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

[FKAS]

Arundell confirmed to Racing

Not sure how I feel about that regarding his development, let alone what it says about the league or his England prospects

Ugh. That's a move that a finished article should be making, not a player who's still got massive amounts to learn. Terrible for his development.

Puja

Is it? Spend a year experiencing a different culture with some world class players and then come back to the Prem (probably with Bath). He should be spending the next year learning as much as he can from Fickou and Imhoff, those guys have been at a really high level for a decade. Tuisova as well.

[Banquo]

shape of things to come I fear.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Not sure how it’s bad for his development. Training and playing with world class players, not being flogged in terms of games, playing in one of the best stadiums going, different environment.

[Scrumhead]

I think what it mostly says about the Premiership is that LI's demise came too late for many clubs to have a spare £200k sitting around

This.

I’m also not too downbeat on what it means for Arundell’s development.

His rise has been meteoric and IMO, it’s fair to say that his highlight reel probably masks some of he deficiencies in his game. He’s got a lot to lear and as others have said, going in to an environment where he’ll have the opportunity to work with/learn from better players than he played with at Irish isn’t likely to be a bad thing.

In other news, there are rumours that Quins have signed 3 LI players. Will Joseph, a prop and a back row (identities TBC).

[FKAS]

Depth at prop and 8 would be good for Quins. Be interesting to see if Will Joseph can take the 13 shirt from the start of the season and really make it his own.

[Puja]

I think what it mostly says about the Premiership is that LI's demise came too late for many clubs to have a spare £200k sitting around

This.

I’m also not too downbeat on what it means for Arundell’s development.

His rise has been meteoric and IMO, it’s fair to say that his highlight reel probably masks some of he deficiencies in his game. He’s got a lot to lear and as others have said, going in to an environment where he’ll have the opportunity to work with/learn from better players than he played with at Irish isn’t likely to be a bad thing.

In other news, there are rumours that Quins have signed 3 LI players. Will Joseph, a prop and a back row (identities TBC).

Very much agreed that his highlights reel masks the deficiencies in his game, but that's my concern. Racing don't pay decent coin to gently nurture a player and build them up slowly - they are expecting results straight away and I am concerned they won't be patient.

For the Quins rumours, Fisichetti is undoubtedly the pick of the Irish props remaining, but Goodrick-Clarke and Hoskins are both more than useful pickups. On the back row, CCS would fit in very well at Quins as a Dombrandt sub, although I don't know the two could play together and I have high hopes of him being a first choice somewhere else (or being Leicester's Wiese cover; I could live with that). Rogerson and Basham are both still without a destination as well.

Puja

[Scrumhead]

I forgot Basham. CCS would be my first choice, but I think Basham would be a very good fit for us. There’s also Gonzalez Samso who looked good last season.

I’m hoping the prop is WGC. Baxter is being groomed as the heir to Marler, but I think he’s a couple of years away from he starting jersey and WGC would be a very good intermediary and much better than our other back up looseheads.

I think Hoskins to Saracens is the rumour.

[Stom]

I forgot Basham. CCS would be my first choice, but I think Basham would be a very good fit for us. There’s also Gonzalez Samso who looked good last season.

I’m hoping the prop is WGC. Baxter is being groomed as the heir to Marler, but I think he’s a couple of years away from he starting jersey and WGC would be a very good intermediary and much better than our other back up looseheads.

I think Hoskins to Saracens is the rumour.

I'd heard the Joseph rumour, but I'd also heard we signed someone from London Scottish, back 3 player Cameron Anderson.

Hoping it's not bad news about Green...

[FKAS]

CCS is being rumoured to Exeter.

For what it's worth he could be a good 6 at Quins. They do tend to play better with a physical option at 6 against the bigger packs.

In still hoping Tigers pick up Basham. Physical, can jump on the lineout and can play across the backrow. Ideal.

[FKAS]

I forgot Basham. CCS would be my first choice, but I think Basham would be a very good fit for us. There’s also Gonzalez Samso who looked good last season.

I’m hoping the prop is WGC. Baxter is being groomed as the heir to Marler, but I think he’s a couple of years away from he starting jersey and WGC would be a very good intermediary and much better than our other back up looseheads.

I think Hoskins to Saracens is the rumour.

I'd heard the Joseph rumour, but I'd also heard we signed someone from London Scottish, back 3 player Cameron Anderson.

Hoping it's not bad news about Green...

Josh Bassett has gone to Tigers and Aaron Morris has retired. You are probably due an extra body in the back three.

[Scrumhead]

Exactly. I don’t think signing Anderson necessarily indicates there’s an issue with Green’s recovery. Feels more like a cheap, low risk signing to add a bit of depth in the back three.

Re. Basham, I like him for all the reasons you mentioned and I think he’s probably a more realistic pick up for Quins than CCS, Rogerson or Gonzalez Samso.

[Which Tyler]

https://www.bathrugby.com/news/new-coac ... 324-season

At the commencement of pre-season training, Head of Rugby Johann van Graan has added Andy Robinson and Stevie Scott to his coaching team for the 2023/24 season.

[Puja]

https://www.bathrugby.com/news/new-coac ... 324-season

At the commencement of pre-season training, Head of Rugby Johann van Graan has added Andy Robinson and Stevie Scott to his coaching team for the 2023/24 season.

Young, dynamic coaching additions.

Alex Craig has found a new home at Scarlets, for those who were wondering where he'd be going.

Puja

[francoisfou]

Agen would like to sign Welsh outside half Rhys Patchell to replace Elton Jantjes, who it is said, was disappointing during his season with Agen.

[FKAS]

As Patchell has managed 8 starts in the last 3 seasons Agen must be hoping for a turnaround in his form. To be fair he was at least around for most of last season, just couldn't force his way past Costelow.

Vienau looking an even better pick up for Sale with the news he hasn't made the Tonga world cup squad.

[FKAS]

Richard Hardwick signs for Ealing as well. Extremely good signing for them, he's an openside that loves a turnover.

[Puja]

Richard Hardwick signs for Ealing as well. Extremely good signing for them, he's an openside that loves a turnover.

Any relation to the ex-Leicester Hardwicks who both proved awkward?

Puja

[Mellsblue]

[FKAS]

Richard Hardwick signs for Ealing as well. Extremely good signing for them, he's an openside that loves a turnover.

Any relation to the ex-Leicester Hardwicks who both proved awkward?

Puja

Not that I'm aware of. Namibian born Aussie raised hardworking journeyman. Had a couple of caps for the Wallabies but has recently transferred to Namibia. Handy player, especially at Championship level.

[FKAS]

He'd be a good mentor for some of the young hookers that Falcons have got coming through as well. There's a couple plus Blamire that could be pretty good.

[Which Tyler]

He'll be fine so long as Newcastle don't meet the Lions in the Europe+Africa Cup

[Mellsblue]

He'll be fine so long as Newcastle don't meet the Lions in the Europe+Africa Cup

That was such a long time ago, I can’t believe you’re still pointing the finger.

[Which Tyler]

That was such a long time ago, I can’t believe you’re still pointing the finger.

The joy of having fingers with which to point

[Margin_Walker]

Jackson to Lyon, Jennings to Newcastle and Chawatama to Quins now confirmed. The latter two especially are good fits.

[FKAS]

Jennings isn't really what Falcons need though. They need a flyhalf to run the show not a handy utility playmaker.

Good signings for Quins and Lyon.