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

[FKAS]

As long as it isn't Vui that's injured then that could be a much better Bristol engine room than they've had so far this season. Stooke will give them much more edge in the tight. Glad he won't be in, in time for the match tonight.

[jimKRFC]

The Rugby paper has Bris in for Oghre, ex-Wasps hooker, for next season. As he’s off to Bordeaux for the rest of this season, they’ve made the obvious connection and say “possibly with Radradra going the other way”.

Depending on who's off from Bris I think he be a good signing: THacker, Oghre, Capon and Davis would be pretty handy.

[Puja]

The Rugby paper has Bris in for Oghre, ex-Wasps hooker, for next season. As he’s off to Bordeaux for the rest of this season, they’ve made the obvious connection and say “possibly with Radradra going the other way”.

Depending on who's off from Bris I think he be a good signing: THacker, Oghre, Capon and Davis would be pretty handy.

I think they'll find that he's not off to Bordeaux: https://www.rugbypass.com/news/leiceste ... iel-oghre/

I'm hoping Leicester keep hold of him, as he's a good player, but there's no doubt he would suit Bristol down to the ground and he is probably too good a player not to be a regular first team player, which he won't be at Leicester while Montoya's there.

Puja

[FKAS]

Oghre was a travelling reserve for the game Vs Bristol at the weekend. He might well get a go Vs the Ospreys. Horton has gone back to Australia (shame he looked handy in the PRC), Taufete'e is apparently injured, Dolly still out and that only leaves Montoya, Clare and TCD. TCD isn't very good and Montoya was last season given the away games off in Europe (group stages at least).

[Banquo]

Marchant to Stade Francais. Is that old news?

[Mikey Brown]

I mean it’s not the most repeated one in here, but it’s up there.

Shame for Quins, even though Northmore is good, and feels like weird timing from an England perspective.

[Banquo]

I mean it’s not the most repeated one in here, but it’s up there.

Shame for Quins, even though Northmore is good, and feels like weird timing from an England perspective.

very sorry.

[Gloskarlos]

This is case in point as to why Eddie needs to go. Marchant is what, 26? Should’ve been a fixture in that England side for a while now.

[FKAS]

This is case in point as to why Eddie needs to go. Marchant is what, 26? Should’ve been a fixture in that England side for a while now.

Eddie is going. At latest by next September? About the same time Marchant will be getting ready for his debut at the new club. If Marchant was all about Quins and England then he didn't have to wait long for a fresh crack at the England set up.

Not sure we can blame this one on Eddie. More to do with the draw of more money and a couple of years in Paris as a fresh life experience. Marchant knows he can do two years in France and still be in prime age to return pre world cup and work his way back in.

[Gloskarlos]

Talking about the past rather than immediate future, just an example (many there are) of Eddie peeing off good international potential players. I don’t know how much Marchant would’ve known about the coach churn when he signed the new contract, and you can’t keep ‘waiting’ in life for others to give you opportunity. I will agree though he does have time on his side to come back into the fold in a couple of years.

[Mellsblue]

Talking about the past rather than immediate future, just an example (many there are) of Eddie peeing off good international potential players. I don’t know how much Marchant would’ve known about the coach churn when he signed the new contract, and you can’t keep ‘waiting’ in life for others to give you opportunity. I will agree though he does have time on his side to come back into the fold in a couple of years.

Yep. At the back of his mind must’ve been the worry that Jones would win the RWC and decide to stay on. I doubt that possibility was high up the list of reasons but it might have helped nudge him across the channel.

[Banquo]

This is case in point as to why Eddie needs to go. Marchant is what, 26? Should’ve been a fixture in that England side for a while now.

the draw of more money

This, I'd think (and in fairness the experience of another culture; he did just do a stint in NZ as well). Its a short pro career and likely purse strings are being drawn in all over the prem, see Exeter etc etc and players departing for France. We have a big problem with simultaneously a salary cap that some clubs may struggle to even afford (with less prem fixtures another factor), yet it not being enough to compete with (say) the French squad sizes. And let alone competing in Europe, is it big enough to give players enough rest even with less prem games.

Time for a re-think, methinks.

[Which Tyler]

Talking about the past rather than immediate future, just an example (many there are) of Eddie peeing off good international potential players. I don’t know how much Marchant would’ve known about the coach churn when he signed the new contract, and you can’t keep ‘waiting’ in life for others to give you opportunity. I will agree though he does have time on his side to come back into the fold in a couple of years.

Eddie was never going to stay on for a 3rd term, even if he won the RWC with us. His record over the last couple of years simply isn't good enough, and he's pissed off too many people.

I just don't see how people equate "I'm leaving at the same time as the England coach" to "I'm leaving because the England coach doesn't like me"; especially when there's far more obvious, and valid reasons such as money and wanderlust.

If you leave because the England coach doesn't like you, you do the Zach Mercer thing, and leave 2 years before the England coach, and return just as he's leaving so that you can stake your case to the new guy.

[Mellsblue]

Tbf, Eddie was never going to stay past the first four years until he did.. so as to build the greatest international team ever. If he won the World Cup nobody would give a shiny s**t about the proceeding 18 months, particularly as he’s been allowed by his employers to say it’s all about the World Cup for the last 18 months.
If you think that being unceremoniously dumped and replaced by an inferior player doesn’t inform such a decision, even if only slightly, then I’d argue you’re wrong.
You can’t really compare Mercer and Marchant as the latter has been in an around the team until this summer. Difficult to believe the coach doesn’t rate you when he’s picking you.

[Banquo]

Maybe I'm missing summat, but a- has Eddie really 'peed off many potl intl players', and b- even so, shouldn't the aspiration be to prove him wrong? Its not a god given right to be picked for England after all. These are professionals and if you want to be promoted in any career, you generally have to impress the boss, and sometimes it takes time and a few disappointments? I do know Eddie talks regularly on the phone to at least a couple on the periphery of the squad and tells them what they need to do; of course he may well summarily dismiss others from his orbit, but then again, that's his job.

Course Eddie is a tad eccentric in his ways, and has done some quite odd things from the outside, so I get the sentiment.....but in general terms, players have to state and re-state their case.

[Mellsblue]

I’m guessing Marchant only had to talk to Care to find out that once you’ve pissed him off, which it seems Marchant has done, then there is virtually no way back.
Again, I’m not saying Marchant would’ve stayed if he were still on the England team but it must’ve surely weighed on his decision, if even only slightly. I just don’t agree with the line that being completely dropped despite being in good form wouldn’t even enter the decision making process.
As for working your way back in, according to Mike Brown once you dare to question Eddie you’re done, see Lozowski, Care and Goode. Not that that has any bearing if Eddie’s actions, past or future, didn’t play a part in Marchant’s decision.
I guess we’ll never know, unless Eddie tells us in the latest iteration of his autobiography…

[jimKRFC]

Rugbyrama in France saying that Luke Morahan has been signed by Bayonne as a medical joker for the rest of the season.
Bit of an odd one if true as Luke is always good for Bristol. Can only think his age (32), expiring contract and the need to give time to younger players (Bates, Bailey etc..) mean that it's chance to earn a big (final) pay day in France.

[Banquo]

I’m guessing Marchant only had to talk to Care to find out that once you’ve pissed him off, which it seems Marchant has done, then there is virtually no way back.
Again, I’m not saying Marchant would’ve stayed if he were still on the England team but it must’ve surely weighed on his decision, if even only slightly. I just don’t agree with the line that being completely dropped despite being in good form wouldn’t even enter the decision making process.
As for working your way back in, according to Mike Brown once you dare to question Eddie you’re done, see Lozowski, Care and Goode. Not that that has any bearing if Eddie’s actions, past or future, didn’t play a part in Marchant’s decision.
I guess we’ll never know, unless Eddie tells us in the latest iteration of his autobiography…

Probably a combo of cash, culture and where do I stand. But cash has to be a big driver you'd think- and an easier decision if you think England glory isn't there.

[Mellsblue]

I’m guessing Marchant only had to talk to Care to find out that once you’ve pissed him off, which it seems Marchant has done, then there is virtually no way back.
Again, I’m not saying Marchant would’ve stayed if he were still on the England team but it must’ve surely weighed on his decision, if even only slightly. I just don’t agree with the line that being completely dropped despite being in good form wouldn’t even enter the decision making process.
As for working your way back in, according to Mike Brown once you dare to question Eddie you’re done, see Lozowski, Care and Goode. Not that that has any bearing if Eddie’s actions, past or future, didn’t play a part in Marchant’s decision.
I guess we’ll never know, unless Eddie tells us in the latest iteration of his autobiography…

Probably a combo of cash, culture and where do I stand. But cash has to be a big driver you'd think- and an easier decision if you think England glory isn't there.

Agreed.
To make my point clearer it’s not that I believe he thinks England glory isn’t there - as chances are Eddie would be gone by ‘24 6N regardless of what happened, albeit not certain as it’s Eddie - but rather it must’ve weighed on his mind that he’s being dicked about so why not just take the cash! Iirc, the rumours he had agreed the move did surface just post Oz tour…

[Which Tyler]

I just don’t agree with the line that being completely dropped despite being in good form wouldn’t even enter the decision making process.

Until you find someone saying that, then it's a strawman of your own construction

[Banquo]

I’m guessing Marchant only had to talk to Care to find out that once you’ve pissed him off, which it seems Marchant has done, then there is virtually no way back.
Again, I’m not saying Marchant would’ve stayed if he were still on the England team but it must’ve surely weighed on his decision, if even only slightly. I just don’t agree with the line that being completely dropped despite being in good form wouldn’t even enter the decision making process.
As for working your way back in, according to Mike Brown once you dare to question Eddie you’re done, see Lozowski, Care and Goode. Not that that has any bearing if Eddie’s actions, past or future, didn’t play a part in Marchant’s decision.
I guess we’ll never know, unless Eddie tells us in the latest iteration of his autobiography…

Probably a combo of cash, culture and where do I stand. But cash has to be a big driver you'd think- and an easier decision if you think England glory isn't there.

Agreed.
To make my point clearer it’s not that I believe he thinks England glory isn’t there - as chances are Eddie would be gone by ‘24 6N regardless of what happened, albeit not certain as it’s Eddie - but rather it must’ve weighed on his mind that he’s being dicked about so why not just take the cash! Iirc, the rumours he had agreed the move did surface just post Oz tour…

aye, probably

[Mellsblue]

I just don’t agree with the line that being completely dropped despite being in good form wouldn’t even enter the decision making process.

Until you find someone saying that, then it's a strawman of your own construction

It’s all supposition given none of us know his decision making process. If we didn’t discuss unknowns then this would be a boring place.
You’ve ruled it out completely without any evidence, I can’t see much of a difference. You’re normally pretty hot on mental health issues so I’m surprised you’re so confident that a kick in the balls played no part in his decision.

The only quote I can find from him about it is this:
"The time has come for me to depart and I am excited for my next challenge ahead. I will make the most of every moment for the rest of this season proudly wearing my Quins shirt."
No mention of going for the cash, must be a strawman of everyone’s construction.

[Which Tyler]

You’ve ruled it out completely without any evidence

No I haven't.

The strawman is you arguing against a point that nobody has made.
Strawman isn't up against public statements of those involved, it's about the conversation being had here.
Though at least you're now claiming that I've made a point that I haven't made, so I guess I need to look at my posts to see where you've got that from.

[Mellsblue]

You’ve ruled it out completely without any evidence

No I haven't.

The strawman is you arguing against a point that nobody has made.
Strawman isn't up against public statements of those involved, it's about the conversation being had here.
Though at least you're now claiming that I've made a point that I haven't made, so I guess I need to look at my posts to see where you've got that from.

This is mostly nonsensical. Enjoy Robust Succession Plan Day.

[Timbo]

I did listen to a podcast a good while ago with Marchant where he said he’d always wanted to give the Top14 a go. Think he said his agent had looked around at one point but the right offer wasn’t on the table. Remember he also left for Super Rugby at a time that didn’t make a lot of sense in terms of pushing his case as an England player.

I think he’s a young bloke that wants to make the most of the great opportunities professional sport brings. My personal opinion is that the England situation has had very little effect on his choice to go abroad.