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)

Ceri Sweeney staying with Exe for another year, and moving into more of a player-coach role

My understanding is that it's a 6 month deal, but from what I've heard I will be surprised if we see him back at Irish.

I can see him really flourishing in Super Rugby. Hard grounds, quick ball from the breakdown and he will be flying.

Leicester mercury has

Barbieri
Ghiraldini
Rizzo

All confirmed.

Loamanu is struggling to get a permit.

And sounds like Hawkins is leaving.

Not confirmed meant set to sign

Ghiraldini seems a strange signing for Tigers, particularly if Hawkins is leaving, as they will lose their 2 first choice hookers during the AI's and 6 Nations.

Welly wrote:Leicester mercury has

Barbieri
Ghiraldini
Rizzo

All confirmed.

Loamanu is struggling to get a permit.

And sounds like Hawkins is leaving.

Updated for rumour section as per Mercury News Article. Barbieri is a class signing. For me he was the best back rower on show last season in the Pro 12. I'm also a massive fan of Ghiraldini. The other 2 won't set the world alight but are also in their prime so should make for good squad signings.

Surprised if Barbieri was available that there wasn't more competition from other teams for him. It also makes you wonder what kind of side Treviso will have next year because those are key players for them.

If Italians are available for signing there are a few more I would be looking at as they do have some quality amongst their rosters. Zanni for example is another really though back rower who I've been a massive fan of for the last few years.

Barbieri signing doesn't impress me. We have plenty of flankers in the first team and some young guys coming through. Unless he's going to play 8 as a replacement for Waldrom he's redundant. Even then I was hoping for a more big and bruising option.

Ghilraldini is alright and would be a good replacement for Hawkins. Briggs and the young hookers Thacker and Farnworth can cover during international periods.

Sounds like he will be covering 8.

Also remember matera may be away in the 4n and ai, if he is still here may go to the super rugby.

If all them players join Leicester than the Italians really won't add anything to the league... There must be something up at Treviso, they were building really well but are going back at a rate of knots atm.

I thought Treviso were pulling out of the League and the itlaians were forming there own. and the Italian management was saying for player to go to the Top 14 and Aviva.

 Leicester head scout on Leicester Radio was saying loads of Italian agents are doing the rounds now.

 Us and sale are also linked with Di Marchi.

 And we are linked with Campangro.

The Italian clubs have stated that the Rabo isn't providing value for money and they are pulling out. Now most of the Italian internationals are off to the AP or France in order to get the best preparation pre RWC. I think It's probably a bad move as Italian rugby seems to have been making some baby steps forward.

I wouldn't mind a couple of Italian internationals coming in but we have good talent coming through the club we may lose because of these short term options.

Didn't know Barbieri has played the majority of the time at 8 for Treviso this year.

The Italians signed a new deal to stay in the Rabo until 2018...

Treviso are a shambles, lost to Connacht 38-6, wonder what kind of thrashing they will get if some of their key players leave.

Barbieri is class, a good all round player, outplayed Waldrom in the hec but i think he has been in steep decline since last season.
Ghiraldini was for me the best hooker in europe last season, but seems to have lost some power this season.

Everyone has out played Waldrom this season. Hence why he isn't getting a new deal.

When did the announcement of the new deal with the Rabo come out? I've missed that one.

Sam, when are Tigers going to announce Burns' signing? What's the reason for the delay?

Maybe they've decided they don't want him anymore...

They announce the deals officially at the end of the season, normally when they are available to have their picture taken in whatever new kit Tigers have. He's been confirmed unofficially which means he'll sign.

HongKongCherry wrote:Sam, when are Tigers going to announce Burns' signing? What's the reason for the delay?

Terms can be agreed early on but the actual contract signing is put off until the last minute. A completely unintended consequence of this is that if a current player picks up an injury which will see them miss a chunk  of the next season, the new signing can come in as injury dispensation. Allegedly.  

Barbieri is a class act. 30-odd caps for Italy and he was top scoring forward in the Rabo last year.
He will add something a bit different to the mix. Don't worry about him - I think he'll surprise the doubters.
The only reason he doesn't play 8 for Italy is down to some punter called Parisse who can apparently play a bit.

George Carlin wrote:Barbieri is a class act. 30-odd caps for Italy and he was top scoring forward in the Rabo last year.
He will add something a bit different to the mix. Don't worry about him - I think he'll surprise the doubters.
The only reason he doesn't play 8 for Italy is down to some punter called Parisse who can apparently play a bit.

 I agree he would be a great signing.

 I liking the look of our full strength front rows.

 Ayerza
 Ghiraldini/Youngs
 Cole

 Then after 50 mins bring on
 Rizzo
 Youngs/Ghiraldini
 Logo

 Wouldn't mind that situation, would be tough with the AI and 6 N but LV cups take away some of those fixtures and Samoa only have one game in the AI this year I think.

Henson to Dragons

Laidlaw to Gloucester, interesting signing

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Laidlaw to Gloucester, interesting signing

Hmm, talked about as a replacement for Freddie Burns? Odd

Laidlaw would be a great fit, covers 9 and 10 as well as being a good goal kicker.

Welly, during 6N we'd have Ayerza, Briggs and Mulipola with Bristow, Thacker, Balmain on the bench. During the 6N we'll be playing in the LV and we'll have Bristow, Thacker, Balmain and Rudkin, Briggs, Pasquali on the bench. That's good enough and should progress our young talented front row options.

Laidlaw to the Cherries expected to be announced later today. I agree that it's a good fit and if they really don't know what Cowan is doing at the end of the season, is useful scrum half cover too. At the very least, Glos are getting one of the most accurate goalkickers around and a smart, smart rugby brain.

Good for Scotland fans too - lets Hart and SHC get more game time for Edinburgh and will make Heathcote even more likely to consider a move up there.

Cowan is definitely going unless he takes a significant drop in pay. He is our current marquee player and this will be taken next year by either Afoa or Hibbard. Furthermore, Cowan is behind Robson in the pecking order so whilst we will want strength in depth at 9, we shouldn't be paying that much for someone to warm the bench!

I'd be very happy with Laidlaw joining Glaws, but I would want him primarily as a 10 rather than 9 and given he is being talked up as Burns' replacement it'll be interesting to see where he considers his future role.

That'll leave a few more squad players to join Glaws along with 1 front line lock, which is looking increasingly like Jim Hamilton returning.

The return of Big Jim Hamilton will be a real bonus for Glaws. He adds an awful lot to any engine room and with Afoa and Hibbard bulking out the front row it should be a more menacing Glaws tight five.

Laidlaw is a good 10, I think he's a better 10 than 9 to be honest. Be interesting who plays second fiddle next season given Taylor has disappeared from view whilst both Mills and Burns are off. Big promotion for Burns Jnr? Not really any quality 10s skulking about the Championship at the minute either.

Hamilton has looked very pedestrain this year, do you think he'll provide a good option?

Sam, Taylor will retire and we've released Bentley, but Davies has said he'll be signing 2 FHs. We know one has already been signed and Laidlaw may be the other. My money is on Mark Atkinson from Bedford who is a 10/12. We then have Burns Jnr and 36. Robson could even play FH if required.

Pooly, Hamilton hasn't looked great but he'd add some intensity and nous to the pack which has been missing since his departure. I'd gladly have him back.

Some players thrive in France and some just don't adapt. French coaches apparently expect players to think on the fly rather than use organised structures for phases of play. Olly Barkley complained about this after his failed 18 months over there.

Alex Tualigi leaving Japan rumoured he may be going france.

Planet Rugby reporting that Samoan ex-Wasp Daniel Leo is leaving Perpignan at the end of the season for an as yet undisclosed UK side.

Laidlaw to Glaws confirmed

Rumours of Exe swooping for Tomas Francis, a 20+ stone tighthead from London Scottish

It seems apparent that Laidlaw has been signed as a 10/9 and I have to say I'm delighted by his signing. Not a flashy player, but can do the basics very well with an excellent kicking game. He will be a very welcome addition to Glaws.

Nigel Davies has confirmed we have also signed a SH, FH and outside back to be announced soon. From the rumours flying around that will be Callum Braley, Mark Atkinson and Stevie McColl respectively. He also confirmed there are 2 more to find which is apparently a lock and a backrow forward. So hopefully that'll be Jim Hamilton and Jacob Rowan.

I'm gutted, I really thought that we could offload Heathcote to you and then get Laidlaw ourselves! Although maybe Heathcote is the FH you're referring to?

Laidlaw's kicking will be crucial and will win you games and BPs next year.

Rowan would be an excellent signing. Would be a real shame for Leeds to lose him, especially as they are right in the promotion mix.

Braley the England under 20s SH? That could be a great deal for you guys as he is supposed to have a lot of potential. Rowan a slightly odd move for him but a good signing for Glaws. Dunno who the other two are. Glaws recruiting well.

Tigers getting some trouble with visa on bai according to twitter (Gillingham) Cohen is quite good at these things.

 At least it sounds like were in the late stages of a deal.

Anyone heard anything about Launchbury's future? Rumours that he will join Saracens seem quite persistent, but I thought he had a contract with Wasps until 14/15.

Sorry Bathite, but now you know how I felt when you signed Garvey!!

LT & Sam, we do have some good signings in the offing; I just hope they come to fruition but certainly so far they ones announced will all add experience to a young side and are addressing our main issues of a poor set piece and dire kicking %.

I'm much happier with Garvey! Him and Attwood in the row with Burgess at 6 next year is pretty tasty

Bathite wrote:I'm much happier with Garvey! Him and Attwood in the row with Burgess at 6 next year is pretty tasty

Have Garvey and Attwood played together yet at lock? I'd love to see that, except of course when you play Glaws...

It will be an enormous achievement for Burgess to become a decent back row player. The pinnacle of a 6 to me will always be Richard Hill (albeit he was a club 7) and what made him so good was his work at the breakdown, link work and in the tackle; skills which aren't in use in league. Burgess may be able to master this, but he's coming from nothing and it will be a huge ask, despite his undoubted talent elsewhere.

Yeah I know, was only trying to wind you up! Garvey has played very little at lock for us, maybe only 2 games. I'd be loathed to move him, but I just don't know where Burgess is going to play!

SirBurger wrote:Anyone heard anything about Launchbury's future? Rumours that he will join Saracens seem quite persistent, but I thought he had a contract with Wasps until 14/15.

 Apprantley it is def not Sarries.

 My money is on Quins or Glous.

 Maybe Bath at a push, not sure in terms of who leaving etc for them.

Welly wrote:

SirBurger wrote:Anyone heard anything about Launchbury's future? Rumours that he will join Saracens seem quite persistent, but I thought he had a contract with Wasps until 14/15.

 Apprantley it is def not Sarries.

 My money is on Quins or Glous.

 Maybe Bath at a push, not sure in terms of who leaving etc for them.

Sounds like he is definitely off then? I find this surprising as I thought he was happy at Wasps.

http://www.london24.com/sport/rugby/saracens_play_down_adam_jones_and_joe_launchbury_moves_but_rue_nick_auterac_bath_exit_1_3266720

News story on it there.

I'd imagine Wasps would be looking for a substantial bit of compensation if Launchbury were to leave. Bath I can't see spending more when they've just shelled out big style on Burgess whilst Glaws don't have an owner willing to throw that kind of money at a transfer fee.

I don't think Wasps would want to lose another of their top players to Sarries.

Quins would make sense.

Gloucester have already made 3 big signings - Afoa,Hibbard and Laidlaw. Would they be able to bring in another?

I like to think that Saracens will bring in at least one player with the retirement of Borthwick plus Auterac and Stevens leaving.

I couldn't predict with any confidence who we will sign if anyone.