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

[Puja]

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

Both were previously at Worcester Warriors.

Howe's a very decent player. Kitchener's going to be solid squad cover without ever regularly challenging the first XV IMO.

Surprised no-one's come in for Alex Hearle yet - I'd've said he was probably the pick of the Worcester wingers.

Puja

[FKAS]

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

Both were previously at Worcester Warriors.

Howe's a very decent player. Kitchener's going to be solid squad cover without ever regularly challenging the first XV IMO.

Surprised no-one's come in for Alex Hearle yet - I'd've said he was probably the pick of the Worcester wingers.

Puja

I suppose Kitchener will be cheap international cover. Howe is an odd one, Sarries don't have a real need for wingers so relatively cheap cover makes sense. Slightly odd signings if I'm honest.

If you wanted a lock and wing then Clegg and (as Puja says) Hearle would be better options.

[Margin_Walker]

I think Hearle and Heward will end up getting picked up in the next week or two. Both have the potential to be decent squad outside backs somewhere.

[francoisfou]

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

I can now cut and paste the announcement that I read earlier in Eurosport/Rugbyrama (in French, so Google translation at the ready for non francophiles)


"Le Stade français en contacts avancés avec le centre international anglais Marchant"

En quête d'un centre international de haut niveau pour la saison prochaine, le Stade français pourrait trouver son bonheur outre-Manche en la personne de l'Anglais Joe Marchant (26 ans, 12 sélections). Selon les informations de Midi Olympique, le joueur des Harlequins, aligné à cinq reprises lors du dernier Tournoi avec l'Angleterre, et le club de la capitale sont en contacts avancés.

[chris18501]

Du Preez twins, Jean-Luc and Dan re-sign for Sale till end of 25/26 season. Fantastic news! They form the cornerstone of the pack and will hopefully encourage others to extend.

Great time to be a Sale supporter at the moment

[Peej]

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

Both were previously at Worcester Warriors.

Howe's a very decent player. Kitchener's going to be solid squad cover without ever regularly challenging the first XV IMO.

Surprised no-one's come in for Alex Hearle yet - I'd've said he was probably the pick of the Worcester wingers.

Puja

Have to disagree on Howe slightly. He's solid but hasn't even played in the Prem very much for Worcester. Still, who wouldn't join Sarries if offered?

[Peej]

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)

He was pretty ropey the rest of the match. Including one comical attempt at a clear out that resulted in Pau getting a penalty for holding on. Just getting back up to speed, I imagine, but he looks a lot bigger than when he was at Wasps.

[Mikey Brown]

Du Preez twins, Jean-Luc and Dan re-sign for Sale till end of 25/26 season. Fantastic news! They form the cornerstone of the pack and will hopefully encourage others to extend.

Great time to be a Sale supporter at the moment

Yeah, I thought word was they were all going to be off. Maybe it's just taken a while to see Sanderson's way of thinking. I guess if they'd been planning to follow Diamond to Worcester that might not have seemed quite as appealing anymore.

[FKAS]

Du Preez twins, Jean-Luc and Dan re-sign for Sale till end of 25/26 season. Fantastic news! They form the cornerstone of the pack and will hopefully encourage others to extend.

Great time to be a Sale supporter at the moment

They are looking really good this season and still have Ford to come back in. Keeping the twins is a massive result, exactly the type of big name forward you want with their versatility.

[Puja]

Wonder whether Jack Willis is going to need to sort out a loan move if he wants to be involved in the AIs or whether Eddie will pick him even if he doesn't play for the next 3 weeks?

Puja

[FKAS]

Wonder whether Jack Willis is going to need to sort out a loan move if he wants to be involved in the AIs or whether Eddie will pick him even if he doesn't play for the next 3 weeks?

Puja

I think it's only fair he comes to Tigers for a bit to stay match sharp and play under one of Jones former lieutenants. If he wants to bring his pal Hartley along with him then he's welcome, particularly if he wants to turn it into a longer stay.

[Banquo]

Wonder whether Jack Willis is going to need to sort out a loan move if he wants to be involved in the AIs or whether Eddie will pick him even if he doesn't play for the next 3 weeks?

Puja

I think it's only fair he comes to Tigers for a bit to stay match sharp and play under one of Jones former lieutenants. If he wants to bring his pal Hartley along with him then he's welcome, particularly if he wants to turn it into a longer stay.

...speaking of vultures circling

[Puja]

Wonder whether Jack Willis is going to need to sort out a loan move if he wants to be involved in the AIs or whether Eddie will pick him even if he doesn't play for the next 3 weeks?

Puja

I think it's only fair he comes to Tigers for a bit to stay match sharp and play under one of Jones former lieutenants. If he wants to bring his pal Hartley along with him then he's welcome, particularly if he wants to turn it into a longer stay.

...speaking of vultures circling

I'm sure we'd graciously allow Atkinson to come play for us as well. Just to help out.

Puja

[Banquo]

I think it's only fair he comes to Tigers for a bit to stay match sharp and play under one of Jones former lieutenants. If he wants to bring his pal Hartley along with him then he's welcome, particularly if he wants to turn it into a longer stay.

...speaking of vultures circling

I'm sure we'd graciously allow Atkinson to come play for us as well. Just to help out.

Puja

And Odogwu I'd think. Though all of these are a little young to fit in at Tigers.

[Puja]

...speaking of vultures circling

I'm sure we'd graciously allow Atkinson to come play for us as well. Just to help out.

Puja

And Odogwu I'd think. Though all of these are a little young to fit in at Tigers.

We've gotta keep an average squad age of 25 - nothing but geriatrics and teenagers for us.

Puja

[jimKRFC]

Wonder whether Jack Willis is going to need to sort out a loan move if he wants to be involved in the AIs or whether Eddie will pick him even if he doesn't play for the next 3 weeks?

Puja

I'll think you'll find I bagsied the Willis' a few weeks back!

Does make me wonder about the Launchbury rumour though.

[jimKRFC]

Curtis Rona departs London Irish with immediate effect.

Wonder if it's related to the financial rumours...

[Banquo]

Curtis Rona departs London Irish with immediate effect.

Wonder if it's related to the financial rumours...

doesn't sound good. He's a decent signing tbh

[Puja]

Curtis Rona departs London Irish with immediate effect.

Wonder if it's related to the financial rumours...

doesn't sound good. He's a decent signing tbh

Decent news for WJoseph though, getting more game time in his favoured position.

I wonder if he's got a good contract available in SR and Irish are thinking they could bring in two ex-Worcester for the same cost? Hope it's a mutual arrangement rather than finance.

Puja

[Banquo]

Curtis Rona departs London Irish with immediate effect.

Wonder if it's related to the financial rumours...

doesn't sound good. He's a decent signing tbh

Decent news for WJoseph though, getting more game time in his favoured position.

I wonder if he's got a good contract available in SR and Irish are thinking they could bring in two ex-Worcester for the same cost? Hope it's a mutual arrangement rather than finance.

Puja

Not if Irish fold, as rumoured.

[Timbo]

Rona has instigated that move, not the case Irish have offloaded him. Believe he wanted out at the end of last season but Irish insisted he see out his contract.

[Puja]

doesn't sound good. He's a decent signing tbh

Decent news for WJoseph though, getting more game time in his favoured position.

I wonder if he's got a good contract available in SR and Irish are thinking they could bring in two ex-Worcester for the same cost? Hope it's a mutual arrangement rather than finance.

Puja

Not if Irish fold, as rumoured.

The rumour appears based on very little though. I want to be cautious about giving it too much weight.

Puja

[FKAS]

Telegraph reporting Rona had previously gone AWOL for a week.

Rona was rumoured to be on quite a substantial contract, might be LI can sign more than just Wuss (or maybe Wasps) players to replace him. Francois Venter is a good experienced centre that hits hard. LI are a bit reliant on Jackson, if they can get Searle on a good deal that might be some handy insurance.

[Banquo]

Decent news for WJoseph though, getting more game time in his favoured position.

I wonder if he's got a good contract available in SR and Irish are thinking they could bring in two ex-Worcester for the same cost? Hope it's a mutual arrangement rather than finance.

Puja

Not if Irish fold, as rumoured.

The rumour appears based on very little though. I want to be cautious about giving it too much weight.

Puja

Ok..

[Scrumhead]

Telegraph reporting Rona had previously gone AWOL for a week.

Rona was rumoured to be on quite a substantial contract, might be LI can sign more than just Wuss (or maybe Wasps) players to replace him. Francois Venter is a good experienced centre that hits hard. LI are a bit reliant on Jackson, if they can get Searle on a good deal that might be some handy insurance.

They have Will Joseph, Luca Morisi and Lucio Cinti who all play 13, so I think they’re OK without needing to bring in a replacement.

If they are struggling financially, getting a player who doesn’t want to be here off their books is good news.