Silly Season Transfer Rumours 19/20

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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.

mikey_dragon wrote:I wouldn’t be so sure with Aled at 9. You’re about to see the worst scrum half in the championship.

Sarries have Wigglesworth to the end of the 2019-20 season and young up and comer Whitely so if Davies doesn't perform he'll find himself on the bench at best. Normally Sarries are pretty good at getting players to perform. Woolstencroft the hooker was one who had a little buzz about him at youth level but then fell off the radar failing to make it at Bath and LI. Became a very good understudy to George and to be honest I'm surprised he signed a new deal and someone else didn't snap him up. There might be a different Davies in 6 months time, probably not am international class one but a solid club player.

If a Championship team improves his basic No.9 skills they will have managed what three other teams failed to do.

Wasps linked with Jacques du Plessis of Montpellier. Given they just got slapped with a massive fine for salary cap indiscretions, it's a plausible rumour and covers the lock / back row area we need to strengthen.

On that subject, Thibaud Flament is off to Toulouse at the end of this season.

Jacques du Plessis has been one of the most consistent forwards in the Top 14 for years. International class player but doesn't get a look in with the Boks because their lock depth. He'd be brilliant signing for any side.

Du Plessiss would be a brilliant signing. He is tied to the Boks, so they probably don’t feel the need to cap him yet. I imagine they would want him playing in SA if he is to have an international career. To come to Wasps they’d have to be offering around 400K or more?

Not a signing...but i see Jack Clifford has had to retire. Seems like he never got a chance as he was injured all the time.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Not a signing...but i see Jack Clifford has had to retire. Seems like he never got a chance as he was injured all the time.

Sad news

I was wondering what happened to him, shame as he was a very good player.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Not a signing...but i see Jack Clifford has had to retire. Seems like he never got a chance as he was injured all the time.

Sad news. Never good to see a player retire at only 27. Especially one where there was clearly more to come particularly on the international scene.

Such a shame about Clifford. When he first burst into the Quins side and got his opportunities with England at the start of Jones tenure I thought he looked like a top international in the making.

There's an alternate universe out there somewhere where Jack Clifford and Sam Jones each have 40 caps at the moment having ousted England stalwart Tom Rees from the back row after the 2015 RWC.

Was surprised to see Clifford had got ten caps, but well deserved. Cracking player and never good to see a player forced to retire through injury.

Greg Bateman joins Dragons. Mikey the scout does it again.

mikey_dragon wrote:Greg Bateman joins Dragons. Mikey the scout does it again.

Good luck to him. Also puts him closer to his kids - which will be a bonus for him.

mikey_dragon wrote:Greg Bateman joins Dragons. Mikey the scout does it again.

He'll do well for you guys. Primarily a loosehead these days but has played Prem rugby as both a hooker and a tighthead so he's a very handy person to have around. His lineout throwing was always pretty dire though.

Ball in hand he's capable of some good work though and he can shift when required, just ask Mike Brown...

https://youtu.be/LwLmpGLm23I

That’s good news. Yeah I seen that highlight reel before, pretty impressive haha. I’m hoping he’s going to be playing mostly at LH alongside Dee and Brown. Harris is getting too old and Reynolds is promising but it’s too soon for him, he’ll have another good mentor I guess. We could actually do with another TH for cover though, and a lock (Will Rowlands). It would be the first time in nearly 10 years where we’ve put out a good starting pack. 

The last good pack we had was Price, Burns, Way, Charteris, Lydiate/Coombs, Evans, Faletau. Several internationals and within 2 seasons from here we’d lost them all to other teams.

Logo Mulipola re-joins Falcons...

Falcons have signed 18 year old winger / FB Iwan Stephens from Leeds Rhino rugby league.

Like for like replacement of Josh Hodge by all accounts...goal kicker, evasive pacy runner, try scorer.

Son of Former Wales FH Colin.

I see the rumours are that Argentina full back Tuculet is off to Leicester or coming to us.

Can either afford him? Leicester be better off getting a new coach by the look of it...

We can afford him yes.

We have also signed his fellow Argentine international Orlandi...and have had a few previous Argentine internationals over the years.  We desperately need a FB aswell.

Do Leicester need a FB? I thought they were well stocked there.

mikey_dragon wrote:Can either afford him? Leicester be better off getting a new coach by the look of it...

Slow turnaround for us. We've replaced the coaching team and things are improving in places. No quick fix unfortunately. This season is now being treated as pre season for next season as we can't be relegated and there is so much to work on.

Can't see us signing another 15. Freddie Steward has been excellent since the resumption when played and we've still got Murimurivalu the Fijian 15 and sometimes captain to arrive (he's just completing his quarantine). We've got a few options outside of that but those two should be available for nearly all of next season injury allowing. Tigers might have a little budget left, our current squad is short about half a dozen senior players though as they haven't arrived yet but the players they are replacing have gone; van Wyk, Cobus Weisse, Kini Murimurivalu, the Georgian Hooker, Cyle Brink and Moroni all yet to make an appearance.

Was surprised to see some of the Tigers’ results with the team they had out, they came back well today though.

mikey_dragon wrote:Was surprised to see some of the Tigers’ results with the team they had out, they came back well today though.

No attack in place yet. Lineout, fitness and defence have been the early work ons. Lineout looks better, fitness is now very good as shown by the fact we seem to dominate the last quarter of games but defence is still being worked on. Realistically we won't see a proper Tigers team before the Castres game. Even then I wouldn't expect much before next season starts. Our backline still looks like they've met in the carpark before the game.

Rumours of Christian Wade to Tigers.

LondonTiger wrote:Rumours of Christian Wade to Tigers.

LiT - He's already been re-signed to the Bills practice squad having been released form their 53-man roster for the season. The announcements are a day apart so when he was released yesterday it seems someone (Ruck...) thought he was a free agent and came up with a rumour out of thin air.

I'd take Wade at Tigers in an instant, but he's staying put at the Bills for another season. Likelihood is that his boat has sailed in making an NFL roster. He will still have had one hell of an experience getting to train with an NFL side in their ridiculous facilities and living in the states as a pro athlete. Fair play to the bloke for grabbing that chance and taking the risk of making a change!

Sale announce the signing of yet another Saffer (Cobus Wiese) and teh return (till the end of the current season) of the previously retired Rob Webber.

Sale look good now that they have their sh1t together. Like a typical South African team who look to bully and beat up their opposition. The speed in which the ball is in the ruck is similar to SH rugby, enabling Faf to get it out to the big nasty men relentlessly running at the opposition. Sometimes it's just beautiful to watch.

mikey_dragon wrote:Sale look good now that they have their sh1t together. Like a typical South African team who look to bully and beat up their opposition. The speed in which the ball is in the ruck is similar to SH rugby, enabling Faf to get it out to the big nasty men relentlessly running at the opposition. Sometimes it's just beautiful to watch.

I love the simplicity of it. And in a way, the arrogance of it. The gameplan is so blatantly clear for the opposition to see, but it is so hard to reach the same level of physciality to overcome it. It's like Sale are calling the opposition's bluff constantly, without needing to deviate too much to win. When they do find themselves in a spot of bother, they possess the players to pull off some magic as well.

That's South Africa for you, arrogant and very good at sport. They continue to do what they do and have belief they can beat anyone on any day (except for Wales on their day - QF wasn't our day sadly).

Perhaps Sale might unearth some good players in their academy who come through playing alongside these world class South Africans. It worked for Saracens. What happened to Josh Beaumont? He was good, and could play at lock and No.8. I would have put him alongside De Jager. Sale probably didn't need the Du Preez that plays flanker.

mikey_dragon wrote:That's South Africa for you, arrogant and very good at sport. They continue to do what they do and have belief they can beat anyone on any day (except for Wales on their day - QF wasn't our day sadly).

Perhaps Sale might unearth some good players in their academy who come through playing alongside these world class South Africans. It worked for Saracens. What happened to Josh Beaumont? He was good, and could play at lock and No.8. I would have put him alongside De Jager. Sale probably didn't need the Du Preez that plays flanker.

Good question. Seems like he had a serious knee injury last November and hasn't played since.

Falcons have signed Natal Sharks scrum half Louis Schreuder

GeordieFalcon wrote:Falcons have signed Natal Sharks scrum half Louis Schreuder

Can't say I know anything of him GF. Judging by his experience he should be a step-up on Micky Young though which Falcons will need after the tough loss of Takalua.

Is Nordli-Kelemeti due to be with you for next season? He always looked a bright talent.

Ah im annoyed by this one KC.

Even the highlights reel show nothing that Micky Young cant do when hes released from the shackles of the tactics. Micky Young is actually a good player...

Kelemeti has just been promoted to the senior squad from the Academy about 2 weeks ago.

I genuinely hope he and Pascoe get games!

It's hard to tell from a highlights reel how quick his service is though, which has often been the issue for Young against better sides.

There's always talent coming through the Falcons academy that's for sure.

Falcons sign Luther Burrell on 2 year deal.

I just dont get this one at all. We need props and a full back. Not a past it 12 when we have plenty already.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Falcons sign Luther Burrell on 2 year deal.

I just dont get this one at all. We need props and a full back. Not a past it 12 when we have plenty already.

Cheap, and Deano and Kurdi love a bargain.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Falcons sign Luther Burrell on 2 year deal.

I just dont get this one at all. We need props and a full back. Not a past it 12 when we have plenty already.

You don't have many (any?) with Prem pedigree though. Burrell is a big lump that will lead your defence and help shut down your 10/12 channel in defence. Chance to add him in was probably to good an opportunity to turn down, particularly if he was a bargain.

Yes i undersatand that Sam, but how do you gain experience?

GeordieFalcon wrote:Yes i undersatand that Sam, but how do you gain experience?

Easier to gain experience alongside an experienced centre. Rotation will be required so putting one of the less experienced guys alongside Orlandi or Burrell shouldn't leave you as exposed as having to name two players who've never played Prem rugby and possibly together against the kind of centre combos you see in the Prem.

But we have Flood aswell...he was much better at 12 than 10 last season when he played. Although id rather he wasnt in the side full stop.

GeordieFalcon wrote:But we have Flood aswell...he was much better at 12 than 10 last season when he played. Although id rather he wasnt in the side full stop.

I've always rated Flood as a 12 option but I'd be amazed if he played many Premiership games in the midfield without picking up an injury at 35! Burrell as a 12 option with Flood and the Donny centre Lucock. Then Orlandi, Penny and Wacokecoke as 13 options. There's still room for the young lads to get game time there once there's an inevitable couple of injuries.

I really struggle to see Gareth Owen as a Premiership centre after his performances at that level for Tigers. His defence in the thirteen channel made Jaco Taute's recent effort there for Tigers look like Fraser Waters!

Realistically Falcons need signings at prop first and foremost as you have said though, GF.

I agree on Owen, not sure why hes at the club. He's barely played a game for us aswell.

Thats quite a few for 2 spots.

Orlando
Lucock
Burrell
Owens
Wakecoke
Stevenson
Penny
Toby Flood - Arguably looked far more effective at 12 than 10 with his pace dwindling and unimaginitive play from 10.

Others
Cooper Vuna - Played a lot of international rugby for Tonga at centre
Joel Matavesi - Not likely to see much gametime
Chidera Obonna (Academy)

Given that there's not many wingers in your squad I was presuming that Penny and Stevenson might see game time wider out as well, GF. Radwan, Sinoti and Vuna are strong first choice wingers. Fullback as you've said is an issue after losing Hodge. There's not much depth on the wings behind those three.

I can't wait to see Radwan in the Premiership. There's been some understandable hype around him so I don't want to be hyperbolic but he's got all the raw skills to be a very good winger. Louis Rees-Zammit type talent.

Having seen a bit of Locock with Yorkshire/Leeds/Carnegie/Tykes/Whatever-next I think he's a good centre but a squad player. More in the mould of Le Bourgeois at Wasps who has been a reliable, affordable backup than a breakout star. Perhaps he will prove me wrong though.

Orlando is a good signing, genuine international class centre but will miss the start of the season to be with Argentina as well - dependent on the Rugby Championship going ahead of course.

Looking at Tigers recently we have usually used 6 senior centres, plus others occasionally covering. Tuilagi, Reid, Eastmond, Taute, Viljeon, Thomas and Forsyth (loan) prior to lockdown. Scott, Taute, Porter, Hardwick, Worth and Kelly already since the restart, Forsyth has been re-signed again on loan for cover. Centre, like back row, is an attritional position in the modern game and clubs tend to go through a lot of depth in a season.

Rob Kearney is joining Western Force. Definitely didn't expect that one!

king_carlos wrote:Rob Kearney is joining Western Force. Definitely didn't expect that one!

Yeah going to be awful for him living in Perth. It's not like it's a leafy, modern city set on a beautiful coastline with sunny weather and next to the Swan River and it's wineries and breweries. I suspect there's a coaching role waiting for him after that year of playing. The sports park where the Wester Force are based (I don't think they've moved) is pretty nice as well.

The Force got dumped into a competition with a load of Super Rugby sides having had their best players and coaches stolen after the ARU axed their membership completely unfairly last time. They'll need to rebuild a lot if they are going to remain in that competition and be competitive.

On top of all that, isn't there a billionaire keen to get involved with them?

Isaac Lucas and Joe Tomane joining the Ricoh Black Rams in Japan. Both had been linked to clubs in Europe at various stages.

Hazel Sapling wrote:On top of all that, isn't there a billionaire keen to get involved with them?

Andrew Forest. He owns the club. Local billionaire, from what little I know likes to spend his vast fortune on various good causes in Western Australia. Likes his rugby and wants the Force to be a power again, was very unhappy when the ARU scrapped their Super Rugby membership with the team the second best in Australia at the time.

Phil Dollman will retire from professional rugby at the end of the season and will become player/head coach at Sidmouth who are in the sixth tier of rugby. A proper retirement to the coast. Rob Baxter has already said to the media he'll be down in Sidmouth watching the games when time allows.

Good luck to him. Always hoped we'd see Dolly back in the Kingdom of Gwent, before he hung his boots up.