Transfer news, rumours, suggestions, frenzied speculation, and outright lies - Season 2023-24

[Puja]

Also from MidiOlympique is the rumour that Elliot Stooke will be on his way from Montpelier to Bath in mid-November.

Hmmm... I don't like the idea of going back to a lit firework.
Good player, good lock, and I'm sure he's matured in the last 3 years, but... he left for a reason.

He did?

ETA, after a quick google: Ah, yes. That. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-56195839

Puja

[FKAS]

Some vague rumours in the Rugby Paper that McKellar isn't happy with Alan Dickens as attack and backs coach at Tigers. Rumours Tigers are looking at available options according to Fissler so who knows if it's true.

Eddie Jones resigning from Australia is almost certainly going to bring rumours of McKellar heading back down under though his interview after the game yesterday (before the Eddie announcement) was pretty dismissive of the ARU abilities.

[Puja]

Some vague rumours in the Rugby Paper that McKellar isn't happy with Alan Dickens as attack and backs coach at Tigers. Rumours Tigers are looking at available options according to Fissler so who knows if it's true.

Eddie Jones resigning from Australia is almost certainly going to bring rumours of McKellar heading back down under though his interview after the game yesterday (before the Eddie announcement) was pretty dismissive of the ARU abilities.

I mean, I wasn't especially happy with Dickens as a signing after his U20s performances, but I had assumed it was a McKellar choice. Did he not pick his own staff?

Puja

[FKAS]

Some vague rumours in the Rugby Paper that McKellar isn't happy with Alan Dickens as attack and backs coach at Tigers. Rumours Tigers are looking at available options according to Fissler so who knows if it's true.

Eddie Jones resigning from Australia is almost certainly going to bring rumours of McKellar heading back down under though his interview after the game yesterday (before the Eddie announcement) was pretty dismissive of the ARU abilities.

I mean, I wasn't especially happy with Dickens as a signing after his U20s performances, but I had assumed it was a McKellar choice. Did he not pick his own staff?

Puja

Might have been recommended and interviewed well but not delivering on the environment. For every play we've run that showed a hint of invention we've run 25 that have been one out pops for a forward to crash. I don't think any of our coaches have worked with Dickens before though I assume we asked past and present under 20s as to what his qualities were.

Mike Catt has announced he's leaving the Ireland gig. We can dream I suppose.

[FKAS]

Ant Watson agrees deal to return with Tigers from December.

Some rumours that Wigan Warriors are looking at bringing Owen Farrell over from Sarries to replace a big name player they've lost to the NRL.

[Which Tyler]

Piers Francis, Bath => Kurita Water Gush Akishima
https://www.bathrugby.com/content/franc ... y-in-japan

Looks like it's effective immediately

Was always an odd signing in the first place, let alone for more than 1 season.

[Mikey Brown]

Strange old career he’s had really.

The fact he’s still able to play at all is nice though. Much like Halfpenny I thought retirement had essentially been decided for him a while ago.

[jimKRFC]

Some rumours that Wigan Warriors are looking at bringing Owen Farrell over from Sarries to replace a big name player they've lost to the NRL.

Don't get our hopes up.....

[16th man]

Some rumours that Wigan Warriors are looking at bringing Owen Farrell over from Sarries to replace a big name player they've lost to the NRL.

Don't get our hopes up.....

Post world cup would seem the sensible time, if Seeping Bodybag has had a word with him about moving on, but there's so little chance of that, and god knows where Wigan will get the money from to compete with the Sarries wages, topped up with England appearance fees.

[Mellsblue]

Seeping Body bag

This made me spit my red wine across the table. If ever there were an image that summed up England rugby.

[FKAS]

Some rumours that Wigan Warriors are looking at bringing Owen Farrell over from Sarries to replace a big name player they've lost to the NRL.

Don't get our hopes up.....

Post world cup would seem the sensible time, if Seeping Bodybag has had a word with him about moving on, but there's so little chance of that, and god knows where Wigan will get the money from to compete with the Sarries wages, topped up with England appearance fees.

Morgan Smithies moved to the NRL with a significant transfer fee so Wigan might use that. Hope that the son of one of their legends coming home might help them bring in some more sponsors.

[FKAS]

Dan McKellar rules himself out of the Wallaby job

[Puja]

Dan McKellar rules himself out of the Wallaby job

That's a relief. I couldn't've blamed him if he'd felt he needed to go - being in charge of your country is just one of those opportunities - but the last thing we need is to lose another head coach.

Puja

[16th man]

You'd need to be very brave to.be first in to try to sort out the chaos Eddie has dumped and run from.

[Mikey Brown]

It would have been really funny for Eddie’s incompetence to completely screw over Leicester a second year running though.

[francoisfou]

Newcastle's Mateo Carreras is said to have signed a three-year contract with Top14 club Bayonne, from next season.

[Puja]

Newcastle's Mateo Carreras is said to have signed a three-year contract with Top14 club Bayonne, from next season.

Only a matter of time really. He's been too box-office to be at Newcastle for a while and after his performances in the RWC, there was no chance a French club wouldn't snap him up.

Puja

[FKAS]

Sad for the Prem and Falcons but SA you say inevitable. Can't blame him for cashing in on a good three year deal.

[FKAS]

I've just read that Kyle Sinckler and Lewis Ludlam are in advanced talks with Toulon.

More to follow?

https://www.rugbyrama.fr/2023/10/27/tra ... 545837.php

Three year deals apparently.

https://www.ouest-france.fr/sport/rugby ... 05893c2140

[jimKRFC]

I've just read that Kyle Sinckler and Lewis Ludlam are in advanced talks with Toulon.

More to follow?

https://www.rugbyrama.fr/2023/10/27/tra ... 545837.php

Three year deals apparently.

https://www.ouest-france.fr/sport/rugby ... 05893c2140

Kyle hasn't really performed as hoped at Bristol. The occasional good game but not really worth the money so far...


Stevie Longwell joins Bristol as injury cover for Jay Tyak. He joins.from Jersey. Not sure how long he'll be ar

[fivepointer]

Sinckler has been a big letdown for Bristol. His form tailed off badly when he moved from Quins.

[Puja]

I've just read that Kyle Sinckler and Lewis Ludlam are in advanced talks with Toulon.

More to follow?

https://www.rugbyrama.fr/2023/10/27/tra ... 545837.php

Three year deals apparently.

https://www.ouest-france.fr/sport/rugby ... 05893c2140

Northampton claiming discussions are still ongoing: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/67324076

Puja

[Which Tyler]

Piers Francis, Bath => Kurita Water Gush Akishima
https://www.bathrugby.com/content/franc ... y-in-japan

Looks like it's effective immediately

Was always an odd signing in the first place, let alone for more than 1 season.

Replaced by Brendan Owen (FB fro Jersey) - because one thing Bath (apparently) lack, is enough South Africans

https://www.bathrugby.com/content/bath- ... endan-owen

[FKAS]

Piers Francis, Bath => Kurita Water Gush Akishima
https://www.bathrugby.com/content/franc ... y-in-japan

Looks like it's effective immediately

Was always an odd signing in the first place, let alone for more than 1 season.

Replaced by Brendan Owen (FB fro Jersey) - because one thing Bath (apparently) lack, is enough South Africans

https://www.bathrugby.com/content/bath- ... endan-owen

Or enough fullbacks.

[francoisfou]

This article in Midi Olympique says that Jasper Wiese, currently with Leicester Tigers, is in advanced negotiations for a contract with Stade Français from next season.

https://www.rugbyrama.fr/2023/11/05/tra ... 562285.php