Silly Season transfer rumours.....

First topic message reminder :

Well its that time of year...pushing for new contracts...the rumour mill starts to fly...

Any you hear...post them here.....

The first two I've heard...

Priestland to Bath
Carl Fearns - Bath to Falcons.

Surely another foreigner is not what Edinburgh need?

Gorgodze would be a cracking signing for Quins.

Falcons are apparently after Italian winger Venditti...

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Nasi Manu to Edinburgh from the Highlanders.

Are you just making that up? That's great news if true.....

Nope.

What kind of carrot did they dangle to get him to come to a freezing mostly empty Murrayfield?

George Carlin wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Nasi Manu to Edinburgh from the Highlanders.

Are you just making that up? That's great news if true.....

Nope.

He looks a good player, and will be replacing Leonardi I would assume.

Du Preez, Ritchie, Manu, Coman, Denton, Grant, Watson, Blake and Bradbury.

Not the worst collection of back row options we've ever had! Du Preez becomes SQ next year I think, as does Coman (don't laugh), so it'll only be Manu NSQ.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

George Carlin wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Nasi Manu to Edinburgh from the Highlanders.

Are you just making that up? That's great news if true.....

Nope.

He looks a good player, and will be replacing Leonardi I would assume.

Du Preez, Ritchie, Manu, Coman, Denton, Grant, Watson, Blake and Bradbury.

Not the worst collection of back row options we've ever had! Du Preez becomes SQ next year I think, as does Coman (don't laugh), so it'll only be Manu NSQ.

Remember Blake isn't actually signed for next season yet!

Majestic83 wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:

George Carlin wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Nasi Manu to Edinburgh from the Highlanders.

Are you just making that up? That's great news if true.....

Nope.

He looks a good player, and will be replacing Leonardi I would assume.

Du Preez, Ritchie, Manu, Coman, Denton, Grant, Watson, Blake and Bradbury.

Not the worst collection of back row options we've ever had! Du Preez becomes SQ next year I think, as does Coman (don't laugh), so it'll only be Manu NSQ.

Remember Blake isn't actually signed for next season yet!

Looks as though Blake's future may lie at Glasgow, as he's in the Scotland squad and obviously highly thought of I wouldn't expect he'll be jettisoned at the end of this season. Of course in addition to Fusaro and Holmes they'll have Favaro so lots of strength in depth at 7.

Not sure if he will go to Glasgow on a permanent basis, already got 3 first choice 7 and then boredill and Spinks coming through.

Kieran Low to Glasgow.

Our survey says:

Dean Mumm heading back to Tahs at the end of this season.

That's a big blow for the Chiefs

George Carlin wrote:Did Quins ever actually confirm Visser? Or did we just do all of that ourselves?

Ha

No not yet but a lot of people on the Quins message board seem to think its a done deal.

yappysnap wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Did Quins ever actually confirm Visser? Or did we just do all of that ourselves?

Ha

No not yet but a lot of people on the Quins message board seem to think its a done deal.

I suppose Monye announcing his retirement today probably puts it into context as well.

Falcons to announce a new signing at 7am.

Current international aswell.

Driver wrote:Falcons to announce a new signing at 7am.

Current international aswell.

Rumours that it may be Jon Welsh, TH prop from Glasgow. Decent player if you can get him.

Thought it was the tonga captain? Not sure of name

John Welsh to Falcons, happy with this one. I rate the guy highly but not seen much of him this season, any Scottish posters care to pipe in?

Sgt_Pooly wrote:John Welsh to Falcons, happy with this one. I rate the guy highly but not seen much of him this season, any Scottish posters care to pipe in?

He's terrific and I'm fairly gutted that he's gone.

He spent a while swapping sides of the scrum and so if you're a Glasgow fan with a long memory (like me), you might still be querying whether he's a tight or loosehead. It's surely settled now - he's a tighthead. On that basis, I think that there is little to choose between him and Euan Murray in terms of being Scotland's first choice and Welsh is an awful lot younger than Murray. He suffered a little with injury this season (nothing to be concerned about though) so hasn't quite hit the heights from last season but he's still truly international class.

If you want a recommendation, Jim Telfer spotted him about 8 years ago and described him as one of the naturally strongest men he'd ever seen.

Still not sure that it's a smart move to let him go from a Glasgow perspective. We have a couple of very good potential tightheads in Zander Fagerson and D'Arcy Rae (although Rae usually appears at 1) which I presume is the reason why. Welsh will also want to test himself against the best in the Jeff as Edinburgh's Saffer project player Willem Nel will shortly become SQ and put him under a lot of pressure for his position.

I've banged on for a bit, but basically it's a great signing for the Toon.

Just what I was after, cheers George. I've always rated him, I think he could be an upgrade on Brookes tbh.

Has Falcons LH problem been solved for next season?

We've signed Ben Harris from Leeds LT, he comes with a big reputation. There's a video of him knocking about stripping a FB for pace, can he scrummage though? I'm not sure.

George Carlin wrote:

Sgt_Pooly wrote:John Welsh to Falcons, happy with this one. I rate the guy highly but not seen much of him this season, any Scottish posters care to pipe in?

He's terrific and I'm fairly gutted that he's gone.

He spent a while swapping sides of the scrum and so if you're a Glasgow fan with a long memory (like me), you might still be querying whether he's a tight or loosehead. It's surely settled now - he's a tighthead. On that basis, I think that there is little to choose between him and Euan Murray in terms of being Scotland's first choice and Welsh is an awful lot younger than Murray. He suffered a little with injury this season (nothing to be concerned about though) so hasn't quite hit the heights from last season but he's still truly international class.

If you want a recommendation, Jim Telfer spotted him about 8 years ago and described him as one of the naturally strongest men he'd ever seen.

Still not sure that it's a smart move to let him go from a Glasgow perspective. We have a couple of very good potential tightheads in Zander Fagerson and D'Arcy Rae (although Rae usually appears at 1) which I presume is the reason why. Welsh will also want to test himself against the best in the Jeff as Edinburgh's Saffer project player Willem Nel will shortly become SQ and put him under a lot of pressure for his position.

I've banged on for a bit, but basically it's a great signing for the Toon.

He's definitely a good signing for the Falcons, but I wouldn't shower quite as much praise on him as you have GC!

He is certainly a big strong man but the jury is still out on his scrummaging. Let's not forget he was completely dominated by the 1872 cup winners!

Quetionmarks on his fitness too - he could do with losing a bit of his extra 'bulk' he's had to add on to become a tighthead.  He's obviously been following the Alan Jacobson diet!

RDW_Scotland wrote:

George Carlin wrote:

Sgt_Pooly wrote:John Welsh to Falcons, happy with this one. I rate the guy highly but not seen much of him this season, any Scottish posters care to pipe in?

He's terrific and I'm fairly gutted that he's gone.

He spent a while swapping sides of the scrum and so if you're a Glasgow fan with a long memory (like me), you might still be querying whether he's a tight or loosehead. It's surely settled now - he's a tighthead. On that basis, I think that there is little to choose between him and Euan Murray in terms of being Scotland's first choice and Welsh is an awful lot younger than Murray. He suffered a little with injury this season (nothing to be concerned about though) so hasn't quite hit the heights from last season but he's still truly international class.

If you want a recommendation, Jim Telfer spotted him about 8 years ago and described him as one of the naturally strongest men he'd ever seen.

Still not sure that it's a smart move to let him go from a Glasgow perspective. We have a couple of very good potential tightheads in Zander Fagerson and D'Arcy Rae (although Rae usually appears at 1) which I presume is the reason why. Welsh will also want to test himself against the best in the Jeff as Edinburgh's Saffer project player Willem Nel will shortly become SQ and put him under a lot of pressure for his position.

I've banged on for a bit, but basically it's a great signing for the Toon.

He's definitely a good signing for the Falcons, but I wouldn't shower quite as much praise on him as you have GC!

He is certainly a big strong man but the jury is still out on his scrummaging. Let's not forget he was completely dominated by the 1872 cup winners!

Quetionmarks on his fitness too - he could do with losing a bit of his extra 'bulk' he's had to add on to become a tighthead.  He's obviously been following the Alan Jacobson diet!

An Edinburgh fan not appreciating a Glasgow player. Well, I never. Someone write that down.

I very much appreciate him and would be perfectly happy having him at Edinburgh, I just think think you're going a bit too far when you say he's Scotland's joint number 1 tighthead....and his continued non-selection backs that up!

I think JW would have had a lot more caps if it was not for his injuries, he has not been lucky on that front. Hopefully he will be back soon for Glasgow before the end of the season and will show us what we will be missing.

BigGee wrote:I think JW would have had a lot more caps if it was not for his injuries, he has not been lucky on that front. Hopefully he will be back soon for Glasgow before the end of the season and will show us what we will be missing.

I agree. I didn't say he was better than Murray - just at least as good as any of the second choices.

Our local press are reporting him as a loosehead signing.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Our local press are reporting him as a loosehead signing.

He can play both and was originally a LH but converted. Seen more as a TH now but has that useful versatility.

He'll be on a good fitness programme down here...we've managed to get Alex Tuilagi back in shape.

At least we are trying to fix our main problem area.

We have signed Welsh, Taione Vea from London Welsh also and hopefully Orlandi will have a good preseason. Add in young Scott Wilson and we are in good shape at TH's.

LH is still a problem.

Can't Orlandi and Welsh both play either side? Could be options at loose head.

Orlandi hasnt been signed as far as I'm aware

Irish announcing a signing tomorrow I believe.

Neil Fissler ‏@neilfissler 
EXCLUSIVE: Hearing from my top scoop scout Jamie Roberts has agreed to join Harlequins. Still trying to confirm to be 100% sure #rugbyunited

Ozzy3213 wrote:Irish announcing a signing tomorrow I believe.

Symons maybe?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/32045431

Symons yes

Jamie Roberts would be epic

Roberts and Visser would be quite the double coup.

Jones confirmed to quins

What an odd signing

Not really. They've been relying heavily on Sinckler this season. A mentor for him and an experienced high quality tight head will help sure up their scrum and defensive rolling maul.

I wonder where this leaves Will Collier? Will he be happy going back to being 3rd choice, having been next in line after Sinckler this year.

Collier is young for a prop. There's plenty he can learn I'm the next year or two. The competition will push him on and he needs to improve if he wants to be more than a squad player from what I've seen.

Any idea on the signing exeter are announcing in the morning?

Probably Julian Salvi. Tigers were unable or unwilling to fit him under the cap having signed O'Connor as Salvi dragged out negotiations with bids from France that are rumoured to no longer be on the table.

Hence I'll be avoiding the Tigers iffy for about a week as they'll be trying to form a lynch mob as it's the end of the world etc etc.

Faletau to Bath?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-3011715/Taulupe-Faletau-set-join-Welsh-exodus-Bath-line-Lions-No-8-season.html

formerly known as Sam wrote:Not really. They've been relying heavily on Sinckler this season. A mentor for him and an experienced high quality tight head will help sure up their scrum and defensive rolling maul.

Jones isn't high quality anymore though, I'm unsure what he brings tbh.

lostinwales wrote:http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/32045431

Symons yes

That is a fairly epic signing. LI tearing it up this year in the transfer market.

Decent signing for Irish, it'll be interesting to see how he gets on.

Looks like the chiefs signing is Ollie Atkins from Edinburgh

prop_lyd wrote:Looks like the chiefs signing is Ollie Atkins from Edinburgh

Yes, confirmed. He's a good, young player.