James Haskell - open for offers (is the start of the end of French galacticoism?)

First topic message reminder :

According to Auntie, James Haskell (age 26) is a free agent.

Who'll have him?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/13696098.stm

Full report reads:

"No decisions have been made as yet," the source told BBC Sport.

"He's had expressions of interest from clubs from all over the world - Italy, Ireland, Australia - but it was only confirmed he was leaving on Tuesday, until then he was still a Stade Francais player.

"We couldn't really say it came as a shock but it was not an ongoing process James was aware of. Each week they were saying 'we want you to stay' and offering him a contract, so it was all rather confusing, all done in a very Gallic fashion.

"All the players and everyone involved with the club said what a wonderfully committed player he was and that they're all very sad to see him go. But there was the financial impact and they've had to release a lot of players."

As well as the 26-year-old Haskell, Stade have parted company with Ollie Phillips, Hugo Southwell, Arnaud Marchois, Noel Oelschig, Juan Leguizamon and Mauro Bergamasco.

Haskell, who joined Stade from Wasps in 2009, will join up with England next week and his short-term goal is to make manager Martin Johnson's 30-man squad for this autumn's World Cup in New Zealand.

The source added: "He loved his time in Paris, enjoyed his rugby and his rugby benefited from it, as evidenced by his performances in the Six Nations. He felt his time there wasn't quite finished but now England is his priority."

Haskell's contract included the option of a third year but he was aware that his international future could be affected by his choice of club: after the World Cup, England will pick players who are based outside the country only in exceptional circumstances.

To confirm we wanted Wilson last summer he said no.
No problem he is just very happy at Northampton.

Best will never ever play rugby, in any capacity for Ulster and probably any province - he has burnt his bridges.
To me he is a rotten apple we are better off without.

Some, slightly, better news of Ferris. He is doing some charity event with Paddy Wallace which involves wall climbing and pushing big objects around -I think Ferris will win

Its not rugby but it is at least strong physical exercise - fingers remain crossed

Thanks Geoff thats good to know Ferris is in fine health. Is there any indication when we'll see him on the pitch again?

I'd imagine ferris would be the favourite in that contest too!

It think ryan and rudduck are going to make up irelands future backrow
i rate them very highly

I think if rudduck went down to munster and they kept quinny around just to teach him some of his old tricks he could be as good as heislip or SOB if not better

Quinnie is retired. As for our "future backrow" we have a current backrow of:

Ferris (25)
O'Brien (24)
Heaslip (27)

Could be a while before they get a look in.

Quinny doesnt need to play he just needs to teach him
the old ways,

The way ferris is going i don't think his age matters, I think its just a matter of how long he can go