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.

The length of contracts that Sale are tying very good players is impressive as much as anything.

If they can add all three du Preez brothers then their side will be looking very good for next season.

So are some English clubs now matching the buying power of the French?

mikey_dragon wrote:So are some English clubs now matching the buying power of the French?

Sale have previously operated well below the salary cap. An injection of funds has meant they can now spend up to it.

France won't always be everyone's cup of tea. Particularly if you don't want to learn the language. A good deal in the old four nations might be easier for the family and still set you up.

Mathieu Basteraud linked with a move to the Sharks in Super Rugby.

Fluxy wrote:Mathieu Basteraud linked with a move to the Sharks in Super Rugby.

Could explain why Toulon have been linked with Manu in places like RugbyPass

Bristol Bears also linked with Luke Wallace, who is set to be released by Quins at the end of the season.

I doubt Manu will leave. He's settled in the area with a young family, his missus is a local girl as well.

Luke Wallace to Bristol would explain Quins bidding for Will Evans.

Toulon will be in the market for centres given Fekitoa is already confirmed as going.

Fluxy wrote:Mathieu Basteraud linked with a move to the Sharks in Super Rugby.

Im surprised by that. I reckon he is one of France's best players at the moment. Maybe even a little under rated. I think he has improved immensely as a centre.

Collapse2005 wrote:

Fluxy wrote:Mathieu Basteraud linked with a move to the Sharks in Super Rugby.

Im surprised by that. I reckon he is one of France's best players at the moment. Maybe even a little under rated. I think he has improved immensely as a centre.

Hard to imagine he could even remotely earn the kind of money available to him at Toulon in South Africa, unless he feels he has done enough in europe and fancies a change of scenary to finnish off his career.

Might do a mix of SA and Japan. Expand his experiences and the stint in Japan would be financially rewarding. Haskell and Cipriani both headed abroad to expand their experiences instead of taking the money so it's not unheard of, just unusual. If he's think post rugby then it'd be a good foundation for his move to coaching.

Wallace leaving Quins would be interesting.
I am sure that I remember hearing on Monye's podcast a chat with Care. Where they discussed a number of senior players in the squad (no names) that were only playing A-league games and turning up to training to pick up a pay cheque. Players that presumably don't fit into Gustards vision.

I am wondering if Wallace falls into the category - although recently played more senior games! And I think was name checked by Gustard for his professionalism. Same for other guys that have recently stepped back into senior appearances (Loumanu and AlofaAlofa).

Only one I can think of perhaps is Visser (now injured) who was in woeful form at the start of the season, even in A-league matches.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Might do a mix of SA and Japan. Expand his experiences and the stint in Japan would be financially rewarding. Haskell and Cipriani both headed abroad to expand their experiences instead of taking the money so it's not unheard of, just unusual. If he's think post rugby then it'd be a good foundation for his move to coaching.

Haskell definitely benefitted from it, but he is a bit of a different beast to most international rugby players.

Cipriani, I am not so sure, he did it largely to get away from the media hounding he was bringing on himself here, then just created another one over there. I don't think he came back a better player and it probably trashed his international career.

I don't suppose Basteraud is short of a few bob after his stint at Toulon and his international career probably ends at the WC, so maybe, as you say, he has other motivations. It would be good to see professional players doing things for reasons other than money.

It's so long ago that it's easy to forget that Cipriani's career was stalled somewhat by that horrible ankle injury.

He returned quickly but there were (and still are) a fair few Wasps fans who feel he came back a very different player and took a long time to adjust to it. He's a very good fly-half now having gained experience and a bit more control. Prior to that injury he was simply rapid though, even compared to wingers. It's no wonder he burst onto the scene as at fullback.

Itoje staying with Sarries - no big surprise there.

Rumour has it Sale Sharks are sniffing around Launchbury

Everyone else leaving Wasps why not Launchbury

If you believe the rumours Sale are trying to sign everyone and all of Wasps big names are trying to get out of their contracts.

Can't see that one personally. Sale are signing forwards but with Cooper-Wooley, Kitshoff and potentially all three du Preez brothers coming in there's only so much available cap they have not spent up to previously. Launchbury would be a big contract and can't be the marquee signing.

More than a strong rumour that Atwood is going to Sale as well. I think it’s highly unlikely that he will stay at bath

I thought Attwood would be heading back to the South of France and Toulon. Top up the pension pot and get some sunshine.

He won't get much sunshine at Sale!

With Eben signing for Toulon doubt Attwood is on their mind now.

Dunno much about their French locks (big Romain apart) but their imports aren't getting any younger. Kruger, Poiteger and Gorgodze are all around mid-30. Having said that Attwood will be 32 by the start of next season so isn't likely to inject much youthful exuberance.

Big news of the day for Bath is that Joseph he re signed and extended his contract. No mention on length of deal.

formerly known as Sam wrote:If you believe the rumours Sale are trying to sign everyone and all of Wasps big names are trying to get out of their contracts.

Can't see that one personally. Sale are signing forwards but with Cooper-Wooley, Kitshoff and potentially all three du Preez brothers coming in there's only so much available cap they have not spent up to previously. Launchbury would be a big contract and can't be the marquee signing.

Rumour is that Diamond has offered to double his salary to £500k. 

Compared to the salaries paid to Sopoaga and Le Roux, and previously Beale and Piutau, big Joe is being seriously underpaid at Wasps.

That alleged £2m of spare cap is going to get eaten up quickly if Launchbury joins Kitshoff on £500k a season, you'd imagine Cooper-Wooley will be on £250-£300k as well. Ashton will presumably be one marquee spot and O'Connor or Ross the other? Add in the attempts to sign the three du Preez boys and that could be Sale's shopping done. Albeit an impressive shopping list.

LondonTiger wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:If you believe the rumours Sale are trying to sign everyone and all of Wasps big names are trying to get out of their contracts.

Can't see that one personally. Sale are signing forwards but with Cooper-Wooley, Kitshoff and potentially all three du Preez brothers coming in there's only so much available cap they have not spent up to previously. Launchbury would be a big contract and can't be the marquee signing.

Rumour is that Diamond has offered to double his salary to £500k. 

Compared to the salaries paid to Sopoaga and Le Roux, and previously Beale and Piutau, big Joe is being seriously underpaid at Wasps.

Similar with Cordero being on a comparatively low wage at Exeter for a player of his quality.

Launchbury and Green would be exactly what Tigers need in their weakest position.

formerly known as Sam wrote:That alleged £2m of spare cap is going to get eaten up quickly if Launchbury joins Kitshoff on £500k a season, you'd imagine Cooper-Wooley will be on £250-£300k as well. Ashton will presumably be one marquee spot and O'Connor or Ross the other? Add in the attempts to sign the three du Preez boys and that could be Sale's shopping done. Albeit an impressive shopping list.

Faf must be one marquee spot. I'd presume Kitshoff will be the other next season. I can't imagine Ashton being on £500k. O'Connor signed at a low ebb for his career and Ross after serious injury issues.

Jean-Luc would be the big earner from the du Preez brothers with Dan and Rob astute squad signings. It's really impressive recruitment from Diamond.

I was of the understanding that the Du Preez’s We’re of interest of Leicester and Sharks only wanted to extend their contracts when they were there.

You’d presume they’d tout for all and if they get all their their targets, would have the nice headache of cherry picking their choices.

Can someone fill me on the ‘Du Preez’ brothers? Way too many Du Preez coming out of SA.

king_carlos wrote:It's so long ago that it's easy to forget that Cipriani's career was stalled somewhat by that horrible ankle injury.

He returned quickly but there were (and still are) a fair few Wasps fans who feel he came back a very different player and took a long time to adjust to it. He's a very good fly-half now having gained experience and a bit more control. Prior to that injury he was simply rapid though, even compared to wingers. It's no wonder he burst onto the scene as at fullback.

This is vwry true.

There was an AI Test against Oz under Martin Johnson where Cips just tore them apart when he got good ball in his hands. It was endemic of that period though that nothing came of any of those breaks, he was a player who appeared a decade too early and 5 years too late to really be used properly.

mikey_dragon wrote:Can someone fill me on the ‘Du Preez’ brothers? Way too many Du Preez coming out of SA.

Jean-Luc du Preez - Blindside and Number 8 who has made an impression in a hugely competitive Springboks back row. Bit of a physical freak and very good in contact.

Dan du Preez - Jean-Luc's twin brother. Not quite the same physical freak but is adept at lock as well as flanker, has shown up well for the Sharks in SA and at 23 years old could be a very good squad signing at Prem level.

Robert du Preez - Older brother of the twins, 25 year old fly-half. Talented fly-half with a solid kicking, passing and running game.

Jean-Luc and Robert signed short term deals with Sale this season but are now back with the Sharks in SA for the Super Rugby season. Strongest rumour is that all three have signed for Sale next season but Tigers are/were in the hunt as well.

mikey_dragon wrote:Can someone fill me on the ‘Du Preez’ brothers? Way too many Du Preez coming out of SA.

Older brother Robert is a flyhalf at Super Rugby level and is currently in loan at Sale. Younger twin brothers Dan and Jean-Luc are both Boks and play in the backrow (covering lock on occasion). Jean-Luc is also on loan at Sale whilst Dan was supposed to go to Exeter on loan but the deal fell through. Rumours are all three are considering leaving the Sharks in SA and want to come North.

Steve Diamond has already said he wants to keep Robert as Sale need a reliable flyhalf and he's done well there. Tigers and Sale are rumoured to be vying for the twins signatures.

Sam Carter from Brumbies to Ulster
Matt Faddes from Highlanders to Ulster
Paddy Jackson Perpignan to London Irish

Looks like Launchbury has been spotted at Sale. Looks like a done deal.

Well that would be a coup. Pretty disastrous news for the Pests if Launchbury and Daly leave, their two big homegrown (ish) England players.

Looks like a Second row merrygoround....

He was seen at their training ground apparently.

They're beefing up their pack arent they!!! Jeez.

And with their backline. Top four potential next season.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Looks like Launchbury has been spotted at Sale. Looks like a done deal.

When? He flew out to Portugal with England on Wednesday, having met up with the squad on Sunday i thought.

Rumours that London Irish are to beat Wasps to signing Naholo.

stnick88 wrote:Rumours that London Irish are to beat Wasps to signing Naholo.

Would be delighted with that.

Recruitment overall looking very good for next season (if they all come off).

Interesting stuff coming out about the falcons...that this seasons wage budget was REDUCED by £1 million to £4m
Very confusing if that is true!! Unless they know something we don't ...ringfencing??

Apparently Witty to Exeter is a straight swap for their lock Ollie Atkins.

And Worcester have been chasing Kyle Cooper, but we have managed to hold off.

Edit.
Smithy has said theres lots going on about incomings aswell...so I feel slightly easier.

One incoming to be announced till the end of the season today and one definite leaver today.

Andrew Davidson now confirmed as going back to Glasgow....

WTF is going on at my club!!!!

SirBurger wrote:

stnick88 wrote:Rumours that London Irish are to beat Wasps to signing Naholo.

Would be delighted with that.

Recruitment overall looking very good for next season (if they all come off).

I thought that Irish were in a bit of financial bother.....or was that a few seasons back!
Is there a new investor - I am sure a player like Naholo wouldn't come cheap.

Lots of re-signings coming out of Quins - Dino Lamb, Care, Ibitoye and Murley.

propdavid_london wrote:Lots of re-signings coming out of Quins - Dino Lamb, Care, Ibitoye and Murley.

Signings going to be announced after the re-signings?

propdavid_london wrote:

SirBurger wrote:

stnick88 wrote:Rumours that London Irish are to beat Wasps to signing Naholo.

Would be delighted with that.

Recruitment overall looking very good for next season (if they all come off).

I thought that Irish were in a bit of financial bother.....or was that a few seasons back!
Is there a new investor - I am sure a player like Naholo wouldn't come cheap.

CVC money has massively helped and reports in the Telegraph and general rumours speak of a new private investor on top of that. Companies House shows a new director has recently come on board who may well be the source of the additional investment. The other thing to factor in is that we will have much more space in the cap than other sides in the league and so can afford to overpay for guys like Naholo, Coleman, Mafi etc.

And following that we announced Curtis Rona

SirBurger wrote:

propdavid_london wrote:

SirBurger wrote:

stnick88 wrote:Rumours that London Irish are to beat Wasps to signing Naholo.

Would be delighted with that.

Recruitment overall looking very good for next season (if they all come off).

I thought that Irish were in a bit of financial bother.....or was that a few seasons back!
Is there a new investor - I am sure a player like Naholo wouldn't come cheap.

CVC money has massively helped and reports in the Telegraph and general rumours speak of a new private investor on top of that. Companies House shows a new director has recently come on board who may well be the source of the additional investment. The other thing to factor in is that we will have much more space in the cap than other sides in the league and so can afford to overpay for guys like Naholo, Coleman, Mafi etc.

Two of those guys would also be outside the cap too

1 would be outside the cap, from what I remember.