Silly Season Transfer Rumours 16/17

First topic message reminder :

Nit before the Lions tour. Don't think any of the All Black internationals will end their career pre tour.

To be fair you could be right there is a whole level of difference. Hartley has been banned for more offences and for more weeks. Though I'd rather say they both have very bad records.

I wasn't defending Hartley there either...his record is hardly Angelic. I was focusing more on the actual offences...

Yes but Hartley is competing with a Saracens player and Clark will soon be a Saracens player GF - surely you see the difference!

I do mate...

Welly wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Welly wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Shame Cruden is taking a big pay out from a dreadful club that doesn't get on with its own fans over staying for the Lions tour.

He is.

Knowing he's off will the NZRU still keep him for section? I can imagine he'll be dropped from the squad as soon as the deal to leave is confirmed. The All Blacks aren't short of flyhalfs. Lima, McKenzie, Barrett and Mo'unga are all good players and Barrett clearly first choice.

NZ will play him if he out plays the other 10's in super rugby.

So probably not then. He's been fortunate to be kept in previously given indifferent Chiefs form and injuries. He's kept his place as he's the experienced option and I presumed because the NZRU were trying to keep him sweet and trying to get him to stay.

Bambam competing for whose the dirtiest player? Surely there is no winner?

I am not defending Clark, it's more about attacking Hartley.  Breaking someone's arm is awful but then again gouging,abusing refs, headbutting, elbowing in face, biting and swinging arms aren't to be applauded.

My main point is that if someone with such a poor disciplinary record can be England captain then that means IMO no player should be discounted from England honours.

Irrelevant of which club they play for.

Far too many people defend Hartley.

Anyone saying it was a headbutt doesn't know what a headbutt is.

beshocked wrote:Bambam competing for whose the dirtiest player? Surely there is no winner?

I am not defending Clark, it's more about attacking Hartley.  Breaking someone's arm is awful but then again gouging,abusing refs, headbutting, elbowing in face, biting and swinging arms aren't to be applauded.

My main point is that if someone with such a poor disciplinary record can be England captain then that means IMO no player should be discounted from England honours.

Irrelevant of which club they play for.

Far too many people defend Hartley.

Surely that shows theres a lot of debate about the offences? Very few people defend clear cut cases...yet Hartley seems to get quite a bit of sympathy.

Clarks have been clear cut.

Anyway lets not derail this thread, over something we've all gone over a million times.

If you take an offence in isolation, yes perhaps it could be debated as harsh but the problem is you have a player repeatedly landing themselves in hot water. In the end I don't have sympathy for someone who can't stop themselves doing things that get him banned.

In isolation Hartley's "headbutting" of George can be construed of harsh but I would say Hartley shouldn't be trying to provoke George in the first place. Hartley put himself in a position where he could be banned.

When looking at it in the context of a series of bans, it's just Hartley again doing something he shouldn't be.

Anyway it comes back to me believing if Hartley can be picked as England captain, poor discipline should not be a barrier to picking a player for England.

Jones has no disciplinary standards, why worry?

On a side note, one of Saracens' so called words on their stadium is "Discipline". I've found that laughable for some time.

beshocked wrote:If you take an offence in isolation, yes perhaps it could be debated as harsh but the problem is you have a player repeatedly landing themselves in hot water. In the end I don't have sympathy for someone who can't stop themselves doing things that get him banned.

In isolation Hartley's "headbutting" of George can be construed of harsh but I would say Hartley shouldn't be trying to provoke George in the first place. Hartley put himself in a position where he could be banned.

When looking at it in the context of a series of bans, it's just Hartley again doing something he shouldn't be.

Anyway it comes back to me believing if Hartley can be picked as England captain, poor discipline should not be a barrier to picking a player for England.

Jones has no disciplinary standards, why worry?

On a side note, one of Saracens' so called words on their stadium is "Discipline". I've found that laughable for some time.

I think he does...he just keeps them in house and its clear he likes his players with a bit of aggro / attitude. So maybe clark may have a chance if he performs well.

Anyway...back to transfers..has anyone heard anything about Wasps and Watson. ive heard nothing...so im hoping that's not happening...

Aaron Cruden signs $3.6m three-year deal with Montpellier.

Some nice stuff there for Big Vern to work with.

Gareth Evans renews with Gloucester. Good player if he stays fit. Was hoping he might come to London Irish.

Nizaam Carr rumoured to be coming North.

SirBurger wrote:Nizaam Carr rumoured to be coming North.

I'm sure we could accommodate him in Leicester.

He would be very well suited to Mauger's Leicester.

SirBurger wrote:He would be very well suited to Mauger's Leicester.

Lightweight and drops the ball in contact?

If Mauger is still there. If not the rumours are linking us with Boks so he'd be comfortable anyway.

BBC is stating Tiger sare looking at Mermoz for next season due to their long time injury crisis at centre. Good signing if you can tempt him.

WPI

I thought it was a done deal and effective immediately...ie can play this season aswell..

GeordieFalcon wrote:WPI

I thought it was a done deal and effective immediately...ie can play this season aswell..

The idea is he can play for the rest of the season but start date doesn't appear to have been agreed. I expect it to be sorted out after this round of European games. Toulon probably want the cover for this weekend and then will consider letting him go.

He will arivve at Tigers in the next fortnight.

GeordieFalcon wrote:WPI

I thought it was a done deal and effective immediately...ie can play this season aswell..

The BBC stated:

""Nothing has been agreed, but he is one of the players we are looking at. We have been searching for a replacement for Manu and Matt," said Mauger." so anything is possible if they are offering to buy out his contract

Pienaer to Saracens and Wigglesworth to Toulouse doing the rounds here

Also Jackson still not sighed a contract

Everyone is linked to Sarries. Favourite agent gambit. They do have a problem at 9 though, de Kock is now closer to 40 than 30 with Wigglesworth into his 30s and Spencer coming through well. If Wigglesworth leaves and de Kock decides to hang up his boots then they are down to just Spencer who is a good scrum half but is third choice currently.

Exactly and Pienaer would be the perfect fit

I thought that Wigglesworth was already linked to Toulon?
makes little sense for him to join Toulouse who already signed Dupont from Castres (who's a real star in the making)

You maybe right I may have read Toulouse by mistake

Post on the Glasgow forum quoting "...a good source..." as saying Mark Bennett to Falcons. Good signing for them if true.

demosthenes wrote:Post on the Glasgow forum quoting "...a good source..." as saying Mark Bennett to Falcons.  Good signing for them if true.

The general feeling amongst the Glasgow fans is that Bennett is likely to be moving on, probably to accommodate Huw Jones. He would be a good signing for Newcastle, who are certainly a club on the up at the moment, but if he was available, then I would have though plenty of other teams in England and France might fancy him. He is a very good player.

demosthenes wrote:Post on the Glasgow forum quoting "...a good source..." as saying Mark Bennett to Falcons.  Good signing for them if true.

That would be an outstanding coup for Falcons, 13 has been a real issue this season. I've heard rumours we've been in talks with a number of players North of the border, hopefully this is true.

Traditionally, the Falcons have always been Scotland's third team. Long may it continue!

I would prefer Bennett at Edinburgh or one of the top European sides but Newcastle are looking better and 13 is a weak spot for them. An international class centre feeding Goneva, Watson, Sinotix2 and Kilbrige is well worthwhile.

Hazel Sapling wrote:I would prefer Bennett at Edinburgh or one of the top European sides but Newcastle are looking better and 13 is a weak spot for them. An international class centre feeding Goneva, Watson, Sinotix2 and Kilbrige is well worthwhile.

and DTH!!!

Watson prob off aswell

Rumours we have signed centre mark Bennett from Glasgow

Sorry I see I'm behind the times lol

Rumours are the whole of the leicester squad are to be sold including the coaching team. They'll be recruiting players from the 606 forums, it should turn there fortunes around next season.

Rumours Mermoz has signed for Falcons for next season. He'll be at Tigers till the end of the season then move up North........strange.

If all the rumours are true, we'll have a backline of:

11. Goneva/Sinoti
12. Mermoz
13. Bennett
14. DTH
15. Hammersley

Not very EQP though.

Yeah just reading that in the rugby paper.

Also Jake white door director of rugby at leicester and glen Ella to saints

Welly wrote: Not very EQP though.

As long as we hit the target for the bonus, does it need to be?

Our pack generally tops the EQ levels with Wilson, Vickers, Green, Robinson, Witty, Wilson, Welch and Chick regular starters.

Top EQ players wont sign for us so we understandably need to broaden our search to kick on....its a catch 22 situation really.

Honestly I like White he has a proven record of turning around a team.

He also worked well with Toomua at The Brumbies where he took them to the final in one season.

His biggest fault is he very quick to get rid of senior players he doesn't like.

BUT after the last 3 weeks I couldn't give a flying poop who stays or goes.

Expect Brumbies and Saffers to follow him.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

Welly wrote: Not very EQP though.

As long as we hit the target for the bonus, does it need to be?

Our pack generally tops the EQ levels with Wilson, Vickers, Green, Robinson, Witty, Wilson, Welch and Chick regular starters.

Top EQ players wont sign for us so we understandably need to broaden our search to kick on....its a catch 22 situation really.

What is it 16?

Saw the Mermoz link.. Im pretty sure he's signed for tigers hasn't he.

We have Socino and Willis. I'd work with them and try to get Bennett.

Only till end of season.

Welly, I thinks a defined number throughout the season rather than a set 16. We usually top it in other competitions when we generally field almost a full EQ squad. I know we've managed to hit the target every season so it must be something along those lines.

It has to average out 16 in the prem it went up from 14 a couple seasons ago.

(Europe and AWC doesn't count in it I believe).

Welly wrote:It has to average out 16 in the prem it went up from 14 a couple seasons ago.

(Europe and AWC doesn't count in it I believe).

Ah right, I was sure one of the cup competitions was included.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Rumours we have signed centre mark Bennett from Glasgow

Geordie? Geordie? Is this Tyneside humour?

George Carlin wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Rumours we have signed centre mark Bennett from Glasgow

Geordie? Geordie? Is this Tyneside humour?

It's a rumour that has suddenly jumped out the woodwork over the last week, George.

As always in silly season it's difficult to know what to make of it!

Falcons do need centres though, SRU need to cut their budget and Newcastle allows him to stay close to home whilst probably earning a bit more than he might at Warriors.

king_carlos wrote:

George Carlin wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Rumours we have signed centre mark Bennett from Glasgow

Geordie? Geordie? Is this Tyneside humour?

It's a rumour that has suddenly jumped out the woodwork over the last week, George.

As always in silly season it's difficult to know what to make of it!

Falcons do need centres though, SRU need to cut their budget and Newcastle allows him to stay close to home whilst probably earning a bit more than he might at Warriors.

It's a fairly strong rumour on the Glasgow forum that Bennett is going, probably to make room for Huw Jones from the Stormers. The link to Newcastle came from reported "good source" in Glasgow.