Silly Season Transfer Rumours 22/23

First topic message reminder :

And.....off you go.

mikey_dragon wrote:

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

Bath won’t be the least bit amused.

They filled their boots from the Worcester demise, got a little off of Wasps. There's a rumour Bath need to wait until next season before they've got since to add Arundell.

Quins did alright from Wasps and then have really gone for it with the LI unfortunates.

Collins has left Ospreys. No destination given as of yet.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

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

Bath won’t be the least bit amused.

They filled their boots from the Worcester demise, got a little off of Wasps. There's a rumour Bath need to wait until next season before they've got since to add Arundell.

Quins did alright from Wasps and then have really gone for it with the LI unfortunates.

Hopefully is also minimal disruption to the players circumstances, considering proximity of LI's training facilities compared to Quins at Guildford.

Didn't realise Alex Nankivell was heading to Munster. Just read that.

Rumours on Twitter that Logan Trotter the LI winger is heading back to Glasgow on a FT contract, he was in their academy before coming south. He seemed to be progressing nicely before injury prematurely ended his season.

It would not surprise me if Kyle Rowe, their other Scottish winger goes to Edinburgh now.

Rumours of an Ospreys and Blues merger with suggestions that Y11 (Osprey's majority owner) are looking to get out.

king_carlos wrote:Rumours of an Ospreys and Blues merger with suggestions that Y11 (Osprey's majority owner) are looking to get out.

It seems that this merger is not a thing already.

The Ospreys-Scarlets merger was more likely than this one… The only half truth is Y11 wanting out.

Tom Collins confirmed to Ealing and Will Goodrick-Clark rumoured to be following him there.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Tom Collins confirmed to Ealing and Will Goodrick-Clark rumoured to be following him there.

Well. good for the players to have landed somewhere.  This just makes Ealing stronger which may well mean we will have more drama about promotion and the minimum number of patrons it can hold.  I wonder if Brentford, the former home of London Irish might be available....

doctor_grey wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Tom Collins confirmed to Ealing and Will Goodrick-Clark rumoured to be following him there.

Well. good for the players to have landed somewhere.  This just makes Ealing stronger which may well mean we will have more drama about promotion and the minimum number of patrons it can hold.  I wonder if Brentford, the former home of London Irish might be available....

It would be the right location but there were rumours they wanted LI out. Not sure they'd want another rugby tenant. Lotus Road could be another option. Then again they could just go down the route of temporary stands ala Bath. Bath have nearly 5k of temporary seats. Parking and other issues might continue to an issue though.

Joseph is being linked from Bath to Agen. They are looking at a possible contract buy out.

Bath might me tempted as Lawrence has been starting ahead of him lately. Would imagine that could give them some room in the salary cap as well to strengthen other areas.

Out of interest will there be relegation in the Premiership this year?

Welshmushroom wrote:Joseph is being linked from Bath to Agen.  They are looking at a possible contract buy out.

Bath might me tempted as Lawrence has been starting ahead of him lately.  Would imagine that could give them some room in the salary cap as well to strengthen other areas.

They are hyping an announcement from the club so potentially a big signing or two incoming. Getting Joseph off the wage bill would help. Harsh on him as he's a quality player, deserves a big pay day in the French sunshine.

Welshmushroom wrote:Out of interest will there be relegation in the Premiership this year?

Nope...

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Welshmushroom wrote:Joseph is being linked from Bath to Agen.  They are looking at a possible contract buy out.

Bath might me tempted as Lawrence has been starting ahead of him lately.  Would imagine that could give them some room in the salary cap as well to strengthen other areas.

They are hyping an announcement from the club so potentially a big signing or two incoming. Getting Joseph off the wage bill would help. Harsh on him as he's a quality player, deserves a big pay day in the French sunshine.

Hes 32...so good time for a last big contract abroad and good to offload and bring youth in,.

yeah makes sense. Looking at their roster they could do with a quality wing and a hooker. Cowan Dickie still looking for a club right?

Geordie wrote:

Welshmushroom wrote:Out of interest will there be relegation in the Premiership this year?

Nope...

9 teams, or 10 with one coming up (Ealing?) ? Is it becoming ringfenced?

mikey_dragon wrote:

Geordie wrote:

Welshmushroom wrote:Out of interest will there be relegation in the Premiership this year?

Nope...

9 teams, or 10 with one coming up (Ealing?) ? Is it becoming ringfenced?

Mikey, I don't think anyone knows for sure at this point. Just a few seasons ago we were talking about a 14 team league. Point being things change quickly. I'm not sure if the intent is to ring fence long term or not. My guess is the league will become ringfenced and new clubs with facilities (or concrete, well-financed plans for right sized facilities) and strong financial backing will apply for entry.

I suspect a 10 team league initially, maybe we some promotion and relegation but with those criteria still in place. Working towards a ring fenced set up of 20 teams split between 2 leagues is the latest idea. That sounds like a couple of years away as the idea is to allow phoenix iterations of the deceased clubs into the bottom of the two leagues.

Agen also linked to Patchell, Webb and Tyler Morgan.

Jaminet is attempting to leave Toulouse, to Toulon, but do not want him to leave.

Ben white, still be courted by Toulon.

The Jaminet move to Toulouse did seem an odd one when they already had Ramos on the books.

Big signing for us, confirmed now that Taine Plumtree will play at Parc Y Scarlets next season!!

https://www.planetrugby.com/news/rugby-transfers-and-rumours-warrick-gelant-melvyn-jaminet-rhys-patchell-and-much-more

Some news here, it's actually a bit quicker than this thread.

One they've missed off, is Taine Plumtree signing for the Scarlets.

Plumtree is Welsh born and bred! Didn't know that. But saw the surname and thought it must be something to do with John Plumtree as it's not a common surname. Will be interesting to see how he goes. He was highly spoken about in NZ over the past few years.

Glaws have announced;

Scrum-half, Caolan Englefield, lock/backrow, Ben Donnell and wing, Michael Dykes all join the Senior squad with exciting fly half, Rory Taylor and powerful tight-head prop, Afolabi Fasogban joining our Academy squad.

Dykes is a very shrewd signing with May aging and LRZ with Wales. He could be a cracking winger.

Fasogban is a big talent too.

king_carlos wrote:Dykes is a very shrewd signing with May aging and LRZ with Wales. He could be a cracking winger.

Fasogban is a big talent too.

Those two and Haffar who's gone to Saints were the three I was rather hoping we'd add to the development squad/wider senior squad.

Glaws getting Fasogbon in is a major coup for them. They've got some solid tightheads that have been tremendously steady for them but Fasogbon can offer that and a lot more on top of that. Agree on Dykes, he's looked more than handy so far in his brief appearances.

Highlanders are having a big clear out. Clearly a lot of the senior players let go didn't cut it in Super Rugby. Wonder if Burns will play another season somewhere or if he is going to retire.

Reckon he could still do a job for a Welsh Team the way were looking stocked at Fly Half at most the regions. Guessing he won't be expensive either.

Welshmushroom wrote:Highlanders are having a big clear out.  Clearly a lot of the senior players let go didn't cut it in Super Rugby.  Wonder if Burns will play another season somewhere or if he is going to retire.  

Reckon he could still do a job for a Welsh Team the way were looking stocked at Fly Half at most the regions.  Guessing he won't be expensive either.

He's off to Japan. The deal in New Zealand was an opportunity for him to tick it off his bucket list before the next Japanese season started.

Marcus Smith reportedly agreed personal terms with Racing

Literally just read the move was off?

Yeah I heard Racing had been frustrated in their attempts to bring him in.

Ed Scragg joins Scarlets... Dragons need pull something or someone out of a hat soon!

mikey_dragon wrote:Ed Scragg joins Scarlets... Dragons need pull something or someone out of a hat soon!

QUite happy with that, a position we need to get a bit of depth in.

I can’t see any more signings in this area now though, maybe a new TH incoming?

Creevy off to Sale?

mikey_dragon wrote:Creevy off to Sale?

Would make sense with Van Der Merwe leaving

Joseph Snr, Webb and Houas all linked with a move to Biarritz

mikey_dragon wrote:I can’t see any more signings in this area now though, maybe a new TH incoming?

Was always meant to be a prop of some sorts. Not heard a rumour though. Happy with Slabbert an SA lock, plus what we have made. Guess we will chance our arm from the RWC for a prop.

Fluxy wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Creevy off to Sale?

Would make sense with Van Der Merwe leaving

And Creevy is still international class - and a former and successful captain of Argentina. feckin awful signing from a Saints pov. Great for Sale and the Premiership, though....

doctor_grey wrote:

Fluxy wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Creevy off to Sale?

Would make sense with Van Der Merwe leaving

And Creevy is still international class - and a former and successful captain of Argentina.  feckin awful signing from a Saints pov.  Great for Sale and the Premiership, though....

Sale having LCD, Creevy and Taylor as their hookers for next season is a decent selection isn't it. Ashman and Akker were good players to lose but that's some replacements. I'm a little surprised they haven't announced the signing of another prop but it could still be announced.

RiscaGame wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:I can’t see any more signings in this area now though, maybe a new TH incoming?

Was always meant to be a prop of some sorts. Not heard a rumour though. Happy with Slabbert an SA lock, plus what we have made. Guess we will chance our arm from the RWC for a prop.

I was talking about Scarlets with that comment. I hadn’t heard us linked with Deon Slabbert though - I don’t think that’s going to improve us much but guys like Schickerling are apparently too costly. Not heard anything else on the prop and/or signings front. Also a bit ridiculous that WRU have to sign off all these. They haven’t got a clue.

mikey_dragon wrote:

RiscaGame wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:I can’t see any more signings in this area now though, maybe a new TH incoming?

Was always meant to be a prop of some sorts. Not heard a rumour though. Happy with Slabbert an SA lock, plus what we have made. Guess we will chance our arm from the RWC for a prop.

I was talking about Scarlets with that comment. I hadn’t heard us linked with Deon Slabbert though - I don’t think that’s going to improve us much but guys like Schickerling are apparently too costly. Not heard anything else on the prop and/or signings front. Also a bit ridiculous that WRU have to sign off all these. They haven’t got a clue.

Ah sorry.

So when Steffan Thomas dropped his exclusive for Wales Online, Kirwan said then that it’s Slabbert we were after. 606’s old mate Phil says we did offer Schickerling a deal though, but were priced out of it.

Apparently the WRU have allowed Cardiff to sign their SA ten now too. So I guess they have two players or something like that.

Fluxy wrote:Joseph Snr, Webb and Houas all linked with a move to Biarritz

I think that’s been confirmed now. I don’t get why Webb would miss the RWC and go there, especially after it ‘not working out’ for his family when he was at Toulon. It must be a very big wage packet.

Henry Thomas also staying with Montpellier to see out his contract. He has another season left, not sure after that.

mikey_dragon wrote:

Fluxy wrote:Joseph Snr, Webb and Houas all linked with a move to Biarritz

I think that’s been confirmed now. I don’t get why Webb would miss the RWC and go there, especially after it ‘not working out’ for his family when he was at Toulon. It must be a very big wage packet.

Henry Thomas also staying with Montpellier to see out his contract. He has another season left, not sure after that.

I presume with Webb it was a case of their being no good offers in Wales and not much on offer in the Prem. He's 34 so there's probably one decent sized contract left and he knows he needs to make the most of it.

Joseph has lots to give but found himself out of favour under van Graan so a nice few years in the sun down in Southern France on a good wedge sounds excellent I'm sure. At 32 that could conceivably be a three year deal to see him into virtual retirement.

Rhys Litterick to Cardiff confirmed now, it was rumoured a while back. They look set to land de Beer too after that was previously blocked, as previously mentioned here too. No use in signing these unless they get coaches, starting with Dai Young.

Tigers have signed Matt Rogerson and Joe Powell from defunct Irish. And also Mike Williams returning and Kieran Wilkinson from Sale

I'm happy with Rogerson, Powell and Wilkinson. The latter two are signings where additions make sense. Powell in particular I think could be really shrewd.

Rogerson gives Tigers three players of very similar style who play 6/8 in Liebenberg, Rogerson and Hatherell. So I guess that's less a case of where a hole needed plugging, more a case of adding a quality player who suddenly became available. I really rate Rogerson and in he current Premiership market doubt he'd break the bank so I don't mind it in this instance.

Less sure on Williams. With several locks in international contention and Harry Wells rumoured to be injured Tigers do need depth there. I just wouldn't have gone for Williams from the EQP free agents. Charlie Matthews would've been my pick from that criteria. I'd have taken Greg Petersen over Williams these days too. Or checked if Justin Clegg was certain about the retirement decision at only 26-years-old. If not looking for EQP then Api Ratuniyarawa is still a quality performer and would be back the same week the Prem restarts even if he is in the Fiji squad. Lots of options out there basically. Williams will have been cheap though, once looked a really talented player so hopefully he can recapture some of that.

Hopefully still waiting on Watson extending and a LH. There's some rumours floating around that Tigers are targeting Fischetti which I'd love but yet to see anything substantiating it.

Yeah it's three good squad players and then Mike Williams who with any luck won't actually have to play a game for us.