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

[FKAS]

The post-Suaalii frenzy of league players' agents suggesting their clients could be the next union superstar has begun: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... i-england/

Hardly think that an imposing lump of muscle and speed with no union nous whatsoever is the solution to England's problems. Raw materials of athletes are things that we already have - it's the brains that are missing.

Puja

"Yorkshireman Young joined the Roosters on a four-year deal at the start of 2024"

So really is the agent just talking up his client for shits and giggles then. Google suggests he's on $Aus 500-550k as well so £255-280k range.

If there was one of those massive lads who can carry and offload then you'd imagine Chiefs or Quins might be interested on taking a punt in trying to find long term 12 solutions. Not sure they are going to compete with NRL though.

Combined with Torygraph finding clickbaity things (they even have a WOL style "Here's a fantasy list of league players who could play union!") to fill column inches that aren't already taken up by ZOMGLABOURAREGOINGTOKILLUSALL!

So not really worth mentioning, but I thought I'd mention it anyway.

Puja

It's not a terrible idea. Just need to identify the talent whilst they are still in the UK and bring them in early. Ideally still as teenagers so they can finish their development in a union environment.

[Which Tyler]

Bath's extension season has started, with Louie Hennessey signing a "long term" deal
https://www.bathrugby.com/content/henne ... bath-rugby

[Tom Moore]

The post-Suaalii frenzy of league players' agents suggesting their clients could be the next union superstar has begun: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... i-england/

Hardly think that an imposing lump of muscle and speed with no union nous whatsoever is the solution to England's problems. Raw materials of athletes are things that we already have - it's the brains that are missing.

Puja

"Yorkshireman Young joined the Roosters on a four-year deal at the start of 2024"

So really is the agent just talking up his client for shits and giggles then. Google suggests he's on $Aus 500-550k as well so £255-280k range.

If there was one of those massive lads who can carry and offload then you'd imagine Chiefs or Quins might be interested on taking a punt in trying to find long term 12 solutions. Not sure they are going to compete with NRL though.

For big carriers and off loaders you'd be looking at Pearce-Paul and Nsemba, both powerful and quickish. Pearce-Paul is probably the more rounded player at this stage. Nsemba isn't in the NRL so might be easier to get to wage wise. In terms of contracts Farnworth moved clubs at the start of 2024 too so is probably in the same position as Young in regards to cost. Welsby turned down potential NRL deals to stay at St Helens, so I would imagine he's on a decent length contract but relatively lower wages.

[Mellsblue]

My big takeaway from this is that PRL have managed to not only fall behind France, Scotland and Ireland in paying power but also one of two (I think) pro leagues in a sport that is popular in only Australia and the M62 corridor, and has virtually no presence internationally other than Oz supplying approx 92 international teams under various flags for their ’World’ Cup.

[Which Tyler]

Bath's extension season has started, with Louie Hennessey signing a "long term" deal
https://www.bathrugby.com/content/henne ... bath-rugby

Vilikesa Sela next up
https://www.bathrugby.com/content/sela- ... bath-rugby

[Big D]

The post-Suaalii frenzy of league players' agents suggesting their clients could be the next union superstar has begun: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... i-england/

Hardly think that an imposing lump of muscle and speed with no union nous whatsoever is the solution to England's problems. Raw materials of athletes are things that we already have - it's the brains that are missing.

Puja

"Yorkshireman Young joined the Roosters on a four-year deal at the start of 2024"

So really is the agent just talking up his client for shits and giggles then. Google suggests he's on $Aus 500-550k as well so £255-280k range.

If there was one of those massive lads who can carry and offload then you'd imagine Chiefs or Quins might be interested on taking a punt in trying to find long term 12 solutions. Not sure they are going to compete with NRL though.

For big carriers and off loaders you'd be looking at Pearce-Paul and Nsemba, both powerful and quickish. Pearce-Paul is probably the more rounded player at this stage. Nsemba isn't in the NRL so might be easier to get to wage wise. In terms of contracts Farnworth moved clubs at the start of 2024 too so is probably in the same position as Young in regards to cost. Welsby turned down potential NRL deals to stay at St Helens, so I would imagine he's on a decent length contract but relatively lower wages.

Nsemba is part of the Wigan team that has just won everything last season so has the medals in his pocket from league too. Very raw but young and powerful.

[Big D]

Bristol alledged to have made an offer to Tom Jordan (FH for Glasgow but played FB for Scotland yesterday), with a one year extension for AJ as well.

Seemingly a done deal.

[FKAS]

"Yorkshireman Young joined the Roosters on a four-year deal at the start of 2024"

So really is the agent just talking up his client for shits and giggles then. Google suggests he's on $Aus 500-550k as well so £255-280k range.

If there was one of those massive lads who can carry and offload then you'd imagine Chiefs or Quins might be interested on taking a punt in trying to find long term 12 solutions. Not sure they are going to compete with NRL though.

For big carriers and off loaders you'd be looking at Pearce-Paul and Nsemba, both powerful and quickish. Pearce-Paul is probably the more rounded player at this stage. Nsemba isn't in the NRL so might be easier to get to wage wise. In terms of contracts Farnworth moved clubs at the start of 2024 too so is probably in the same position as Young in regards to cost. Welsby turned down potential NRL deals to stay at St Helens, so I would imagine he's on a decent length contract but relatively lower wages.

Nsemba is part of the Wigan team that has just won everything last season so has the medals in his pocket from league too. Very raw but young and powerful.

Contract until 2030. Clearly Wigan felt he might want a move as well.

[jimKRFC]

Bristol alledged to have made an offer to Tom Jordan (FH for Glasgow but played FB for Scotland yesterday), with a one year extension for AJ as well.

Seemingly a done deal.

Not just him, according to the Telegraph Bristol have signed Scotland fly-half Tom Jordan and Argentina lock Pedro Rubiolo

https://archive.ph/0CRQJ

Also on BBC now.

[Big D]

For big carriers and off loaders you'd be looking at Pearce-Paul and Nsemba, both powerful and quickish. Pearce-Paul is probably the more rounded player at this stage. Nsemba isn't in the NRL so might be easier to get to wage wise. In terms of contracts Farnworth moved clubs at the start of 2024 too so is probably in the same position as Young in regards to cost. Welsby turned down potential NRL deals to stay at St Helens, so I would imagine he's on a decent length contract but relatively lower wages.

Nsemba is part of the Wigan team that has just won everything last season so has the medals in his pocket from league too. Very raw but young and powerful.

Contract until 2030. Clearly Wigan felt he might want a move as well.

IIRC Wigan have lost a few like Kai Peace Paul, Morgan Smithies and John Bateman (again) to the NRL over the last two years so can understand protecting themselves a little.

[Tom Moore]

Nsemba is part of the Wigan team that has just won everything last season so has the medals in his pocket from league too. Very raw but young and powerful.

Contract until 2030. Clearly Wigan felt he might want a move as well.

IIRC Wigan have lost a few like Kai Peace Paul, Morgan Smithies and John Bateman (again) to the NRL over the last two years so can understand protecting themselves a little.

Absolutely. I think they released Smithies and Bateman early, so potential to buy him out, but I'd imagine he'd cost a bit.

[Big D]

Contract until 2030. Clearly Wigan felt he might want a move as well.

IIRC Wigan have lost a few like Kai Peace Paul, Morgan Smithies and John Bateman (again) to the NRL over the last two years so can understand protecting themselves a little.

Absolutely. I think they released Smithies and Bateman early, so potential to buy him out, but I'd imagine he'd cost a bit.

Yeah not 100% sure but think the NRL clubs have paid a fee at times for the likes of Tompkins, Smithies and Williams.

Makes absolute sense, so long as there are clauses to help the players wage go up as I doubt Nsemba is on big money right now.

[FKAS]

Bristol alledged to have made an offer to Tom Jordan (FH for Glasgow but played FB for Scotland yesterday), with a one year extension for AJ as well.

Seemingly a done deal.

Not just him, according to the Telegraph Bristol have signed Scotland fly-half Tom Jordan and Argentina lock Pedro Rubiolo

https://archive.ph/0CRQJ

Also on BBC now.

Blow to Falcons to be losing Rubiolo. Good young lock.

[ilovelamp]

Will Joseph to Glaws. Would fit our new style of play much more than Chris Harris (who I guess will be off at the end of the season).

[Mikey Brown]

Well that's another shame. No way we'd keep Northmore, Beard and Joseph happy but you feel like he probably has the most potential of all 3. Though he appears to have Northmore's gift for getting injured too.

[fivepointer]

A move will hopefully reinvigorate Joseph who has been very quiet at Quins.

[Epaminondas Pules]

A Seb Atkinson / Will Joseph midfield? Ooh matron!! I did a bit of sex wee!

[jimKRFC]

Bristol sign Ed Thompson, Ex BUCs league and South Shute, on trial.

Apparently Bristol are expanding scouting and recruitment after the recent academy redraw left them with the smallest area (and fewest "rugby" schools).

[Mikey Brown]

South what?

[Mikey Brown]

Murley and Porter extend their Quins contracts, so that's some good news finally.

[jimKRFC]

South what?

Better fix that....

[FKAS]

Some rumours Corne Beets is staying at the Bulls in SA and not coming across to Tigers. Mostly revolving around the fact he's not in the UK yet and spotted in the most recent Bulls training video.

[Tom Moore]

IIRC Wigan have lost a few like Kai Peace Paul, Morgan Smithies and John Bateman (again) to the NRL over the last two years so can understand protecting themselves a little.

Absolutely. I think they released Smithies and Bateman early, so potential to buy him out, but I'd imagine he'd cost a bit.

Yeah not 100% sure but think the NRL clubs have paid a fee at times for the likes of Tompkins, Smithies and Williams.

Makes absolute sense, so long as there are clauses to help the players wage go up as I doubt Nsemba is on big money right now.

KPP is out of contract at the end of the 2025 NRL season, so you could get him in at that point and he's got a season and a half to learn the position and the game, so basically a full season more than Burgess.

[FKAS]

Absolutely. I think they released Smithies and Bateman early, so potential to buy him out, but I'd imagine he'd cost a bit.

Yeah not 100% sure but think the NRL clubs have paid a fee at times for the likes of Tompkins, Smithies and Williams.

Makes absolute sense, so long as there are clauses to help the players wage go up as I doubt Nsemba is on big money right now.

KPP is out of contract at the end of the 2025 NRL season, so you could get him in at that point and he's got a season and a half to learn the position and the game, so basically a full season more than Burgess.

Leaving aside the Burgess personality I think he could have made it had his club and England been aligned on his position and development.

I'd like to see what one of those big League lads could do. I don't know much about KPP other than he's a unit. I presume he'd be looked at as a centre, be interesting to see if Exeter could make that sort of move. They'd certainly benefit from someone like that coming in at 12.

[Captainhaircut]

KPP’s brother is at Saracens so a move there might be the one if there was any real interest. If he was to play centre, they’d probably need to be losing one as they have Tompkins, Spink, Hartley and Lozowski. Ideal scenario would be Tompkins going to Wales since he seems to think he’s Welsh- I seem to recall that didn’t go so well for him last time though.