Silly Season Transfer Rumours 17/18

First topic message reminder :

Rumours are that I want to move to another company because my boss is an @rse.

And there's something to those rumours, I can assure you.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Yea he is....does he add much more these days though? When does he show this mythical breakdown work as I've not seen it for about 3 years.

TBH I think constantly playing 70/80mins for both club and country has been the biggest factor in this he has looked tired for a while.

3 months off will do him some good IMO.

I wonder if the neck injury has limited his breakdown work, perhaps due that he's unable or unwilling to get his head and neck in those places again?

A preseason will help him I'm sure, at the moment he's a dead weight the England team are carrying just for his scrimmaging, and in the last 6Ns our scrum wasn't much cop either

yappysnap wrote:I wonder if the neck injury has limited his breakdown work, perhaps due that he's unable or unwilling to get his head and neck in those places again?

A preseason will help him I'm sure, at the moment he's a dead weight the England team are carrying just for his scrimmaging, and in the last 6Ns our scrum wasn't much cop either

He's often in the breakdown but generally as a nuisance. I think the change in the law interpretation hasn't helped and as Welly says he's played an awful lot of games. Some rest time for the many knocks he must be carrying might well help. He did give an interview this season where he said professional players are generally only ever 80% fit during the season which might be an insight into how he felt at the time.

The England scrum has been average but Leicester's has been good and it's not like we've got a pushing machine in the second row. Young Genge does help mind, that boy is a monster.

yappysnap wrote:I wonder if the neck injury has limited his breakdown work, perhaps due that he's unable or unwilling to get his head and neck in those places again?

A preseason will help him I'm sure, at the moment he's a dead weight the England team are carrying just for his scrimmaging, and in the last 6Ns our scrum wasn't much cop either

Completley agree Yappy, Cole has been a passenger for England over the last few years. Watch him against Falcons a few weeks back and he just jogs to each breakdown, making no attempt to get involved.

His supposed breakdown threat is a myth as all he does these days is concede penalties here. Fantastic servant but the game has moved on and Cole hasn't.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

yappysnap wrote:I wonder if the neck injury has limited his breakdown work, perhaps due that he's unable or unwilling to get his head and neck in those places again?

A preseason will help him I'm sure, at the moment he's a dead weight the England team are carrying just for his scrimmaging, and in the last 6Ns our scrum wasn't much cop either

Completley agree Yappy, Cole has been a passenger for England over the last few years. Watch him against Falcons a few weeks back and he just jogs to each breakdown, making no attempt to get involved.

His supposed breakdown threat is a myth as all he does these days is concede penalties here. Fantastic servant but the game has moved on and Cole hasn't.

Didn't concede many if any against Falcons. Did stuff Lockwood's head up his own backside at the scrum though.

That's hardly a level....we have the worst scrum in the AP. You're making this into a personal attack from Falcons fan. My point is from an England perspective.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:That's hardly a level....we have the worst scrum in the AP. You're making this into a personal attack from Falcons fan. My point is from an England perspective.

Yet very successful on your own ball.

This is the club section not the international so I will bring it back to Tigers. That's also the most recent guide to his form. It's easy to say that any England forward who played in the 6 nations is past their best because they were all sub par. The set pieces were inaccurate, the breakdown contest didn't really exist and there was no guile ball in hand. I'm surprised Mako has gone to SA because he looked tired and off his best in the 6N as well.

As me and Welly have been telling you, wait until next season a fresh Dan will be offering up some better form.

You've been saying he'll get back in form soon for 3 years.....

Anyway, to move on. Falcons have a new signing, no idea who it is.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:You've been saying he'll get back in form soon for 3 years.....

Anyway, to move on. Falcons have a new signing, no idea who it is.

Yesterday we announced Gaston Cortes and Jimmy Stevens from Bristol and Nottingham respectively. Beat that...

Cortes has two caps from years back and Stevens was in the Championship team of the year but they weren't quite the front row depth we hoped.

Any rumours?

Who the hell are we signing?? The Announcement will probably be made on monday...Not a single rumour at all!

GeordieFalcon wrote:Who the hell are we signing?? The Announcement will probably be made on monday...Not a single rumour at all!

GeordieFalcon wrote:Who the hell are we signing?? The Announcement will probably be made on monday...Not a single rumour at all!

PDJ, Brookes and Dorian West

So its Connor Collett. An English flanker from North Harbour in Nz.

So our version of Brad Shields? Looks like a genuine 7 reading reports although I can't say I know anything about him. Lets hope he's the English David Pocock and solves our openside issues out.

No Sgt apparently out version of Sam Underhill /  a smaller version of Joe Worsley .  A ridiculous tackle machine.

Apparently he's a strong lad. He's 6'1 and around 16st.
By all accounts even the Kiwis are amazed by his work rate.

On paper a good signing IMO. (Not much on him though on the tinernet)

Falcons need a 7 though.
Wilson, Graham, Uzokwe, Chick, Burrows, Welch are not 7's IMO.

Also reckon an out and out 8 will be joining you looking at your back row resources next season....

Burrows was supposed to be that Welly...but doesn't seem to be getting much game time.

Maybe he'll feature more next season.

I'm not convinced we need a genuine 7 in the traditional sense. Our pack has been excellent at the breakdown all season with Cooper/Hogg/Wilson usually getting a few turnovers a game, Cooper sometimes 4 or 5.

I like Graham as an option there, he's all action and gets us on the front foot with his eye for a gap. How many sides in the AP operate with a genuine 7 anyway? Exeter certainly don't with Armand a definite 6 is his playing style.

Sgt, Exeter maintain the option with Kvesic and Salvi in the squad.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Sgt, Exeter maintain the option with Kvesic and Salvi in the squad.

But neither are first choice when everyone is fit. they prefer the power game with Armand and Ewers on the flanks. A genuine 7 isn't necessary needed if you have options elsewhere in the pack, we do. I'd prefer us to bulk up the pack a bit and have a few more carrying options.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Sgt, Exeter maintain the option with Kvesic and Salvi in the squad.

But neither are first choice when everyone is fit. they prefer the power game with Armand and Ewers on the flanks. A genuine 7 isn't necessary needed if you have options elsewhere in the pack, we do. I'd prefer us to bulk up the pack a bit and have a few more carrying options.

They've used Kvesic a fair bit. It's a horse's for courses type thing. They often go with the big pack but if they know there's going to be a fierce breakdown battle or they can target that area then they'll bring in Kvesic or Salvi. Helps with squad rotation as well.

Deano knows the Falcons pack is working pretty well at the minute. Signing a little known specialist openside to offer squad options makes sense to me. Remember you've got Logo joining next season and a twenty stone Samoan prop will add some carrying power.

Sam simmonds is pretty much a 7 really IMO.
But with the back row balance he works just fine at 8, he wouldn't work in many other teams 8 though.

Welly wrote: Sam simmonds is pretty much a 7 really IMO.
But with the back row balance he works just fine at 8, he wouldn't work in many other teams 8 though.

Doesn't really matter where he plays. He only really lacks thebulk to be a heavy duty carrier. Other than that he seems to be a remarkably mature player to effectively appear from nowhere.

Paul Gustard to Quins as HC all but confirmed

yappysnap wrote:Paul Gustard to Quins as HC all but confirmed

Reports seem confused about his title. Guardian and BBC call him "Head of Rugby", while the Telegraph says "Head Coach".

At Quins, John Kingston was Director of Rugby, with Mark Mapletoft as Head Coach. Complicating matters further, are reports that Quins are considering the appointment of a General Manager.

Ordinarily, a General Manager would have a Director of Rugby Role, overseeing a Head Coach. However, one of the key jobs for a GM or DoR would be appointing a Head Coach, so it seems a bit backward to pick that man first, and then look for someone to oversee him. If reports are true, you can only imagine that Quins have a different job demarcation in mind.

Welly wrote: Sam simmonds is pretty much a 7 really IMO.
But with the back row balance he works just fine at 8, he wouldn't work in many other teams 8 though.

He's certainly a very good linking player but he adds very little to the breakdown. I must admit, I don't really get the fuss about Simmonds, he's basically a centre playing at 8. He'll never make a huge impact internationally at 8, he's just not big or powerful enough.

Glaws sign Grobler.

With Mortest and Dreyer on their way according to Fissler and potentially Rensburg

So Glaws pack next season
1. Hoeneck, 2. Marais, 3. Dreyer
4. Mortest, 5. Grobler
6. Kriel, 7. Polledri, 8. Ackerman

Nice and English

That's a lot of high quality locks to have on the books. Do you think we can make a grovelling enough apology to get Slater back?

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

Welly wrote: Sam simmonds is pretty much a 7 really IMO.
But with the back row balance he works just fine at 8, he wouldn't work in many other teams 8 though.

He's certainly a very good linking player but he adds very little to the breakdown. I must admit, I don't really get the fuss about Simmonds, he's basically a centre playing at 8. He'll never make a huge impact internationally at 8, he's just not big or powerful enough.

I think he's an explosive runner and he likes to be in the thick of the action. He's not going to run over the top of people but he'll blast past them if we start playing off of 10 instead of pedestrian play off of Care and Wigglesworth. Would like to see him add some edge to his game, the workrate is good but he's a little nice which is why I think he doesn't get as much joy as he should at the breakdown.

Whilst I would love Slater back I understand the decision made.

For once the team has actually won all their games on the plastic pitches this season, I don't think slater helped in that department we seemed to have a really bad mindset towards them.

Welly wrote: Glaws sign Grobler.

With Mortest and Dreyer on their way according to Fissler and potentially Rensburg

So Glaws pack next season
1. Hoeneck, 2. Marais, 3. Dreyer
4. Mortest, 5. Grobler
6. Kriel, 7. Polledri, 8. Ackerman

Nice and English

Jealousy doesn't suit you Welly

I don't see Grobler and Mostert as a combination. Slater or Savage will play 4 to give the balance. We will have a hell of a side next season though, I'd see us going with: Rapava-Ruskin, Marais, Dreyer, Slater, Mostert, Polledri, Kriel, Ackers, Heinz, Cipriani, Banners, RJVR, Trinder, Marshall, Woodward. Not bad that, despite being a little un-EQP!

Not so much jealously just that I saw a lot of Glaws fans giving Sarries grief for something similar when they first started TBF.

Not sure why Slater or Savage would bring balance whilst Grobler and Mostert wouldn't. Grobler is an out and out lock and Mostert a more back rower/lock.

and whilst I like Savage he isn't in Grobler class who if it wasn't for that one issue would be rated alot more than he is currently.

That's some Gloucester side, they're going to serious contenders if they can get some consistency going.

The new saracens.

Welly, you spend enough time on the Glaws forum to know that the words myopic and parochial were created to describe us! Most are unashamedly so, if not actually quite proud to be so one-eyed. The criticism of Sarries was never about the SA influence, rather the fact that a side we had traditionally always been better than, were suddenly going to be far better than us. For such a working class club, it was rather ironic our criticism of the nouveau riche.

Whilst I am sure we will see Mostert and Grobler pack down at points during the season, for me they are both 5s. Slater and Savage are such workhorses that they need to be in, you also notice the scrum isn't as stable when neither plays. With Galarza as another option, we have a very good range of locks to choose from.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:That's some Gloucester side, they're going to serious contenders if they can get some consistency going.

That's a big IF!

HongKongCherry wrote:

Welly wrote: Glaws sign Grobler.

With Mortest and Dreyer on their way according to Fissler and potentially Rensburg

So Glaws pack next season
1. Hoeneck, 2. Marais, 3. Dreyer
4. Mortest, 5. Grobler
6. Kriel, 7. Polledri, 8. Ackerman

Nice and English

Jealousy doesn't suit you Welly

I don't see Grobler and Mostert as a combination. Slater or Savage will play 4 to give the balance. We will have a hell of a side next season though, I'd see us going with: Rapava-Ruskin, Marais, Dreyer, Slater, Mostert, Polledri, Kriel, Ackers, Heinz, Cipriani, Banners, RJVR, Trinder, Marshall, Woodward. Not bad that, despite being a little un-EQP!

One some academy player HKC? That's depressing. Careful it doesn't all go Montpellier on you guys

Rumours:

Mermoz is off...we all assumed that anyway.
Josh Basham - London Irish and current England u20 player possibly going to Durham Uni and about to sign for us..?

Yappy, there's 2 academy players in Trinder and Polledri and I could cheekily include Woodward given he started out at Hartpury! Our 1st XV on paper is largely bought in players, however, there is a good undercurrent of academy players who'll be on the verge of that XV, such as Ludlow, Clarke, Vellacott, Burns, Thorley and Sharples, so it's not quite as bad as it looks.

HongKongCherry wrote:Yappy, there's 2 academy players in Trinder and Polledri and I could cheekily include Woodward given he started out at Hartpury! Our 1st XV on paper is largely bought in players, however, there is a good undercurrent of academy players who'll be on the verge of that XV, such as Ludlow, Clarke, Vellacott, Burns, Thorley and Sharples, so it's not quite as bad as it looks.

Doesn't count, as he's Italian now...

Polledri was a Bristol academy player wasn't he?
Just like Vellacot was a Exeter chiefs academy player first and Clarke didn't join Glous till he was 23.

their is a big difference between having a player from Academy and signing them up to the senior academy IMO.

Given we have the smallest catchment area for academies, I don't think we can afford to be that picky between academy and senior academy players, nor do I see much of a distinction.

I think that may have changed now Wasps have moved to the West Midlands. They are certainly recruiting from some of Tigers more traditional amateur clubs.

You might have more access to some of Wasps old haunts.

Wasps area has certainly changed. At least it's a rugby hotspot HK, you produce some outstanding backs.

How do they draw that up? No of clubs, players etc?

Well the cap certainly thinks their is a clear distinction between the two.

Also you have the likes of Doncaster, Nottingham, Ealing and Bedford etc starting up their own academies it will be interesting to see how they fit in.

Yeh I think Quins and Irish have most of the Wasps old turf now.


Would like to see what it is in terms of population rather than land size though would be interesting.

I believe this is the current map of the catchment areas as Wasps has changed. As Welly says, some of their old patch went to Irish and Quins and they in turn picked up areas from Glaws, Wuss and Tigers.

I'm presuming it must be drawn up on clubs as it certainly isn't based upon population. Sarries in particular have a massive populace in their area.

gloucester got Wasps old West oxfordshire area as well I believe.

here is a updated one annoyingly Bath decided to cover most of the midlands


But looks like Wasps got land from Tigers, Worcester and Saints.
Saints got land from Sarries
Quins, Irish and Gloucester got land from Wasps.
Worcester get land from Tigers.
Tigers get some land from Yorkshire.

Exeter, Bath and Bristol stay roughly the same.

According to a new Rugby rumour twitter page. (Yes another one)

tommy Bell is in talks with Ealing.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/44229336
Matt Symons to Quins

Well Quin's do need some additional physicality in their tight five. He's a player with some untapped potential in the NH and if Rowntree and Gustard can't get it out of him I doubt anyone else will.

Welly wrote: According to a new Rugby rumour twitter page. (Yes another one)

tommy Bell is in talks with Ealing.

The bloke has just ruptured his achilles. Seriously doubt he's going anywhere