Silly Season Transfer Rumours 22/23

First topic message reminder :

And.....off you go.

sensisball wrote:Hasn't helped that the injury list for forwards has been vast. When Les Jaunards played Toulouse two weeks ago they had 7 out of 9 squad back rowers unavailable. Had to field 2 no 8's and a rookie 6, a 19 year old ( who actually had a good game).
That was never going to end well and it didn't.
On the plus side lots of youngsters have gained a lot of game time but it's just not working for them
Losing Parra and Lopez at the same time was always going to be a challenge and so it has proved.

Every time I see them play it's the younger guys up front who look a step above. Getting them more game time is a must because it's some of the bigger name forwards that aren't pull their weight and one can be used to replace the other if it's managed correctly.

Parra was no loss, that kid they've got at 9 looked a step up from him last season and is a real stand out this season at 19. He's going to be the challenger to Dupont post world cup, Bezy as back up is pretty decent. The two 10s they've got are both good, Lopez was often the underrated organiser for that team though.

It's by no means been easy for Gibbes but at the same time going into European games with a lineout that's struggling to function really isn't on. You can understand the reserve guys struggling to match physicality or pace but there's no excuse for not being able to coach the basics into the side.

I agree that some of the youngsters have looked good: the triumvirate from last season' s French U20: hooker, flanker and scrum half have all caught the eye.
Sadly too many senior players have missed numerous games through injury:Falgoux( missed about 6 weeks) Slimani ( just back after missing start of the season), Jedrasiak ( now back after 6 weeks or so injured), Ojovan (out for the last 2 months and still injured), Vaahamahina ( missed last month or so with broken nose), Yato ( knee damaged beyond repair, not played for a season, sadly looks like retirement beckons), Itturia ( torn hamstring missed last 3 games), Lee ( only fit in bursts of 3 or 4 games), Moala ( out injured this season more than all his previous absences put together), Penauld ( ankle injury for a month now a hamstring injury for last 3 weeks)
Most of these players ( apart from Itturia who regularly breaks) hardly ever miss a game through injury. Losing  most of them for several matches on the bounce has really hampered Clermont's performances.
Perhaps all the injuries are indicative of Gibbes pushing players too hard in training? Or maybe they have just been unlucky.
Either way, the decision to sack Gibbes has been made and we await the new boss. If it's Christophe Urios then he most certainly won't be the same as the old boss.

Quins have signed Will Porter as a backup to the Eternal Scrum Half, Danny Care. Quins fans are quite happy to have a decent backup, and apparently Bristol fans are sorry to lose him. Porter himself will be disappointed when he learns that Danny has every intention of playing until the heat death of the universe.

Will Porter is an excellent acquisition for Quins. Good high tempo scrum half. Danny Care does seem only not to play when he's being sin binned though.

Poorfour wrote:Quins have signed Will Porter as a backup to the Eternal Scrum Half, Danny Care. Quins fans are quite happy to have a decent backup, and apparently Bristol fans are sorry to lose him. Porter himself will be disappointed when he learns that Danny has every intention of playing until the heat death of the universe.

I wondered if he was a replacement for Galtema? Or Steel
Although read somewhere that Steel is playing for Lon Scots at the moment as coming back from injury.

Either way, Porter looks like a great acquisition, looked good for Wasps but not seen the games he's recently played for Bristol.

The other Simmonds and Henry are both off to France too from Exeter.

No 7&1/2 wrote:The other Simmonds and Henry are both off to France too from Exeter.

Big rebuilding job at Sandy Park it seems.

mikey_dragon wrote:Wasn’t Urios previously sacked?

I’d take Gibbes as coach in a heartbeat.

Gibbes is one of the two worst coaches Ulster have had in the professional era - the other was Matt Williams - and boy we had some stinkers
At least Williams was honourable, Gibbes wasn't even that

No 7&1/2 wrote:The other Simmonds and Henry are both off to France too from Exeter.

Henry as in Henry Slade? To be fair Joe Simmonds to Pau makes sense as he could earn more money as he won't be on the England radar. Henry Slade would be a suprise, he should be prime age and looking to pick up more caps (and the associated match fees).

Chiefs fans won't recognise the team running out at the start of next season at this rate.

No. Saw it from this. And again misread.
https://twitter.com/StephenWall1985/status/1615717700973596672?t=SyBfpDNUc97PKgM0EsATAQ&s=19

geoff999rugby wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Wasn’t Urios previously sacked?

I’d take Gibbes as coach in a heartbeat.

Gibbes is one of the two worst coaches Ulster have had in the professional era - the other was Matt Williams - and boy we had some stinkers
At least Williams was honourable, Gibbes wasn't even that

Gibbes did alright at Leinster and La Rochelle though. Must be an Ulster thing .

mikey_dragon wrote:

geoff999rugby wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Wasn’t Urios previously sacked?

I’d take Gibbes as coach in a heartbeat.

Gibbes is one of the two worst coaches Ulster have had in the professional era - the other was Matt Williams - and boy we had some stinkers
At least Williams was honourable, Gibbes wasn't even that

Gibbes did alright at Leinster and La Rochelle though. Must be an Ulster thing .

The coach that preceded him at La Rochelle built that side and did a magic job to be fair. O'Gara lifted them another level. I'm unsure whether Gibbes rode the wave or how much he added. La Rochelle only started making finals a year or two after O'Gara became head coach whilst Gibbes was DOR. La Rochelle didn't seem worried Gibbes was going and we're happy to promote O'Gara.

He was also the forwards coach at Leinster working with some good head coaches and then Matt O'Connor.

mikey_dragon wrote:

geoff999rugby wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Wasn’t Urios previously sacked?

I’d take Gibbes as coach in a heartbeat.

Gibbes is one of the two worst coaches Ulster have had in the professional era - the other was Matt Williams - and boy we had some stinkers
At least Williams was honourable, Gibbes wasn't even that

Gibbes did alright at Leinster and La Rochelle though. Must be an Ulster thing .

As Sam said he did not do alright at La Rochelle he buit on the work as others.

He has had 3 jobs as a Head Coach (we can ignore his 3 months at Waikato)
He, at best, marked time at La Rochelle.
He was a clear failure at Ulster and Clermont
So 0 Wins, 1 Draw, 2 Defeats

Not an impressive record.

geoff999rugby wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

geoff999rugby wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Wasn’t Urios previously sacked?

I’d take Gibbes as coach in a heartbeat.

Gibbes is one of the two worst coaches Ulster have had in the professional era - the other was Matt Williams - and boy we had some stinkers
At least Williams was honourable, Gibbes wasn't even that

Gibbes did alright at Leinster and La Rochelle though. Must be an Ulster thing .

As Sam said he did not do alright at La Rochelle he buit on the work as others.

He has had 3 jobs as a Head Coach (we can ignore his 3 months at Waikato)
He, at best, marked time at La Rochelle.
He was a clear failure at Ulster and Clermont
So 0 Wins, 1 Draw, 2 Defeats

Not an impressive record.

What a clueless thing to write. And, Sam suggested something, don't latch on and try and push it as fact.

Christophe Urios confirmed as head coach at Clermont. Contract until summer 2025, with an option for another year. Should be interesting.

Cant wait for the next match up with O'Gara, next time they play La Rochelle!

For those don't know there is no love lost between the huge Frenchman and the petite Irishman. Think it moved beyond verbals after a La Rochelle, UBB match earlier this year!
Could only happen in France.

Tom West joins Tigers as injury cover until the end of the season.

Mickey on La Rochelle I was merely to agree with Sam's comment

'
The coach that preceded him at La Rochelle built that side and did a magic job to be fair. O'Gara lifted them another level. I'm unsure whether Gibbes rode the wave or how much he added.

Are we not allowed to agree with our fellow posters

I can assure you that at Ulster he is the most disliked ex coach - happy to post chapter and verse as to why.

Regarding Clermont they made the play offs three years in a row before he joined.
They failed to make the grade in his first season and were sitting 11th when he left this year.
A number of key players have left on his watch and not adequately replace - Parra and Lopez and now Penaud on his way.
That looks like failure to me

Instead of a cheap jibe please explain why his track record as a Head Coach indicates success rather than failure

Clermont have looked like a sinking ship for a few years now to be fair. Too many old players have been hung onto for too long....Lee, Rougerie etc. Maybe the Head Coach has his hands ties somewhat on recruitment side?

Did i just see that Joe Simmonds is leaving Exeter aswell now?

Edit: Yes hes off to Pau

Tigers have signed Tom West for the rest of the season...cracking player!!!

Geordie wrote:Tigers have signed Tom West for the rest of the season...cracking player!!!

Looks like James Cronin broke something arm or wrist, maybe popped a shoulder. Didn't look good on the weekend so we needed a replacement and West fills that spot nicely. Won't be making his debut just yet but could be in for the Saints game.

Hes way better than Cronin...get West signed up and get shot of the discpline lacking Cronin

Geordie wrote:Hes way better than Cronin...get West signed up and get shot of the discpline lacking Cronin

Cronin has generally been very good, the awful performance Vs Falcons isn't indicative of his general play for us. Cronin is 32 though so signing a younger guy like West to supplement Whitcombe as the guys coming through makes sense for a succession but.

Cronin has had a few little injuries whilst at Tigers but West doesn't have a clean bill of health previously either.

I agree Cronin has impressed

Murray Maccalum confirmed to Newcastle for next season. Will play out this season at Edinburgh.

BigGee wrote:Murray Maccalum confirmed to Newcastle for next season. Will play out this season at Edinburgh.

Good solid signing for Falcons. If he's a Davison replacement that's a real shame though. I thought for a minute that Falcons might actually have two good tightheads in prime age for the first time in years.

Geordie wrote:Did i just see that Joe Simmonds is leaving Exeter aswell now?

Edit: Yes hes off to Pau

I think Anscome was linked with Pau, looks like they have ambitions. Pau's current number 8 is an 18 year old and supposedly the biggest guy in the competition. Can't recall his name, but he has to be an islander. He's also played for France U20.

Harry Williams is off to Montpellier.

geoff999rugby wrote:Are we not allowed to agree with our fellow posters

I can assure you that at Ulster he is the most disliked ex coach - happy to post chapter and verse as to why.

Instead of a cheap jibe please explain why his track record as a Head Coach indicates success rather than failure

You can't agree with fellows posters, unless you're agreeing with me.

It's nice for you to cherry pick and all, but as others have said, Clermont were already a sinking ship, something I absolutely 100% agree with

Gibbes did alright at Leinster, probably better than alright, just in case you forgot. I think Gibbes would be a great appointment for a Welsh team, as would Dave Rennie. Perhaps neither would be considered good for Ulster or other Irish teams.

Ruben van Heerden also leaving Exeter as he's feeling homesick. He also added that his new home is Newport, South Wales.

Gibes did do alright at Leinster but he wasn't head coach.
Many coaches are in good in a team but don't make the grade to Head Coach.

Decline is a bit of an exaggeration they weren't the team of 10 years ago but making the playoffs 3 years in a row is none too shabby.
Fact is the big down turn in results happened on his watch.
He needed to manage change and didn't

I think there is a hype about him that is simply not justified.
I would not wish him on a Welsh team and that is me wishing the Welsh teams well not ill

Freddie Burns joining the Highlanders next month.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Freddie Burns joining the Highlanders next month.

Just saw that news. Will be interesting to see how he gets on.

Collapse2005 wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Freddie Burns joining the Highlanders next month.

Just saw that news. Will be interesting to see how he gets on.

He'll love it I suspect. I doubt they'll win anything but he'll probably end up a fan favourite. I did have a look at a Highlanders fan forum quickly and they have been desperate for a 10 to come in but also don't seem to know anything about Freddie, he's quite a character so will be interested to check back in a month or two to see what they think.

Couple of rumblings that we have signed Ben Fry from the Dragons....

You didn't want Dan Thomas?

Tigers sign Tom Whiteley from Bristol effective immediately on a long term contract.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Freddie Burns joining the Highlanders next month.

Just saw that news. Will be interesting to see how he gets on.

He'll love it I suspect. I doubt they'll win anything but he'll probably end up a fan favourite. I did have a look at a Highlanders fan forum quickly and they have been desperate for a 10 to come in but also don't seem to know anything about Freddie, he's quite a character so will be interested to check back in a month or two to see what they think.

Yes I imagine he will hit the group running there alright and yes its no surprise the locals dont know who he is even if they should. The average Kiwi it seems can have a very poor knowledge of NH players.

Bundee Aki to Munster is the latest rumour.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Bundee Aki to Munster is the latest rumour.

No way ?
That's come out of the blue but could possibly explain his absence from the Connacht side recently (unless he's injured and I've not heard).

Cowan-Dickie (Tom) to Ospreys as injury cover. Dewi Lake has withdrawn from the 6N squad after picking up a knee injury, a damn shame that. Scott Baldwin is his Wales replacement, the form choice.

Van Heerden has signed for Stormers, with immediate effect. Dragons just missed out on that one. Glad it wasn’t Bulls though, buying everything in sight.

mikey_dragon wrote:Van Heerden has signed for Stormers, with immediate effect. Dragons just missed out on that one. Glad it wasn’t Bulls though, buying everything in sight.

Van Heerden was homesick so I'm not sure a move to the Dragons would have helped with that.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Van Heerden has signed for Stormers, with immediate effect. Dragons just missed out on that one. Glad it wasn’t Bulls though, buying everything in sight.

Van Heerden was homesick so I'm not sure a move to the Dragons would have helped with that.

I'm not sure a move to Newport would help anyone.....

Pete330v2 wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Bundee Aki to Munster is the latest rumour.

No way ?
That's come out of the blue but could possibly explain his absence from the Connacht side recently (unless he's injured and I've not heard).

Connacht have denied that rumour however there probably has been some form of falling out.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Van Heerden has signed for Stormers, with immediate effect. Dragons just missed out on that one. Glad it wasn’t Bulls though, buying everything in sight.

Van Heerden was homesick so I'm not sure a move to the Dragons would have helped with that.

I'm not sure a move to Newport would help anyone.....

Rich coming from Leicester and Geordie Shore!

mikey_dragon wrote:

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Van Heerden has signed for Stormers, with immediate effect. Dragons just missed out on that one. Glad it wasn’t Bulls though, buying everything in sight.

Van Heerden was homesick so I'm not sure a move to the Dragons would have helped with that.

I'm not sure a move to Newport would help anyone.....

Rich coming from Leicester and Geordie Shore!

Leicestershire is actually very nice and most the players live around the middle class market town of Market Harborough, some of the Saints players do as well. Leicester itself is a mix of the culturally nice and rather grim.

Harry Williams the latest Chief to be linked with a move away.

You can really see the impact of the salary cap on a club who plays to the rules. A couple of pros or ex pros popping up saying see Saracens were just picked on for developing WC players and we need to do something about this unfairness (paraphrasing) without seeing this is exactly what the cap is designed to do.

Missed that Mike Brown is on trial at Leicester,

Tigers announce the signings of Josh Bassett, Jamie Shillcock, Kyle Hatherall and Fin Theobald-Thomas for next season.

FTT is for the development squad but the other three are likely replacing Chris Ashton, Bryce Hegarty and Eli Snyman. Gaining a couple of EQ numbers and helping in areas of need.

Halfpenny looking likely for a move to Gloucester.

Oakdene wrote:Halfpenny looking likely for a move to Gloucester.

Seems the defacto link for any Welsh player this week as Nicky Smith is linked with a move there as well. Glaws fans more likely to be excited by the Nicky Smith rumours because he's on fire at the minute and combined with Rapava-Ruskin at Glaws they'd have exceptional strength at loosehead.