Silly Season Transfer Rumours 19/20

First topic message reminder :

mikey_dragon wrote:It’s an unfortunate coincidence I think, but his injury record was exemplary before he linked up with Bath.

His last lengthy injury was a collarbone issue suffered in a Wales training camp. Probably a bit of a mixed bag. It's hard once you start getting injuries to get out of the cycle as often one leads to another, Falatau managed to break the same arm some four or five months apart. Something Billy Vunipola managed as well.

I think Carlos is right. With the financial squeeze clubs are going to look for more value for money and less marquee names. Johnny May certainly found that when he went to discuss his new contract as did Ben Youngs.

Looks like we have signed Jersey Scrum half Will Homer.

Poor Jersey are being obliterated....

GeordieFalcon wrote:Looks like we have signed Jersey Scrum half Will Homer.

Poor Jersey are being obliterated....

Being picked apart and with the state of the Championship it's not surprising. I remember Will Homer being highly rated when he was coming through at Bath then disappearing. Could be a good signing if he's been a slow developer.

Yeah he was in for championship scrum half of the season.

Jersey losing 19 players, but bringing in 20
https://jerseyeveningpost.com/sport/rugby/2020/05/22/jersey-reds-world-cup-caps-depart-but-tongan-kuki-remains/

"Fiji prop Atalifo’s switch to Pro14 club Edinburgh comes alongside rumours that Namibia number 8 Venter has signed for Championship-bound giants Saracens, while scrum-half Will Homer is understood to have agreed a deal to follow Newcastle Falcons up to the Premiership. Prop Alec Clarey has been linked with Gloucester, Newcastle and Saracens in recent months, while Doncaster Knights are believed to have lured at least three others away from Stade Santander. Leroy Van Dam has already been unveiled by French D2 side Stade Aurillacois and Auguy Slowik is also thought to have tied down his future in France. Two loan signings have departed, after spending the majority of the season in Jersey – Sale hooker Nic Dolly and Gloucester wing Alex Morgan."


Leaving the Reds
Prop: Leeroy Atalifo, Alec Clarey, Harry Morley, James Wayland. Lock: Charlie Beckett, Liam Hallam-Eames. Back row: Conor Joyce, Janco Venter, George Willmott. Scrum-half: Will Homer, Liam Howley. Fly-half: Aaron Penberthy, Greg Dyer. Centre: Mark Best, Rodney Iona, James Newey. Wing: Auguy Slowik, Jack Stapley, Leroy Van Dam.
Thanks for that GF. That's a big squad turnover. Four props heading out is quite a lot for a Championship side. It's similar to what I'm hearing about Nottingham up the road though it looks like they will be using a lot of local Uni players to fill the gaps as they are only bringing in part time players for next season.

"while scrum-half Will Homer is understood to have agreed a deal to follow Newcastle Falcons up to the Premiership"

i guess that doesnt actually mean he's signed for us...it could just mean he's follwing us up to the prem, but for another side.

Izack Rodda among others probably going to get a contract in Europe.

He'd be pretty dim to walk on his contract in the middle of a pandemic if there was nothing on the table for him. Might be a move to Japan for him?

His two teammates both 21 are interesting as they are at the start of their careers so walking out on their contracts is quite a statement. As a 6ft 9 Aussie age grade international lock and a utility back they will probably get some offers but the usual French poaching might not be what it was. Again I suspect Japan might be their destination.

Apparently he has, like his two team mates.

It seems like Faletau is heading to Ospreys. Toby Flood too.

Christ what is it with Ospreys always taking our back-row players. I honestly do wish we could fit Faletau in but feel we’d have to let one of Wainwright or Griffiths go - touch decision. 

Toby Flood is an odd one.

What is happening with Ben Te'o, I keep seeing reports that he is going to Bath, then France now Warriors are in the pot

I presume Toby Flood is as a player coach. He'll be 35 by the time next season starts and had lost the starting position in the Championship Newcastle side I believe. He was still in the 23 each week and played some 12. International cover and mentor potential.

Sounds like Te'o's agent is touting him all over the place trying to get him a contract for next season. Worcester could do with him at 12 having lost Mills though very different players and a Te'o and Lawrence midfield partnership would lack subtlety.

Why not just keep Hook if that’s the case? Ospreys need some decent fly-half cover to ensure Luke Price isn’t in the jersey.

Didn't James Hook want to retire? Flood seems happy to keep going. At Newcastle they already have a former flyhalf on the coaching staff so there might not be coaching space for him to develop in that way.

Didn't Flood re-sign with Falcons on a two-year deal earlier in the season?

formerly known as Sam wrote:Didn't James Hook want to retire? Flood seems happy to keep going. At Newcastle they already have a former flyhalf on the coaching staff so there might not be coaching space for him to develop in that way.

I guess, but if it’s a player-coach role then I wonder if Hook was even offered. If it’s fly-half cover then I doubt Hook or Flood could still cut it.

I reckon Falcons will not be promoted.

Welly wrote:I reckon Falcons will not be promoted.

Haven't the RFU already confirmed Falcons as being promoted?

Cause things cant possibly change.

PRL don't even know what they are doing in terms of this season.
Talk of potentially August - September.
New season not even been given a start date.

Do you think Newcastle could go that long without revenue?

TV revenue is split between the league so even finishing the season is just stopping things getting worse. The clubs are haemorrhaging money with not having home games full of fans.

If Newcastle aren't promoted then I'd expect a significant lawsuit. Not sure the PRL can afford that.

We will see.

I'm just saying ATM expect the unexpected currently.

Kruis finally confirmed to Japan. BBC reporting it as a 1 year contract with the option to extend by another year. Interestingly Kruis says he doesn't view it as the end of his international career and that if he returned to playing in England it would be for Sarries.

Joel Kpoku signs a new contract with Saracens.

Fingers crossed he gets a lot of starts. Dont want to see him sat behind isiekwe all season.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Fingers crossed he gets a lot of starts. Dont want to see him sat behind isiekwe all season.

I imagine the pair of them will form the lock combination for quite a few of the games. With Kruis and Skelton gone it leaves a lot less competition. Itoje is staying but I doubt he'll play every week. I actually think they'll save the big guns for home games and then look to develop the younger members of their squad in away games. They've got some good youngsters and it's an ideal time to get them up to speed.

Quite. They have generally been more forward at pushing young forwards than backs (in general).

Why would we not be promoted? Its been confirmed?

Toby Flood to Ospreys..? Wheres that rumour?

GeordieFalcon wrote:Why would we not be promoted? Its been confirmed?

I think the suggestion was that Falcons will have gone bust before the new season starts.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Toby Flood to Ospreys..? Wheres that rumour?

Other than here, not seen this, but again I guess the suggestion is Falcons trying to reduce costs?

Well we are clearly trying to reduce costs LT

Matavesi - Gone
Replaced by Lucock?

Takulua - Gone
Repalced by Homer?

Logo - Gone
Not replaced yet

Williams to Scarlets doing the rounds...

And now Flood to Ospreys??

And yes we have financial issues.

On the other hand...we're not paying any one, everyone is furloughed...and we're not hosting anything...so our costs will have reduced significantly.

Some of the prem teams will struggle though...as they will have to pay all their players, have costs for travel, hosting games etc...but no income from gate receips and match day catering etc.

Its a critical time for rugby teams at the moment.

Lucas Brooke, son of Zinzan, has signed a two-year academy contract with London Irish and he is fully England qualified. If he is anything like his father we may be in for a treat. Born over here and lived here all his life. ZB is giving him his full support if he wants to opt for England.

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:Lucas Brooke, son of Zinzan, has signed a two-year academy contract with London Irish and he is fully England qualified. If he is anything like his father we may be in for a treat. Born over here and lived here all his life. ZB is giving him his full support if he wants to opt for England.

Born and raised in England, with an English mother and (I believe) three English grandparents.

Very hard to say what players son of ex players can turn out to be like.

I think not comparing him to one of the best back rowers, would be a start in not raising expectations.

The fact that he hasn't been picked for any of the England Age Grades ]
Not really been mentioned before as one to watch by pundits also

Alex Shaw who seems to be regarded as the most informative in terms of the academy level didn't have him in his top 6 flankers of the season.
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/premiership-u18-exit-rankings-2020-top-three-players-per-position/

Suggests that he is CURRENTLY and I stress currently not really in the case of making nations excited or sad that he's picking one nationality over the other.

So whats Saracens locks looking like?

Itoje
Isiekwe
Joel Kpoku
Jon Kpoku

Isiekwe not confirmed as of yet.
Interesting Kruis only signed a 1 year deal in japan.

Hmm that is an interesting review of the under 18 talent Welly though the inclusion of Ilione as a 7 is a slightly odd one. More lock or 6 from what I've seen. It would be interesting seeing the response online if England line up with a team including Brookes, Umaga and Redpath in the next few years.

Kruis only signing a one year deal in Japan makes a lot of sense. Keeps all his options open. If Eddie Jones is making the right noises about wanting him back and he fancies a go at another Lions tour (exactly the type of player you want on a tour to SA) then he can come back. If Sarries have moved on and can't promise him first team rugby and England have developed enough options not to be fussed with another lock over 30 (Launchbury, Lawes and Kruis all in that age bracket where they might not make another world cup) he can stay another season and get the cash for an easier season. Perhaps even having a season in Super rugby. Keeps the options open for his family as well.

GeordieFalcon wrote:So whats Saracens locks looking like?

Itoje
Isiekwe
Joel Kpoku
Jon Kpoku

Callum Hunter-Hill was rumoured to be making his move from Edinburgh permanent

LondonTiger wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Why would we not be promoted? Its been confirmed?

I think the suggestion was that Falcons will have gone bust before the new season starts.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Toby Flood to Ospreys..? Wheres that rumour?

Other than here, not seen this, but again I guess the suggestion is Falcons trying to reduce costs?

Somebody I know posted a team on twitter, with how the Ospreys will look when rugby resumes. He tends to know a fair bit about incomings for Ospreys and Dragons, as he is pally with players etc. As this is a rumour thread, I thought it was worth mentioning.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Well we are clearly trying to reduce costs LT

Matavesi - Gone
Replaced by Lucock?

Takulua - Gone
Repalced by Homer?

Logo - Gone
Not replaced yet

Williams to Scarlets doing the rounds...

And now Flood to Ospreys??

I'm not so sure GF. We've got rid of a few under-performing/expensive players in Logo/Matavesi and I can't see Flood leaving seen as he's just signed a new deal.

I presume we're just not announcing signings till there's a little more clarity as what is exactly happening next season. I could see ring fencing becoming a real viable option very soon...

Aled Davies signs for Saracens.

https://www.saracens.com/welcome-to-saracens-aled-davies/

Terrible timing for him. Year in the Championship to harm his Lions aspirations?

Munster release Sean O’Connor, Darren O’Shea and Ciaran Parker with O'Connor and Parker heading to the Championship.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Aled Davies signs for Saracens.

https://www.saracens.com/welcome-to-saracens-aled-davies/

Terrible timing for him. Year in the Championship to harm his Lions aspirations?

Lions aspirations is a tad generous, if you're Mikey

RiscaGame wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Aled Davies signs for Saracens.

https://www.saracens.com/welcome-to-saracens-aled-davies/

Terrible timing for him. Year in the Championship to harm his Lions aspirations?

Lions aspirations is a tad generous, if you're Mikey

True he's what 4th choice for Wales now? So might be out of the equation but this move kills his international career as he doesn't have enough caps which stops him trying to stake a claim. From a development point of view he could come on a long way with Sarries, particularly if Wigglesworth stays as a player coach.

I don't blame him leaving Wales, to be honest. I would say he is fourth choice, but would also rate Rhodri Williams' form as better so perhaps he could've ended up fifth choice, or worse. He also isn't going to want to kick his heels understudying Rhys Webb.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Well we are clearly trying to reduce costs LT

Matavesi - Gone
Replaced by Lucock?

Takulua - Gone
Repalced by Homer?

Logo - Gone
Not replaced yet

Williams to Scarlets doing the rounds...

And now Flood to Ospreys??

I'm not so sure GF. We've got rid of a few under-performing/expensive players in Logo/Matavesi and I can't see Flood leaving seen as he's just signed a new deal.

I presume we're just not announcing signings till there's a little more clarity as what is exactly happening next season. I could see ring fencing becoming a real viable option very soon...

Judging by what John Wells said in his interview in the rugby paper...we dont have any money.

Yes many have underpeformed, but i think we have an issue aswell.

Worst 9 I have ever seen, so stressful watching rugby when he’s involved. He’ll make an impact for sure, a pretty poor one.

Of the players leaving Ospreys, Dowalis-favourite Dan Baker is one of them. This would suggest that Ospreys have an 8 lined up, perhaps Faletau. 

Ackerman junior, Dreyer and Mostert could be on their way out of Gloucester. Grobler not yet reported as leaving.

Mostert is going to Japan and Dreyer is rumoured to be going that way as well. Ackerman Jnr has one more year on his contract I think.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Well we are clearly trying to reduce costs LT

Matavesi - Gone
Replaced by Lucock?

Takulua - Gone
Repalced by Homer?

Logo - Gone
Not replaced yet

Williams to Scarlets doing the rounds...

And now Flood to Ospreys??

I'm not so sure GF. We've got rid of a few under-performing/expensive players in Logo/Matavesi and I can't see Flood leaving seen as he's just signed a new deal.

I presume we're just not announcing signings till there's a little more clarity as what is exactly happening next season. I could see ring fencing becoming a real viable option very soon...

Your whole staff is on furlough isn't it? So legally you couldn't announce something even if you wanted too right?
Hence why no social media updates in over a month.

They could unfurlough someone for a week, do the announcements and then put them back on furlough.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Mostert is going to Japan and Dreyer is rumoured to be going that way as well. Ackerman Jnr has one more year on his contract I think.

Dreyer was linked with Johannesburg Lions I think.