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)

Baxter may make up to 4 additional signings at the Chief, players that would compete for starting slots - we need 'em

Do you have Hogg to Ulster on the list - looking increasingly likely

If anyone knows anything about Worcester prop John Andress, feel free to enlighten us on this thread as he's just signed for Edinburgh!

https://www.606v2.com/t53119p500-glasgow-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-iii#2655680

Big, seems injury prone this season, experienced but past his best. A solid signing but not much more. Though I'm not a Wuss fan so haven't seen him play regularly.

Carnegie have signed Chris Jones from Wuss on a 2 year contract and young FH Harry Leonard from Edinburgh. Would be interested on any views Leonard in particular. Chris Jones will bring some experience at least which will help in a traditionally young line up.

I'm disappointed Edinburgh let Leonard go, as the person who will replace him will no doubt be non SQ and not any better than him, although I don't think he would go on to ever push on for Scotland honours. He started off brightly at Edinburgh but hasn't really progressed as we were hoping over the past few seasons.

He got a lot of gametime this year and played in some decent wins for the club. I wouldn't say there is anything about him that particularly stands out, he's just a good all rounder.

I think he'll do a great job at Championship level.

Is that ex Sale player Chris Jones? The Second Row / Flanker who played for England?

Is he still going?

Yes Geordie, that's him. He's 33 so very much at the end of his career I would think.

Thanks RDW, maybe we can bring him on a bit more. Sometimes a change in coaching and environment can help and we've a good ethos at Headingley so hopefull he'll settle well and enjoy the way we play here.

Laurence Pearce also confirmed to be heading to Tigers from Rotherham

Pretty sure Ryan Jones has played for Bristol already. Think that is good enough confirmation on the transfer really...

RDW_Scotland wrote:If anyone knows anything about Worcester prop John Andress, feel free to enlighten us on this thread as he's just signed for Edinburgh!

https://www.606v2.com/t53119p500-glasgow-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-iii#2655680

He's not very good.

Brilliant.   

RDW_Scotland wrote:I'm disappointed Edinburgh let Leonard go, as the person who will replace him will no doubt be non SQ and not any better than him, although I don't think he would go on to ever push on for Scotland honours. He started off brightly at Edinburgh but hasn't really progressed as we were hoping over the past few seasons.

He got a lot of gametime this year and played in some decent wins for the club.  I wouldn't say there is anything about him that particularly stands out, he's just a good all rounder.

I think he'll do a great job at Championship level.

Yes, that's a canny move from Geech. Most Edinburgh fans couldn't understand Solomons letting Leonard go and seeming to prefer a South African 8 years older and not discernibly better. Leonard is a good all rounder - absolutely nothing wrong with any facet of his game and he will probably shine in the Championship. He's likely to be the regular starter, actually.

George, RDW, that all sounds very reassuring, thanks. We have around 9 leaving some of whom have been crucial to us so anything that can be done to gather decent replacements/additions is welcome. I've seen apparently average players come good as a result of playing regularly at a level that allows them to build confidence.

nathan wrote:Laurence Pearce also confirmed to be heading to Tigers from Rotherham

Nath, have Tigers made a lot of signings? It just seems like there's a big old list of players going to them over the summer...

If so will this effect the match day 23 much? Or are they more squad players. Perhaps there will be an unsettled start to the season as they all try to bed in?

Tigers squad is looking stronger for the changes. First Team will still be roughly the same but the second and third options are now stronger.

First/second/third choice:

1. Ayerza/Rizzo/Bristow
2 . Youngs/Ghilrildini/Thacker
3. Cole/Mulipola/Balmain
4. Slater/Deacon/De Chaves
5. Kitchener/Parling/Price
6. Croft/Mafi/Gibson
7. Salvi/Matera/Owen
8. Crane/Barbieri/Pearce
9. Youngs/Mele/Harrison
10. Williams/Burns/Bai
11. Goneva/Benjamin/Thompstone
12. Allen/Hempetema/Pohe
13. Manu/Smith/Catchpole
14. Morris/Camacho/Williams
15. Tait/Scully/Hamilton

Should help us cope better with he inevitable sleuth of injuries.

My main team would be.
 1, Ayerza, 2, Youngs, 3, Cole, 4, Slater, 5, Palring, 6, Croft, 7, Salvi, 8, Barbieri, 9, Youngs, 10, Williams, 11, Goneva, 12, Allen, 13, Manu, 14, Morris, 15, Tait.
 
 Bench: 16, Ghilrildini, 17, Rizzo, 18, Mulipola, 19, Kitchener, 20, Crane/Matera/Gibson/Mafi, 21, Mele, 22, Burns, 23, Benjmain, Scully, Loamanu.

 Which imo could challenge most teams in Europe.

What this does mean is

 in the AI where we could be missing, Ayerza, Rizzo, Youngs, Ghiraldini, Mulipola, Slater, Parling, Croft, Matera, Barbieri, Youngs, Williams (Maybe), Tuilagi and Goneva

So the 23 would look like (i'm guessing and if cole is back for Nov)
1, Bristow, 2, Briggs, 3, Cole, 4, Deacon, 5, Kitchener, 6, Mafi, 7, Salvi, 8, Crane, 9, Mele, 10, Burns, 11, Benjamin, 12, Allen, 13, Loamanu, 14, Morris, 15 Tait
Bench 16, thacker, 17, Brugnara, 18, Balmian, 19, De Cheves, 20, Gibson, 21, Harrison, 22, Bai, 23, Scully

In the 6 Nations It could be (If Williams gets a call up)
1. Ayerza, 2, Briggs, 3, Mulipola, 4, Deacon, 5, Kitchener, 6, Mafi, 7, Salvi, 8, Crane, 9, Mele, 10, Burns, 11, Benjamin, 12, Allen, 13 Goneva, 14, Morris, 15 Tait
Bench 16 Thacker, 17, Bristow, 18, Balamin, 19, De Cheves, 20, Gibson/Matera, 21, Harrison, 22, Bai, 23, Loads of choice.

Matera has apparently signed a new contract.


http://rugbyworldcup-argentina2023.blogspot.com.br/2014/05/aviva-premiership-pablo-matera-to.html#more


 Excellent if true reckon another season and he will be above Salvi.

Anyone heard anything about Juan Figallo joining Sarries?

Nope. They surely need another tight head with Stevens leaving though. I'd have thought Stevens would have been on a decent wage so they should have funds for a direct replacement especially as Argie players generally accepted lower contracts as they miss a third of the season.

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_9323744,00.html

Hope he recovers and returns to the game. Sarries will certainly offer him the resources to make a full recovery. One he'll of a signing for them as well. Short term might not seem that way but long term could add a lot of strength to their pack.

BamBam wrote:Anyone heard anything about Juan Figallo joining Sarries?

Yes he was released from Montpelier as his injury did not allow him to play in France anymore (cervical verterbrae). It's a bit weird that he's deemee fit for the AP though.

Sorry irrelevant post (just saw the link)

So does that mean a player with that kind of injury can't even be rehabilitated while on the books of a French side? I have no idea what the injury means, but I imagine he will be out of action for a fair while even if he is joining Sarries, could he not have done the same in France?

I think he's ready to come back Bam

Looks like Hook will be joining Gloucester next season. Shame they didn't keep Knoyle off our hands as well.

In hindsight Hook replacing Burns isn't that bad. I presume some creative accounting has taken place...

HongKongCherry wrote:In hindsight Hook replacing Burns isn't that bad. I presume some creative accounting has taken place...

I think this will end up a great signing for Gloucester. Depends who is the coach?

Luke Arscott from Exe to Barf, and Ryan Caldwell the other way

In another of his (in)famous publicity stunt, Mourad Boudjellal declared he will try to sign next year or so the fantastic four ie the 4 players he considers as the best in the world  

who would he consider being the top 4 players in the world?
folau, north, savea, Conrad smith, le roux? must be contenders in the backs
forwards wise- McCaw, Read, Whitelock, bismark, etzebeth, hooper, Picamoles, O'Brien

whocares wrote:In another of his (in)famous publicity stunt, Mourad Boudjellal declared he will try to sign next year or so the fantastic four ie the 4 players he considers as the best in the world  

Granted, Dan Parks is now available. Not sure that Henson would leave Bath, though.

My top 4 would be Read, Falou, Bismark and Savea

And none of those will be going before the WC.

Welly wrote:My top 4 would be Read, Falou, Bismark and Savea

And none of those will be going before the WC.

Am with you Welly but I think it would be post worldcup and if anything ageing players like McCaw, Carter and Nonu.

Dan Bowden turns down offers to stay in UK and opts to return to NZ with the Auckland Blues. Probably seen as an economic replacement for Marshall.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Dan Bowden turns down offers to stay in UK and opts to return to NZ with the Auckland Blues. Probably seen as an economic replacement for Marshall.

 Good move for him imo, young family, now close to they extended family, think NZ was always the plan after he had his appendix done in NZ prob realised how much he missed them, the Blues havn't got many 10/12 players who can cover both and 10 depth is very low.

Ayerza discussing an extension to his contract which is due to expire in the summer of 2015. At 31 he's got several more years left in the tank.

Benjamin is still having issues with his knee. In two years he's managed 10 games and 5 tries. Now looks like he'll be out until October time at the earliest.

wingers left fit.
 Goneva
 Morris
 Scully
 Loamanu
 Thompstone

 Not the worse situation so far, but a lot can happen.

whocares wrote:In another of his (in)famous publicity stunt, Mourad Boudjellal declared he will try to sign next year or so the fantastic four ie the 4 players he considers as the best in the world  

Just imagine the amount of foreign players that will be signed by Top 14 clubs after the World cup.

doctor_grey wrote:

HongKongCherry wrote:In hindsight Hook replacing Burns isn't that bad. I presume some creative accounting has taken place...

I think this will end up a great signing for Gloucester.  Depends who is the coach?

Not really a like for like, Burns is a really promising 10, Hook is at best an utility back, probably most comfortable at 15. Despite the press he has attracted, he has never held down a 10 shirt for any of the sides he has played for. Behind (a very young Biggar) at the Ospreys, behind, Lopez and Tommy Alan at Perpignan and behind pretty much everyone for Wales.

Very useful squad player though, covers centre, full back and outside half and an accomplished goal kicker.

James Coughan Leaving Munster. Thats confirmed. Rumoured to be going to Pau.

Confirmed that Ryan Caldwell will be adding to Exe's Nordie contingent next season

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_9329189,00.html

Hamilton confirmed to sarries

What salary cap ?

Welly wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Dan Bowden turns down offers to stay in UK and opts to return to NZ with the Auckland Blues. Probably seen as an economic replacement for Marshall.

 Good move for him imo, young family, now close to they extended family, think NZ was always the plan after he had his appendix done in NZ prob realised how much he missed them, the Blues havn't got many 10/12 players who can cover both and 10 depth is very low.

Carter
Cruden
Barrett
Slade
Taylor

Have all played for the ABs and are good enough at international class

Granted Noakes, Blyendaal and Anscombe are either confirmed or rumoured to leave, but there's still a fair bit of talent there when you compare it the English list, below, there is a massive gulp in class and caps

Farrell
Ford
Cipriani
Myler
Burns

Hamilton and Figallo replace Stevens and Borthwick then.

Hamilton certainly gives more grunt to take the heat off Botha and Hargreaves, but at his age and injury record and Scot commitments, could easily only play 10 AP games.

Figallo is/was a top class TH, but he brings a new set of injury concerns I guess. Time for JJ to step up I reckon

Is Hamilton injury prone? He's been consistently available for Scotland for a number of years now, so obviously avoids many serious injuries.

Seem to remember him missing a lot of games for Glos, but might be wrong. But, with his combative nature and age, he will be more likely to pick up knocks i guess

Bathite you missed the crucial bit of that sentence you highlighted where it says "the Blues..." NZ have a plethora if talented playmakers but the Auckland Blues don't have many options in that department.