Silly Season Transfer Rumours 22/23

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And.....off you go.

I thought it was already common knowledge Willis won't be available?

Sgt_Pooly wrote:I thought it was already common knowledge Willis won't be available?

That's right but there has been murmurings that an exemption might be found.

Fluxy wrote:Paddy Jackson to Lyon

Jack Goodhue to Castres

Tom Pearson to Northampton

Liam Williams has left Cardiff. Most likely to sign for a Japanese team

Lyon need a good 10. This may be a very good fit.

Ben White's in advanced talks with Toulon according to the French press (Midi Olympique)

https://www.rugbyrama.fr/2023/06/18/transferts-top-14-toulon-linternational-ecossais-ben-white-va-sengager-11285252.php

and Ben loader is off to the stormers

Darn. I was rather hoping Tigers would get Loader as a direct replacement for Potter. He's a cracking player.

That's a good move for Loader though. There's money in SA rugby just now so probably will be a decent wage, live in Cape Town and play in a talented side behind a strong pack. Fair play.

How long is the deal? Is it just a one year contract so he's sorted for the upcoming season before heading home or is he staying a bit longer.

Fluxy wrote:Paddy Jackson to Lyon

Jack Goodhue to Castres

Tom Pearson to Northampton

Liam Williams has left Cardiff. Most likely to sign for a Japanese team

This is subject to Liam passing a very stringent medical given he has barely played for Cardiff due to injuries.

I think he'll get injured at the world cup too.

mikey_dragon wrote:I think he'll get injured at the world cup too.

Thats just what Cardiff don't need! They can't even spend the money that they would be saving by him leaving just in case he fails the medical.

formerly known as Sam wrote:How long is the deal? Is it just a one year contract so he's sorted for the upcoming season before heading home or is he staying a bit longer.

2-year deal for Loader.

Alex Craig has signed for Scarlets. TBH, I've never heard of him.

mikey_dragon wrote:Alex Craig has signed for Scarlets. TBH, I've never heard of him.

Got a couple of Scotland caps as a lock/BS. Spent most of the last year or two injured. If Scarlets can keep him fit, he has potential to become a very good player, but it will be a big if.

Hazel Sapling wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Alex Craig has signed for Scarlets. TBH, I've never heard of him.

Got a couple of Scotland caps as a lock/BS. Spent most of the last year or two injured. If Scarlets can keep him fit, he has potential to become a very good player, but it will be a big if.

Here's hoping he can get over those injury issues for us.

Scarlets have a history of signing decent Scottish players. This one seems a gamble. I remember a few years back they took a bit of a gamble on a certain Beirne.

Any more signings for you? Seems as though you could do with another TH and a lock (so Jac Price doesn't have to be in the squad). Payne and Van de Berg are great additions to the coaching set-up, but defence still needs shoring up.

The sad thing is were told in wales we don't produce big players. But when we do nobody invests in their development and they end up playing for second division English clubs.

Can't understand how some Welsh Region didn't pick up Peard and give him a season or two in the team to see where he goes with it. Instead they will take a punt on overseas players with poor injury records. It's almost as if they are trying to fail just so they can say look we really need more money.

The real issue with Welsh Rugby is regional rugby of late really has not done enough to allow younger players game time to develop. It's why I don't blame any young welsh talent for going to England because they know they will at least given matches to play in.

People forget part of the reason players like Dwayne Peel, Stephen Jones, Ryan Jones (I could real a ton of old famous welsh players off) all became the players they were is because their clubs gave them a lot of game time and very young ages.

Now we've gone the other way and there lies the problem.

There's big lads at the academies and in the U20s set up right now. The likes of Peard and Scragg weren't showing enough to make the step-up as far as I can tell, that said I would have taken a gamble on Peard and right now I'd be looking to bring back Scragg. You also need to find the right balance, no point in taking a punt on a youngster in the hope he comes good when he'll be surrounded by guff. That won't help anyone. We need to be hiring more forwards from SA for a couple more seasons.

On the contrary, for example, Ospreys sent James Fender to the English Championship but I think he's back now - there wasn't a place for him at the time. Jenkins and Tshiunza aren't small guys either, goes to show the talent is there.

There are a number of handy players leaving the Blues (Auckland), some with known, some unknown destinations (most likely all France)

Laulala (Montpellier), Hodgman, Robinson, Plumtree, as well as Barrett (Japan), Tuisava Sheck

London Irish fly half Rory Jenkins confirmed to Falcons

https://newcastlefalcons.co.uk/news/story/Rory-Jennings-joins-Newcastle-Falcons

Geordie wrote:London Irish fly half Rory Jenkins confirmed to Falcons

https://newcastlefalcons.co.uk/news/story/Rory-Jennings-joins-Newcastle-Falcons

Jennings. Handy utility player in the midfield, really stepped up for Irish last season having looked more Championship starter/Prem squad man before that. Not sure he's what Falcons fans would have been going for really.

Better than Schoeman though Sam.

If he can get the backline moving nicely then thats champion. He will also have Connon pushing him for the 10 shirt. On his day at his very best Connon is a very good prem 10. Hes just so inconsistent or he maybe a confidence player. Not sure what.

But he needs to sort that.

Don't see Jennings pushing on to being a Prem flyhalf. He mainly played 12 for LI last season. Kicking off the tee isn't bad but I'd expect him to be fair from the wanted saviour at 10 for Falcons. I thought Atkins looked the better flyhalf for them when it came to getting the side moving but Jennings is a lot more versatile.

Lovejoy Chawatama has joined Quins from LI.

Problem with judging either of the LI reserve 10s is that they never played there as PJ was fairly bomb proof. Atkins got a few prem cup games and Jennings got utilised at 12.

Said last week that Jennings would be a good fit for Newcastle. He's versatile and pretty strong mentally. Has a bit of a rep for nailing clutch kicks. Best of which was the touchline conversion to snatch a draw with a big 14 man comeback against Sarries last season in the league.

Good to see LJ get picked up by Quins. He's a great guy and nice to see him not have to uproot his young family.

You know what you get with him. Just rock solid in the scrum and ended up starting more games for us that anyone else last season for us because of that.

Margin_Walker wrote:Problem with judging either of the LI reserve 10s is that they never played there as PJ was fairly bomb proof. Atkins got a few prem cup games and Jennings got utilised at 12.

Said last week that Jennings would be a good fit for Newcastle. He's versatile and pretty strong mentally. Has a bit of a rep for nailing clutch kicks. Best of which was the touchline conversion to snatch a draw with a big 14 man comeback against Sarries last season in the league.

Jennings was also at Bath, Tigers and Clermont before LI and I don't think he managed double figure across those three clubs. Had more success in the Championship and a breakthrough season for LI last season. Obviously got something about him but I'm not sure that's a front line 10 something.

I guess we'll find out. Ultimately Newcastle likely don't have the budget to bring in a proven top level 10 off the shelf. Any signing there is likely to be a bit of a punt/value signing. This looks as good a bet as any though imo.

It's such a weird season for transfer news this year. So many club players still no news on if they are signing new contracts or actually leaving.

Scarlets - Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Jonathan Davies
Cardiff - Teddy Williams, Domachowski, Assirratti
Ospreys - Watkin
Munster - Earls (I'm guessing he must be retiring?)
Ulster - Henderson
Connacht - Stewart
Edinburgh - Venter
Glasgow - Zander Fagerson
Treviso - Minozzi
Stormers - Senatla, Davids
Bath - Will Stuart
Exeter - Tshiunza
Leicester - Watson and Steward
Sale - Tom Curry & Tuilagi
Saracens - Billy Vunipola, Aled Davies

And by my count there's already over 300 odd players as free agents still looking for clubs. There can't be that many clubs with a ton of money especially given a lot of French and Japanese clubs spent a lot on securing some of the biggest names in World Rugby.

Tough times to be out of contract I'm guessing. Don't think next year will be any easier either....

Freddie Steward is unde contract having signed one in September last year. Manu signed a new one year eal recently. BillyV is under contract until next summer. Wil Stuart has a contract until next summer.

I'd be surprised if Tshiunza didn't sign a rolling contract before making us Wales debut in the Francis and Reffell style.

Tom Curry and Watson know where they're going or indeed staying but nothing has been announced yet I'm sure.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Freddie Steward is unde contract having signed one in September last year. Manu signed a new one year eal recently. BillyV is under contract until next summer. Wil Stuart has a contract until next summer.

I'd be surprised if Tshiunza didn't sign a rolling contract before making us Wales debut in the Francis and Reffell style.

Tom Curry and Watson know where they're going or indeed staying but nothing has been announced yet I'm sure.

Ah ok just seen Manu, Billy and Steward did re-sign, as did Will Stuart.

Zander Fagerson signed a "long-term" deal in 2021 which probably means three years and a 2024 end date.

No idea what is going on with Venter though

Hazel Sapling wrote:Zander Fagerson signed a "long-term" deal in 2021 which probably means three years and a 2024 end date.

No idea what is going on with Venter though

Would have thought he would be staying. The games he played in the URC he really was top draw in. Good news for Scotland because I think he's at the peak of his powers right now.

Cunningham-South also confirmed by Quins. Expect they'll finish later with Joseph

Edit - Joseph now also confirmed

Cunningham South...now hes a player i have MASSIVE hopes for.

Two decent props known as Sutherland and Toomaga-Allen are still without a contract aren't they?

Geordie wrote:Cunningham South...now hes a player i have MASSIVE hopes for.

CCS, Evans, Dombrant with Kenningham on the bench is some backrow for Quins.

Sam
I was hoping CCS would focus on 8...but Dombrandt wont let that spot go.

Maybe he'll settle at 6...

Geordie wrote:Sam
I was hoping CCS would focus on 8...but Dombrandt wont let that spot go.

Maybe he'll settle at 6...

I'm guessing he'll get to play some of both in the short term at least. Whilst Dombrant is with England he'll be at 8 and then at 6 or benching the rest of the time. Regular game time is the most crucial thing for him at this point.

Will Joseph also to Quins as the Marchant replacement.

mikey_dragon wrote:Two decent props known as Sutherland and Toomaga-Allen are still without a contract aren't they?

Yeah Sutherland being without a club is surprising. Would have thought someone would have grabbed him by now. Maybe he has got a club but they haven't put it in the news yet. Think he had interest from Glasgow, Japan & France.

Didn't think Toomaga was a massive hit with Ulster fans. I won't lie though I would love to see him at the Dragons. No chance of that though with Dai's transfer chops.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Will Joseph also to Quins as the Marchant replacement.

Yeah i saw that one. Interesting move.

Out of interest anyone know what happened with Elton Jantjies. He moved to Europe ready to take up a contract with Toulon but they then seemed to swoop for Biggar instead. He's totally fallen off the radar since the news story about him last year.

Hoskins been snapped by Saracens

Welshmushroom wrote:Out of interest anyone know what happened with Elton Jantjies.  He moved to Europe ready to take up a contract with Toulon but they then seemed to swoop for Biggar instead.  He's totally fallen off the radar since the news story about him last year.  

He was with a D2 team, and is also back in the Boks RWC squad as cover for Willemse.

Fluxy wrote:Hoskins been snapped by Saracens

Makes a lot of sense when you consider their lack of depth at tighthead. They really did rely heavily on Riccioni with Judge and Clarey used pretty sparingly. Adding West and Hoskins to their front row in the off season will give them a lot more quality in that department.

Harlequins have been the best vampires of London Irish then.

Welshmushroom wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Two decent props known as Sutherland and Toomaga-Allen are still without a contract aren't they?

Yeah Sutherland being without a club is surprising.  Would have thought someone would have grabbed him by now.  Maybe he has got a club but they haven't put it in the news yet.  Think he had interest from Glasgow, Japan & France.

Didn't think Toomaga was a massive hit with Ulster fans.  I won't lie though I would love to see him at the Dragons.  No chance of that though with Dai's transfer chops.

Toomaga was a hit with this Ulster fan, and I think most ideally would have wanted to keep him. But I don't think the IRFU were too keen on us keeping him once Moore comes back, and we probably couldn't afford to keep him either. Not only was he a more than decent player, but he seemed to be enjoying his rugby and being an all round positive sort of guy. Just my impression. Some club with a bit of cash to spare could get a good deal there.

I had assumed Sutherland would be picked up by Glasgow or Edinburgh, but presumably they are strapped for cash too.

Welshmushroom wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Two decent props known as Sutherland and Toomaga-Allen are still without a contract aren't they?

Yeah Sutherland being without a club is surprising.  Would have thought someone would have grabbed him by now.  Maybe he has got a club but they haven't put it in the news yet.  Think he had interest from Glasgow, Japan & France.

Didn't think Toomaga was a massive hit with Ulster fans.  I won't lie though I would love to see him at the Dragons.  No chance of that though with Dai's transfer chops.

You could not be more wrong Toomunga-Allen was a huge hit with the Ulster fans.
A real character and he delivered on the pitch.
One of our best every NIQ players. Viewed with far more affection that his illustrious NIQ predecessors - Afoa and Botha

Sutherland by contrast was a big disappointment, didn't seem motivated - a big damp squib

No 7&1/2 wrote:Harlequins have been the best vampires of London Irish then.

Bath won’t be the least bit amused.