Silly Season Transfer Rumours 22/23

First topic message reminder :

And.....off you go.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Geordie wrote:Looks like fearns and Greg Petersen on their way..Petersen was expected...Carl not.

Rumours now that Mateo Carreras on his way also.

Peterson and Fearns aren't particular losses. You've got two better locks joining and Fearns looks on his last legs. If he's cheap and you are looking for 10 games a season from him then great but I don't think Falcons can afford to carry squad men like that and Fearns probably ain't cheap.

Carreras would be a big blow to Falcons. The current back three are electric and three you'd really want to keep hold of. Some mutterings that Moroni might be off but no idea whether that's true or not.

Yeah looks like both Carerras and Moroni have put odd tweets out saying last game at KP...whether its this season or for good?
Carerras is one hell of a player. The thing is his attack is fabulous...but his defence is brutal. He could go for big money anywhere he wanted.

We do have other wingers coming through like Greenwood whos faster than Radwan and young Stephens...but id hate to lose Carerras

Falcons have signed Bryan Byrne from Bristol - Hooker

Good solid back up.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Good solid back up.

Maybe they know something about Blamire being away for a while?

Geordie wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Good solid back up.

Maybe they know something about Blamire being away for a while?

Or not wanting to go into season with Blamire at 23 then some younger hookers without much experience. Byrne has been around a bit and should be a good option if the team need a bit of experience or a leader in there.

As you say, if Blamire gets called up then there's a bit more depth in behind as well.

Mark has just confirmed that Madison is out long term and Fletcher is now injured also.

Geordie wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Geordie wrote:Looks like fearns and Greg Petersen on their way..Petersen was expected...Carl not.

Rumours now that Mateo Carreras on his way also.

Peterson and Fearns aren't particular losses. You've got two better locks joining and Fearns looks on his last legs. If he's cheap and you are looking for 10 games a season from him then great but I don't think Falcons can afford to carry squad men like that and Fearns probably ain't cheap.

Carreras would be a big blow to Falcons. The current back three are electric and three you'd really want to keep hold of. Some mutterings that Moroni might be off but no idea whether that's true or not.

Yeah looks like both Carerras and Moroni have put odd tweets out saying last game at KP...whether its this season or for good?
Carerras is one hell of a player. The thing is his attack is fabulous...but his defence is brutal. He could go for big money anywhere he wanted.

We do have other wingers coming through like Greenwood whos faster than Radwan and young Stephens...but id hate to lose Carerras

Sounds like he read the job description for playing at Saints....

doctor_grey wrote:

Geordie wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Geordie wrote:Looks like fearns and Greg Petersen on their way..Petersen was expected...Carl not.

Rumours now that Mateo Carreras on his way also.

Peterson and Fearns aren't particular losses. You've got two better locks joining and Fearns looks on his last legs. If he's cheap and you are looking for 10 games a season from him then great but I don't think Falcons can afford to carry squad men like that and Fearns probably ain't cheap.

Carreras would be a big blow to Falcons. The current back three are electric and three you'd really want to keep hold of. Some mutterings that Moroni might be off but no idea whether that's true or not.

Yeah looks like both Carerras and Moroni have put odd tweets out saying last game at KP...whether its this season or for good?
Carerras is one hell of a player. The thing is his attack is fabulous...but his defence is brutal. He could go for big money anywhere he wanted.

We do have other wingers coming through like Greenwood whos faster than Radwan and young Stephens...but id hate to lose Carerras

Sounds like he read the job description for playing at Saints....

No he can defend. Immediately rules him out of a Saints contract surely?

On the coaching front, Lee Blackett might not be at Scarlets next season, in which case, Jared Payne might be. Anyone heard anything? Lee Blackett is a good coach, I hope he stays.

mikey_dragon wrote:On the coaching front, Lee Blackett might not be at Scarlets next season, in which case, Jared Payne might be. Anyone heard anything? Lee Blackett is a good coach, I hope he stays.

Rumours of him heading to Edinburgh

You also won't be getting Leon McDonald as he's joining Robertson's team.

Cameron Hutchinson from Edinbugh to Newcastle.

A hard running 12 who has been a little to injury prone to really grab a starting place at Edinburgh but is a good honest pro. Hopefully he stays fit and gets more game time at Kingston Park.

Quite a selection of Scottish players going to be there next season now.

Sounds exactly like Pete Lucock who we already have on board...but will probably be leaving.

BigGee wrote:Cameron Hutchinson from Edinbugh to Newcastle.

A hard running 12 who has been a little to injury prone to really grab a starting place at Edinburgh but is a good honest pro. Hopefully he stays fit and gets more game time at Kingston Park.

Quite a selection of Scottish players going to be there next season now.

i wonder if theres some skullduggery agreement with the Regions etc....

mikey_dragon wrote:You also won't be getting Leon McDonald as he's joining Robertson's team.

That's been a rumour for a while. McDonald was attack coach at the Crusaders before taking on the head coach at the Auckland Blues and transforming them into a title contending team. NZRU have got the two brightest coaches from NZ rugby working in tandem for post world cup. Scary thought.

Tom West to Saracens is confirmed.

And some shennanigans going on about Watson...hes going to Saracens but the RFU will pay his salary until after the world cup and Saracens will pay the rest of the season...?

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:You also won't be getting Leon McDonald as he's joining Robertson's team.

That's been a rumour for a while. McDonald was attack coach at the Crusaders before taking on the head coach at the Auckland Blues and transforming them into a title contending team. NZRU have got the two brightest coaches from NZ rugby working in tandem for post world cup. Scary thought.

I know. They were desperate not to lose Robertson and McDonald overseas so have offered them top jobs in advance. The current Chiefs coach must also be pretty good.

Bristol confirm leavers for end of season:- (some of these had previously already been announced)

Joe Joyce - Connacht
Andy Uren – Benetton Treviso
Ioan Lloyd - Scarlets
Charles Piutau
Sam Bedlow – Sale Sharks
Sam Jeffries
Semi Radradra - Lyon
Henry Purdy
John Hawkins
Bryan Byrne – Newcastle Falcons
Toby Fricker
Jake Kerr
Sam Lewis
Will Porter - Harlequins
Morgan Eames – CS Bourgoin
Rhys Charalambous
Martin Mulhall

Bristol's squad for next year seems mid-table at best, be interesting to see if Lam can get them to do better.

Bristol have a farcically imbalanced squad. The difference between their starting XV and what comes below it is gigantic.

They'll have had two marquees still this season as Radrada and Piutau signed before that rule change. So it's not like that list of leavers will give them a big budget to bolster the squad either.

Coaching staffs have expiry dates where their ideas at one club run out of gas IMO. I'd say that's happened for Lam at Bristol.

Kalaveti Ravouvou is a fantastic player though so I look forward to seeing what he can bring.

Geordie wrote:Tom West to Saracens is confirmed.

B*llocks. When Lewis Boyce signed for Ealing it seemed clear West wouldn't be heading there. I was hoping it'd be stay at Tigers though. He's a good LH who's just below international level so should be available a lot. Ideal cover for Mako.

Tigers really need a LH now given our reliance on the scrum. Cronin is a really good player and Whitcombe is talented but van Wyk (if he now extends out of necessity) isn't a strong scrummager.

king_carlos wrote:

Geordie wrote:Tom West to Saracens is confirmed.

B*llocks. When Lewis Boyce signed for Ealing it seemed clear West wouldn't be heading there. I was hoping it'd be stay at Tigers though. He's a good LH who's just below international level so should be available a lot. Ideal cover for Mako.

Tigers really need a LH now given our reliance on the scrum. Cronin is a really good player and Whitcombe is talented but van Wyk (if he now extends out of necessity) isn't a strong scrummager.

Losing out on West is a real kick in the trousers. I can only presume that, that deal was done a while ago and is why he only came to us on a short term deal. There's no way we wouldn't want to keep him. He'll be a great option for Sarries who will see Mawi and Mako go to the world cup but afterwards he'll offer a much better set piece and in the tight style loosehead as a counterpoint to the other two.

It could be as simple as West wanting to be in London for personal reasons. With finances in the Premiership and lower cap I doubt either side would be offering big money. They'll likely be pretty similar offers if both tabled one.

That's not a slight on West either, he's a cracking LH and I'm very disappointed to have missed out. Realistically though he's in that second choice for a top club or first choice for a club just below that. He'll presumably be behind Mako at Sarries. At Tigers he'd be in close contention with Cronin but probably not outright first choice. Probably similar sort of rotation with Rodd and McIntyre at Sale. Likely behind VRR with Gloucester. Until Iyogun develops further he'd maybe be starting at Saints but the Waller's waning effectiveness is an issue there.

I'm just not sure there's money in the Prem for sides to spend big bucks on those squad players now.

Matt proctor has left Northampton

king_carlos wrote:It could be as simple as West wanting to be in London for personal reasons. With finances in the Premiership and lower cap I doubt either side would be offering big money. They'll likely be pretty similar offers if both tabled one.

That's not a slight on West either, he's a cracking LH and I'm very disappointed to have missed out. Realistically though he's in that second choice for a top club or first choice for a club just below that. He'll presumably be behind Mako at Sarries. At Tigers he'd be in close contention with Cronin but probably not outright first choice. Probably similar sort of rotation with Rodd and McIntyre at Sale. Likely behind VRR with Gloucester. Until Iyogun develops further he'd maybe be starting at Saints but the Waller's waning effectiveness is an issue there.

I'm just not sure there's money in the Prem for sides to spend big bucks on those squad players now.

On current form I'd have West over Cronin for us though there is a balance issue with Cronin and Heyes both more mobile than Cole and West.

I wouldn't be massively surprised if West displaced Mako over the next season though that would be fairly ideal for Sarries given Mako has one more year on his contract and by next summer he'll be 33.

West would easily walk into the starting spot at Saints. TBH I was surprised no one made an offer before us but maybe he had the Sarries deal sealed early which put teams off.

mikey_dragon wrote:Bristol's squad for next year seems mid-table at best, be interesting to see if Lam can get them to do better.

A couple of years ago I really thought they were going to be a force in European rugby. A shame as I'm sure they'd get huge crowds for the big games.

Saints Ins-Outs this season.

IN

Curtis Langdon - Hooker
Temo Mayanavanua - Lock
Burger Odenaal - Centre
Tom Seabrook - Wing
Fin Smith - Fly Half
Trevor Davison - Prop

Out
Ehren Painter - Prop (Exeter)
Mikey Haywood - Hooker (Ret)
James Fish - Hooker
David Ribbans - Lock (Toulon)
Aaron Hinkley - Back Row
Josh Weru - Back Row
Dan Biggar - Fly Half (Toulon)
Matt Proctor - Centre
Courtnall Skosan - Wing
Tom Collins - Wing

Every club in the Premiership and the URC are having more outs than ins. I think next season may well throw up some odd results due to the small squad sizes once injuries start taking their toll

formerly known as Sam wrote:

king_carlos wrote:It could be as simple as West wanting to be in London for personal reasons. With finances in the Premiership and lower cap I doubt either side would be offering big money. They'll likely be pretty similar offers if both tabled one.

That's not a slight on West either, he's a cracking LH and I'm very disappointed to have missed out. Realistically though he's in that second choice for a top club or first choice for a club just below that. He'll presumably be behind Mako at Sarries. At Tigers he'd be in close contention with Cronin but probably not outright first choice. Probably similar sort of rotation with Rodd and McIntyre at Sale. Likely behind VRR with Gloucester. Until Iyogun develops further he'd maybe be starting at Saints but the Waller's waning effectiveness is an issue there.

I'm just not sure there's money in the Prem for sides to spend big bucks on those squad players now.

On current form I'd have West over Cronin for us  though there is a balance issue with Cronin and Heyes both more mobile than Cole and West.

I wouldn't be massively surprised if West displaced Mako over the next season though that would be fairly ideal for Sarries given Mako has one more year on his contract and by next summer he'll be 33.

West would easily walk into the starting spot at Saints. TBH I was surprised no one made an offer before us but maybe he had the Sarries deal sealed early which put teams off.

Whilst I think West has been really good for Tigers I don't think his performances have been better than Mako's for Sarries. On club form Mako has still been terrific the last two seasons. His international form has waned significantly. That's really a discussion being had on the England thread though!

Maine man wrote:Every club in the Premiership and the URC are having more outs than ins. I think next season may well throw up some odd results due to the small squad sizes once injuries start taking their toll

It's already happening in the Premiership. Weaker defences and less depth meaning some huge drubbings when mismatches occur. It's been happening more since ringfencing but this season as the smaller cap really pinched has seemed the most significant yet. Whilst the cap dropped for 2021/22 the loopholes for contracts signed before that happened such as keeping two marquees if in contract or only 75% of existing contracts coming under the cap mitigated its impact at some clubs for a time.

king_carlos wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

king_carlos wrote:It could be as simple as West wanting to be in London for personal reasons. With finances in the Premiership and lower cap I doubt either side would be offering big money. They'll likely be pretty similar offers if both tabled one.

That's not a slight on West either, he's a cracking LH and I'm very disappointed to have missed out. Realistically though he's in that second choice for a top club or first choice for a club just below that. He'll presumably be behind Mako at Sarries. At Tigers he'd be in close contention with Cronin but probably not outright first choice. Probably similar sort of rotation with Rodd and McIntyre at Sale. Likely behind VRR with Gloucester. Until Iyogun develops further he'd maybe be starting at Saints but the Waller's waning effectiveness is an issue there.

I'm just not sure there's money in the Prem for sides to spend big bucks on those squad players now.

On current form I'd have West over Cronin for us  though there is a balance issue with Cronin and Heyes both more mobile than Cole and West.

I wouldn't be massively surprised if West displaced Mako over the next season though that would be fairly ideal for Sarries given Mako has one more year on his contract and by next summer he'll be 33.

West would easily walk into the starting spot at Saints. TBH I was surprised no one made an offer before us but maybe he had the Sarries deal sealed early which put teams off.

Whilst I think West has been really good for Tigers I don't think his performances have been better than Mako's for Sarries. On club form Mako has still been terrific the last two seasons. His international form has waned significantly. That's really a discussion being had on the England thread though!

Mako does stuff in the loose that very few props can, his hands are fantastic and it gives the side a forward playmaker almost. His carrying game and scrum work (which was never a great strength) aren't getting any better though and he doesn't make the metres after contact he used to. You're right West won't recreate any of that but he might give Sarries something different as he's definitely a better scrummager and a proper coming into his peak years whilst Mako heads towards the twilight of his.

We have signed Coventry full back Louis Brown.

The whole Cowan-Dickie saga sounds a bit odd. Baxter defending his soon to be ex player saying there may have been a drink but it's been blown out of proport...vs more details of him being plastered outside a nightclub at 4 30 in the morning. A lot of rugby still strikes me as a bit like the football scene post premier league branding; top clubs still condoning their players going out on the raz with little to no consequence. Who is going to be rugbys Arsene Wenger who introduces some more professionalism?

Eli Snyman to Treviso from Tigers. A good move for him, Treviso have been steadily putting together an impressive squad for a while now.

He's been really solid for Tigers and vitally provided a strong club level pro that Tigers young locks had to exceed to get game time.

I actually think he's a perfect example of the necessity for the constantly maligned squad man or journeyman as they are often referred to in rugby. Without these players and the depth they give you often get recent academy graduates getting game time just by being fit when other injuries strike. It can lead to a situation where players who aren't quite ready get chances and that then knocks the quality of sides, games and over time the league. Whereas with these strong club men those more talented but less developed youngsters have a standard they have to fight past just to get that game time. Three club level second rows in Wells, Green and Snyman have forced three players with higher ceilings in Chessum, Martin and Henderson to improve at a faster rate than I think they would have done without that depth in the squad. It's not just about game time for young EQP players or the number of young EQP players but also about the quality of those EQP youngsters and quality of the games they get exposed to basically. Focus on Prem producing England quality players rather than England qualified players.

Agree with that KC. Snyman has been a very handy squad man for the last two years. The conveyor belt of talent has surpassed him now but that wasn't the case a year ago and definitely wasn't the case when he signed. Best of luck to him back in Italy, by all accounts he was a great bloke to have around the place and I can't remember a bad game from him.

I'm expecting Chessum Jnr to be pushing for some game time next season and wouldn't be surprised to see Tom Manz prove to be a capable squad man as well. Hopefully we can get Rob Carmichael some Prem Cup time and maybe a loan at Notts to push him on as well.

Henco Venter to Glasgow.

Scarlets being linked with the Lions forwards coach Albert Van Den Berg. Lions have a very good scrum, that’s a good signing if it’s true.

16 players leaving Cardiff are confirmed as: Dmitri Arhip, Kristian Dacey, Dillion Lewis, Jason Harries, Jarrod Evans, Joe Peard, Lloyd Williams, Max Llewellyn, Harri Millard, Kirby Myhill, Josh Navidi, Rhys Priestland, James Ratti, Rey Lee-Lo, Brad Thyer, Willis Halaholo.

I don’t see how they’ll be fielding a team next season?

Can Dragons get Peard back, along with Lee-Lo and Halaholo? Ta .

The leavers lists for Cardiff and Scarlets are insane. One available centre for them now (Grady?).

Feel a bit for Joe Peard to have left us, for nothing in the end.

Alo and 36 to Ealing.

Tom Collins to Irish confirmed - happy with that ...

RiscaGame wrote:The leavers lists for Cardiff and Scarlets are insane. One available centre for them now (Grady?).

Feel a bit for Joe Peard to have left us, for nothing in the end.

Seems that way, and only one fly-half. Not sure about Patchell going there, but they're rumoured to be bringing back Jac Lloyd. Deffo some dead wood released by both teams though.

I feel Peard needs a senior academy contract, or 1 year pro contract at least, and to actually get some game time.

mikey_dragon wrote:

RiscaGame wrote:The leavers lists for Cardiff and Scarlets are insane. One available centre for them now (Grady?).

Feel a bit for Joe Peard to have left us, for nothing in the end.

Seems that way, and only one fly-half. Not sure about Patchell going there, but they're rumoured to be bringing back Jac Lloyd. Deffo some dead wood released by both teams though.

I feel Peard needs a senior academy contract, or 1 year pro contract at least, and to actually get some game time.

Have heard Patch has signed with Cardiff.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Alo and 36 to Ealing.

Biyi Alo? That's a massive signing for the Championship. Him and Boyce is a good prop pairing.

Yup. Honestly thought he should have seen an England squad.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Yup. Honestly thought he should have seen an England squad.

Another Loughborough University graduate. Could have done with him up at Tigers as cover for Cole and Heyes quite frankly.

There was a time he was in the England conversation. Was always doubts over his conditioning but he was looking like he was putting those to bed.

Lee Blackett joining Bath as assistant coach.

Joe Maddocks left Bath last week as attack coach, Blacketts role has been stated as assistant coach, so not entirely clear on his day job, but a strong acquisition nonetheless.

Bath have 'released' eight squad players; lock Will Spencer, prop D'Arcy Rae, scrum-half Max Green, full-back Darren Atkins, hooker Tom Doughty, winger Gabriel Hamer-Webb, prop Valeriy Morozov and flanker Wesley White.

Tom Ellis to Sale and Lewis Boyce to Ealing have already left- both were solid squad players who have been unlucky with injuries.

Dave Attwood and Richard de Carpentier are retiring. One wants to pursue a potential career in a rugby disciplinary role, the other to open a coffee shop on the Isle of Wight....

Disappointed Spencer and Doughty are leaving - must be a fair chance they end up in France for lack of anywhere else, to seek employment.

Just two joiners for next season, Thomas du Toit and some fella from Racing....

Please tell me Dave Attwood wants to become a ref. I'd love to see the first mouthy scrum half try and instruct the ref that towers over him in the laws of the game. Be hilarious.

Richard Blaze also joining as forwards coach, he's got experience as defence coach and a nice range of experience for someone still a few years short of 40. Good acquisitions him and Blackett.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Please tell me Dave Attwood wants to become a ref. I'd love to see the first mouthy scrum half try and instruct the ref that towers over him in the laws of the game. Be hilarious.

Richard Blaze also joining as forwards coach, he's got experience as defence coach and a nice range of experience for someone still a few years short of 40. Good acquisitions him and Blackett.

Ha ! Attwood actually has a law degree and apparently is exploring 'opportunities' for involvement in disciplinary committees, representing RFU, which often have lawyers acting as chair.
I had missed Blaze joining, good uncompromising player in his day. Bath currently have a number of locks on the books with Ewels, McNally, Roux, van Velze, Lee Warner and young Richards which is about three more than we have had previously with flankers Williams and Ellis often being drafted into the second row in recent seasons. A pity Attwood and Spencer are moving on but the budgets clearly have made it impossible to extend their stays another season. Attwood has had a fantastic club career and probably has no complaints.