Silly Season Transfer Rumours 16/17

by stnick88 Tue 14 Feb 2017, 2:37 pm

First topic message reminder :

Gordon Reid is off to Irish.

by **Ozzy3213** Mon 27 Feb 2017, 5:05 pm

Is Catterick a 10? Ealing have also taken Rory Clegg on loan.

by Sgt_Pooly Mon 27 Feb 2017, 5:11 pm

Catterick is a 10 who can play 15 and wing at a push. When in form, theres not many distributing 10's better tbh, hes just a confidence player who can be got at.

by **Ozzy3213** Mon 27 Feb 2017, 5:33 pm

Strange signing for Leeds imo. They don't exactly need a distributing 10 or back three players. What the need is someone who can shore up their leaky defence.

by **George Carlin** Mon 27 Feb 2017, 5:55 pm

GeordieFalcon wrote:DTH van der Merve confirmed to the falcons for next season!

by WELL-PAST-IT Mon 27 Feb 2017, 8:27 pm

Fluxy wrote:South African scrum half Cobus Reinach joins Saints for the 2017/18 season

Are Saints doing a Sarries? That's two SA 9s

by king_carlos Mon 27 Feb 2017, 8:31 pm

Ozzy3213 wrote:Is Catterick a 10? Ealing have also taken Rory Clegg on loan.

It seems a long time ago now that Clegg was the next big thing coming through the age groups. His distribution as a 19/20 year old was looked something special. Those flat passes regularly whizzed across the midfield to someone running an outside arc really were something.

One of many players from that era of age group graduates who make you wonder what they could have achieved.

by king_carlos Mon 27 Feb 2017, 8:32 pm

In slightly bigger news than Clegg to Ealing...

Josh Strauss ---> Sale

Confirmed on the Beeb.

by Scottrf Mon 27 Feb 2017, 8:43 pm

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:
Fluxy wrote:South African scrum half Cobus Reinach joins Saints for the 2017/18 season

Are Saints doing a Sarries? That's two SA 9s

Tried Lambie too. Very happy about Reinach.

by formerly known as Sam Mon 27 Feb 2017, 8:48 pm

king_carlos wrote:
Ozzy3213 wrote:Is Catterick a 10? Ealing have also taken Rory Clegg on loan.
It seems a long time ago now that Clegg was the next big thing coming through the age groups. His distribution as a 19/20 year old was looked something special. Those flat passes regularly whizzed across the midfield to someone running an outside arc really were something.

One of many players from that era of age group graduates who make you wonder what they could have achieved.

I remember watching a England under 20s team play Tigers academy. England had Clegg and Farrell at 10 and 12 whilst Tigers had Ford and Manu in their backline. Tigers won.

by king_carlos Mon 27 Feb 2017, 9:33 pm

formerly known as Sam wrote:
king_carlos wrote:
Ozzy3213 wrote:Is Catterick a 10? Ealing have also taken Rory Clegg on loan.
It seems a long time ago now that Clegg was the next big thing coming through the age groups. His distribution as a 19/20 year old was looked something special. Those flat passes regularly whizzed across the midfield to someone running an outside arc really were something.

One of many players from that era of age group graduates who make you wonder what they could have achieved.

I remember watching a England under 20s team play Tigers academy. England had Clegg and Farrell at 10 and 12 whilst Tigers had Ford and Manu in their backline. Tigers won.

It wasn't the only time an 'England' age group side has lost to an academy. Not even the only time they've lost to the Tigers academy.

It comes down to physical development in the forwards in those games. At that age a difference of just a year can be huge in the size and strength of a player. All it takes is for an a few academy forwards to have an extra years development on their opponent and it's no competition in contact.

Especially if you go a few years back as well - the improvements in strength and conditioning in the age groups from just a few years ago to now are massive.

by king_carlos Mon 27 Feb 2017, 9:48 pm

With Strauss going to Sale it will be interesting to see if Beaumont is going elsewhere or if he is moving to second row. Sale need more quality in their tight 5 and that would be one way to get it if Diamond is struggling to recruit locks.

by InjuredYetAgain Mon 27 Feb 2017, 10:43 pm

Ozzy3213 wrote:Is Catterick a 10? Ealing have also taken Rory Clegg on loan.

Strange one about Clegg. The soap-dodgers (or "Glasgow" to use their more formal name) let him go then brought him back from France but then hardly played him. Fair enough to be behind Finn Russell but he had slipped to at least 3rd if not 4th choice. He looked a good player at first but just didn't kick on

by **Rugby Fan** Tue 28 Feb 2017, 3:26 am

Jim Hamilton says Geoff Parling will go to Super Rugby with the Melbourne Rebels.

Andy Goode thinks Matt O'Connor will be appointed by Leicester.

by Sgt_Pooly Tue 28 Feb 2017, 4:15 am

Top signing for Sale, a real statement of intent

by **George Carlin** Tue 28 Feb 2017, 6:31 am

king_carlos wrote:With Strauss going to Sale it will be interesting to see if Beaumont is going elsewhere or if he is moving to second row. Sale need more quality in their tight 5 and that would be one way to get it if Diamond is struggling to recruit locks.

Strauss is also happy at blindside Carlos and if Sale want to kick on they need to keep both of those players.

It's a good signing for Sale - a really brutal ball carrying enforcer.

Glasgow really wanted to keep Strauss as he's a massive fan favourite but apparently he just fell on the wrong side of their 'value for money' metric - they just couldn't afford him in the end and Dave Rennie has already shown he can bring in ample loose forward talent from the Waikato rugby stable who will be both cheaper and available during the international windows (something that has always been a massive problem for Glasgow, as this season demonstrates). At 30 years old, Strauss had one big final payday and this was it. I think that the fact it is a 3 year deal was probably quite an important factor.

Now Glasgow is seriously short of big beady hardnut carriers. If you discount Glaswegian women, that is.

by **LondonTiger** Tue 28 Feb 2017, 8:44 am

Rugby Fan wrote:Andy Goode thinks Matt O'Connor will be appointed by Leicester.

by formerly known as Sam Tue 28 Feb 2017, 10:02 am

LondonTiger wrote:
Rugby Fan wrote:Andy Goode thinks Matt O'Connor will be appointed by Leicester.

I disagree strongly with LT's optimism. His appointment would have a far more detrimental effect on the club than LT is making out.

by king_carlos Tue 28 Feb 2017, 1:28 pm

formerly known as Sam wrote:
LondonTiger wrote:
Rugby Fan wrote:Andy Goode thinks Matt O'Connor will be appointed by Leicester.

I disagree strongly with LT's optimism. His appointment would have a far more detrimental effect on the club than LT is making out.

Silly Season Transfer Rumours 16/17 - Page 4 1khpew10

by Welly Tue 28 Feb 2017, 1:45 pm

Although Ben Youngs does love the guy, so there is that......

Wonder which Prem club will sign JOC?

by carpet baboon Tue 28 Feb 2017, 1:54 pm

Welly wrote: Although Ben Youngs does love the guy, so there is that......

Wonder which Prem club will sign JOC?

I think he will go back to Oz to "rehabilitate" his career

by SirBurger Tue 28 Feb 2017, 1:55 pm

Burrows a very good signing for Newcastle.

by formerly known as Sam Tue 28 Feb 2017, 2:15 pm

carpet baboon wrote:
Welly wrote: Although Ben Youngs does love the guy, so there is that......

Wonder which Prem club will sign JOC?

I think he will go back to Oz to "rehabilitate" his career

He wants to play international rugby again so I'd expect him to do one more season up here in order to head back down to Australia in a stronger position. He'll want the chance to play for a good side not the Rebels or the Force. If he goes back now he won't be popular, he'll coming home with his tail between his legs.

That short stint he did at LI bolstered his image nicely. He might look for a similar short term move again.

by king_carlos Tue 28 Feb 2017, 4:28 pm

Fissler saying:

- Van Graan has been interviewed by Tigers but he is still part of the Boks set-up

- Ryan Mills is attracting interest from Wasps and Sale

- Apparently Bristol have offered Madigan more than the £500k that Saints have tabled. He thinks Saints is a done deal though.

by geoff999rugby Tue 28 Feb 2017, 4:54 pm

king_carlos wrote:
- Apparently Bristol have offered Madigan more than the £500k that Saints have tabled. He thinks Saints is a done deal though.

Are English clubs mad there are 4 Irish 10's better than Madigan (well it will be by November)

Sexton, Jackson, Carbery, Bleydaal

Madigan is decent but he has not got the game management of those 4

by formerly known as Sam Tue 28 Feb 2017, 6:46 pm

geoff999rugby wrote:
king_carlos wrote:
- Apparently Bristol have offered Madigan more than the £500k that Saints have tabled. He thinks Saints is a done deal though.

Are English clubs mad there are 4 Irish 10's better than Madigan (well it will be by November)

Sexton, Jackson, Carbery, Bleydaal

Madigan is decent but he has not got the game management of those 4

You mean Christchurch born former Kiwi under 20s captain Bleyendaal? Unless he's another Irish project?

by Scottrf Tue 28 Feb 2017, 8:40 pm

Madigan isn't a target of Saints.

by formerly known as Sam Wed 01 Mar 2017, 10:55 am

king_carlos wrote:Fissler saying:

- Van Graan has been interviewed by Tigers but he is still part of the Boks set-up

- Ryan Mills is attracting interest from Wasps and Sale

Van Graan would be an interesting addition. Might not come in straight as the head man, possibility of him being the head coach/forwards coach and Mauger staying as DOR.

Mills to Wasps would be terrible for his career unless Gopperth is leaving. Even then he's consigning himself to flyhalf cover as Wasps have ample midfield options with Beale also able to play 10 and 12.

by Scottrf Wed 01 Mar 2017, 10:57 am

Anyone know much about Piers Francis?

by **LondonTiger** Wed 01 Mar 2017, 11:16 am

Scottrf wrote:Anyone know much about Piers Francis?

Is that the stand off who is in NZ at the moment - dropped from Sarries academy at 16 I think, went to NZ after school and made some progress, then shipped up at Edinburgh and did not much before heading back to NZ and now in the Blues squad? (Read an article about him about a week ago if it is)

Looks like the classic late developer that teh current process in England will miss, but also looks like he is probably a notch below the level Saints should be looking at.

by Scottrf Wed 01 Mar 2017, 11:23 am

Yes. Seems like from what I've seen he's been good recently at 12 but never really perforned as a 10.

by formerly known as Sam Wed 01 Mar 2017, 11:24 am

Scottrf wrote:Anyone know much about Piers Francis?

Journeyman flyhalf who has played in the NH and SH. Rated by Blues main man Umaga who coached him in the ITM and then took him to Super Rugby.

by geoff999rugby Wed 01 Mar 2017, 11:27 am

formerly known as Sam wrote:
geoff999rugby wrote:
king_carlos wrote:
- Apparently Bristol have offered Madigan more than the £500k that Saints have tabled. He thinks Saints is a done deal though.

Are English clubs mad there are 4 Irish 10's better than Madigan (well it will be by November)

Sexton, Jackson, Carbery, Bleydaal

Madigan is decent but he has not got the game management of those 4

You mean Christchurch born former Kiwi under 20s captain Bleyendaal? Unless he's another Irish project?

That's the one.

Will have been at Munster 3 years come this November so will be qualified.
Don't get me wrong he would still be 4th choice in my book but I'd take him over Madigan.

There are not that many projects in Ireland you know - Payne was definitely one but other than that.
Stander is the only other regular in the set up and when he was signed by Munster no one realised just how good he was going to be - a very pleasant surprise

The other NIQ at the provinces have been brought in to address their problems not to turn them into Irish international.
Stander, and next year, Aki making the grade are just unexpected bonuses

by Margin_Walker Wed 01 Mar 2017, 11:30 am

Scottrf wrote:Yes. Seems like from what I've seen he's been good recently at 12 but never really perforned as a 10.

Plays 10 at Mitre 10 level for Counties. Has likely spent more time there than at 12, despite playing there for the Blues.

Decent player

by EWT Spoons Wed 01 Mar 2017, 11:39 am

Scottrf wrote:Anyone know much about Piers Francis?

He was terrible at Edinburgh. Might have been the system we played, might have been the level of coaching, but he was awful.

That said when he left us to go back to NZ he seemed to improve dramatically.

by ChequeredJersey Wed 01 Mar 2017, 7:00 pm

Scottrf wrote:Anyone know much about Piers Francis?

He was not rated much in Edinburgh (then, not sure it was a great club to be a halfback then, their pack was pretty awful from what I recall?), but was really good, one of the best 12s, in Super Rugby last year and starts for the Blues at 12 as a second playmaker

by ChequeredJersey Wed 01 Mar 2017, 7:02 pm

I think he's definitely a 12 that can cover 10 though, wouldn't go for him as a 10.

by SirBurger Thu 02 Mar 2017, 6:59 am

Scott Fardy to Leinster. Seems an odd one.

by St John The Enforcer Thu 02 Mar 2017, 8:50 am

SirBurger wrote:Scott Fardy to Leinster. Seems an odd one.

Until you consider that he is 6'6" and plays lock. (As well as 6)

by Pete330v2 Thu 02 Mar 2017, 9:51 am

St John The Enforcer wrote:
SirBurger wrote:Scott Fardy to Leinster. Seems an odd one.
Until you consider that he is 6'6" and plays lock. (As well as 6)

It does seem very odd when you consider Leinster were allowed to resign Nacewa because he's seen as a positive influence on young players whilst Ulster couldn't resign Pienaar despite having the very same reason for keeping him. Add to that Leinster signing Fardy when they have the likes of Conan etc already fighting to get on the matchday squad.
Double standards anyone?

by BamBam Thu 02 Mar 2017, 11:16 am

He's apparently only going to be considered at lock

by formerly known as Sam Thu 02 Mar 2017, 12:56 pm

Unless the rumours about Conan moving to Leicester are true? Fingers Crossed

by B91212 Thu 02 Mar 2017, 3:31 pm

Pete330v2 wrote:It does seem very odd when you consider Leinster were allowed to resign Nacewa because he's seen as a positive influence on young players whilst Ulster couldn't resign Pienaar despite having the very same reason for keeping him. Add to that Leinster signing Fardy when they have the likes of Conan etc already fighting to get on the matchday squad.
Double standards anyone?

As an interested outsider looking in it certainly seems that way. However wasn't one of the things with Pienaar that he would help the development of other 9's at Ulster come through, specifically but not exclusively Marshall?

by B91212 Thu 02 Mar 2017, 3:35 pm

formerly known as Sam wrote:Unless the rumours about Conan moving to Leicester are true?

As a Saints fan I still want to see top talent signed to English clubs and from what I've seen of Conan he fits the bill. But not for Tigers, think he could be just what your back row has been missing. So I hope not Wink

I'm not convinced by Kalamafoni, he's looked pretty average for the last 2 years.

by Bathite Thu 02 Mar 2017, 4:58 pm

Is it confirmed where pienaar is going?

by St John The Enforcer Thu 02 Mar 2017, 5:16 pm

Pete330v2 wrote:
St John The Enforcer wrote:
SirBurger wrote:Scott Fardy to Leinster. Seems an odd one.
Until you consider that he is 6'6" and plays lock. (As well as 6)

It does seem very odd when you consider Leinster were allowed to resign Nacewa because he's seen as a positive influence on young players whilst Ulster couldn't resign Pienaar despite having the very same reason for keeping him. Add to that Leinster signing Fardy when they have the likes of Conan etc already fighting to get on the matchday squad.
Double standards anyone?

Conan doesn't play 2nd row.

Ulster have Cotzee, Pienaar, Piutau, Ludik, Herbst, Van der Merwe

That's 6. The first 3 of which are way higher profile that any of our 4. Kirchner, Nacewa, Gibson-Park, Triggs, We also regularly contribute 20 + players to team Ireland and win stuff. That should get us a lot more leeway than Scott Fardy and an extra year for Isa.

Try getting your own house in order before reaching for those stones buddy. Personally I would have liked yiz to keep Pienaar but it didn't happen.

by formerly known as Sam Thu 02 Mar 2017, 7:20 pm

B91212 wrote:
formerly known as Sam wrote:Unless the rumours about Conan moving to Leicester are true?
As a Saints fan I still want to see top talent signed to English clubs and from what I've seen of Conan he fits the bill. But not for Tigers, think he could be just what your back row has been missing. So I hope not

I'm not convinced by Kalamafoni, he's looked pretty average for the last 2 years.

Kalamafoni has looked pretty injured this season. Previously he's been a good work horse for Glaws and Notts. Powerful and a real unit. He'll add something to our pack and hopefully move us away from the bleeding three lock stupidity.

Conan would definitely be a coup if we can tempt him away from Ireland for a few years. I'm pessimistic of our chances bit signing someone like Fardy might help us a little.

by Scottrf Fri 03 Mar 2017, 1:37 pm

Lee Dickson confirmed leaving Saints. Sale maybe?

by propdavid_london Fri 03 Mar 2017, 1:39 pm

I thought that was a done deal a while ago!

by Scottrf Fri 03 Mar 2017, 1:41 pm

propdavid_london wrote:I thought that was a done deal a while ago!

Expected him to leave but not seen any announcement of anyone signing him?

by Welly Sun 05 Mar 2017, 11:21 am

Yorkshire winger/15 Jonah Holmes to Tigers next season.

by Sponsored content