francoisfou wrote: ↑Thu Jun 19, 2025 5:26 pm
The Top14 semi-final weekend kicks off tomorrow (Friday) evening with Toulouse v Bayonne in Lyon.
For Toulouse, Blair Kinghorn returns fron injury and will wear 11 and Jack Willis at 7.
For Bayonne, sadly no Tuilagi who's not recovered from a rib injury, but Alex Moon, who's now established himself in the starting XV wears 5.
Toulon v UBB will be on Saturday evening, also in Lyon.
Captainhaircut wrote: ↑Thu Jun 19, 2025 6:14 pm
RugbyPass reckon Marchant to Sale with Du Preez to Racing to replace Farrell.
Would be a bit of a result for England with 13 options a bit limited.
Would probably leave us just wanting Moon and Kpoku back as possible England options, both of who could come back next year. Writing off Ribbans and Willis who seem to have decided long term to stay in France.
Potentially giving Sale a very good addition to the midfield. I've always found it hard to judge just how good du Preez is. I've seen him be excellent and a mix of creative and physical but also poor positionally and prone to costly errors. Sandwiching Ma'asi-White with Ford and Merchant is bound to be good for his development and with du Preez off more opportunities for Curtis and EP's love child Ollie Davies.
That would be gutting as a Quins fans but a more logical choice and a great move for Sale/England. Marchant on the end of Ford’s passing and offering a bit of variety (and defensive mentorship) to Ma’asi White could be fantastic.
Shame for Tuilagi to miss out on the business end of the season, as he seems to have had a really solid run at 12. I guess subconsciously his body knew the Lions tour was starting, even if he wasn’t seriously in contention.
Captainhaircut wrote: ↑Thu Jun 19, 2025 6:14 pm
RugbyPass reckon Marchant to Sale with Du Preez to Racing to replace Farrell.
Would be a bit of a result for England with 13 options a bit limited.
Would probably leave us just wanting Moon and Kpoku back as possible England options, both of who could come back next year. Writing off Ribbans and Willis who seem to have decided long term to stay in France.
plenty of time for kpoku, playing abroad has to be great for a 19yo. Moon at 28.....like him, but ....now Jack Willis, has to be worth an offer, even with some decent backrow talent.
Captainhaircut wrote: ↑Thu Jun 19, 2025 6:14 pm
RugbyPass reckon Marchant to Sale with Du Preez to Racing to replace Farrell.
Would be a bit of a result for England with 13 options a bit limited.
Would probably leave us just wanting Moon and Kpoku back as possible England options, both of who could come back next year. Writing off Ribbans and Willis who seem to have decided long term to stay in France.
plenty of time for kpoku, playing abroad has to be great for a 19yo. Moon at 28.....like him, but ....now Jack Willis, has to be worth an offer, even with some decent backrow talent.
I'm sure Jack Willis has had offers, can't blame him for now being interested and concentrating on Toulouse and his life in the South of France. He's 28 and his family are settled. Might as well enjoy it.
Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Thu Jun 19, 2025 7:41 pm
That would be gutting as a Quins fans but a more logical choice and a great move for Sale/England. Marchant on the end of Ford’s passing and offering a bit of variety (and defensive mentorship) to Ma’asi White could be fantastic.
Yeah - pretty much exactly my thoughts. I’m not thrilled about the potential location but would love to have Marchant back in the England picture.
Captainhaircut wrote: ↑Thu Jun 19, 2025 6:14 pm
RugbyPass reckon Marchant to Sale with Du Preez to Racing to replace Farrell.
Would be a bit of a result for England with 13 options a bit limited.
Would probably leave us just wanting Moon and Kpoku back as possible England options, both of who could come back next year. Writing off Ribbans and Willis who seem to have decided long term to stay in France.
plenty of time for kpoku, playing abroad has to be great for a 19yo. Moon at 28.....like him, but ....now Jack Willis, has to be worth an offer, even with some decent backrow talent.
I'm sure Jack Willis has had offers, can't blame him for now being interested and concentrating on Toulouse and his life in the South of France. He's 28 and his family are settled. Might as well enjoy it.
plenty of time for kpoku, playing abroad has to be great for a 19yo. Moon at 28.....like him, but ....now Jack Willis, has to be worth an offer, even with some decent backrow talent.
I'm sure Jack Willis has had offers, can't blame him for now being interested and concentrating on Toulouse and his life in the South of France. He's 28 and his family are settled. Might as well enjoy it.
agreed, but still a shame in lots of ways...
As England fans yes, he's continued to develop over in France and is a proper pain in the backside for the opposition.
For his family enjoying the South of France, probably not so much a shame.
I'm sure Jack Willis has had offers, can't blame him for now being interested and concentrating on Toulouse and his life in the South of France. He's 28 and his family are settled. Might as well enjoy it.
agreed, but still a shame in lots of ways...
As England fans yes, he's continued to develop over in France and is a proper pain in the backside for the opposition.
For his family enjoying the South of France, probably not so much a shame.
Tigers confirm that Ben Volavola won't be staying for next season which is a shame as he showed flashes of quality in the run in.
Signings announcement day today.
James Thompson a former NZ under 20 lock/6 joins from the Chiefs where he was a fringe option previously also with the Blues.
John Stewart from Bath, former England under 20 hooker.
FKAS wrote: ↑Thu Jun 26, 2025 10:47 am
Tigers confirm that Ben Volavola won't be staying for next season which is a shame as he showed flashes of quality in the run in.
Signings announcement day today.
James Thompson a former NZ under 20 lock/6 joins from the Chiefs where he was a fringe option previously also with the Blues.
John Stewart from Bath, former England under 20 hooker.
Some bigger names likely coming up.
I was quite pleased when we signed Volavola, but he's barely played and he is 34 now, so I'm not surprised we've not extended his contract if we're going to end up with (as rumoured) Searle, O'Connor, Titcombe and Threlfall. We don't really need another okay fly-half amidst that lot.
Thompson seems unnecessary given our resources around the academy. Hopefully he doesn't block game time for Carnduff or LChessum.
Thompson was Counties Manakau(sp?) captain in NZ league so could be pretty useful for the periods when two or more of our international locks are unavailable. Carnduff has also had another operation.
Gabriel Hamer-Webb has also joined. Whilst Diamond Ayiehfor and George Marsh have been rewarded with Senior Academy contracts ahead of the 25/26 season. TH and number 8 respectively.
When you look at this season
Henderson (18 caps)
Wells (18 caps)
Joussain (15 caps)
Chessum (12 caps)
Manz (8 caps)
Martin (7 caps)
Halloway (6 caps)
Rogerson (6 caps at lock bench)
8 Players played lock for us this season (of which 3 won't be here next season)
Which Tyler wrote: ↑Thu Jun 26, 2025 7:08 pm
Orlando Bailey confirmed to Tigers
Good for both parties you'd think
Not necessarily "good" for Bath, but definitely for Landi and Leicester.
I guess it gives us a bit of flexibility under the cap - unless it was agreed a good while ago and it's already been spent (doubtful)
Which Tyler wrote: ↑Thu Jun 26, 2025 7:08 pm
Orlando Bailey confirmed to Tigers
Gods, I'd given up on that happening. Thought that'd been replaced by O'Connor!
Very pleasing signing that - hopefully he can kick on and be a fixture as our fly-half going forward. The rumour mill seemed very certain that O'Connor was a done deal at the start of the month though - wonder if it is still going ahead or if it was a figment of an agents' imagination. Would seem a bit much to have all three, although I suppose JOC and Bailey have positional flexibility.
Great news on Bailey. was worried he was going to have another season of limited involvement.
What does that leave Leicester needing then? Maybe a wing since Seabrook went to Worcester in the end? Pearson and Kinder are options there though I guess.
Which Tyler wrote: ↑Thu Jun 26, 2025 7:08 pm
Orlando Bailey confirmed to Tigers
Good for both parties you'd think
Possibly good for England too. We don’t often have to call upon our back up 10s, but with more game time in a decent side, Bailey could definitely leapfrog Atkinson. His move also creates more opportunities for Donoghue at Bath. Lots of upsides.
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