Silly Season Transfer Rumours

Wales might be making a move for Northampton's Matt Ferguson. At this point, I'm unsure whether it for the men or women's team, but from what I can tell, it's the men's team. Would be a good move as he went on to develop a good scrum for Northampton with a bunch of players that I'd never heard of...

mikey_dragon wrote:Wales might be making a move for Northampton's Matt Ferguson. At this point, I'm unsure whether it for the men or women's team, but from what I can tell, it's the men's team. Would be a good move as he went on to develop a good scrum for Northampton with a bunch of players that I'd never heard of...

Has spent years overseeing an awful scrum at Saints. They managed to find a half decent one last season but it's mediocre this season.

If you're looking at scrum coaches I'd have him in the bottom half of the table for Prem scrum coaches, it's telling the Saints are renewing his contract which is why he'll be available. Saints let go their long serving and anonymous defence coach before winning the title, I think having seen the impact that brought about they are hoping to kick on again by moving on Ferguson who's never really brought forth a dominant scrum.

Bristol's Mark Irish is probably the one if Wales were looking for someone who can get more than the sum of it's parts at scrum time. Ian Peel at Sarries is also good. Dorian West at Sale, though he's the forwards coach I think he looks after the scrum.

Saints pack, lost Lawes, Ludlam, Moon and Waller this season, close on a thousand caps worth of experience. There was no way that Saints were going to reach the same levels again this years no matter how good or bad Ferguson is. What Ferguson has done is get together a front row that is now pushing for England/international squad places. Youngsters are coming through everywhere in the pack, Iyogun, Lockett, Pollock all breaking through into regulars this year. Langdon is probably the best hooker in the Premiership at the moment, with Craig Wright developing nicely. Millar-Mills has gone from being tidy, to a full international. All under the tutelage of Matt Ferguson. I wasn't too pleased when he was appointed but I would say that he has proved me wrong, with all these young players coming through, I think I would have kept him on for at least another year.

Having said that, being a coach at international level requires a different skill set, you only get the players for short times, too short to enhance their skill levels a great deal, you need someone that can get a set of players working together, especially in the front row and fuse the strengths they have not what you can develop, I am not sure Ferguson is that sort of coach.

Well Past It. He's been there for seven years and you've had a good scrum for the one season.

Millar-Mills being capped by Scotland isn't a notable thing, if you're a pro player that can play tighthead you get a cap. Will Hurd the third choice Tigers tighthead is in there as well. Langdon has moments of brilliance but not at the set piece, probably why he's not in the England squads. The young guns coming through in the tight five have yet to cause major waves. Pollock being the obvious exception and he's unlikely to have spent much time under the tutelage of a scrum coach.

I think Saints moving on and finding somebody else is a really good move for them, same with defence. Shame really, the Saints scrum going backwards is normally good for a few penalties come Midlands Derby Day.

Oh turns out he’s not that great then… Most would have liked Adam Jones to come in, but if he isn’t then I assume Gatland is still the problem.

Saracens back Tom Parton has left the club to join Japanese side Panasonic Wild Knights.

The 26-year-old, who can play at full-back or on the wing, joined Saracens from London Irish in the summer of 2023 and made 29 appearances for the club.

He scored eight tries for Sarries, including the fastest-ever Premiership hat-trick in 13 minutes against Gloucester in April.

"It's been an honour and privilege to have represented this club," Parton told the club website.

"I've made memories and friends for life. Thank you Saracens for giving me this experience and can't wait to watch the successes of the club for the rest of the season."

Parton was an England U20 player. The Wild Knights is the club managed by Robbie Deans, and they've won a few titles while he's been in charge.

There's no obvious link between Parton and other members of the Wild Knights playing squad and coaching team. It sounds like they approached the player, so must have just heard about him when they needed to fill a gap.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/articles/c0rne1xv8q4o

Rugby Fan wrote:

Saracens back Tom Parton has left the club to join Japanese side Panasonic Wild Knights.

The 26-year-old, who can play at full-back or on the wing, joined Saracens from London Irish in the summer of 2023 and made 29 appearances for the club.

He scored eight tries for Sarries, including the fastest-ever Premiership hat-trick in 13 minutes against Gloucester in April.

"It's been an honour and privilege to have represented this club," Parton told the club website.

"I've made memories and friends for life. Thank you Saracens for giving me this experience and can't wait to watch the successes of the club for the rest of the season."

Parton was an England U20 player. The Wild Knights is the club managed by Robbie Deans, and they've won a few titles while he's been in charge.

There's no obvious link between Parton and other members of the Wild Knights playing squad and coaching team. It sounds like they approached the player, so must have just heard about him when they needed to fill a gap.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/articles/c0rne1xv8q4o

Parton may have not taken to life at Sarries and with his contract up next summer probably had his agent out discussing options. As he's a fleet footed back three player who's not that physically robust a move to Japan probably suits him well and his agent will be happy with the commission.

Shame he never got much of a run of games after leaving LI, he looked like he could kick on and become a real threat but never quite managed it. Hopefully the Japan gig is a short term thing and we see him return to the Prem in the near future (ideally with Tigers, we'll toughen him up).

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Rugby Fan wrote:

Saracens back Tom Parton has left the club to join Japanese side Panasonic Wild Knights.

The 26-year-old, who can play at full-back or on the wing, joined Saracens from London Irish in the summer of 2023 and made 29 appearances for the club.

He scored eight tries for Sarries, including the fastest-ever Premiership hat-trick in 13 minutes against Gloucester in April.

"It's been an honour and privilege to have represented this club," Parton told the club website.

"I've made memories and friends for life. Thank you Saracens for giving me this experience and can't wait to watch the successes of the club for the rest of the season."

Parton was an England U20 player. The Wild Knights is the club managed by Robbie Deans, and they've won a few titles while he's been in charge.

There's no obvious link between Parton and other members of the Wild Knights playing squad and coaching team. It sounds like they approached the player, so must have just heard about him when they needed to fill a gap.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/articles/c0rne1xv8q4o

Parton may have not taken to life at Sarries and with his contract up next summer probably had his agent out discussing options. As he's a fleet footed back three player who's not that physically robust a move to Japan probably suits him well and his agent will be happy with the commission.

Shame he never got much of a run of games after leaving LI, he looked like he could kick on and become a real threat but never quite managed it. Hopefully the Japan gig is a short term thing and we see him return to the Prem in the near future (ideally with Tigers, we'll toughen him up).

Forgive me because I am not going to look up the stats again but I think he had something like 26 appearances for Sarries over 2 seasons - so am assuming plenty of time on the pitch unless they were all 5 minutes at the end of games.

Parton: 18 starts + 10 on the bench.

Total time 1351 mins - Average of 48 mins per game

In a season and a half thats pretty good.

geoff999rugby wrote:Parton: 18 starts + 10 on the bench.

Total time 1351 mins - Average of 48 mins per game

In a season and a half thats pretty good.

Yes - I hadn't really heard much about him before looking but that is what struck me.

lostinwales wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Rugby Fan wrote:

Saracens back Tom Parton has left the club to join Japanese side Panasonic Wild Knights.

The 26-year-old, who can play at full-back or on the wing, joined Saracens from London Irish in the summer of 2023 and made 29 appearances for the club.

He scored eight tries for Sarries, including the fastest-ever Premiership hat-trick in 13 minutes against Gloucester in April.

"It's been an honour and privilege to have represented this club," Parton told the club website.

"I've made memories and friends for life. Thank you Saracens for giving me this experience and can't wait to watch the successes of the club for the rest of the season."

Parton was an England U20 player. The Wild Knights is the club managed by Robbie Deans, and they've won a few titles while he's been in charge.

There's no obvious link between Parton and other members of the Wild Knights playing squad and coaching team. It sounds like they approached the player, so must have just heard about him when they needed to fill a gap.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/articles/c0rne1xv8q4o

Parton may have not taken to life at Sarries and with his contract up next summer probably had his agent out discussing options. As he's a fleet footed back three player who's not that physically robust a move to Japan probably suits him well and his agent will be happy with the commission.

Shame he never got much of a run of games after leaving LI, he looked like he could kick on and become a real threat but never quite managed it. Hopefully the Japan gig is a short term thing and we see him return to the Prem in the near future (ideally with Tigers, we'll toughen him up).

Forgive me because I am not going to look up the stats again but I think he had something like 26 appearances for Sarries over 2 seasons - so am assuming plenty of time on the pitch unless they were all 5 minutes at the end of games.

You're right I was misremembering, it was the season before he joined Sarries he didn't play. Presumably through injury.

Regan Grace joins Cardiff from Bath with immediate effect. Has barely played at Bath and they don't generally have much in the way of backs on the bench so chances were unlikely to get better.

Munster headline calls Shay McCarthy "Shat McCarthy", which appeals to my immature mind.

https://www.munsterrugby.ie/2025/01/07/shat-mccarthy-signs-two-year-contract-extension/

(It has been corrected but the old URL, including the mistake, still redirects to the revised story)

Apparently a bit of a shake up with the flyhalfs in Wales. Costelow staying at Scarlets (always likely as he's below the cap limit for Wales), Lloyd to Cardiff and de Beer to Dragons.

I hoped Costelow would move on. He always looks like he is really struggling, he's turned into a very poor player. Gatland will keep picking him rather than admit he is wrong, being the dinosaur that he is. De Beer could end up at Scarlets too, but I'd love if we got him - he would put a lot of pace into our backline.

mikey_dragon wrote:I hoped Costelow would move on. He always looks like he is really struggling, he's turned into a very poor player. Gatland will keep picking him rather than admit he is wrong, being the dinosaur that he is. De Beer could end up at Scarlets too, but I'd love if we got him - he would put a lot of pace into our backline.

I would have liked for us to bring back Costelow to Welford Road. I always felt he left too early, should have stayed longer to be mentored by Ford.

Matias Moroni signed for Brive as a medical joker as Sam Johnson tore his ACL a few weeks back

Hazel Sapling wrote:Matias Moroni signed for Brive as a medical joker as Sam Johnson tore his ACL a few weeks back

Good to see him back with a new side. Classy player even though he's not in his prime anymore.

Wallaby Tom Hooper being linked with Ospreys.

mikey_dragon wrote:I hoped Costelow would move on. He always looks like he is really struggling, he's turned into a very poor player. Gatland will keep picking him rather than admit he is wrong, being the dinosaur that he is. De Beer could end up at Scarlets too, but I'd love if we got him - he would put a lot of pace into our backline.

De Beer would be great for us I reckon. Was really impressed with his first season at Cardiff. Seemed to do well even behind a poor pack (their pack has improved a bit since). Really good defensive 10 too which we could do with.

mikey_dragon wrote:Wallaby Tom Hooper being linked with Ospreys.

Now some are saying he is a done deal to Exeter. Seems like a Baxter signing tbh.

Cobus Reinach from Montpellier to Stormers.

Jan Serfontein rumoured to Bulls, Jake White's ego strikes again.

mikey_dragon wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Wallaby Tom Hooper being linked with Ospreys.

Now some are saying he is a done deal to Exeter. Seems like a Baxter signing tbh.

Confirmed on BBC.

demosthenes wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Wallaby Tom Hooper being linked with Ospreys.

Now some are saying he is a done deal to Exeter. Seems like a Baxter signing tbh.

Confirmed on BBC.

"Rob we really need to improve our halfbacks and sign some hookers for next season because all ours are leaving".

Rob: "hold on lads I've got another big lock/6 ready to sign, we can never have enough of those."

Rumours Lewis Chessum might head to Japan for a spell. Hopefully only a short deal to get some game time before returning to Tigers.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Rumours Lewis Chessum might head to Japan for a spell. Hopefully only a short deal to get some game time before returning to Tigers.

Might be a good move for a bit

Geordie wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Rumours Lewis Chessum might head to Japan for a spell. Hopefully only a short deal to get some game time before returning to Tigers.

Might be a good move for a bit

Supplementary rumour that he's joining Chiefs after Japan and not coming back to Tigers which would be a shame.

Pieter-Steph du Toit rumoured to Munster. What a signing, but he must be worth some money, close to 1M per year I reckon.

A couple of Leinster front-row boys also said to be joining Munster but not sure if much truth in that. It could be an IRFU backed move. Leinster are on top, they’ll try to get Munster back there, followed by Connacht with Ulster last probably.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Geordie wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Rumours Lewis Chessum might head to Japan for a spell. Hopefully only a short deal to get some game time before returning to Tigers.

Might be a good move for a bit

Supplementary rumour that he's joining Chiefs after Japan and not coming back to Tigers which would be a shame.

My friends son plays at Brooksby collage with the youngest of the Chessum brothers. Apparently he's pretty serious talent

carpet baboon wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Geordie wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Rumours Lewis Chessum might head to Japan for a spell. Hopefully only a short deal to get some game time before returning to Tigers.

Might be a good move for a bit

Supplementary rumour that he's joining Chiefs after Japan and not coming back to Tigers which would be a shame.

My friends son plays at Brooksby collage with the youngest of the Chessum brothers. Apparently he's pretty serious talent

Yeah Chessum the even younger is supposed to be another talent though last I heard he was playing flyhalf so a bit different to his brothers but that could change with a growth spurt. Would be good to retain all three and have them line up together in the future.

Well the last young England u20 lock starlet who went to Exeter was Alfie Bell who's just disappeared off the map.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/munster-close-in-on-irish-qualified-england-centre-dan-kelly/

Munster and Dan Kelly deal apparently getting closer.

Rugby Fan wrote:https://www.rugbypass.com/news/munster-close-in-on-irish-qualified-england-centre-dan-kelly/

Munster and Dan Kelly deal apparently getting closer.

Rumours been going around for some time. He's a cracking player who's agent is probably trying to get him a better deal than the one on the table from Tigers.

Ben Loader who's at the Stormers has signed for Gloucester.. returning to the prem next season ...

Geordie wrote:Ben Loader who's at the Stormers has signed for Gloucester.. returning to the prem next season ...

Really annoying that. Was hoping he was heading to Tigers. We're desperate for wing reinforcement with Simmonds and Watson retiring. Between the two of them that's a lot of pace gone from the backline. We've only got OHC and Bassett as senior wingers now. If one goes down it's centre Will Wand or old man Brown out to the wing. OHC has been fantastic this season (deserved an England spot) but Bassett has been average. Loader on the right wing would have been ideal.

Wonder if the WRU is successfully prizing one of the Welsh back three players back to Wales.

Rowntree linked with a return to Leicester. So it looks like Wales won't get him or Cheika.

mikey_dragon wrote:Rowntree linked with a return to Leicester. So it looks like Wales won't get him or Cheika.

Dunno how true it is. Tigers have apparently sounded Rowntree out as Chieka is/was still making up his mind. Chieka's family is in Australia and he was struggling with being away from them for such extended periods, loves life at Leicester otherwise. A coach of Rowntree's quality a d club affiliation being available is unusual. Chieka only likely to do one more year if that where as Rowntree returning home could potentially be a longer term fix. We'll see.

Adam Radwan has left Falcons and joined Tigers with immediate effect. Tigers have lost Simmonds and Watson to retirement and that has left us very short in terms of wingers and pace.

Another star leaves for the dark side

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Rowntree linked with a return to Leicester. So it looks like Wales won't get him or Cheika.

Dunno how true it is. Tigers have apparently sounded Rowntree out as Chieka is/was still making up his mind. Chieka's family is in Australia and he was struggling with being away from them for such extended periods, loves life at Leicester otherwise. A coach of Rowntree's quality a d club affiliation being available is unusual. Chieka only likely to do one more year if that where as Rowntree returning home could potentially be a longer term fix. We'll see.

Adam Radwan has left Falcons and joined Tigers with immediate effect. Tigers have lost Simmonds and Watson to retirement and that has left us very short in terms of wingers and pace.

Explains why you didnt get Loader.

Geordie wrote:Another star leaves for the dark side

Blow for Falcons but realistically you might be able to use his wages more constructively elsewhere. He must have been one of your bigger earners and you could do with more reinforcement up front.

Geordie wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Rowntree linked with a return to Leicester. So it looks like Wales won't get him or Cheika.

Dunno how true it is. Tigers have apparently sounded Rowntree out as Chieka is/was still making up his mind. Chieka's family is in Australia and he was struggling with being away from them for such extended periods, loves life at Leicester otherwise. A coach of Rowntree's quality a d club affiliation being available is unusual. Chieka only likely to do one more year if that where as Rowntree returning home could potentially be a longer term fix. We'll see.

Adam Radwan has left Falcons and joined Tigers with immediate effect. Tigers have lost Simmonds and Watson to retirement and that has left us very short in terms of wingers and pace.

Explains why you didnt get Loader.

It does. We're linked with Seabrook at Saints as well which makes more sense now if Kelly is also going. Seabrook can cover centre and wing but shouldn't block the progress of the younger guys coming through. We've got a trio of England age grade players in Satala, Kinder and Pearson but aged 20/19/18 they aren't quite ready yet.

Having said that it's likely Brown will retire at the end of the season so Loader being able to play wing and fullback would have been really useful.

Shame for Newcastle but Leicester got a great signing there. Shame it's probably a few years too late for England for Radwan although only 27. Still never know.

mountain man wrote:Shame for Newcastle but Leicester got a great signing there. Shame it's probably a few years too late for England for Radwan although only 27. Still never know.

England are stacked at wing at the minute as well. Hassell-Collins has had a cracking season so far, joint top of the try scoring charts and has become a real menace as a kick chasing threat and it's not a surprise he hasn't got into the squad. Might be tough to get another cap but if he ups his tactical game like OHC has then Borthwick will be able to watch a full EQ back three at Tigers with the option to drop all straight in to England. Albeit that's unlikely with the likes of Freeman and IFW.

Who'd have thought you'd want Leicester players in for Eng eh...

On a serious note Radwan been criminally overlooked by England and my thought is playing for Newcastle hurt his chances so maybe now he might be in shop window a bit more but a lot of wings in contention.

mountain man wrote:Who'd have thought you'd want Leicester players in for Eng eh...

On a serious note Radwan been criminally overlooked by England and my thought is playing for Newcastle hurt his chances so maybe now he might be in shop window a bit more but a lot of wings in contention.

Cheeky, I said no one was surprised he didn't get in.

Radwan has always had the finishing ability but his kick chase, work under the high ball etc has tended to let him down. International rugby is so tactical those things are non-negotiable.

But far too often players seem to be not picked for what they can't do rather than picked for what they can do, certainly with England who have often had a go out and play not to lose rather than play to win philosophy or it certainly has seemed that way.
Likes of Graham and VdM with Scotland not best defence in world but those guys can score tries.

Whilst I've always had a win at all costs mindset certainly for Int games, on occasion it would be nice to see some out and out attacking intent.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Geordie wrote:Another star leaves for the dark side

Blow for Falcons but realistically you might be able to use his wages more constructively elsewhere. He must have been one of your bigger earners and you could do with more reinforcement up front.

I can only wish him luck..as with Blamire etc they've been Very loyal, so they've earned the pay rise.
Is it frustrating hell yeah but he's looked a frustrated figure on the wing this season as Diamond reshapes the side. I suspect Diamond will be disappointed to lose him BUT means he can put more solid workhorse players like Hearle on the wing.

We have Nathan Greenwood coming through who is simply electric..but or course needs fully developed now which takes time.
Maybe the money will be an increased wage for Redshaw! We have to keep him.

When I think of the team we could have had in a couple of years, if we'd have managed to keep hold of the players that we developed...

Geordie wrote:Well the last young England u20 lock starlet who went to Exeter was Alfie Bell who's just disappeared off the map.

Exeter have also already got an excellent young U20s lock too, Joe Bailey. He was really good in the junior championships last year and managed to force himself into a row that had competition from Junior Kpoku and Olamide Sodeke.