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

[Margin_Walker]

I suspect Jennings will do fine at 10. He's got the skillset and temperament. It's a tough gig though as operating with the lowest budget is always going to be challenging. You need things to really slot together throughout the team.

[Margin_Walker]

Cunningham-South also confirmed by Quins. Expect they'll finish later with Joseph

[FKAS]

I just think he's another useful journeyman who had a breakout year last season at 27. He made no impact at Bath, Tigers and Clermont before that whilst bouncing around Championship sides. Will he really do better than Connon? Maybe but it feels like more of the same. I'd have thought Falcons would have made a play for Wilkinson from Sale, rumoured to be going to Tigers to be third choice. There's a lot of potential upside to be better than they've got and if he struggles you can go back to the safe option in Connon.

CCS is a great option for Quins. Joseph would be the icing on the cake for them.

[Margin_Walker]

I think he's a good shot at being better than Connon. With the additional benefit of being able to cover 12 to a decent standard. We'll see though.

Sarries sign Hoskins. It's all happening today

[FKAS]

Clubs have decided the respectful mourning period is over it seems.

[Puja]

Cunningham-South also confirmed by Quins. Expect they'll finish later with Joseph

Quins doing very well out of the demise of Irish - those are three high-quality players that are going to be plugging big holes in that Quins squad.

Puja

[Margin_Walker]

Ha, yeah. I guess it's pre season time, so people will notice anyway when they start showing up for work

[Mellsblue]

Is there a list of Wuss, LI and Wasps leavers and their current situation?
Once the Prem clubs have stopped picking over the carcasses, I’d love the RFU to set up draft of the remaining players for the Champ. Give each club max eg £100k to spend and have a eg three round draft (would depend on how many players who want to make themselves eligible) with the clubs picking in reverse order of league position. Set salary for each pick that incrementally declines ala the NFL. Clubs can trade picks and the budget that comes with that pick.

[Mellsblue]

Cunningham-South also confirmed by Quins. Expect they'll finish later with Joseph

Quins doing very well out of the demise of Irish - those are three high-quality players that are going to be plugging big holes in that Quins squad.

Puja

It’s between them and Bath as to who won the Battle of the Bankruptcies.

[Margin_Walker]

Is there a list of Wuss, LI and Wasps leavers and their current situation?
Once the Prem clubs have stopped picking over the carcasses, I’d love the RFU to set up draft of the remaining players for the Champ. Give each club max eg £100k to spend and have a eg three round draft (would depend on how many players who want to make themselves eligible) with the clubs picking in reverse order of league position. Set salary for each pick that incrementally declines ala the NFL. Clubs can trade picks and the budget that comes with that pick.

LI confirmed departures so far. Expect it will be a busy week or two and then you'll be left with a decent number of players having to assess their options in terms of dropping down a level in England, ProD2, MLR, sitting tight, career change etc.

Ben Atkins
Matt Cornish
Agustín Creevy
Ignacio Ruiz
Lovejoy Chawatama - Harlequins
Ciaran Parker
Danilo Fischetti
Will Goodrick-Clarke
Ollie Hoskins - Saracens
Josh Caulfield
Adam Coleman
Chunya Munga - Northampton
Api Ratuniyarawa
Ed Scragg
Josh Basham
Ben Donnell
Jack Cooke
So'otala Fa'aso'o - Perpignan
Juan Martín González
Izaia Moore-Aiono
Tom Pearson - Northampton
Matt Rogerson (c)
Josh Smart
Caolan Englefield
Joe Powell
Ben White
Jacob Atkins
Paddy Jackson - Lyon
Rory Jennings - Newcastle
Tom Hitchock
Benhard Janse van Rensburg - Bristol
Will Joseph - Harlequins
Luca Morisi
Eddie Poolman
Matt Williams
Ben Loader
Lucio Cinti
Henry Arundell
Kyle Rowe
Tom Collins

Calum Scott
Joe Vajner
Afolabi Fasogbon
Tarek Haffar - Northampton
Mikey Summerfield
Chandler Cunningham-South - Harlequins
Jarlath Gleeson
Lucas Brooke
Ollie Allan
Monty Bradbury
Conor Cross
Jake Shortland
Jack Walsh
Michael Dykes
Alexander Harmes
Ralph McEachran
Rory Taylor
Finn Worley Brady
Toby Maddock
Charlie Moss

[Puja]

LI confirmed departures so far. Expect it will be a busy week or two and then you'll be left with a decent number of players having to assess their options in terms of dropping down a level in England, ProD2, MLR, sitting tight, career change etc.

White to Toulon, Arundell to Racing, and Coleman to Bordeaux are all pretty much signed and sealed, aren't they?

Puja

[Margin_Walker]

LI confirmed departures so far. Expect it will be a busy week or two and then you'll be left with a decent number of players having to assess their options in terms of dropping down a level in England, ProD2, MLR, sitting tight, career change etc.

White to Toulon and Arundell to Racing are pretty much signed and sealed, aren't they?

Puja

Yeah, and Loader to Stormers.

The ones above are confirmed by club or player though, rather than press 'done deals'. Very likely but occasionally wrong/jumping the gun

[fivepointer]

Isnt Loader going to SA?

Some very good players on that list who dont yet have clubs.

Out of the academy i'd have thought Fasogbon and Bradbury will attract some interest.

[FKAS]

Considering Edinburgh are desperate for better halfbacks I'm astonished the SRU haven't put something together for White. White and Healy builds up the potential future Scotland halfback combination.

[Puja]

LI confirmed departures so far. Expect it will be a busy week or two and then you'll be left with a decent number of players having to assess their options in terms of dropping down a level in England, ProD2, MLR, sitting tight, career change etc.

White to Toulon and Arundell to Racing are pretty much signed and sealed, aren't they?

Puja

Yeah, and Loader to Stormers.

The ones above are confirmed by club or player though, rather than press 'done deals'. Very likely but occasionally wrong/jumping the gun

Fair point. Any news on poor Tom Collins, the only player to've actually transferred *in* to the whole morass? I rate him so highly and it's mad to think he hasn't any other suitors.

Puja

[FKAS]

Isnt Loader going to SA?

Some very good players on that list who dont yet have clubs.

Out of the academy i'd have thought Fasogbon and Bradbury will attract some interest.

Loader heavily rumoured to the Stormers in SA.

Fasogbon, Brooke and Dykes I'm still hoping will roll up to Oval Park in the next week or so.

[Margin_Walker]

White to Toulon and Arundell to Racing are pretty much signed and sealed, aren't they?

Puja

Yeah, and Loader to Stormers.

The ones above are confirmed by club or player though, rather than press 'done deals'. Very likely but occasionally wrong/jumping the gun

Fair point. Any news on poor Tom Collins, the only player to've actually transferred *in* to the whole morass? I rate him so highly and it's mad to think he hasn't any other suitors.

Puja

Nope, not heard anything on Collins. Can clearly still perform in the prem, but squad slots are at such a premium. The whole situation was pretty unfortunate for him.

Also hope a few more academy lads get picked up. Real shame for their careers to hit a brick wall before they've really had a chance to sink or swim.

[Margin_Walker]

And Joseph now also confirmed to Quins

[FKAS]

And Joseph now also confirmed to Quins

Big shock that one.

[Margin_Walker]

And Joseph now also confirmed to Quins

Big shock that one.

Huge surprise

[Mikey Brown]

We appear to have just made 3 good signings but surely that doesn’t compare to Hill, Barbeary, Lawrence and (supposedly for 24/25) Arundell.

Poor Newcastle barely seemed to get a look in.

[Mellsblue]

Anyone know where Loader is going etc etc…?

[FKAS]

Newcastle have picked up McCallum, McDonald, Cardall and Jennings from the stricken clubs.

Sarries have also signed Hoskins if that hasn't been said already.

[Mellsblue]

‘Bedford Blues are pleased to announce further depth at tighthead prop with the arrival of Bryan O’Connor from Gloucester Rugby ahead of the 2023/24 Championship campaign.’
Can any Glos fans throw some light on the qualities of this lucky, lucky man?
Also, imagine dropping down a league and being described as depth!

[Mr Mwenda]

Loader?