Transfer gossip - sometimes even accurate (accidentally) - Season 2022/23

[Raggs]

I know it’s just a rumour, but how could that be remotely possible from a cap POV?

Launch might not be quite the force he was, but he's also no longer often away with England, he can't be cheap. Couldn't begrudge him a move, but can't see how Bristol could afford him under the cap. Maybe give his missus a well paid job?

[Puja]

I know it’s just a rumour, but how could that be remotely possible from a cap POV?

They will be losing all the people who they accidentally signed up to an extra year at the end of last season, so maybe that's room. Plus they'll be freeing up some space by trading Piutau for Malins.

Puja

[Raggs]

I know it’s just a rumour, but how could that be remotely possible from a cap POV?

They will be losing all the people who they accidentally signed up to an extra year at the end of last season, so maybe that's room. Plus they'll be freeing up some space by trading Piutau for Malins.

Puja

Piutau is surely marquee, Malins isn't, that doesn't free up space.

[Mellsblue]

But they could move another a member of the squad up to marquee. Bristol won’t run any way other than maximising the cap.
Do we even know who is under contract next year and how much they earn? Isn’t Randradra off, too. Also Sheedy?

[FKAS]

I know it’s just a rumour, but how could that be remotely possible from a cap POV?

Presumably injury dispensation.

[Scrumhead]

Except that’s supposedly what’s covering Batley’s wage

[FKAS]

Except that’s supposedly what’s covering Batley’s wage

There can be more than one injury dispensation. Lautau is out until December, Jeffries also out for a while. Well in terms of this season.

Next season then they could quite easily jettison a few. Joyce is going to Connacht for starters.

[jimKRFC]

Except that’s supposedly what’s covering Batley’s wage

There's been no mention of Batley being an injury cover signing, so assume he's permanent, and I'd assume that Launch would be next seasons signing.

Next season we'll lose the 6 players that had their contracts extended in error ~ 300K
Sinckler rumoured off ~ £500K
Joyce off ~ £150K

The salaries are just guesses, but suspect a few others will leave as well.

Plus cap goes back up to £6.4M, so there should be around £2.4M to play with. Plus a marquee slot.

[anders_limpar]

Fin Smith to saints with immediate effect

[Scrumhead]

Good signing. I rate Fin Smith highly.

[FKAS]

Good signing. I rate Fin Smith highly.

He looks a class act in a beaten team at a young age. Some front foot ball and high speed attack at Saints should allow him to show off. He's got a good boot on him as well. Saints have done well to bring him in, getting him early to be mentored by Biggar should work nicely as well.

England do need to give him a cap sooner rather than later. Scotland will be sniffing around post world cup.

[Scrumhead]

Definitely. I’d be amazed Scots haven’t already been in touch so perhaps he’s holding out for England.

[Timbo]

Ollie Lawrence has signed ‘long term’ at Bath.

[FKAS]

Definitely. I’d be amazed Scots haven’t already been in touch so perhaps he’s holding out for England.

He seems a bright lad, no point committing pre world cup. Different coach for England after the world cup who might well choose to move on from the tried and tested, but by then 30 and 32, Ford and Farrell. Russell also 32/33 post world cup. So Scotland might be fishing for a new 10 to compete with Hastings. Pays to wait and captain England under 20s in the short term.

Ollie Lawrence has signed ‘long term’ at Bath.

Good deal for Bath. Joseph isn't getting any younger and Lawrence gives them some real midfield physicality plus he can be mentored by Joseph who's positioning in the 13 channel is always excellent.

[Puja]

Ollie Lawrence has signed ‘long term’ at Bath.

Good deal for Bath. Joseph isn't getting any younger and Lawrence gives them some real midfield physicality plus he can be mentored by Joseph who's positioning in the 13 channel is always excellent.

Good deal for Bath, not quite so sure it's good for Lawrence given Bath's recent history of turning out theoretically excellent backlines in sides that then play like poo. Gambling a bit on van Graan's ability to turn things around. Might've been a better bet to take the short term deal for the season and look at whether the likes of Sarries might not want to spend the extra salary cap on him?

Although I guess there's something to be said for opting for financial security when your previous boat just sank underneath you. Hopefully he'll learn a lot from Joseph.

Puja

[francoisfou]

Just in case anyone missed the rumours about Christian Wade. He will make his début for Racing in tomorrow afternoon's home fixture against Pau.

And here's his first try for Racing: (the video is available - just click on the YouTube link)

[FKAS]

He looks like he's beefed up a bit, especially around the shoulders. Gift of a try to a player like Wade though.

[francoisfou]

It seems that Stade Français are hoping to sign Quins’ Joe Marchant.

[Puja]

It seems that Stade Français are hoping to sign Quins’ Joe Marchant.

Wouldn't blame him for going. No idea what else he can do to get into England reckoning.

Puja

[Timbo]

It seems that Stade Français are hoping to sign Quins’ Joe Marchant.

Wouldn't blame him for going. No idea what else he can do to get into England reckoning.

Puja

Is he not in the England reckoning? He played 7 tests last season, starting 6. And even if he has frustrations with Jones by the time his Stade contract starts there will be a new England coach in charge anyway.

I just think the Top14 is offering enough in terms both finances and ‘occasion’ for players to walk away (at least temporarily) from test rugby. Obviously doesn’t help that the Prem is a mess right now and the cap is uncompetitively low.

There *will* be an exodus from the Prem post World Cup. I can see maybe as many as 10-15 of Eddie’s World Cup squad heading abroad for next season. Along with the possible departures of the likes of Biggar, Piutau, Hogg, Radradra etc. As hard as times are at the moment the league needs an overhaul of its governance AND more investment. You can’t just contract and diminish and hope nobody notices. Otherwise the only choice is to rebrand the league as more about exciting young English players development and attractive, open rugby. But it won’t be competing with the Top14 or even the URC at that point.

[Mikey Brown]

It seems that Stade Français are hoping to sign Quins’ Joe Marchant.

Wouldn't blame him for going. No idea what else he can do to get into England reckoning.

Puja

Is he not in the England reckoning? He played 7 tests last season, starting 6. And even if he has frustrations with Jones by the time his Stade contract starts there will be a new England coach in charge anyway.

Valid point that Jones will be out of the job at that point, but it does feel like Marchant has dropped significantly down the pecking order. I can’t remember how consistently he started at 13 in those 6 games but it has felt like he’s been in and out of the squad and switching positions a fair bit.

I know it’s ‘just a training squad’ but it feels like he’s now behind Manu, Slade and Porter at least.

[Puja]

Wouldn't blame him for going. No idea what else he can do to get into England reckoning.

Puja

Is he not in the England reckoning? He played 7 tests last season, starting 6. And even if he has frustrations with Jones by the time his Stade contract starts there will be a new England coach in charge anyway.

Valid point that Jones will be out of the job at that point, but it does feel like Marchant has dropped significantly down the pecking order. I can’t remember how consistently he started at 13 in those 6 games but it has felt like he’s been in and out of the squad and switching positions a fair bit.

I know it’s ‘just a training squad’ but it feels like he’s now behind Manu, Slade and Porter at least.

As Mikey said - he was dropped from the XXIII after the first Australia test (despite doing pretty well!), with Joseph, an apprentice who had only just broken through to the fringes of the LIrish side, preferred ahead of him on the bench. He's then been in superb form for Quins at the start of the season, only to be dropped completely from the training squad, when the uncapped Dingwall and the neophyte Joseph are still in. He's absolutely out of the England reckoning for the time being.

Puja

[Timbo]

He’s dropped down the pecking order, but he’s still in contention. It’s not hard to imagine a scenario where he gets more caps this season and/or goes to the world cup.

But the overarching point is that I think his decision to explore options abroad speaks more to the financial weakness of the Prem and the overall strength of the Top14 than any international frustrations. The England thing would make much more sense if we were in year 1 or 2 of a World Cup cycle, but in 12 months Eddie will be gone and Marchant will be still at his peak.

[FKAS]

Is he not in the England reckoning? He played 7 tests last season, starting 6. And even if he has frustrations with Jones by the time his Stade contract starts there will be a new England coach in charge anyway.

Valid point that Jones will be out of the job at that point, but it does feel like Marchant has dropped significantly down the pecking order. I can’t remember how consistently he started at 13 in those 6 games but it has felt like he’s been in and out of the squad and switching positions a fair bit.

I know it’s ‘just a training squad’ but it feels like he’s now behind Manu, Slade and Porter at least.

As Mikey said - he was dropped from the XXIII after the first Australia test (despite doing pretty well!), with Joseph, an apprentice who had only just broken through to the fringes of the LIrish side, preferred ahead of him on the bench. He's then been in superb form for Quins at the start of the season, only to be dropped completely from the training squad, when the uncapped Dingwall and the neophyte Joseph are still in. He's absolutely out of the England reckoning for the time being.

Puja

Wasn't the major problem that he just wasn't passed the ball? He did well considering he's an attacking centre who got to just run dummy lines and tackle. Maybe he's feeling a bit fed up and wants a couple of years away for a change of scenery. He's back playing wing for Quins at the moment as well. He previously spent some time in NZ and I think he spoke positively of that. Paris would be an easy commute back to London to see family as well.

[fivepointer]

BREAKING: Saracens have announced the signings of winger Tom Howe and forward Andrew Kitchener.

Both were previously at Worcester Warriors.