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

[Mellsblue]

Anyone know which club Will Porter will be playing for next season etc etc

[Mikey Brown]

Medical joker at Racing if the rumour mill is to be trusted.

[Puja]

Medical joker at Racing if the rumour mill is to be trusted.

That is a deep cut and I respect it.

Puja

[Puja]

Trevor Davison to Glaws

That's an interesting move. Could be it's what's needed to kick him on and get him more in the England picture.

Big loss for Falcons though - local boy as well.

Puja

[FKAS]

Davison is 30 but did come through late, he was a hooker aged 20 playing for Blaydon thirds. Probably taking the bigger offer knowing that he's maybe only got two hefty contracts left in his career.

Huge blow for Falcons who'd actually put together a passable front row this season. Rumours they've got Murray McCallum joining next season but I'm sure they'd have preferred to have him and Davison as options at tighthead particularly with rumours Mulipola is retiring.

[fivepointer]

Gotta love Davison.

"“I had been working for a brewery delivering kegs of beer, so it’s a bit different going into full-time rugby training"

Wish him well. Reliable and consistent clubman.

[16th man]

Gotta love Davison.

"“I had been working for a brewery delivering kegs of beer, so it’s a bit different going into full-time rugby training"

Wish him well. Reliable and consistent clubman.

There's a joke in here about the RFUs organisational capabilities I reckon.

[francoisfou]

Another Exeter player is moving to France. Jo Simmonds will play for Pau next season (don’t know the length of his contract yet). Are there any players left in Exeter?

[fivepointer]

Goodness there's some serious squad churn at Exeter.

Their academy doesnt seem to be producing many Prem level players right now so they are going to have to start recruiting.

[Banquo]

any coincidence that they appeared to be selling off assets to service loans?

[FKAS]

any coincidence that they appeared to be selling off assets to service loans?

They insisted that wasn't the case and that the sale of asset was just a better option than re-servicing the loans at a higher rate. Who knows though.

Most of their bigger names who are now leaving last signed contracts two or three years back when Chiefs were riding high and salaries were higher, I think they also got them in before the deadline so only 75% counted towards the salary cap. As such the renewal on the table now might be a substantial reduction. For someone like Joe Simmonds who isn't on the England radar makes a lot of sense to earn more in the South of France. The main concern may be that they are losing the England contingent as well who are going to be losing out on those tasty appearance fees.

There's quite a few players without contracts still, be interesting to see what Chiefs do. A hooker, flankers (X2), no 8, flyhalf and a winger. Starting to become quite a list.

[Banquo]

any coincidence that they appeared to be selling off assets to service loans?

They insisted that wasn't the case and that the sale of asset was just a better option than re-servicing the loans at a higher rate. Who knows though.

Most of their bigger names who are now leaving last signed contracts two or three years back when Chiefs were riding high and salaries were higher, I think they also got them in before the deadline so only 75% counted towards the salary cap. As such the renewal on the table now might be a substantial reduction. For someone like Joe Simmonds who isn't on the England radar makes a lot of sense to earn more in the South of France. The main concern may be that they are losing the England contingent as well who are going to be losing out on those tasty appearance fees.

There's quite a few players without contracts still, be interesting to see what Chiefs do. A hooker, flankers (X2), no 8, flyhalf and a winger. Starting to become quite a list.

Yes, in fairness their debts are relatively low compared to other clubs. But it does seem a clearout- maybe they are recognising the need for a major rebuild, but it clearly has risks.

[16th man]

any coincidence that they appeared to be selling off assets to service loans?

They insisted that wasn't the case and that the sale of asset was just a better option than re-servicing the loans at a higher rate. Who knows though.

Most of their bigger names who are now leaving last signed contracts two or three years back when Chiefs were riding high and salaries were higher, I think they also got them in before the deadline so only 75% counted towards the salary cap. As such the renewal on the table now might be a substantial reduction. For someone like Joe Simmonds who isn't on the England radar makes a lot of sense to earn more in the South of France. The main concern may be that they are losing the England contingent as well who are going to be losing out on those tasty appearance fees.

There's quite a few players without contracts still, be interesting to see what Chiefs do. A hooker, flankers (X2), no 8, flyhalf and a winger. Starting to become quite a list.

Probably should be a separate thread, but if Baxter does a good job of a full rebuild and adjusting their style assuming he can't get full like for like replacements, does that make him a stronger contender for the England job once Borthwick is done?

[SDHoneymonster]

I'd say so, with the caveat that Baxter seems to have no interest in becoming England head coach whatsoever.

[FKAS]

If Baxter wanted the England job I suspect he'd have it. He's ruled himself out time and time again hasn't he? Seems to like Devon and being at Chiefs.

It will be seriously impressive if he rebuilds back stronger though if they can hold onto Christ, Jenkins and Hodge there's some good young talent that should only get better. Wasn't Will Haydon-Wood to Chiefs a rumour at some point as well? Might be some legs on that as he's only got a short term contract in France.

[Timbo]

any coincidence that they appeared to be selling off assets to service loans?

They insisted that wasn't the case and that the sale of asset was just a better option than re-servicing the loans at a higher rate. Who knows though.

Most of their bigger names who are now leaving last signed contracts two or three years back when Chiefs were riding high and salaries were higher, I think they also got them in before the deadline so only 75% counted towards the salary cap. As such the renewal on the table now might be a substantial reduction. For someone like Joe Simmonds who isn't on the England radar makes a lot of sense to earn more in the South of France. The main concern may be that they are losing the England contingent as well who are going to be losing out on those tasty appearance fees.

There's quite a few players without contracts still, be interesting to see what Chiefs do. A hooker, flankers (X2), no 8, flyhalf and a winger. Starting to become quite a list.

Yes, in fairness their debts are relatively low compared to other clubs. But it does seem a clearout- maybe they are recognising the need for a major rebuild, but it clearly has risks.

Exeter’s commercial debt is the highest in the Prem. Clubs like Quins & Irish have more (or similar) but most of it is owed to their major shareholder.

I think the impact of covid & rising interest rates have been particularly rough for Chiefs. According to their most recent accounts the hotel sale is on hold pending a review into their financial status by DCMS. I’d be confident they’ll come through this but might be a rough few years. I think they’ll have to reduce ticket prices and get the fans back on board, as anecdotally there seems to be significant unrest amongst the supporter base.

[Puja]

I think they’ll have to reduce ticket prices and get the fans back on board, as anecdotally there seems to be significant unrest amongst the supporter base.

Is that because of the changed branding or are there other issues that have upset the supporters? I know they fucked off quite a few people with how poorly they handled it and how long and hard they fought against doing the absolute bare minimum (until they could gain no positive PR out of it at al, but I also know there's a few that are upset at the club giving in to the Guardian-eating, sandal-reading, tofu-wearing wokerati and are very cross at being prevented from doing a casual racism.

Puja

[Banquo]

They insisted that wasn't the case and that the sale of asset was just a better option than re-servicing the loans at a higher rate. Who knows though.

Most of their bigger names who are now leaving last signed contracts two or three years back when Chiefs were riding high and salaries were higher, I think they also got them in before the deadline so only 75% counted towards the salary cap. As such the renewal on the table now might be a substantial reduction. For someone like Joe Simmonds who isn't on the England radar makes a lot of sense to earn more in the South of France. The main concern may be that they are losing the England contingent as well who are going to be losing out on those tasty appearance fees.

There's quite a few players without contracts still, be interesting to see what Chiefs do. A hooker, flankers (X2), no 8, flyhalf and a winger. Starting to become quite a list.

Yes, in fairness their debts are relatively low compared to other clubs. But it does seem a clearout- maybe they are recognising the need for a major rebuild, but it clearly has risks.

Exeter’s commercial debt is the highest in the Prem. Clubs like Quins & Irish have more (or similar) but most of it is owed to their major shareholder.

I think the impact of covid & rising interest rates have been particularly rough for Chiefs. According to their most recent accounts the hotel sale is on hold pending a review into their financial status by DCMS. I’d be confident they’ll come through this but might be a rough few years. I think they’ll have to reduce ticket prices and get the fans back on board, as anecdotally there seems to be significant unrest amongst the supporter base.

This is the article I read....admttedly light on debt detail; what is it you mean by 'commercial debt (day to day supplier debt? so sounds like cash issues??)'? and are the DCMS committee talking bollox (unsurprisingly)

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/premiers ... ally-owes/ which gets its numbers from https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/ga ... regulated/

[FKAS]

Tom West joins Tigers as injury cover until the end of the season, presumably due to Cronin's injury.

Also signed a South African forward who signs more like a development player.

[Puja]

Tom West joins Tigers as injury cover until the end of the season, presumably due to Cronin's injury.

Also signed a South African forward who signs more like a development player.

Tbh, as long as our injury cover doesn't get injured, I'd regard West as an upgrade - haven't been hugely impressed by Cronin so far and I like West as a player.

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

Has he just been twiddling his thumbs all this time?

[Puja]

Has he just been twiddling his thumbs all this time?

Looks like. With luck, a break from the grind of pro rugby has been just what his body needs and he'll be a bit more resilient from injuries going forwards.

Puja

[SDHoneymonster]

If Baxter wanted the England job I suspect he'd have it. He's ruled himself out time and time again hasn't he? Seems to like Devon and being at Chiefs.

It will be seriously impressive if he rebuilds back stronger though if they can hold onto Christ, Jenkins and Hodge there's some good young talent that should only get better. Wasn't Will Haydon-Wood to Chiefs a rumour at some point as well? Might be some legs on that as he's only got a short term contract in France.

Issue with Tshiunza and Jenkins is that at some point they will have to go back to Wales, unless Gatland scraps the law he helped to put in place originally (and he does seem to have already made some noises about it while also saying that those playing in Wales will be given priority, so who knows where he's at with it all).

[FKAS]

Has he just been twiddling his thumbs all this time?

He's been playing in the Championship but was fairly late going down to that level. Don't think he's played much at all.

Could be a really good option for us, maybe for next season as well if he's hasn't signed with someone else already.

[twitchy]

Van Heerden has left exe immediately and returned to SA. Apparently totally amicable and he was just homesick. Still seems a bit odd. Exe having a really tough time. Could they loan someone as cover?