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

[FKAS]

Freddie Steward also has a new contract at Tigers.

[Which Tyler]

Obano and Roux have extended at Bath

Local rag suggesting we've signed (as opposed to rumoured) both Arundell and Carreras. If so, then something has to give. My guess would be McConnochie and Cokanasiga (and Grace & JdP), but it could be a rebalance, maybe losing Lawrence or someone.
https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/sport/ot ... as-9903256

[FKAS]

Obano and Roux have extended at Bath

Local rag suggesting we've signed (as opposed to rumoured) both Arundell and Carreras. If so, then something has to give. My guess would be McConnochie and Cokanasiga, but it could be a rebalance, maybe losing Lawrence or someone.
https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/sport/ot ... as-9903256

I saw Skivington saying that keeping Carerras would be expensive. As he signed his last deal in 2022 I'm guessing his value has shot up quite a bit.

[Which Tyler]

Which makes me feel uneasy about the signing.
It's one thing to sign a star from a rival who was a star on arrival (or someone who's full of unrealised potential), but Gloucester have put a lot of work and coaching into Carreras to build him up from relative obscurity to the player he is today, and built their game around him - and that doesn't sit so well.
Same as when Sarries were doing this with the likes of Borthwick, Daly etc.

[FKAS]

Which makes me feel uneasy about the signing.
It's one thing to sign a star from a rival who was a star on arrival (or someone who's full of unrealised potential), but Gloucester have put a lot of work and coaching into Carreras to build him up from relative obscurity to the player he is today, and built their game around him - and that doesn't sit so well.
Same as when Sarries were doing this with the likes of Borthwick, Daly etc.

I could understand if Carreras wanted to leave so that he could play more at 10 but that doesn't seem likely at Bath. Glaws signing Anscombe has kept Carreras at 15. I think Glaws have a fair in house replacement in Barton who looked really good moving to 15 full time at the start of season. If Anscombe is staying on for a other season I don't think it's the biggest loss.

I don't have a massive issue with players moving club if they aren't getting offered market value at their current club. Careers are short after all. I disliked what Sarries were doing because they were cheating the cap. As long as Bath don't cheat the cap I don't see the problem.

[Scrumhead]

Fissler linking Santiago Chocobares with Exeter. Not too sure why he’d want that move though?

Also saying Quirke is leaving Sale. Hints at Exeter too.

[FKAS]

Fissler linking Santiago Chocobares with Exeter. Not too sure why he’d want that move though?

Also saying Quirke is leaving Sale. Hints at Exeter too.

There was a rumour Exeter were giving Santiago Chocobares 450,000 reasons to move.

Chiefs have apparently righted their financial position and are now looking to spend back closer to the cap for next season.

Last summer they thought they had Ben White on a three year deal only for him to re-sign with Toulon so Baxter does want half back reinforcement. Quirke has competition for his spot at Sale, move down to Chiefs and he'd be the main man. If Baxter can sell him the dream that next year's Chiefs squad is going to be bigger and better then Quirke might bite. He was rumoured to have had talks with Quins and Bath previously.

[Mikey Brown]

He's obviously class, but 12 does seem like an odd place for them to spend so considerably. Hawkins, Tui, Wimbush, Rigg are obviously not of the same quality, but that's a lot of depth and potential, whereas their pack just looks thin.

[FKAS]

He's obviously class, but 12 does seem like an odd place for them to spend so considerably. Hawkins, Tui, Wimbush, Rigg are obviously not of the same quality, but that's a lot of depth and potential, whereas their pack just looks thin.

Hawkins is going back to Wales and there's rumours Tui isn't staying either. Chocobares can also play 13.

[Banquo]

Think he's the only one still standing. Williams and Worsley injured in Europe with Malins and MacGinty already out.

Harry Bazalgette is the new loan fly half signing, has joined from Hartpury and Championship leading points scorer.

Seems to have gone grim BUCS and excelled at Championship level. A good punt by Bristol to back up Byrne. If he impresses won't be expensive to keep for next season either.

Cam Henderson has also agreed a new deal at Tigers.

Bazalgette is a decent champ player, but not prem standard. Brizz have also got one of our guys for this Friday, Eli Caven...again, ex hartpury, good champ player. This is all probs because John Barnes ex Hartpury DOR has joined Brizz.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Dan Frost leaves Exeter and signs for Bath for next season

[Mellsblue]

George Smith off to ProD2 according to Bedford’s socials.

[Scrumhead]

Curious. They seemed really enthused about him at Saints and then he disappeared.

[Mellsblue]

I think something may have happened behind the scenes. He was pretty much an ever present in the Bedford team, allowing for rotation, and then suddenly disappeared in Dec never to be seen again.

[Which Tyler]

Bath sign Bernard Van Der Linde from the Bulls.
Oh good, another South African. Though, TBH, he's a Saffer SH to replace a Saffer SH, so neutral there.
All.rugby suggests he's had 4 starts and 3 bench appearances in 3 years - not sure we need him as 3rd choice SH, would prefer to trust those currently in the academy first.

[Which Tyler]

Carreras Gloucester => Bath confirmed
https://www.bathrugby.com/content/bath-sign-carreras

[FKAS]

Carreras Gloucester => Bath confirmed
https://www.bathrugby.com/content/bath-sign-carreras

Who's heading out to make space though?

I can imagine there's a couple of fullbacks and Orlando Bailey that aren't going to be happy to hear this news.

[Which Tyler]

Unknown yet, but see below.
Lost Du Plessis and Grace mid-season. So far gained Frost, Carreras and a nobody SH.

I really don't know what JvG sees when he looks at DeGlanville, but it's less than I see - stuck behind Gallagher until this season, despite being the better player, and now seeing Santi brought in ahead of him (Santi IS the superior player).

Likely to lose:
FR: Annett, Faiva, possible Stewart, Cordwell
B5: Coetzee, Cowan, possibly Cuckson, Staddon

HB: Schreuder, possibly Le Roux
B5: McConnochie, Emens, possibly Butt, Cokanasiga. Might even be touting 1+ of Bailey, Harris, DeGlanville around a year early (or not picking up a final-year option). Coka would be an early release, but I don't see room for both him and Carreras back there (let alone IF we also secure Arundell), and Muir is far too good value-for-money.

We'll probably lose Hennessey at some point as well - just depends on when Wales come calling, shouldn't be this year though

[FKAS]

Good point on those leaving mid season, that'll make some breathing room certainly.

I'd have thought you'd try and keep hold of those younger guys, financially efficient way to fill out the squad. If Arundell is also in bound it doesn't look for for Cokanasiga but with McConnochie likely out Bath might want to keep him for the final year just to keep as many stellar options as possible.

If you could send Orlando Bailey over to Welford Road that would be great.

[Which Tyler]

Of course, I'd rather keep the younger guys, but I'm trying to be realistic about the coaches' thoughts.
There's also the persistent rumours of a limit in squad size coming in, which leaves those younger player exposed, whereas others have been supplanted by even younger options.

I'm confident that we'll lose Annett, Faiva, Schrueder and McConnochie, and almost certainly Coetzee (though there is a rumour that he's re-signing).
Beyond that? Cordwell has failed to make the step up, is essentially 4th choice, aged 25.
At hooker, Stewart and Spandler have both been overtaken by Tuipulotu.
Cowan, Cuckson and Staddon just don't get a look in, and losing out to their peers like Richards, Erskine, & Bennett
Le Roux was a gamble, and has lost his fight with TCS, with the new Saffer coming in... we don't really need 4 "senior" SHs, so he has to be vulnerable.
Emens again, was a gamble who's gone hot and cold in his limited appearances, and has to be vulnerable to a shrinking squad size
Butt and Hennesey are both great, but do we need 5 centres? Hennessey's got a couple of years left on his contract, but Wales will want him, last contract we know about for Butt was signed 4 years ago.
At the back, Coka, Muir, Santi and Arundell is just too much cap space tied up there, and Coka is surely the least value-for-money
Of the youngsters, Harris is great, but missed last season, injured, then got injured early this season, and again on his 1st competitive match back, JvG just doesn't seem to rate DeGlanville, whilst Bailey is bumped down to 3rd choice at FH and 4th at FB and IC. I rate all 3, and all 3 have another year on their announced contracts, I can see each of those players looking to progress their careers elsewhere.

The other thing worth noting for Bailey, Butt, Hennesey, Harris & DeGlanville is JvG's 6:2 bench. Carreras now covers FH&WG from the starting shirt, IF we get Arundell, he covers FB (allowing Santi to move forwards); so the bench spot goes to a centre - which means rotating Redpath, Ojomoh and Lawrence - meaning basically no game time available barring injuries. All 5 of those are too good to be held in that position.

Also have to make room for the next crop of youngsters.
Professional sport is tough, and sometimes, tough decisions have to be made, by both club and player

[FKAS]

Which, if there was a like button your post would get one. Ta.

Going to be a few handy players on the market shortly.

[Puja]

Tangential, but Joe Schmidt has signed a 2 month extension to his Australia contract so that he leaves after the Rugby Championship, rather than directly after the Lions tour, but the press release makes it clear that he's not entertaining a longer contract because he's determined to stick by his original plan of spending more time with his family.

Fair play to him and I respect it, but I do wish he could be persuaded to come and mentor our coaches for a couple of years! Maybe we can persuade him to do it via zoom?

Puja

[Puja]

Which, if there was a like button your post would get one. Ta.

Going to be a few handy players on the market shortly.

Tis the way of the market at present - more decent players than there are jobs going for them. There's going to be a few surprising ones without chairs when the music stops, methinks.

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

I know it's realistically going to be nothing, but the idea of Eddie Jones taking over Wales has so much great potential.

[FKAS]

I know it's realistically going to be nothing, but the idea of Eddie Jones taking over Wales has so much great potential.

Gatland is getting desperate, though imagine them doing joint press conferences. The amount of shithousery and mind games would be hilarious.