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

[FKAS]

Huge catering bill?

Montpellier are having a miserable season. Could be they want to change up the squad in a big way in the off season. Adding substantially to their catering bill is an interesting move.

True, although they’re now out of the relegation zone but for a club that were Champions a couple of seasons ago it’s a chastening experience, so maybe significant changes to the club’s catering will bring about a change in fortunes?

Joking aside BillyV is no longer a viable international option but at club level is still half decent. He's still got a higher work rate than most 8s his size even if he's lost the explosive element to his ball carrying.

[Banquo]

Montpellier are having a miserable season. Could be they want to change up the squad in a big way in the off season. Adding substantially to their catering bill is an interesting move.

True, although they’re now out of the relegation zone but for a club that were Champions a couple of seasons ago it’s a chastening experience, so maybe significant changes to the club’s catering will bring about a change in fortunes?

Joking aside BillyV is no longer a viable international option but at club level is still half decent. He's still got a higher work rate than most 8s his size even if he's lost the explosive element to his ball carrying.

also still pretty skilful.

[twitchy]

[Banquo]

I find it hard to weep about PRL and their clubs.

[Margin_Walker]

Will almost certainly fly under the radar, but Monty Bradbury has retired from rugby after a knee injury picked up last summer. Got picked up by Gloucester after LI's collapse, but never played due to the injury.

Saw a lot of him playing schoolboy and age grade rugby and it's a real shame. May not have made it anyway as I don't think he'd ever have been an elite goal kicker, but he had the best pass off both hands I can remember seeing from a young ten.

[Puja]

Will almost certainly fly under the radar, but Monty Bradbury has retired from rugby after a knee injury picked up last summer. Got picked up by Gloucester after LI's collapse, but never played due to the injury.

Saw a lot of him playing schoolboy and age grade rugby and it's a real shame. May not have made it anyway as I don't think he'd ever have been an elite goal kicker, but he had the best pass off both hands I can remember seeing from a young ten.

Poor sod. He looked decent for the U20s IIRC. No kinda age to be forced to retire from the game.

Puja

[Which Tyler]

"Poor sod" puts it better than I ever could.

[FKAS]

Sam Carter leaves Tigers to head back home to Australia with the Western Force.

[Which Tyler]

Bayliss extends at Bath for another 3 years

[Puja]

Sam Carter leaves Tigers to head back home to Australia with the Western Force.

Not disappointed - I know we've had our lock reserves stressed with internationals and injuries this season, but I struggle to think of a game where he's played where I wouldn't've been happier seeing Carnduff or LChessum get the game-time instead, or moved Hatherell up and played Ilione. We could've coped without him on the pitch. Hopefully he has imparted some useful wisdom to the youngsters, at least.

Puja

[FKAS]

Sam Carter leaves Tigers to head back home to Australia with the Western Force.

Not disappointed - I know we've had our lock reserves stressed with internationals and injuries this season, but I struggle to think of a game where he's played where I wouldn't've been happier seeing Carnduff or LChessum get the game-time instead, or moved Hatherell up and played Ilione. We could've coped without him on the pitch. Hopefully he has imparted some useful wisdom to the youngsters, at least.

Puja

He was useful for the world cup period. Now there's no real use for him to be here and he wasn't going to get a contract for next season. There is a question over whether we have enough cover for next season. Chessum Jnr and Carnduff supporting Martin, Chessum Snr, Henderson and Wells looks good on paper but three of those could well be in international squads and need rest periods. Only one or two injuries/suspensions from looking a bit short and shoving Hatherall into the row. Rogerson could maybe do a job there as well but I think he's unlikely to be retained.

A big hard carrying lock/6 to replace Rogerson/Carter would be good. Be one less body over all so opportunity for the development guys to step up.

[Scrumhead]

A couple of rumours I haven’t seen posted here:

Fergus Burke - Crusaders >> Saracens
Paul Hill - Saints >> Edinburgh

[FKAS]

Is Paul Hill also SQ?

Fergus Burke would be an interesting signing for Sarries. He's SQ so moving to the Prem could then open up the possibility of him being selected for Scotland. He's been out for a while with an achilles injury so you'd hope they've done a pretty comprehensive medical. Be another blow to the Crusaders who were planning on Burke being the successor to Mo'unga but he's been injured so far this season and now could be leaving them with the youngsters that have floundered so far.

[Puja]

A crying shame if Paul Hill is SQ and leaves us - he'd be free to transfer to a new nation from July this year, although I can't find any reference to him being anything but English and German qualified. He should have been our first choice tighthead for years and years now, but just never kicked on. Feels like a wasted talent.

Puja

[Banquo]

A crying shame if Paul Hill is SQ and leaves us - he'd be free to transfer to a new nation from July this year, although I can't find any reference to him being anything but English and German qualified. He should have been our first choice tighthead for years and years now, but just never kicked on. Feels like a wasted talent.

Puja

down to him TBH

[Puja]

I'd actually love it if he went to play for Germany. He'd be a huge boost for their team and I'd have no problem with that compared to Scotland scavenging for players.

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

I don’t want Scotland to have him either. He’s a twat.

[Banquo]

I don’t want Scotland to have him either. He’s a twat.

Paul Hill?

[Scrumhead]

A crying shame if Paul Hill is SQ and leaves us - he'd be free to transfer to a new nation from July this year, although I can't find any reference to him being anything but English and German qualified. He should have been our first choice tighthead for years and years now, but just never kicked on. Feels like a wasted talent.

Puja

down to him TBH

True, although I do feel that he was in the generation of props that were most impacted by England’s indecision re. what we wanted from our front row players. Hill focused on the mobile route when he might have been better served focusing on set piece technique.

It’s pretty mad that we hardly have any test standard props in the 25-30 range. We could really do with a few of them emerging as late bloomers.

[Puja]

I don’t want Scotland to have him either. He’s a twat.

Really? What's he done?

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

Oh you know, he was being a nob in a way I can’t remember at some unspecified time in the past. I sure do like to hold a grudge though.

[Mikey Brown]

Well this is all I could find.

Paul Hill might be my new least favourite player in the league.

Maybe I’ll rewatch big game 2021 and see if I can get angry about it (whatever it was) all over again.

[francoisfou]

Didn't think Deano would stay away from the game as long as he did:

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/dean-ric ... anagement/

[Puja]

Didn't think Deano would stay away from the game as long as he did:

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/dean-ric ... anagement/

Sounds like he still is really - local clubman with children at the club gets dragooned into coaching role, rather than something worthy of rugbypass's attention.

Puja

[Which Tyler]

Worthy of rugbypass's attention?
With rugbypass's reputation?
They've yet to find a click bait they didn't like