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

[FKAS]

James Cronin rumoured to be leaving Tigers to return to Munster.

Bye. Can't say he hasn't worked hard, but such an incredible step down from Genge and, whatever his salary was, we were overpaying for the quality that he was able to provide. Hopefully we have an eye on a good replacement - crying shame we couldn't intercept Brantingham on his route south.

Puja

As good as Brantingham is likely to become he isn't that now and we desperately need a starting quality loosehead not a development project. If van Wyk were also to be off then Brantingham would have been an excellent acquisition and given us two young looseheads who can play at Prem Level and hopefully advance further whilst we also bring in another who's ideally international standard.

I saw the Fischetti rumour re-emerge yesterday. He was supposedly the international we were trying to acquire in the summer and came close but couldn't make it work with the salary cap so he took up an offer in Italy that's allegedly a one year deal. Don't know how true or likely it is that we'll be able to go and get that one across the line mind. Surely there's a lot of French clubs that would love to have him and have more cash than we do.

Will Goodrick-Clarke is one I struggle to believe is still in the Championship, rumours are Exeter want him for next season. He's a big lad with a good work rate will go well there though another that would be an ideal replacement for van Wyk (how he's ended up as Tigers second choice shows how bare the LH stable has become).

[FKAS]

I wouldn't've thought so - Fazlet's clearly doing this to get away from the pressure and scrutiny that he's under in England and it'd undermine that somewhat if he then made himself available during his sabbatical.

Puja

Agreed. Get away from the media pressure, nice pay cheque and with the Eurostar and the airport close by getting back to England is quick and easy should he want to.

Makes life interesting for Sarries recruitment. Paddy Jackson rumours to the fore again?

Some sort of club mission statement to be as as dislikable as possible?

Because Sarries have always cared a lot about outside opinions?

Despite the attached controversy from nearly 6 years ago he is pretty much an international quality flyhalf that's available all year round. He knows the Prem and is a good all rounder. Only downside with acquiring him as the replacement is his age, he's just turned 32 so coming to the end of the expected peak years.

The ideal replacement for Sarries would probably be Joe Simmonds. Good place kicker, leader and very good at moving his pack into the right areas of the field. He's five years younger than Jackson and Farrell as well. He's got at least one more year in France first though.

[Timbo]

Club have already let it be known that they are not interested in Paddy Jackson.

[FKAS]

Club have already let it be known that they are not interested in Paddy Jackson.

Cool, officially or unofficially? In an ideal world I'm sure they want to acquire a longer term option than a 32 year old.

[Timbo]

Club have already let it be known that they are not interested in Paddy Jackson.

Cool, officially or unofficially? In an ideal world I'm sure they want to acquire a longer term option than a 32 year old.

Through supporters groups. With Lucy Wray as CEO and her support for the women’s game and women’s charities etc it was always a complete non starter in my mind.

[Puja]

Club have already let it be known that they are not interested in Paddy Jackson.

Cool, officially or unofficially? In an ideal world I'm sure they want to acquire a longer term option than a 32 year old.

Through supporters groups. With Lucy Wray as CEO and her support for the women’s game and women’s charities etc it was always a complete non starter in my mind.

That is really pleasing to hear. Well done Sarries!

Puja

[FKAS]

Club have already let it be known that they are not interested in Paddy Jackson.

Cool, officially or unofficially? In an ideal world I'm sure they want to acquire a longer term option than a 32 year old.

Through supporters groups. With Lucy Wray as CEO and her support for the women’s game and women’s charities etc it was always a complete non starter in my mind.

Like it. That's good strong messaging from her.

[Puja]

James Cronin rumoured to be leaving Tigers to return to Munster.

Bye. Can't say he hasn't worked hard, but such an incredible step down from Genge and, whatever his salary was, we were overpaying for the quality that he was able to provide. Hopefully we have an eye on a good replacement - crying shame we couldn't intercept Brantingham on his route south.

Puja

As good as Brantingham is likely to become he isn't that now and we desperately need a starting quality loosehead not a development project. If van Wyk were also to be off then Brantingham would have been an excellent acquisition and given us two young looseheads who can play at Prem Level and hopefully advance further whilst we also bring in another who's ideally international standard.

I saw the Fischetti rumour re-emerge yesterday. He was supposedly the international we were trying to acquire in the summer and came close but couldn't make it work with the salary cap so he took up an offer in Italy that's allegedly a one year deal. Don't know how true or likely it is that we'll be able to go and get that one across the line mind. Surely there's a lot of French clubs that would love to have him and have more cash than we do.

Will Goodrick-Clarke is one I struggle to believe is still in the Championship, rumours are Exeter want him for next season. He's a big lad with a good work rate will go well there though another that would be an ideal replacement for van Wyk (how he's ended up as Tigers second choice shows how bare the LH stable has become).

I'd be comfortable starting Brantingham next season and I suspect Saracens are of a similar mind. He's played 17 matches this year for Newcastle (26 in total), and has been playing well enough that he's been mentioned in international dispatches. He's 23 next season - that's the kind of time where he could be given his head.

He's already gone though, so it's a moot point.


In other prop related news, Will Stuart signs an extension with Bath. Understandable really - back when the rumours started of him going to Gloucester last season, the two clubs were at opposite ends of the table than they are now, so I can understand why he's cooled off the idea!

Puja

[FKAS]

Bye. Can't say he hasn't worked hard, but such an incredible step down from Genge and, whatever his salary was, we were overpaying for the quality that he was able to provide. Hopefully we have an eye on a good replacement - crying shame we couldn't intercept Brantingham on his route south.

Puja

As good as Brantingham is likely to become he isn't that now and we desperately need a starting quality loosehead not a development project. If van Wyk were also to be off then Brantingham would have been an excellent acquisition and given us two young looseheads who can play at Prem Level and hopefully advance further whilst we also bring in another who's ideally international standard.

I saw the Fischetti rumour re-emerge yesterday. He was supposedly the international we were trying to acquire in the summer and came close but couldn't make it work with the salary cap so he took up an offer in Italy that's allegedly a one year deal. Don't know how true or likely it is that we'll be able to go and get that one across the line mind. Surely there's a lot of French clubs that would love to have him and have more cash than we do.

Will Goodrick-Clarke is one I struggle to believe is still in the Championship, rumours are Exeter want him for next season. He's a big lad with a good work rate will go well there though another that would be an ideal replacement for van Wyk (how he's ended up as Tigers second choice shows how bare the LH stable has become).

I'd be comfortable starting Brantingham next season and I suspect Saracens are of a similar mind. He's played 17 matches this year for Newcastle (26 in total), and has been playing well enough that he's been mentioned in international dispatches. He's 23 next season - that's the kind of time where he could be given his head.

He's already gone though, so it's a moot point.


In other prop related news, Will Stuart signs an extension with Bath. Understandable really - back when the rumours started of him going to Gloucester last season, the two clubs were at opposite ends of the table than they are now, so I can understand why he's cooled off the idea!

Puja

Sarries will have some experience around him with Mako, Mawi and potentially West though. We would have van Wyk and Whitcombe. Hopefully West is only on a year long deal and available for a Welford Road return this summer.

[Spiffy]

Planet Rugby today : Finn Russell says Faz will be a great fit for racing and praises his attacking game

[Banquo]

Planet Rugby today : Finn Russell says Faz will be a great fit for racing and praises his attacking game

not only an entertainer on the pitch, but also off it.

[Mellsblue]

Planet Rugby today : Finn Russell says Faz will be a great fit for racing and praises his attacking game

not only an entertainer on the pitch, but also off it.

[Which Tyler]

Looks like Will Stuart is just the first of 10 (re)signings to be announced by Bath over the next 2 weeks

[FKAS]

Looks like Will Stuart is just the first of 10 (re)signings to be announced by Bath over the next 2 weeks

That's some good social media work.

[francoisfou]

Northampton's Alex Moon is about to sign for Bayonne, according to Midi Olympique, for next season.

Wasn't he in the Saints' side that gave Bayonne a thrashing a couple of weeks ago?

[Puja]

Northampton's Alex Moon is about to sign for Bayonne, according to Midi Olympique, for next season.

Wasn't he in the Saints' side that gave Bayonne a thrashing a couple of weeks ago?

Cue another newspaper frothing at the mouth about "there's so many England players in the Top 14 that we simply *must* change the policy; look, you can pick a whole XV!!!!!1!!one!"

Good luck to him if he can get a decent wedge and experience something new.

Puja

[FKAS]

Northampton's Alex Moon is about to sign for Bayonne, according to Midi Olympique, for next season.

Wasn't he in the Saints' side that gave Bayonne a thrashing a couple of weeks ago?

Cue another newspaper frothing at the mouth about "there's so many England players in the Top 14 that we simply *must* change the policy; look, you can pick a whole XV!!!!!1!!one!"

Good luck to him if he can get a decent wedge and experience something new.

Puja

More than likely. Be a blow for Saints as he's a big lad to have on the engine room.

If he can earn a wedge in the Basque country with good food, nice wine, mountains and beaches on his doorstep why not. According to the weather forecast it'll nearly be up 20 degrees there at the weekend. Be lucky to hit double figures in the East Midlands.

[morepork]

At what point do we begin realising the England national team is not a happy place for motivated players?

[FKAS]

At what point do we begin realising the England national team is not a happy place for motivated players?

Only Zach Mercer has complained about the setup. Other players that have made training squads and not selection have talked positively about the work ons provided by Borthwick and his team., Murley and Fin Smith included.

[Puja]

At what point do we begin realising the England national team is not a happy place for motivated players?

Moon is nowhere near the England team.

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

At what point do we begin realising the England national team is not a happy place for motivated players?

Young people just don't want to work anymore.

[Mikey Brown]

At what point do we begin realising the England national team is not a happy place for motivated players?

Moon is nowhere near the England team.

Puja

Am I right in thinking he's generally first choice ahead of Coles though?

[Banquo]

At what point do we begin realising the England national team is not a happy place for motivated players?

Moon is nowhere near the England team.

Puja

Am I right in thinking he's generally first choice ahead of Coles though?

not this season so far. Coles has been at 6 once or twice, and when fit has started at lock ahead of Moon.

[Puja]

At what point do we begin realising the England national team is not a happy place for motivated players?

Moon is nowhere near the England team.

Puja

Am I right in thinking he's generally first choice ahead of Coles though?

Not this season, I don't believe - Coles has kicked on and appears to have been first choice all the way through. Moon was his partner at the start of the season, but he's been usurped by Mayanavanua coming back from injury.

Puja

[FKAS]

Moon is nowhere near the England team.

Puja

Am I right in thinking he's generally first choice ahead of Coles though?

Not this season, I don't believe - Coles has kicked on and appears to have been first choice all the way through. Moon was his partner at the start of the season, but he's been usurped by Mayanavanua coming back from injury.

Puja

10 starts in 15 games so far this season to be fair to Moon. He's had quite a bit of game time even if he did bench in the last two.