Silly season transfer rumours III...

First topic message reminder :

Aaron Jarvis has signed for Clermont (http://www.planetrugby.com/news/ospreys-prop-jarvis-to-join-clermont/). The Osprey's signed Rhodri Jones as a replacement I guess.

Steve Shingler (of is he eligible for Scotland or not fame) has gone to the Blues. Straight swap of Shingler for Patchell. Hope Cardiff are paying less as Scarlets got the better player (http://www.planetrugby.com/news/shingler-swaps-scarlets-for-blues/)

Both Nonu and Giteau are mainly 12 though ?

Didn't Nonu move to 13 to accommodate SBW for the All Black's a few years back? I'm sure he could again.

Harry Wells ---> Leicester Tigers.

Nonu has been very hot and miss at Toulon, sums up his club form over the years I guess.

Welly wrote: Harry Wells ---> Leicester Tigers.

Officially returned? Hope so he fits the lock/6 option we like and he has been playing lots of rugby in the Championship. Good to get a local lad into the first team squad.

Saw it being mentioned elsewhere, something about his Twitter.

Good replacement for De Chaves. Sensible business.

Mercury also reporting Wasps will have to pay a transfer fee in order to complete their signing of Jacob Umaga.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Can't imagine Eastmond would leave for France. Bath could well be looking at centres with Devoto gone to Chiefs.

Bordeaux didn't mind trying to acquire Mermoz whilst he was under contract. Toulon confirmed Trunh Duc earlier in the summer and the idea of Giteau and Nonu playing off of his slick flat passing is terrifying. Goramaru another kicking full back to take that pressure off as well.

Goramaru isn't actually that good at kicking though

yappysnap wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Can't imagine Eastmond would leave for France. Bath could well be looking at centres with Devoto gone to Chiefs.

Bordeaux didn't mind trying to acquire Mermoz whilst he was under contract. Toulon confirmed Trunh Duc earlier in the summer and the idea of Giteau and Nonu playing off of his slick flat passing is terrifying. Goramaru another kicking full back to take that pressure off as well.

Goramaru isn't actually that good at kicking though

He was pretty good for Japan at the RWC.

wasn't it like 80% in the RWC?

Chris Ashton's agent hawking him around the T14, unlike last summer when their was little interest, apparently Lyon and Bayonne are pondering a move, but may be unable to match the salary he gets at Sarries.

Tom Taylor has signed for Pau

Lyon and Bayonne... hardly a ringing endorsement if his best offers are from two French clubs who were not in the top 14 this season.

What? The best ever winger in England is only good enough for Lyon or Bayonne?!!

They are the two teams being promoted I believe, and really the only ones needing players.

In general French clubs have picked up English players on the cheap, Splash will not be cheap, especially as stillbin contract at Sarries.

Cannot see him moving myself, but with a kid on the way and someway down EJs pecking order he maybfancy a new lifestyle.

Kick in the teeth for Sale as Kruger has decided his family wouldn't settle in Manchester. Deal off.

Diamond has said they want a winger and a lock.

And signs for Toulon?

It didn't say in the article I saw. I did wonder if he fancied a go at the Bok jersey and had been told to return to SA and stake a claim. He'll have plenty in the bank after his spell at Racing.

Kruger to Dragons to link up with fellow South African and old friend Rynard Landman.

mikey_dragon wrote:Kruger to Dragons to link up with fellow South African and old friend Rynard Landman.

Or Toulon.

http://m.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/36542783

Well that would be about par for the course. Kruger with the mercenary outlook.

'Family reasons' aye?

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Kruger to Dragons to link up with fellow South African and old friend Rynard Landman.

Or Toulon.

http://m.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/36542783

Ah, must have just missed out. We're still hopeful of nabbing back Charteris.

Might Sale go for someone like Ian Evans? Not sure what his status is at the moment, but he should be close to a return.

Must have been a close decision Mikey....unlucky.

If that is Kruger's attitude, Sale are better off without him.

Krüger wife expecting a boy. Maybe that what he meant by family reasons (maybe he wants a French passport for his son, who knows!)

Anyway here's a decent summary of the T14 transfers:
http://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/transferts/2016/top-14-mercato-tous-les-transferts-club-par-club-pour-la-saison-2016-2017_sto5645402/story.shtml

Most activity is done around Bayonne and Lyon as expected. The rest is relatively quiet (at least compared to previous seasons). Nadolo signing seems to be the biggest one out there plus maybe a couple of SA props.

For some reason I thought Flood was being released by Toulouse. Were there any such stories whocares?

Flood didn't really have a good season but same applies to McAlister so not sure how Toulouse would replace them and that's why they will probably still be around next season

McAlister still feels like such a waste of an exceptional talent. As much as I loved watching him play for Sale I still honestly think that had he stayed with the Blues for that period and kept performing at the level he then was he really could have been something special.

Flood = Falcons

Driver wrote:Flood = Falcons

That's been rumoured for some time. Confirmed? He's put on some weight since he's been in France, needs to lean down and start playing regularly at fly half again. His career has stalled in France but I suspect his standard of living and bank balance have been well looked after.

Overweight FHs seem to have worked OK for Falcons this year ...

Heaf wrote:Overweight FHs seem to have worked OK for Falcons this year ...

One overweight fly half saved their season and got them out of relegation trouble. Though you could argue that if he is able to perform his role for the team at a level that facilitates good results and better than the competition is he really overweight. Given how many years he had in a top league with so few injuries and in high demand maybe there is something in maintaining a Cadbury Coating.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Heaf wrote:Overweight FHs seem to have worked OK for Falcons this year ...

One overweight fly half saved their season and got them out of relegation trouble. Though you could argue that if he is able to perform his role for the team at a level that facilitates good results and better than the competition is he really overweight. Given how many years he had in a top league with so few injuries and in high demand maybe there is something in maintaining a Cadbury Coating.

From what I can remember a lot of research into Roman gladiators revealed that they were, on average, fat. Because with limited armor it was the next best kind of protection they could get.

http://www.punditarena.com/rugby/adrumm/list-confirmed-top-14-transfers-frightening/

List of confirmed Top 14 signings for next season.

Horacio Agulla confirmed to Castres I hadn't heard.

I hadn't realised that Liam Gill had signed for Toulon as well. That's a smart signing with Steffon moving on and Juan Smith not getting any younger. A surprise for him to give up on Oz caps at 24 years old but with Pocock and Hooper there he is unlucky.

Vadim Cobilas from Sale ? Anyone know anything about him?

I think he's Macedonian. Decent at the set piece and in the tight but not really what you'd call a mobile prop. Has been steady for a number of years for Sale.

He's Moldovan. Certainly a set piece specialist. Solid scrummager, but as Sam says not very mobile!

That's the one, knew it began with an M. He's old school.

Nick Wood and Rob Cook leaving Gloucester
http://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12549/10320434/prop-nick-wood-leaves-gloucester-after-15-years-at-kingsholm
No mention on where as yet? Or if retiring.

I'd imagine Wood will get a one year deal somewhere. Decent scrummaging props aren't that readily available and his experience at training etc will be valuable to the right club. Cook likewise will be picked up by someone, reliable goal kickers are normally not on the market long.

Not heard them being linked to dragons, but Bath was mentioned as the likely destination.

propdavid_london wrote:Nick Wood and Rob Cook leaving Gloucester
http://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12549/10320434/prop-nick-wood-leaves-gloucester-after-15-years-at-kingsholm
No mention on where as yet?  Or if retiring.  

Woody wasn't offered a new contract over apparent injury concerns, I believe to do with the stinger injuries he's received. He has confirmed he hasn't retired, but he doesn't appear to have signed for anyone yet. His wife has just given birth to their 2nd child, so I can't imagine he'd want to up sticks and move for a short term contract. I'd expect him to sign for a team relatively local to Cheltenham; Bristol could do with the depth, or more leftfield someone like Mosley might be a good option for him. It is a sad day to see him go, he's played more games for the club than any other player. The fact he was never capped was a travesty especially between 2009 and 2012 when he was outstanding. I'm struggling to think of a better player who wasn't capped too. Whatever he goes on to, I wish him well and he will be remembered very fondly at the club.

Cookie has retired on the back of this and is taking up a teaching role. He appears to be pretty cheesed off with the Glaws management he wasn't re-signed and is saying he had 2 more years left in him at Jeff level; he hasn't stated why another Jeff side hasn't offered him. He was capable of fantastic breaks and never failed tyo give his all, although sadly he'll be remembered more for his defensive frailty by Glaws fans; and for his bizarre kicking style by everyone else!

Steph Reynolds has also left the club and appears to have given up the sport. His small frame was always going to hamper his XV game, however, given his outstanding 7s ability I'm surprised he never made it with England 7s despite being involved in some squad training (he was also eligible for Wales).

HongKongCherry wrote:

propdavid_london wrote:Nick Wood and Rob Cook leaving Gloucester
http://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12549/10320434/prop-nick-wood-leaves-gloucester-after-15-years-at-kingsholm
No mention on where as yet?  Or if retiring.  

Woody wasn't offered a new contract over apparent injury concerns, I believe to do with the stinger injuries he's received. He has confirmed he hasn't retired, but he doesn't appear to have signed for anyone yet. His wife has just given birth to their 2nd child, so I can't imagine he'd want to up sticks and move for a short term contract.  I'd expect him to sign for a team relatively local to Cheltenham; Bristol could do with the depth, or more leftfield someone like Mosley might be a good option for him. It is a sad day to see him go, he's played more games for the club than any other player.  The fact he was never capped was a travesty especially between 2009 and 2012 when he was outstanding. I'm struggling to think of a better player who wasn't capped too.  Whatever he goes on to, I wish him well and he will be remembered very fondly at the club.

Cookie has retired on the back of this and is taking up a teaching role. He appears to be pretty cheesed off with the Glaws management he wasn't re-signed and is saying he had 2 more years left in him at Jeff level; he hasn't stated why another Jeff side hasn't offered him.  He was capable of fantastic breaks and never failed tyo give his all, although sadly he'll be remembered more for his defensive frailty by Glaws fans; and for his bizarre kicking style by everyone else!

Steph Reynolds has also left the club and appears to have given up the sport.  His small frame was always going to hamper his XV game, however, given his outstanding 7s ability I'm surprised he never made it with England 7s despite being involved in some squad training (he was also eligible for Wales).

There was a far too long period when Tim Payne was selected over Wood and Jon Golding despite both performing much better for their clubs. You could actually throw David Flatman in there too as a loosehead who deserved caps during that period more than Payne did.

Agree, never understood that Tim Payne obsession.......Mind you, for years I never understood the constant selection of Wilson on the bench for England either...till he proved his worth.

One of the BBC's headline articles will have a few heads turning

"Sexton in Permanent London Irish switch"


Not quite what you might wish for if you are an LI fan though

Jerry...not Jonny.
I think from what I have heard that LI could do with any help available.

Nick Mullins tweeting that Dean Ryan is being eyed up as the new Bath coach. Potentially.