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

[Gloskarlos]

‘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!

He's decent. Can play both sides, had 2 years at Glos with a handful of appearances in the prem and a few more in the cup, Irish U20. Lookd promising as far as I could tell from the few cameo's he had

[Puja]

Loader?

Barely even know 'er!

Puja

[Puja]

This was a fun summary and analysis of the transfers for next season and what each side's 1st XV may look like (albeit out of date now after today's flurry of signings): https://12ft.io/proxy?ref=&q=https://ww ... xt-season/

Puja

[Margin_Walker]

This was a fun summary and analysis of the transfers for next season and what each side's 1st XV may look like (albeit out of date now after today's flurry of signings): https://12ft.io/proxy?ref=&q=https://ww ... xt-season/

Puja

Morgan's usually pretty decent, but there's very little chance Lawes starts games at lock for Saints next season. It's been three and a half years since he started a game there and you really don't get the impression that he fancies it at all. In a hypothetical situation where all are fit and available, one of Pearson, Lawes, Ludlum and Augustus will be on the bench.

Good fun to speculate though

[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.

Not that anybody cares but I somehow forgot Launch in all this.

I guess I’m finding it much easier to believe we’re only signing the ghost of 2010s Launchbury, rather than get my hopes up too much.

I was happy to pick up Porter at 9 too. I guess we’ve done okay.

[Shiny]

Ian Vass, the Northampton Saints defence coach has left with mutual consent. Not overly surprised and interested to see what happens if we improve our defence how good we can be.

[FKAS]

Ian Vass, the Northampton Saints defence coach has left with mutual consent. Not overly surprised and interested to see what happens if we improve our defence how good we can be.

Damn, Saints actually want to improve this post season. If they replace the scrum coach as well then they might do better than fourth next season.

[Margin_Walker]

Dec Danaher is on the market. Quietly built up a wealth of experience at LI. Wouldn't surprise me to see Jon Fisher turn up at Saints at some point down the line, given his links there and relationship with Dowson.

[Puja]

Dec Danaher is on the market. Quietly built up a wealth of experience at LI.

For a moment there, I thought you meant as a player. That really *would* be experience!

If he was a back, Leicester would've signed him already to add a touch of youth to our stocks.

Puja

[Margin_Walker]

Only 3 years older than gopperth to be fair. He may be considering his playing options.

[FKAS]

He retired 9 years ago. A comeback would be impressive at this stage.

Could well be heading into a job at Saints. Surely can't be too hard to improve upon the Saints defence from last season.

[Adam_P]

Tom Collins is off to Ealing after the ill-fated move to Irish. Thought he might have been picked up by another Prem club - but I guess its very late season

[FKAS]

Rumours Will Goodrick-Clark is also going to Ealing as well.

[Puja]

Tom Collins is off to Ealing after the ill-fated move to Irish. Thought he might have been picked up by another Prem club - but I guess its very late season

Probably with a clause in his contract that, if a Prem club has an injury crisis and comes knocking, he's free to go. Can't imagine he won't be back in the Prem with someone for at least a bit of next season.

Puja

[FKAS]

Tom Collins is off to Ealing after the ill-fated move to Irish. Thought he might have been picked up by another Prem club - but I guess its very late season

Probably with a clause in his contract that, if a Prem club has an injury crisis and comes knocking, he's free to go. Can't imagine he won't be back in the Prem with someone for at least a bit of next season.

Puja

I suspect that'll be the case for any of these former Prem players heading to the Championship.

[Which Tyler]

Rumours of JJ to Agen - dunno how strong the rumour

[francoisfou]

Rumours of JJ to Agen - dunno how strong the rumour

I’d heard that Agen are about to sign an unnamed capped English centre. So it could be JJ? Rhys Webb could also be heading for Agen.

[Which Tyler]

That would certainly add strength to the rumour.
I love JJ, but he's surplus to requirements at Bath, and not remotely worth what we (presumably) pay him; so we probably have been looking to offload him

[francoisfou]

Rumours of JJ to Agen - dunno how strong the rumour

I’d heard that Agen are about to sign an unnamed capped English centre. So it could be JJ? Rhys Webb could also be heading for Agen.

Confirmed as JJ, but nothing concrete - yet.

[ilovelamp]

Fasogbon to Glaws from LI

[Puja]

Fasogbon to Glaws from LI

Foo - yet another I was hoping Leicester would go for.

From an England perspective, I'd've preferred he'd gone somewhere with a high quality grizzled old head that he could learn off while not being required for too much first XV rugby (not necessarily Leicester, as Heyes would've been an impediment to him here) - I'm not sure of the choice of Balmain/Gotovsev/Ford-Robinson as mentors and I'm a little worried that Gloucester's lack of quality there might see him achieve regular first team rugby before his body's physically durable enough ready for it.

Puja

[jimKRFC]

Josh Caulfield joins Bristol, didn't know he was a Bristolian, in all the LI starlets gossip I've not heard anything about him so assume he's a squad filler.

Also being linked with Api Ratuniyarawa.

[Margin_Walker]

Josh Caulfield joins Bristol, didn't know he was a Bristolian, in all the LI starlets gossip I've not heard anything about him so assume he's a squad filler.

Also being linked with Api Ratuniyarawa.

Caulfield's decent enough. Typical lock/6 hybrid. He's an Exeter product. Didn't quite make it there, got released and excelled in the Championship with Pirates before LI signed him last summer.

Made 12 prem appearances this season, so has been in and around the 23.

[ilovelamp]

I think that your evaluation of Balmain and Gototsev is very harsh. Both are excellent and very capable TH props at this level and Balmain, in particular, is getting better as he gets older. Fasogbong wont be rushed if he joins us, we are set for a few years yet in that position.

[Which Tyler]

Bath's twitter are getting excited about something


Hoping this does double duty as an announcement teaser as well as just a Rocky montage