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.

How old is Gorgodze these days?

whocares wrote:AAC contract not renewed by Bordeaux-Begles so expect him to sign to an AP team soonish.

Irish were rumoured to have spoken with him, but it didn't really go anywhere.

Toulon seem to play him more at 4/5! Same with Manoa - cant help thinking that these guys are wasted in the engine room!

GeordieFalcon wrote:How old is Gorgodze these days?

32, relatively youthful when compared to some of Toulon's other players.

Tigers should definitely look to sign Gorgodze!

As a Quins fan I would really like us to go shopping for -

DOR, Skills coach, defensive coach (well documented coaching issues)
A better 10 than Catrakilis, (NEv not getting any younger and off form, Swiel is inconsistent, Not impressed when I saw Catrakilis playing for Montpellier)
Another 9 (K.Dickson retiring)
A couple of decent high profile 12's and 13's (Roberts gets paid a lot for not a lot - Marchant needs quality to help develop - Lowe long term injury, Sloan injured and Hopper is an inconsistent player at best)


I don't expect many of this to be met - but something needs to be changed.

Quite a significant list propdavid london, who would be top of your list? Obviously be a little realistic.

There are quite a few unhappy supporters out there. We have seen a steady decline in performance over the last 2 seasons and JK was part of the setup that couldn't solve the problems then - so there is little confidence he can solve the problems now.

If we are looking for a Marquee signing then an exceptionally high quality utility back like AAC would be a good target if as mentioned above is available.
Michele Campagnaro seems to be struggling for gametime at chiefs - would be a good fit for quins offering a good mix of physicality and skill.
Every squad needs 2 high quality 9's - DC isn't going anywhere (and hopefully will regain some form). I don't know who is available but someone like a Hayden Thomas (offers that experience like Gommers and Dickson have in the past).

Coached and DORs - who knows!
I have a feeling that JK wasn't the 1st choice. But that's just speculation. For whatever reason (perhaps we weren't offering enough money - or scouting wasn't accurate).
Pat Lamb would have been a great option but he is committed.
Deano wouldn't come back for same reasons he wont go back to Tigers.
They certainly need someone to come in and shake things up a bit.

I don't think Exeter will let Campagnaro go easily as he misses chunks of the seasons playing for Italy then he has been injured but now scores in every match he plays , already has 2 today.

Would Mark Bennett be a possible target for Quins if you're short in midfield? It looks like he's not getting a new deal at Glasgow and rumours have been linking him with Newcastle recently but nothing confirmed

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote:Would Mark Bennett be a possible target for Quins if you're short in midfield? It looks like he's not getting a new deal at Glasgow and rumours have been linking him with Newcastle recently but nothing confirmed

They have several forst team centres. The problem is they are always injured. Maybe if they ditch Hopper they could bring in Bennett. A quality ten to replace Evans and a 9 to be back up to Care must be more pressing issues.

Bennett would be great at Quins and I think has the potential to be one of the best Scotland centres of all time.

The problem at Glasgow is that Huw Jones seems to be heading to Glasgow and whilst he can play anywhere in the backline, he is most probably a 13 which is where Bennett plays. Alex Dunbar and Sam Johnson are very good options at 12 but I would almost rather get rid of Dunbar than Bennett.

I think he should come to Falcons (obviously being biased). He'll be down the road from family and have a guaranteed starting spot on a fantastic pitch , playing some free flowing rugby. Also the Newcastle ladies are an absolute delight!

Sgt_Pooly wrote:I think he should come to Falcons (obviously being biased). He'll be down the road from family and have a guaranteed starting spot on a fantastic pitch , playing some free flowing rugby. Also the Newcastle ladies are an absolute delight!

While I hope you're right Sgt, the Falcons haven't yet broken their recent trend of not playing much rugby until it looks like they're safe from relegation. Hopefully they have shaken that off now and don't slip back into that trap at the start of next season. I'd be happy enough to see Bennett at the Falcons, but it would be a massive waste of a really talented player with ball in hand if he were to spend half of each season with his hands in his pockets.

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote:

Sgt_Pooly wrote:I think he should come to Falcons (obviously being biased). He'll be down the road from family and have a guaranteed starting spot on a fantastic pitch , playing some free flowing rugby. Also the Newcastle ladies are an absolute delight!

While I hope you're right Sgt, the Falcons haven't yet broken their recent trend of not playing much rugby until it looks like they're safe from relegation. Hopefully they have shaken that off now and don't slip back into that trap at the start of next season. I'd be happy enough to see Bennett at the Falcons, but it would be a massive waste of a really talented player with ball in hand if he were to spend half of each season with his hands in his pockets.

Totally agree, it's a major problem. Hopefully with some added talent across the backline we can start playing a bit earlier than December!

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote:

Sgt_Pooly wrote:I think he should come to Falcons (obviously being biased). He'll be down the road from family and have a guaranteed starting spot on a fantastic pitch , playing some free flowing rugby. Also the Newcastle ladies are an absolute delight!

While I hope you're right Sgt, the Falcons haven't yet broken their recent trend of not playing much rugby until it looks like they're safe from relegation. Hopefully they have shaken that off now and don't slip back into that trap at the start of next season. I'd be happy enough to see Bennett at the Falcons, but it would be a massive waste of a really talented player with ball in hand if he were to spend half of each season with his hands in his pockets.

Totally agree, it's a major problem. Hopefully with some added talent across the backline we can start playing a bit earlier than December!

Selecting a pair of half backs who don't look to kick as the first objective with the ball always helps.

Fortunately in Takulua and Hodgson we have that now Sam.

Well the Strauss, Bennett and Mermoz rumours are still bubbling on.

Im not sure we need Strauss. That money could be spent better elsewhere in the squad.

And I I don't think we'll get both Bennet and Mermoz. Aparently Andy Goode has said the Mermoz deal is as good a s a done deal....that would a great signing. We're very reliant on Socino...and that would give us a nice set of options

Strauss is prob the least likely of the 3.

Chick could feel let down abit if Strauss was brought in. (Mind Tigers need an 8 so Chick to Tigers?)

Chick looks like a bit of a star in the making. He's some unit and certainly doesn;t like the physical presence. He just slips off a few too many tackles atm, I'm sure he'll improve this though.

Strauss would be a great signing, how often do Falcons get players of his class in? But.....we are well stocked in the backrow and not so much at LH and FH (I don't count Delany).

Agree completely re-Chick. Also Dean seems to rate him very highly...he's fast tracked him.

Plus Uzokwe with us full time from the summer and Erskine (England U20 flanker) and Chisanga coming through, I just don't think we should spend large amounts of money in that position on Strauss.

The only thing is that Hogg wont last much longer and probably neither will Latu. So they will need replaced.

Giteau has confirmed he'll be leaving Toulon at the end of the season for Japan.

http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2017/01/456224.html

Alapati Leiua (Wasps) signed with Brizz for next season.

Guess Wasps need to offload one or two to fit everyone under the cap for next season. Wasps do have a lot of centres and Leiua seems to be mainly injured.

Matera is staying with Jaguares - so not heading to Tigers sam.

propdavid_london wrote:Matera is staying with Jaguares - so not heading to Tigers sam.

Rumour was too good to be true. There's been rumours of him and Tigers ever since he decided not to come back. Probably will be again next season. His friendship with Ayerza and priors with the club make it an easy connection to make.

According to the Fail (Western Mail for the outsiders) we (Ospreys) are tracking Blues centre Cory Allen, if it is true? The only question that needs asking is WHY. We have Matavesi, Fonotia, Beck, Watkin, John, Spratt and the youngster Joe Thomas, with a few other youngsters breaking through, unless we are releasing Matavesi (NWQ). I really don't see the need, we need more players in a few other positions other than centre.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/38824929
Ben Barba avoids a hefty drugs ban by switching codes to Union and Toulon.
I do hope that the FFR watch him like a hawk and test him regularly.

propdavid_london wrote:http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/38824929
Ben Barba avoids a hefty drugs ban by switching codes to Union and Toulon.
I do hope that the FFR watch him like a hawk and test him regularly.

Was only for a bit of charlie though wasn't it ? Hardly a performance enhancing drug.

True, its not performance enhancing - But in my mind and presumably in the minds of the NRL governing body it merited a hefty ban.
I would be interested to know who the 2 prem players were that were recently accused of failing drugs tests!

Toulon are taking on a player with a questionable reputation who is deliberately moving to avoid a years ban.

He should be banned in this code aswell!

Just like if you represent 1 country in one code it should transfer across.

The not unexpected news of Mermoz signing for us till the end of teh season:

http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/26154.php#.WJIh4_mLSUk

LondonTiger wrote:The not unexpected news of Mermoz signing for us till the end of teh season:

http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/26154.php#.WJIh4_mLSUk

After Smith and Roberts combined well at the weekend it'll be nice for Mauger to have centre options to work with.

Mitch Eadie leaving Bristol for 'an established Premiership team'. Any thoughts who?

demosthenes wrote:Mitch Eadie leaving Bristol for 'an established Premiership team'.  Any thoughts who?

My money would be on Saints or Tigers.

Welly wrote:

demosthenes wrote:Mitch Eadie leaving Bristol for 'an established Premiership team'.  Any thoughts who?

My money would be on Saints or Tigers.

Do Tigers need another utility backrow option? Saints might like him as he adds some physicality but at Tigers he's not what we need, a unless he can add two stone and remain as mobile.

Eadie has some pace to burn so if Crofty is heading to France for a pension top-up then he could fill that hole. Personally I don't think it's what we need though with McCaffery, Hamilton and O'Connor already covering across the back row.

If Croft can stay fit and play like he did on Saturday when called upon then I'd happily see him stay though.

Jack Roberts to Cardiff Blues is being rumoured. I hope it's just silly season throwing out a rumour because Roberts is Welsh. He's been really good this season for Tigers and is improving nicely.

My main worry with Roberts is he is a great Anglo Welsh player who just can't replicate that in the prem

Welly wrote: My main worry with Roberts is he is a great Anglo Welsh player who just can't replicate that in the prem

I think he's looked much better in the Prem this season. Game time with good players around him is the only way he will improve though. Mermoz signing will help that. Most his chances in the Jeff have come when our side has been threadbare, it's not surprising he's struggled really.

He's always been quick and hard to put down, i.e. always carried well. His handling and defence is miles ahead of where it was this time last year though. I've been impressed and want to see him stay. Especially with Catchpole playing on the wing now. I hope that with more game time and experience he can play a similar squad role to Ian Whitten at Chiefs or Brendan Macken at Wasps.

I don't think he will ever be first choice at full strength but he has the talent to be a very useful squad player who can fit into strong sides when needed and do his job well.

LondonTiger wrote:The not unexpected news of Mermoz signing for us till the end of teh season:

http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/26154.php#.WJIh4_mLSUk

Just don't break him like all your other players before he signs for us for the next few years!

GeordieFalcon wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:The not unexpected news of Mermoz signing for us till the end of teh season:

http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/26154.php#.WJIh4_mLSUk

Just don't break him like all your other players before he signs for us for the next few years!

Haha.....keep him away from Tuilagi! We don't want Manu giving him training tips, thats for sure.

GeordieFalcon wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:The not unexpected news of Mermoz signing for us till the end of teh season:

http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/26154.php#.WJIh4_mLSUk

Just don't break him like all your other players before he signs for us for the next few years!

I thought he had, in principal, agreed to sign a two year contract with us as soon as the season ends. (Cannot be done now as that would mean he could not be an injury dispensation for this season but would count against the cap).

I thought Falcon's were looking at recruiting more Scots?

All rumours at this stage, but Mermoz told Andy Goode he'd signed for Falcons from the end of the season.

Yeah as Sarge says....its all rumours. Who knows whats happening.

But the Andy Goode thing/comment did raise a few eyebrows...

[quote="LondonTiger"][quote="GeordieFalcon"]

LondonTiger wrote:

I thought Falcon's were looking at recruiting more Scots?

I would love to sign Bennett aswell. We are always at our strongest with good Scottish players...most noteably our only title success...

Players like Hogg, Welsh, Lawson have been quality.

Confirmed Mitch Eadie signed to Saints with Jamal Ford-Robinson also making the switch.

Another rumour...Cobus Reinach - Northampton saints

Must be some news regarding a current SH then.

Scottrf wrote:Must be some news regarding a current SH then.

Moving to Sale?

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Scottrf wrote:Must be some news regarding a current SH then.

Moving to Sale?

Dicko? *fingers crossed*

Rumours now that Mermoz only hasn't been announced as signing longer term for Tigers because it would make it more complicated registering him as injury dispensation (i.e. outside the cap) this season... 

Sounds like nonsense to me personally. It seems likely that Mermoz will be at Falcons next season with Tigers having simply been outbid for the longer term contract.