Silly Season Transfer Rumours 22/23

First topic message reminder :

And.....off you go.

Jimmy Moz wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Dillon Lewis to Quins from Cardiff for next season.

Great news for him. Church Village boy and that. Do Quins have some kind of feeder contract going on with all ex Ponty players?

No idea but I suspect Adam Jones both provided the recommendation and is a draw for the player.

Fluxy wrote:Davison confirmed to Saints - effective immediate

This is very good for Saints. The weakest part of the team is the front row and he should move straight to the top of the list. And make the team better.

Big loss for Cardiff and the beginning of the Welsh Exodus. Does that mean Louw is moving on from Quins? Perhaps he is signing for Dragons...

mikey_dragon wrote:Big loss for Cardiff and the beginning of the Welsh Exodus. Does that mean Louw is moving on from Quins? Perhaps he is signing for Dragons...

Louw was confirmed heading to the Bulls in the summer. Think they confirmed that a few months ago. Jake White was very happy with that signing.

doctor_grey wrote:

Fluxy wrote:Davison confirmed to Saints - effective immediate

This is very good for Saints.  The weakest part of the team is the front row and he should move straight to the top of the list.  And make the team better.

Underrated player that will be great for Saints. He's a non-fuss, solid prop that will really add to a generally poor Saints scrum.....sad to lose him.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:

Fluxy wrote:Davison confirmed to Saints - effective immediate

This is very good for Saints.  The weakest part of the team is the front row and he should move straight to the top of the list.  And make the team better.

Underrated player that will be great for Saints. He's a non-fuss, solid prop that will really add to a generally poor Saints scrum.....sad to lose him.

Could finally add the security they've been desperate for at tighthead. Saints scrum has been a source of serious weakness for some time.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:

Fluxy wrote:Davison confirmed to Saints - effective immediate

This is very good for Saints.  The weakest part of the team is the front row and he should move straight to the top of the list.  And make the team better.

Underrated player that will be great for Saints. He's a non-fuss, solid prop that will really add to a generally poor Saints scrum.....sad to lose him.

Could finally add the security they've been desperate for at tighthead. Saints scrum has been a source of serious weakness for some time.

Speaking for Saints Nation, unofficially, because I am not authorised to do so at this moment, this is a great effing signing! We are orgasmically happy.

Speaking for fir the Falcons nation, unofficially, we are bloody not!!

God knows what's going on at KP. Looks like changes at the very top with the Thompsons coming back..and many falcons are not welcoming that...as their previous stint was pretty dire indeed.

RugbyPass reporting Lewis Bean, the Glasgow lock, is being courted by Montauban if they stay up in French D2.

Montauban have lost five on the bounce and are four points off safety

Max Llewellyn confirmed signed for Gloucester

Rob Simmonds reported to be leaving London Irish and signing for Clermont

Sebastien Vahaamahina (Clermont) is retiring due to concussion it is being reported.

Bernard Le Roux (Racing) could also be retiring for the same reason.

Lezana has left Scarlets to sign for Montauban.

Robertson confirmed as All Black's coach from 2024.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Robertson confirmed as All Black's coach from 2024.

They really had to pick Razor. If he'd gone somewhere else and their alternate coach bombed, the NZ rugby watching public would have lost their sh!t.

George Carlin wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Robertson confirmed as All Black's coach from 2024.

They really had to pick Razor. If he'd gone somewhere else and their alternate coach bombed, the NZ rugby watching public would have lost their sh!t.

Schmidt or Joseph were the only other reasonable choices. Schmidt may well stay as a consultant so if it goes sideways he can effectively take over.

Lyon have withdrawn their interest in signing Cardiff's Josh Adams, citing too many complications surrounding his contract & International status.

World Cup winning prop Thomas du Doit will join Bath following the Rugby World Cup.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

George Carlin wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Robertson confirmed as All Black's coach from 2024.

They really had to pick Razor. If he'd gone somewhere else and their alternate coach bombed, the NZ rugby watching public would have lost their sh!t.

Schmidt or Joseph were the only other reasonable choices. Schmidt may well stay as a consultant so if it goes sideways he can effectively take over.

Its a total circus over there how Foster's tenure has been handled. I feel sorry for him as he isnt nearly as bad as people make him out to me and he now has a strong team around him.

Everyone knows Roberston is a great coach both NZ problems arent magically going to disappear when he takes over. They will still have depth problems in the second row, centres and hooker and their player pool isnt way ahead of the rest of the world as it used to be.

Collapse2005 wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

George Carlin wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Robertson confirmed as All Black's coach from 2024.

They really had to pick Razor. If he'd gone somewhere else and their alternate coach bombed, the NZ rugby watching public would have lost their sh!t.

Schmidt or Joseph were the only other reasonable choices. Schmidt may well stay as a consultant so if it goes sideways he can effectively take over.

Its a total circus over there how Foster's tenure has been handled. I feel sorry for him as he isnt nearly as bad as people make him out to me and he now has a strong team around him.

Everyone knows Roberston is a great coach both NZ problems arent magically going to disappear when he takes over. They will still have depth problems in the second row, centres and hooker and their player pool isnt way ahead of the rest of the world as it used to be.

They still have three good hookers but two are getting on a bit. Second row and centres are an issue though some good centres that could be developed which is something Foster really hasn't managed to do. There's not many players that have kicked on under his tenure to go alongside the poor results.

Oakdene wrote:World Cup winning prop Thomas du Doit will join Bath following the Rugby World Cup.

This has been signposted for quite a while and with Stuart, that is a couple of significant TH props, both over 130kgs and about the same age 26/27. The front row has been an injury disaster zone for Bath over the last couple of years. It does create a problem if both are called up for Tests, but nothing new there. I would assume there will be some players, Darcy Rae or Jonker who will probably be leaving this summer to pay for it.

Recwatcher16 wrote:

Oakdene wrote:World Cup winning prop Thomas du Doit will join Bath following the Rugby World Cup.

This has been signposted for quite a while and with Stuart, that is a couple of significant TH props, both over 130kgs and about the same age 26/27. The front row has been an injury disaster zone for Bath over the last couple of years. It does create a problem if both are called up for Tests,  but nothing new there. I would assume there will be some players, Darcy Rae or Jonker who will probably be leaving this summer to pay for it.

Has Rae done enough to stay? I see he has started most of your league matches this year and played in almost every league game last year but is he good enough to be in rotation with Stuart and Du Toit?

Aaron Hinkley and Saints have mutually ended their contract - he's a tidy flanker

Skosan is also leaving Saints

Vincent Koch is joining the Sharks (RSA)

Hhmm starting to wonder whats up with Hinkley....not settling anywhere.

Hazel Sapling wrote:

Recwatcher16 wrote:

Oakdene wrote:World Cup winning prop Thomas du Doit will join Bath following the Rugby World Cup.

This has been signposted for quite a while and with Stuart, that is a couple of significant TH props, both over 130kgs and about the same age 26/27. The front row has been an injury disaster zone for Bath over the last couple of years. It does create a problem if both are called up for Tests,  but nothing new there. I would assume there will be some players, Darcy Rae or Jonker who will probably be leaving this summer to pay for it.

Has Rae done enough to stay? I see he has started most of your league matches this year and played in almost every league game last year but is he good enough to be in rotation with Stuart and Du Toit?

He's probably good enough to make up the numbers and be third choice. International periods he'll be required.

Geordie wrote:Hhmm starting to wonder whats up with Hinkley....not settling anywhere.

15 appearances and 12 starts. Not like he wasn't good enough. I can only think it's one of two things, either something has cracked off behind the scenes or he's got a big offer from France and has asked for early release to take that up.

Santiago Cordero is a good signing for Connacht

Collapse2005 wrote:Santiago Cordero is a good signing for Connacht

I suspect Connacht fans will be enjoying themselves next season. The guy steps people for fun.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:Santiago Cordero is a good signing for Connacht

I suspect Connacht fans will be enjoying themselves next season. The guy steps people for fun.

Him & Hansen on the wings will entertain thats for sure!

Oakdene wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:Santiago Cordero is a good signing for Connacht

I suspect Connacht fans will be enjoying themselves next season. The guy steps people for fun.

Him & Hansen on the wings will entertain thats for sure!

Cordero is more than capable at 15 as well, was great seeing him there for Exeter. No one kicked long when he was there, he's got a good boot as well as being able to step you in a phonebox. Is Adam Byrne still at Connacht? Byrne, Hansen and Cordero as the back three. That would be pretty good to watch.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Oakdene wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:Santiago Cordero is a good signing for Connacht

I suspect Connacht fans will be enjoying themselves next season. The guy steps people for fun.

Him & Hansen on the wings will entertain thats for sure!

Cordero is more than capable at 15 as well, was great seeing him there for Exeter. No one kicked long when he was there, he's got a good boot as well as being able to step you in a phonebox. Is Adam Byrne still at Connacht? Byrne, Hansen and Cordero as the back three. That would be pretty good to watch.

Byrne is rumoured to be going to the Chicago Hounds, has the talent just too injury prone unfortunately.

Big news today in Aus with Joseph Suaalii going from the NRL to rugby Australia in a 1.6 million dollar deal. A major coup here as he's one of the brightest young rugby talents in the world and Aus have shown they can still attract talent from the NRL. At just 19 he was instrumental in getting Samoa to the world Cup final a couple of months ago.

Eddie said he wanted to target some NRL talent to help supplement what ARU had before the world cup.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Geordie wrote:Hhmm starting to wonder whats up with Hinkley....not settling anywhere.

15 appearances and 12 starts. Not like he wasn't good enough. I can only think it's one of two things, either something has cracked off behind the scenes or he's got a big offer from France and has asked for early release to take that up.

Rumours that it's related to Dallagio's favourite candy. Hardly a surprise if so as the nose clams have been rumoured to be absolutely rife in rugby for a long time. It's certainly everywhere in the higher levels of the amateur game in England and Scotland from experience.

I'd love Hinckley at Tigers. I think he'd round out the back row depth well for a RWC year with Jansen leaving.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Geordie wrote:Hhmm starting to wonder whats up with Hinkley....not settling anywhere.

15 appearances and 12 starts. Not like he wasn't good enough. I can only think it's one of two things, either something has cracked off behind the scenes or he's got a big offer from France and has asked for early release to take that up.

The announcement had nothing thanking him for his service etc which happens for players who never make a first team appearance. Think he almost certainly fell out with the management - we played a hooker on the bench as back row cover over him the other week.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Oakdene wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:Santiago Cordero is a good signing for Connacht

I suspect Connacht fans will be enjoying themselves next season. The guy steps people for fun.

Him & Hansen on the wings will entertain thats for sure!

Cordero is more than capable at 15 as well, was great seeing him there for Exeter. No one kicked long when he was there, he's got a good boot as well as being able to step you in a phonebox. Is Adam Byrne still at Connacht? Byrne, Hansen and Cordero as the back three. That would be pretty good to watch.

Byrne is rumoured to be going to the Chicago Hounds, has the talent just too injury prone unfortunately.

Big news today in Aus with Joseph Suaalii going from the NRL to rugby Australia in a 1.6 million dollar deal. A major coup here as he's one of the brightest young rugby talents in the world and Aus have shown they can still attract talent from the NRL. At just 19 he was instrumental in getting Samoa to the world Cup final a couple of months ago.

He isnt joining until after the world cup though I think.

Collapse2005 wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Oakdene wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:Santiago Cordero is a good signing for Connacht

I suspect Connacht fans will be enjoying themselves next season. The guy steps people for fun.

Him & Hansen on the wings will entertain thats for sure!

Cordero is more than capable at 15 as well, was great seeing him there for Exeter. No one kicked long when he was there, he's got a good boot as well as being able to step you in a phonebox. Is Adam Byrne still at Connacht? Byrne, Hansen and Cordero as the back three. That would be pretty good to watch.

Byrne is rumoured to be going to the Chicago Hounds, has the talent just too injury prone unfortunately.

Big news today in Aus with Joseph Suaalii going from the NRL to rugby Australia in a 1.6 million dollar deal. A major coup here as he's one of the brightest young rugby talents in the world and Aus have shown they can still attract talent from the NRL. At just 19 he was instrumental in getting Samoa to the world Cup final a couple of months ago.

He isnt joining until after the world cup though I think.

2025 I think. His signing has caused quite a stir in Aus which I'm sure what it was designed to do. It's great exposure for union in Aus and to be fair he looks like a fantastic talent.

It's caused a mixed opinion to be fair.

A few have pointed out that Australia are not short of good outside backs and maybe that money could hsve been spent better elsewhere.

It is a very Eddie Jones move though, grab the headlines and show Union can compete with League and Rules.

It remains to be seen if it is good business sense!

And of course the biggest problem is not the question of can the player adapt, it is how quickly when everything they do will be so public.

Considering Rory Arnold is currently without a club you'd have thought bringing him back to Australia at least for the short term would be more of a priority.

lostinwales wrote:And of course the biggest problem is not the question of can the player adapt, it is how quickly when everything they do will be so public.

He was a union school boy prodigy apparently before being poached to league, so I doubt he will struggle adapting.

He also played sevens and is interested in representing Australia at the Olympics

Hogg retires from Rugby after the World Cup.

Brad Shields joining Hurricanes.

Van Der Walt signs for Bulls leaving Edinburgh.

Stuart Hogg, Johnny Sexton and you would imagine AWJ

Some big big names leaving international and maybe all rugby post this WC!

Surely Sexton and AJW are retiring after the Wc

Geordie wrote:Surely Sexton and AJW are retiring after the Wc

Sexton might consider it for the world cup after next.

Sexton is, AWJ not saying yet

Looks like he us definitely leaving Ospreys though, he was giving it an emotional farewell by all accounts on saturday, as it was last home game in Swansea

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Geordie wrote:Surely Sexton and AJW are retiring after the Wc

Sexton might consider it for the world cup after next.

Somewhere in the dungeons of the Aviva I imagine there's a decaying painting of Sexton that's getting older and older whist he keeps playing. In my mind Alan Quinlan is just chained up outside the door to protect it like that dragon in Gringotts.

king_carlos wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Geordie wrote:Surely Sexton and AJW are retiring after the Wc

Sexton might consider it for the world cup after next.

Somewhere in the dungeons of the Aviva I imagine there's a decaying painting of Sexton that's getting older and older whist he keeps playing. In my mind Alan Quinlan is just chained up outside the door to protect it like that dragon in Gringotts.

Is big Phil Vickery still on standby for a call-up? He just keeps on going ....

formerly known as Sam wrote:Considering Rory Arnold is currently without a club you'd have thought bringing him back to Australia at least for the short term would be more of a priority.

Quality player, how is he without a club? He was at Toulouse right?

Rumours our incredibly talented young 7 Guy Pepper whos barely broken in to the first team yet...is off at the end of the summer....surely not.

mikey_dragon wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Considering Rory Arnold is currently without a club you'd have thought bringing him back to Australia at least for the short term would be more of a priority.

Quality player, how is he without a club? He was at Toulouse right?

Went to Japan, his brother stayed in France. Something kicked off in a squad bonding session over in Japan and a bar got wrecked. Rory Arnold apparently wasn't there but the shame was enough for the club to pull the team for the season in disgrace. Ergo he's sat twiddling his thumbs.

Geordie, it would be a blow for Falcons to lose someone like Pepper the squad should be built up around the local talent.

Mike Brown and Cam Henderson new contracts announced. Great news on both fronts there. Ollie Hassell-Collins confirmed as joining Tigers for next season.

Ihaia West is leaving Toulon to rejoin La Rochelle for next season.

Brad Shields has left Perpignan to rejoin the Hurricanes.

Interesting move for West, Hastoy has been a good signing for La Rochelle by means of replacement and has been in the French squad for 6N. Protects La Rochelle during the world cup period but after that West might find himself second choice.