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.

Well Quins Lock Merrick is confirmed to France, so I guess that's who Glen Young is replacing.

Id put money on it that Calum Green is confirmed soon aswell!

Hope so GF.

Disappointed, Merick is a solid - hard working lock. Its an area that we've been lacking in too for a while.
I do hope he gets the chance to shine in a pack like Clermonts though.

Glen Young has come along great, particularly this season and if its confirmed I think the Quins fans will appreciate hes a good acquisition.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Glen Young has come along great, particularly this season and if its confirmed I think the Quins fans will appreciate hes a good acquisition.

That probably means they will want to hang onto Davidson I would imagine. We would not mind seeing him back at Glasgow.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Well Quins Lock Merrick is confirmed to France.

I expected more players to go to France, as there are quite a few who aren't really close to international selection (whether that is right, or wrong). Locks, blindside flanker and wingers are especially plentiful positions for us. I assumed players who feel overlooked would do the same as Carl Fearns, and look to maximize their earnings in whatever way possible.

As it turns out, more players have been lost through being selected by the other Home Nations than going to France. We also got Ashton back (and Strettle, for that matter). Premiership money can't always match a contract from France, but there's a greater appreciation that the environment in French clubs might not suit everyone, so that might also influence the decison to stay or go.

You do hear a fair few horror stories about France though. Sexton, Jim Hamilton, Tom Varndell, Barkley have all been pretty vocal about how much of a shiz show it can be.

I'd expect to see Attwood head back to France next year, maybe not Toulon, as they've signed Etzebeth and rumoured Whitelock too. Also can see Teo'o heading over too.

Bendy is still over there at Clermont and was getting rave reviews for his first 2 seasons, not sure now.

BigGee wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Glen Young has come along great, particularly this season and if its confirmed I think the Quins fans will appreciate hes a good acquisition.

That probably means they will want to hang onto Davidson I would imagine. We would not mind seeing him back at Glasgow.

Definitely...especially if we lose Calum Green aswell.

Theres no way Dean would let Davidson go. Hes just starting to make the first team now as Robinson and Witty did and impressing.

Steve Mafi to Irish for 500 Big ones
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/steve-mafi-to-return-to-english-rugby-but-not-with-leicester-tigers

Bathite wrote:You do hear a fair few horror stories about France though. Sexton, Jim Hamilton, Tom Varndell, Barkley have all been pretty vocal about how much of a shiz show it can be.

I'd expect to see Attwood head back to France next year, maybe not Toulon, as they've signed Etzebeth and rumoured Whitelock too. Also can see Teo'o heading over too.

Bendy is still over there at Clermont and was getting rave reviews for his first 2 seasons, not sure now.

Shontayne Hape was very public about how poorly he was treated whilst suffering from concussion at Montpellier.

The length of the Top 14 season seems to breed an attitude of survive rather than thrive.

Welly wrote: Steve Mafi to Irish for 500 Big ones
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/steve-mafi-to-return-to-english-rugby-but-not-with-leicester-tigers

That's a huge contract but it's easy to forget Mafi is only 29 so has a lot of rugby left in his legs if a side can get the best out of him.

Josh McNally is meant to be joining Bath so it'd make sense for them to be in the market for locks.

That's a big load of cash but in the AP you need some X factor forwards and Mafi is definitely that. Good in the lineout and likes a big hit as well.

Jack Clifford ----> Exeter

Will Evans ----> Quins

Tom Lawday ----> Quins

Various rumours there that have been doing the rounds.

Would be a real blow to lose Evans. We've got some good 7s on the development pathway but they are a little more like 6.5s as opposed to Evans who is traditional openside all the way.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Would be a real blow to lose Evans. We've got some good 7s on the development pathway but they are a little more like 6.5s as opposed to Evans who is traditional openside all the way.

Gough and Eveleigh are proper 7's.

To be honest I don't know much about either other than Gough is a bit of a unit already, 16 stone apparently. The academy backrow from that year were supposed to be very physical and abrasive.

king_carlos wrote:Jack Clifford ----> Exeter

Will Evans ----> Quins

Tom Lawday ----> Quins

Various rumours there that have been doing the rounds.

I think Back row is one of the few areas we don't need to focus on - even if we did loose Clifford.

Bathite wrote:You do hear a fair few horror stories about France though. Sexton, Jim Hamilton, Tom Varndell, Barkley have all been pretty vocal about how much of a shiz show it can be.

I'd expect to see Attwood head back to France next year, maybe not Toulon, as they've signed Etzebeth and rumoured Whitelock too. Also can see Teo'o heading over too.

Bendy is still over there at Clermont and was getting rave reviews for his first 2 seasons, not sure now.

Yes, it's not normal for Top 14 clubs to focus on player management in priority to winning matches.

Russell and Zebo have said that Racing are much better than they used to be about being clear eyed on when players need a break or when they cannot play through an injury.

Santiago Cordero off to Bordeaux at the end of the current season.

The Wasps exodus has begun - Jake Cooper-Woolley has signed for Sale Sharks for the start of next season.

king_carlos wrote:

Welly wrote: Steve Mafi to Irish for 500 Big ones
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/steve-mafi-to-return-to-english-rugby-but-not-with-leicester-tigers

That's a huge contract but it's easy to forget Mafi is only 29 so has a lot of rugby left in his legs if a side can get the best out of him.

Josh McNally is meant to be joining Bath so it'd make sense for them to be in the market for locks.

I just wish Bath would go shopping somewhere else for a change ...

Heaf wrote:

king_carlos wrote:

Welly wrote: Steve Mafi to Irish for 500 Big ones
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/steve-mafi-to-return-to-english-rugby-but-not-with-leicester-tigers

That's a huge contract but it's easy to forget Mafi is only 29 so has a lot of rugby left in his legs if a side can get the best out of him.

Josh McNally is meant to be joining Bath so it'd make sense for them to be in the market for locks.

I just wish Bath would go shopping somewhere else for a change ...

They are lazy and you are just up the M4. Once the groundshare with Brentford starts they may leave you alone.

Brentford is only slightly further up the M4 than Reading!

BamBam wrote:Brentford is only slightly further up the M4 than Reading!

Yeah, but the Stadium will be inside the Low Emissions Zone, so Sadiq will be there with his RPG blowing up any massive diesel vehicle that Bath try to send in. Now they may try to use a drone but would be at risk of being shot down over Heathrow.

LondonTiger wrote:

BamBam wrote:Brentford is only slightly further up the M4 than Reading!

Yeah, but the Stadium will be inside the Low Emissions Zone, so Sadiq will be there with his RPG blowing up any massive diesel vehicle that Bath try to send in. Now they may try to use a drone but would be at risk of being shot down over Heathrow.

Do helicopters use diesel? :roll:

king_carlos wrote:Jack Clifford ----> Exeter

Will Evans ----> Quins

Tom Lawday ----> Quins

Various rumours there that have been doing the rounds.

What are Evans and Lawday like?

Ian Keatley leaving Munster at end of the season. Talk of him going to Bennetton one would assume as back up to Allan. If it happens good move for all. He wasn't O'Gara so never got the love he needed.

yappysnap wrote:

king_carlos wrote:Jack Clifford ----> Exeter

Will Evans ----> Quins

Tom Lawday ----> Quins

Various rumours there that have been doing the rounds.

What are Evans and Lawday like?

Evans is a quick and skillful openside. Not particularly big (website has him at a few pounds over 14 stone) but makes more metres than you'd think. Tackles low and hard and attacks the breakdown cleverly not often pinged. To be honest I hope he stays at Tigers and we move on BOC instead.

Priestland confirmed to be leaving Bath at end of season
Chudley Allinson already releases mid season

Oops, wrong player

Bathite wrote:Priestland confirmed to be leaving Bath at end of season
Chudley already releases mid season

I had seen Allinson was released with immediate effect last week. Have they really released Chudley as well?

Bathite wrote:Priestland confirmed to be leaving Bath at end of season
Chudley already releases mid season

Announcing Priestland early suggests a replacement is sorted. Handre Pollard...?

Chudley is one of the most consistent performers in the Prem and Fotuali'i is 36. That would be a very odd move!

The Priestland thing sounds more like a come and get me plea from Rhys. Wonder if any of the Welsh teams will fancy a punt. I doubt he'll want to go to the Dragons. Falcons, Wuss and Bristol might be interested if they don't go down. LI have supposedly signed Jackson for next season so they are probably out.

Sale seem to have gone with Robert du Preez otherwise they might have been interested.

Dragons?

BigGee wrote:Dragons?

Priestland to Ospreys.

Bathite wrote:Priestland confirmed to be leaving Bath at end of season
Chudley already releases mid season

Very glad that Adam Hastings re-signing at Glasgow has already been announced! How about Pat Lambie, since it looks like he may end up as second fiddle to Finn Russell at Racing?

Jonathan Joseph in talks with Northampton.

LondonTiger wrote:Jonathan Joseph in talks with Northampton.

Yep - and the funny thing is some Bath fans are saying he should stay with them because of what they've invested in him

Will Evans spotted at Quins training ground

Heaf wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:Jonathan Joseph in talks with Northampton.

Yep - and the funny thing is some Bath fans are saying he should stay with them because of what they've invested in him

Rumours are that Saints want to sign a big name centre in the summer. Allegedly approached the agents of Crotty etc from the SH.

Personally I thought they'd be throwing the money at the forwards but hey ho.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Heaf wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:Jonathan Joseph in talks with Northampton.

Yep - and the funny thing is some Bath fans are saying he should stay with them because of what they've invested in him

Rumours are that Saints want to sign a big name centre in the summer. Allegedly approached the agents of Crotty etc from the SH.

Personally I thought they'd be throwing the money at the forwards but hey ho.

Isn't Burrell meant to be off to France too?

Oooops. Allinson was released. Not chudley. Brain fail.

That’s one way to get a rumour started!

nathan wrote:Will Evans spotted at Quins training ground

It would be a hammer blow.

On the one hand Reffell is a huge talent, then Gough and Eveleigh are coming through. On the other hand our pack needs improving today not tomorrow and Evans is the most developed of the lot, makes positive contributions in a key position and has come through the system.

Heaf wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:Jonathan Joseph in talks with Northampton.

Yep - and the funny thing is some Bath fans are saying he should stay with them because of what they've invested in him

Same could be said if Clifford moves from Quins.

I don't get this argument from some Bath fans that JJ 'owes them'. Yes he's been unlucky with injuries, but that could happen to anyone. And yes his great club form got him called up to England, but that should be a brilliant thing celebrated. Plus, his absence allowed Max Clark (and now Max Green) to come into the team and they've both looked promising talents. Finally, these days, players have to look out for themselves. It's becoming all too common for clubs to cancel contracts before the end (Allinson this week, G.Mercer and Sisi in the past), as well as not offering deals to players because it doesn't fit their cap (James Wilson, Banahan, Maddock etc.). Fans need to wise up that it is a business now (and we've got a crazy owner!), so why should players have unbridalled loyalty, on what is a short career, even more sobering by the number of early retirements in the last year, when clubs aren't doing the same.

Dillane rumour can be squashed
Staying at Connacht till 2021 - many in Galway relieved

Also what is going on at Wasps
Cooper-Wooley away
Rumours of Le Roux, Daly and Hughes, at lease, as well
Something rotten in the State of Denmark perhaps?

Le Roux might now be staying, Daly wants to move back to London and has a clause in his contract which allows him to opt out if their new training ground isn't at a certain point of development and Hughes is being offered £500k by Bristol, Wasps don't think he's worth that so he's gone

Think Dai Young gave an interview on BT about it all a few weeks ago and the issues clubs face

A lot of clubs are at the salary cap and players up for renewal generally want a pay increase which clubs don't have room for so going into next season squads might be smaller, though Im not sure how it'll work with the RWC and players being unavailable.

Isn't the cap only in place until the end of next season? So maybe time for it to be increased?

Stuart seems like he is 100% off to Bath, and Brookes linked to France.
Trouble with Wasps moving to Coventry is that this was a bit predictable.

No offence to Cov but it ain't Bath, Bristol, London etc.
Wasps can't rely on the history to help it like Tigers can, Tigers have a core of players who grew up going to Tigers games in Leicester.
Wasps don't have that benefit, how many of the Wasps lads are Coventry lads who grew up watching Wasps?
Wasps had league position to help but currently the gap between them and the 9 clubs (Exeter and Saracens miles ahead) is the smallest it has been since the move.

Add in the financial talk and it's easy to see why they might have struggles.
Dai can blame the salary cap as it's the easy way out but the big problem is Wasps have no foundations to build upon at coventry they moved from their roots and into a area that is heavily contested between Tigers, Worcester etc. I know a few Wasps current academy are Leicester Tigers fans growing up.

So I guess will they be loyal to Wasps in a few years time or if say Tigers came calling with a similar offer to Wasps would they move?

Bathite wrote:It's becoming all too common for clubs to cancel contracts before the end (Allinson this week, G.Mercer and Sisi in the past), as well as not offering deals to players because it doesn't fit their cap (James Wilson, Banahan, Maddock etc.). 

 Not really the place, but as good as any. Interesting to see Sisi named in the Italian 6Ns squad this week.

Good point re move to Coventry, I wouldn't want to live there, and as you say not Bath, Bristol or London

I doubt any of players actually live there. The Tigers and Saints players don't live in Northampton or Leicester most live in and around Market Harborough in South Leicestershire.