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

[FKAS]

Carre last played for Wales in Feb 23 (against England). So would be another two years as long as he's got some English parentage.

I shall wait with bated breath.

Puja

if he thought Gatland was tough on fitness and work rate just wait until he has a chat with Borthwick.

[Captainhaircut]

Saracens will do a Skelton on him fitness wise. And then you’re left with a very good prop.

[Captainhaircut]

Saracens will do a Skelton on him fitness wise. And then you’re left with a very good prop.

[FKAS]

It looked that way last time Carre was at Sarries but he ended up heading back to Wales somewhat prematurely and has mainly stalled since.

Tigers possibly doing a bit of a popcorn day, started with the announcement of a contract extension for Tom Whiteley at 8am. Could be a lengthy batch of announcements with any luck. Hopefully some new signings as well, though they might get saved for another day.

[jimKRFC]

Rugby Inside Line suggesting someone from Newcs to Bristol:



No idea who it might be..

[FKAS]

Rugby Inside Line suggesting someone from Newcs to Bristol:



No idea who it might be..

Brett Connon? Reliable flyhalf to help fill a gap. Calum Chick, industrious 6/8?

Harry Simmonds Tigers homegrown winger re-signs, good deal to keep him on board.

Then unbefuckinglievably James Cronin has somehow got a new deal out for the club, lord knows what the team were sniffing when they thought that was a good idea. It better be fecking cheap.

[Banquo]

Rugby Inside Line suggesting someone from Newcs to Bristol:



No idea who it might be..

pepper?

[jimKRFC]

Rugby Inside Line suggesting someone from Newcs to Bristol:



No idea who it might be..

pepper?

Pepper or Radwan would be nice!

9 re-signings for Bristol today - twitter announcements all themed round world book day!
Noah Heward
Will Capon
Sam Grahamslaw
George Kloska
Joe Owen - 22, lock, EQP
Harry Taylor - 21, 2nd/back row, EQP, playing BUCS rugby at Loughborough
Harry Rowson - 22, WIng, EQP, playing BUCS rugby at Loughborough
Josh Caulfield
James Williams

[Puja]

Then unbefuckinglievably James Cronin has somehow got a new deal out for the club, lord knows what the team were sniffing when they thought that was a good idea. It better be fecking cheap.

WTAF. Massively disappointing if he is being kept as our first choice loosehead. Just not good enough at all.

Puja

[Which Tyler]

pepper?

Supposedly going to Bath, but still "supposedly"

[Banquo]

pepper?

Supposedly going to Bath, but still "supposedly"

good move

[FKAS]

Then unbefuckinglievably James Cronin has somehow got a new deal out for the club, lord knows what the team were sniffing when they thought that was a good idea. It better be fecking cheap.

WTAF. Massively disappointing if he is being kept as our first choice loosehead. Just not good enough at all.

Puja

Surely we can't be so stupid as to re-sign Cronin as first choice.

Hanro Liebenburg committing for another two years is great news though.

[francoisfou]

Billy Vunipola is said to be in advanced talks with Montpellier.

Edit: where he'd be in contention with Sam Simmonds for the No8 shirt.

[FKAS]

Some rumours of Montpellier shopping around for a number 8. Getting shot down by Mercer. Bit of a squad redevelopment going on there this summer after a disappointing campaign. Hence George Bridge possibly being on his way to Bath.

[Puja]

Billy Vunipola is said to be in advanced talks with Montpellier.

Edit: where he'd be in contention with Sam Simmonds for the No8 shirt.

Ngl, I would find that hilarious.

Puja

[Puja]

Then unbefuckinglievably James Cronin has somehow got a new deal out for the club, lord knows what the team were sniffing when they thought that was a good idea. It better be fecking cheap.

WTAF. Massively disappointing if he is being kept as our first choice loosehead. Just not good enough at all.

Puja

Surely we can't be so stupid as to re-sign Cronin as first choice.

Hanro Liebenburg committing for another two years is great news though.

All things told, a hugely underwhelming day. Hanro is a good re-signing, but keeping Simmons, Whiteley, and Cronin, is "Sure, why not" "Sure, I guess??" and "Surely we can do better."

Puja

[FKAS]

WTAF. Massively disappointing if he is being kept as our first choice loosehead. Just not good enough at all.

Puja

Surely we can't be so stupid as to re-sign Cronin as first choice.

Hanro Liebenburg committing for another two years is great news though.

All things told, a hugely underwhelming day. Hanro is a good re-signing, but keeping Simmons, Whiteley, and Cronin, is "Sure, why not" "Sure, I guess??" and "Surely we can do better."

Puja

I mean Hanro is class, Simmonds is a local lad who's always been decent when fit and he'll be cheap. The other two are no better than squad filler. Whiteley being extended is somewhat pointless as he had another year and unless Benny is retiring I'd rather start promoting Edwards and Allen.

Cronin we both agree is a waste of space unless he's taken a significant reduction and even then meh. When there's rumours of Will Goodrick-Clarke and Tom West being on the market it's really dispiriting to see us trying to dress his renewal up as good news. Guys five years younger, significantly better and probably on less than we signed Cronin for originally (his new deal better be a lot lower).

Was a bit of a non-event in terms of announcements, even the media team didn't make much effort. Hats off to Bristol for at least making there's passably interesting even if it was mainly squad filler for them. I was hoping a signing would be announced today but so far nowt.

[twitchy]

Manu is heading to france and sale are signing Waisea Nayacalevu.

[FKAS]

Waisea Nayacalevu supposedly signing a 1 + 1 year. As he'll be 34 by the start of next season that's probably a wise move by Sale.

[ilovelamp]

Anscombe confirmed at Glaws.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/68549557.amp

[francoisfou]

I’ve just read that ProD2 club Béziers have signed Sarries’ prop Christian Judge on a two-year contract. They’re currently 2nd in ProD2 and will be in contention for promotion to the Top14. Béziers, a club that have seen better times, dominated French club rugby way back in the 70s early 80s and then fell off the proverbial cliff. The competition in ProD2 is intense, and the sides that qualify for the playoffs still have a long way to go.

[FKAS]

I'm sure whether promoted or not the decent salary to live in the South of France in a pretty old town a stone's throw from the med must be terrible for him.

[francoisfou]

Manu Tuilagi has apparently began discussions with Bayonne (and maybe other Top14 clubs too?)

https://www.rugbyrama.fr/2024/03/12/tra ... 821625.php

[16th man]

Manu Tuilagi has apparently began discussions with Bayonne (and maybe other Top14 clubs too?)

https://www.rugbyrama.fr/2024/03/12/tra ... 821625.php

Now really is the time for him to do it.

[FKAS]

Manu Tuilagi has apparently began discussions with Bayonne (and maybe other Top14 clubs too?)

https://www.rugbyrama.fr/2024/03/12/tra ... 821625.php

Now really is the time for him to do it.

His contract is due for renewal it's the same time he always has a chat with some French clubs. Someone will no doubt see him coming out of a French club training ground in the near future. It's the normal games employed by his brother/agent. Whether he'll actually go through with it or not we'll see.

There was mention Perpignan were interested which would probably suit him from a family stand point as he's got a young family and having family nearby is always useful.