Silly Season Transfer Rumours 17/18

New season, new thread.

Halfpenny to Dragons on a dual contract is the latest rumour I'm hearing.

mikey_dragon wrote:Halfpenny to Dragons on a dual contract is the latest rumour I'm hearing.

Cardiff was the rumour I heard.

It's Cardiff.

Oh, somebody must have said Cardiff and for some reason I heard 'Newport.'

BS either way - not value even on an NDC. Will be an injury joker at a French team.

Cardiff are desperate for a full-back to keep Morgan out of that position, whilst Halfpenny is still a poster boy in Welsh rugby. I'd say it's quite the coup de ville.

mikey_dragon wrote:Cardiff are desperate for a full-back to keep Morgan out of that position, whilst Halfpenny is still a poster boy in Welsh rugby. I'd say it's quite the coup de ville.

I'd say it's a fecking nonsense spunking hundreds of k on keeping blistering x-factor counter runner Morgan out of the team when, like all the Welsh teams, the pack needs strengthening.

They're not doing it though we know that, they're bringing in Aserati, Lewis and Davies from the academy - all look pretty good.

mikey_dragon wrote:They're not doing it though we know that, they're bringing in Aserati, Lewis and Davies from the academy - all look pretty good.

All potentially good yeah, but you can't build a platform out of prospects and journeymen.

Sounds like Franco Van der Merwe is now going to LI rather than Cardiff from Ulster.

Happy with that!

Yeah, could do worse and probably an upgrade on Jebb (if he has gone) for this season.

Van der Merwe is a good player but old, I don't think he'll be around playing for many more seasons. I wonder where that leaves Cardiff now, they need a lock.

mikey_dragon wrote:Van der Merwe is a good player but old, I don't think he'll be around playing for many more seasons. I wonder where that leaves Cardiff now, they need a lock.

We need a lock and at this stage of pre-season 'good but old' will do us for now.

1/2p to Scarlets.

TightHEAD wrote:1/2p to Scarlets.

True dat apparently.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/40773723

The Bjellybaby apparently fecked off that he was never actually at the club. Fair play.

Rene Ranger to La Rochelle

Pete C (Kiwireddevil) wrote:Rene Ranger to La Rochelle

Good move. He's not got close to the ABs. Lovely part of France and an up and coming team in a city that's rugby mad.

I am planning to transfer to from functional to full alcoholism for Q3 of this year, expecting a full transition by the end of Q4.

George Carlin wrote:I am planning to transfer to from functional to full alcoholism for Q3 of this year, expecting a full transition by the end of Q4.

I might be joining you if the usual injury curse strikes and Tigers start the season by losing to some of our most treasured rivals. We are certainly short in the backs and possibly in the front row and all the rumours get our hopes up before dashing them.

front row isn't really an issue IMO.
1 Genge, Rizzo, Bateman, Hills
2 Youngs, McGugian, Thacker,
3 Cole, Mulipola, Cilliers, Betts

We have Traynor on a short term deal and Beaumann the USA prop is being linked.

Mulipola is training and should be 100% fit for start of season.

I'd be happier if Beaumann signed. Cilliers is injured, Cole has an enforced rest period and Mulipola is expected to be fit but at the last update wasn't ready for contact training. Might leave us a little short if there's anther injury

Bateman at LH is very much a stop gap option, he's a TH when it comes to propping and not a destructive one. I'm not massively worried just need a squad signing to fill out our options until Hills and Betts can earn their stripes.

Welly wrote: front row isn't really an issue IMO.
1 Genge, Rizzo, Bateman, Hills
2 Youngs, McGugian, Thacker,
3 Cole, Mulipola, Cilliers, Betts

We have Traynor on a short term deal and Beaumann the USA prop is being linked.

Mulipola is training and should be 100% fit for start of season.

Was Bateman playing LH or TH last season? Logo covers LH as well but not to the greatest standard (pretty sure we had a front row for a while at Scotstoun of LH Logo, H Harry, TH Bateman - so a TH at LH, Hooker at TH and Midget at Hooker )

Bateman mainly played TH last season but occasionally covered LH, having signed as a hooker. To be fair he was probably a bit big to fit into the any the no 2 or 16 shirts that the Tigers kit man instinctively ordered...

Ben Betts is a cracking prospect who is good enough for game time as 4th choice. Investing some game time in him early could potentially keep him at the club for years. More than worth that risk on a young TH who scrummages well and carries hard. I hope the coaches back him.

LondonTiger wrote:

Welly wrote: front row isn't really an issue IMO.
1 Genge, Rizzo, Bateman, Hills
2 Youngs, McGugian, Thacker,
3 Cole, Mulipola, Cilliers, Betts

We have Traynor on a short term deal and Beaumann the USA prop is being linked.

Mulipola is training and should be 100% fit for start of season.

Was Bateman playing LH or TH last season? Logo covers LH as well but not to the greatest standard (pretty sure we had a front row for a while at Scotstoun of LH Logo, H Harry, TH Bateman - so a TH at LH, Hooker at TH and Midget at Hooker )

Bateman played predominantly at tighthead and covered at loosehead a couple of times (mainly in the LV is memory serves).

Bateman has said he wants to play LH.

http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/greg-bateman-eager-lock-down-257914

Welly wrote:Bateman has said he wants to play LH.

http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/greg-bateman-eager-lock-down-257914

Slightly odd. Genge and Rizzo will be available for most of next season and Bateman didn't look that great when he played there. Having said that he's had a summer of working with Boris. Hope Baumann arrives to flesh out the tighthead stable if that is Bateman's intention.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Welly wrote:Bateman has said he wants to play LH.

http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/greg-bateman-eager-lock-down-257914

Slightly odd. Genge and Rizzo will be available for most of next season and Bateman didn't look that great when he played there. Having said that he's had a summer of working with Boris. Hope Baumann arrives to flesh out the tighthead stable if that is Bateman's intention.

I mean Genge might be with England in the AI what with Vunipola playing so much with the lions.

Cory Jane has "cleared his Hurricanes' locker for the last time" - he's playing for Toshiba Brave Lupus in Top League through year end, could be a handy injury joker option in Europe come February-May

Maybe Welly. Genge, Mulipola and Cole away for the AI period would tax our resources particularly if the USA are playing during that period and call up Baumann as well. Then again for those LV games Hills and Betts should be starting.

He would Pete. Not a surprise he's off given the options the Hurricanes have on the wings. Savea, Milner-Skudder and Goosen are all younger and just as lethal when it comes to finishing.

Same issues at Quins Sam, if Marler and Sinkler are away with England then there is quite a drop to the next level.
Collier was coming into some good form at the end of last season and I think Adam J will still do a job for us if required. Lambert is an excellent club man on loose head.

propdavid_london wrote:Same issues at Quins Sam, if Marler and Sinkler are away with England then there is quite a drop to the next level.
Collier was coming into some good form at the end of last season and I think Adam J will still do a job for us if required.  Lambert is an excellent club man on loose head.  

Quins don't tend to have a game plan built around their set piece. Also the crowd at Welford Rd don't take it well if our scrum goes backwards. I think generally most teams have a couple of key props backed up by able deputies (either talented youngsters or journeymen) and then squad filler. Hard to have a stable of high quality props in the current market with the cap, which does make things more competitive.

There are rough diamonds kicking around lower leagues etc that can be found and developed. I'm hoping the American who is rumoured to be on his way in could be one of those. I suspect Boyce who Quins have acquired this summer will do well for you guys, the Championship is a great league for toughening up props.

Cheers Sam, I don't watch enough of the championship as I should - good to know that Boyce is a prospect. Know he was in the U20s.
There is also Phil Swainston coming in - although scrimmaging wasn't his strong point for Wasps!

Is this Beaumann training in the background next to ellis? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9uZMl82Y4s#t=1m20s

If so then he is a done deal.
Traynor also seen with the tigers players on instagram and twitter so thats two props then.


Logo is looking very fit aswell.


Would love to have Jane at Tigers.

Welly wrote: Is this Beaumann training in the background next to ellis? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9uZMl82Y4s#t=1m20s

If so then he is a done deal.
Traynor also seen with the tigers players on instagram and twitter so thats two props then.


Logo is looking very fit aswell.


Would love to have Jane at Tigers.

Kyle Traynor? This is showing up on the Tigers website https://staging.leicestertigers.com/player/kyle-traynor

Can't find a similar entry for Chris Baumann though

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote:

Welly wrote: Is this Beaumann training in the background next to ellis? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9uZMl82Y4s#t=1m20s

If so then he is a done deal.
Traynor also seen with the tigers players on instagram and twitter so thats two props then.


Logo is looking very fit aswell.


Would love to have Jane at Tigers.

Kyle Traynor? This is showing up on the Tigers website https://staging.leicestertigers.com/player/kyle-traynor

Can't find a similar entry for Chris Baumann though

Yeh Traynor was listed as in the development squad then taken down.

Yeh i know Baumann isn't listed anywhere but pretty that is him training in the video.

Got to love Kyle - the journeyman's journeyman.

He's 31 now - who would have thought.

George Carlin wrote:Got to love Kyle - the journeyman's journeyman.

He's 31 now - who would have thought.

Yep studying at Oxford i think (Could be wrong) whilst on a short term deal with Tigers.

Blimey, I didn't see that swap deal...Johnny May going to Tigers and Ed Slater going the other way to Gloucester!

Johnny could be class signing for the Tigers and they are getting rid of a complete sicknote in Slater

GeordieFalcon wrote:Blimey, I didn't see that swap deal...Johnny May going to Tigers and Ed Slater going the other way to Gloucester!

Johnny could be class signing for the Tigers and they are getting rid of a complete sicknote in Slater

That swap deal has been rumoured for a week GF.

I think Barrow is nailed on starter for me and I reckon Kitchener turn back the clock to when MOC was last year and have a good season.


I like Slater but the difference between him and the next lock is very much whereas the difference between our wings are huge.

Ah right, I haven't heard the rumour Welly....think its a great deal personally.

Should help May in keeping his England hopes alive IMO playing in the champions cup and with the England 10.

9. Youngs
10. Ford
11. Thompstone
12. Toomua
13. Tuilagi
14. May
15. Veainu

Should be some backline, i reckon the forwards will be alot more physical in the pack this year instead of the back off pack of last season.

That's why ive put a cheeky one on you guys winning the title this year...

GeordieFalcon wrote:Johnny could be class signing for the Tigers and they are getting rid of a complete sicknote in Slater

Slater has played more than many realise in the last 2 seasons. He played 21 games in 2016/17 and 18 games in 15/16. Sadly how little he's been noticed by most Prem viewers sums up how he's struggled for form since his injuries. I'm very sad to see him go but I hope that a move turns out to be what he needs to rejuvenate his career. He was rightly in England contention 3 seasons ago.

Hopefully a move helps him string together a run of starts and get some form. If he can find form then his set-piece and tight work combined with carrying is exactly what Gloucs need. He adds plenty of leadership as well.

It could be a good trade for all 4 parties...

George Carlin wrote:Got to love Kyle - the journeyman's journeyman.

He's 31 now - who would have thought.

He's had an interesting career that's for sure. He managed to go from Scotland player, to dropped by Edinburgh, to Championship Rugby with Bristol, then back to Scotland player within about 6 months at one point. Part of a Scotland XV that had both starting props plying their trade in the Championship in Traynor and Murray.

Now he's back playing Premiership rugby part-time whilst studying at Oxford. Not the normal path but an interesting one for sure!

GeordieFalcon wrote:Ah right, I haven't heard the rumour Welly....think its a great deal personally.

Gloucester should be delighted. We've just given them a tight five leader who is good at scrum and lineout, an enforcer, mobile and has good hands. Ackermann will be delighted to have him at the heart of his pack.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Ah right, I haven't heard the rumour Welly....think its a great deal personally.

Gloucester should be delighted. We've just given them a tight five leader who is good at scrum and lineout, an enforcer, mobile and has good hands. Ackermann will be delighted to have him at the heart of his pack.

As long as the rumour of them getting a plastic pitch is false then yeh it should be great otherwise.....
He is good Slater but he hasn't been the same since that injury season a couple seasons ago, Barrow has overtaken him in the physicality department.


One thing i have hated about Tigers in recent years is how Poopie we play on plastic.

A few sides have been poor on plastic. Tigers have definitely had the most startling issues with it. A fair few people suggest that injuries, largely knee, sustained or exacerbated on the terrible all weather pitch at Oval Park have made significant players in the squad hate playing on plastic.

Whatever the case is it needs to be addressed as a lot of sides now play their home games on them.

What are any Gloucs fans views on the Slater-May trade? HKC?