going there to watch him?

If only there was some way of watching matches in your own home on some kind of viewing device??

I think it could be the way forward.

Despite Steve Lansdown's wealth I wouldn't expect ridiculous spending at Bristol. Firstly given he's made his wealth being frugal with money, he's unlikely to take any form of risk; secondly and more importantly, he had been the main backer at Bristol City football and was unwilling to fund them extravagantly. He is clearly willing to get them back in the Jeff and be a decent side, but I wouldn't expect anything anywhere near comparable to Toulon.

HongKongCherry wrote:Despite Steve Lansdown's wealth I wouldn't expect ridiculous spending at Bristol.  Firstly given he's made his wealth being frugal with money, he's unlikely to take any form of risk; secondly and more importantly, he had been the main backer at Bristol City football and was unwilling to fund them extravagantly.  .

I think that's a massive contradiction personally. He knew he would never get Bristol City FC anywhere yet spent relatively big for that level. That was the opposite of being frugal.

You don't invest in soccer AT ALL, if you are "frugal".

If Gatland was interested in Mathew Morgan he would have been called into the Wales squad. He's 22 not 18. The likes of Jordan Williams and Rhys Patchell have been called into the squad before him. They are both 2 years younger.

Mathew Morgan is not Aviva premiership, Pro12 or Heineken Cup quality. let alone international.

Chunky Norwich wrote:

HongKongCherry wrote:Despite Steve Lansdown's wealth I wouldn't expect ridiculous spending at Bristol.  Firstly given he's made his wealth being frugal with money, he's unlikely to take any form of risk; secondly and more importantly, he had been the main backer at Bristol City football and was unwilling to fund them extravagantly.  .

I think that's a massive contradiction personally. He knew he would never get Bristol City FC anywhere yet spent relatively big for that level. That was the opposite of being frugal.

You don't invest in soccer AT ALL, if you are "frugal".

He didn't spend big at City, far from it. The City fans were hopeful he would, but this never materialised.

HongKongCherry wrote:

He didn't spend big at City, far from it.  The City fans were hopeful he would, but this never materialised.

The point is, he spent. On football. That's hardly being frugal. He'll do much more at Bristol rugby.