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

[Puja]

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 Thought that'd been replaced by O'Connor!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.

So, I guess that did still happen.

Leaves us in the wild situation of still not knowing who's going to be wearing the J shirt at the start of next season. I know who I'd like it to be, but I could easily write a convincing argument in favour of any one of those three having been signed to be our first choice 10.

Feeling a bit sorry for Charlie Titcombe there.
Woke up yesterday as Leicester's first choice FH.
Went to bed as 4th choice.

Hah, good point! He was probably aware that there were signings coming and he wasn't signed to be first choice, but that's now a hell of a queue ahead of him getting any game time at all, especially since none of those are likely to be involved in internationals. Given he was getting regular gametime week-on-week with the Scarlets (albeit always off the bench), it seems like a hell of a step down for him.

Puja

[FKAS]

Feeling a bit sorry for Charlie Titcombe there.
Woke up yesterday as Leicester's first choice FH.
Went to bed as 4th choice.

I suspect Titcombe has been signed to help cover 15 as much as to play 10.

Not sure we need quite so many flyhalf options with the promising duo of Threlfall and Talbot coming through. Threlfall is likely to spend next season on loan at Notts in the Championship which will be good for him. A couple of Tigers senior academy guys have signed for Notts this off season on the type of deal that'll probably see them still training with Tigers I'd guess.

[Which Tyler]

Leaves us in the wild situation of still not knowing who's going to be wearing the J shirt at the start of next season. I know who I'd like it to be, but I could easily write a convincing argument in favour of any one of those three having been signed to be our first choice 10.

JO'C is 35, and much more a utility back than an actual FH - I'd expect Searle and Bailey to fight it out for the starting shirt, with JOC on the bench.
It'll probably then come down to who has a run of form at the right time, or suffers an injury at the wrong time, but if he gets decent game time, I'd expect Bailey to have won that fight by the end of next season.
He's a good player, and too good to be lower-than-bench at Bath, TBH too good to be not-1st-choice at anywhere without a regular international at FH (just that Bath have 2 of those).
I'd also expect Bailey to get reasonable game time at 15 - what have you got behind Steward there?

In a move that would please some, it might even be that Bailey has been signed to have an Alex Goode career, whilst Steward moves up to IC

[FKAS]

Leaves us in the wild situation of still not knowing who's going to be wearing the J shirt at the start of next season. I know who I'd like it to be, but I could easily write a convincing argument in favour of any one of those three having been signed to be our first choice 10.

JO'C is 35, and much more a utility back than an actual FH - I'd expect Searle and Bailey to fight it out for the starting shirt, with JOC on the bench.
It'll probably then come down to who has a run of form at the right time, or suffers an injury at the wrong time, but if he gets decent game time, I'd expect Bailey to have won that fight by the end of next season.
He's a good player, and too good to be lower-than-bench at Bath, TBH too good to be not-1st-choice at anywhere without a regular international at FH (just that Bath have 2 of those).
I'd also expect Bailey to get reasonable game time at 15 - what have you got behind Steward there?

In a move that would please some, it might even be that Bailey has been signed to have an Alex Goode career, whilst Steward moves up to IC

JOC has tended to play more 10 of late, mainly as bench impact. From his comments on signing it sounds like he's going to be in a mentoring and maybe a bit of a coaching style of role as well as playing. Which given his age makes sense. Hewat probably a good attack coach to do that under as well.

Not sure about moving Steward to IC when we've got both Woodward and Kata under contract for next season. Perhaps as a second half option depending on how the game is going, using a second playmaker at 15 and moving Freddie up into the midfield as a different picture for the opposition defence.

Bailey should be looking to push on and take that 10 shirt. I assume that's the short term goal for Tigers with his versatility helping him to get game time if it doesn't go his way initially.

[Puja]

Leaves us in the wild situation of still not knowing who's going to be wearing the J shirt at the start of next season. I know who I'd like it to be, but I could easily write a convincing argument in favour of any one of those three having been signed to be our first choice 10.

JO'C is 35, and much more a utility back than an actual FH - I'd expect Searle and Bailey to fight it out for the starting shirt, with JOC on the bench.
It'll probably then come down to who has a run of form at the right time, or suffers an injury at the wrong time, but if he gets decent game time, I'd expect Bailey to have won that fight by the end of next season.
He's a good player, and too good to be lower-than-bench at Bath, TBH too good to be not-1st-choice at anywhere without a regular international at FH (just that Bath have 2 of those).
I'd also expect Bailey to get reasonable game time at 15 - what have you got behind Steward there?

In a move that would please some, it might even be that Bailey has been signed to have an Alex Goode career, whilst Steward moves up to IC

We've not got a great deal behind Steward at 15 with Shillcock heading off. Excluding the new signings, it's just Kinder from the academy, so it's entirely possible that you're right that JOC/Bailey/Titcombe are being signed to cover there as well.

I will be disappointed if Bailey plays much 15 though. I want him to focus on 10 and develop into a fixture in our team for the next 8-9 years, rather than stay as a squad player that gets shuffled around to where we happen to be short.

Puja

[Puja]

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.

Other than that, a tighthead and done?

Had actually missed that Seabrook wasn't joining - seemed like such a done deal that I assumed it'd been done. Not to Parling's liking, perhaps? We could probably do with a bit more wing cover - it's not like we're losing OHC or Radwan to internationals any time soon, but beyond them it's Wand/Kata or academy boys.

Tighthead's the big one. Cole going leaves us with Heyes and Hurd, with nothing but some very green academy lads in Ayiehfor and Maka (maybe Miell swinging both ways as well). We need a reliable old head there, for definite, especially since there's a non-zero chance both Heyes and Hurd will be away with internationals.

Puja

[FKAS]

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.

Other than that, a tighthead and done?

Had actually missed that Seabrook wasn't joining - seemed like such a done deal that I assumed it'd been done. Not to Parling's liking, perhaps? We could probably do with a bit more wing cover - it's not like we're losing OHC or Radwan to internationals any time soon, but beyond them it's Wand/Kata or academy boys.

Tighthead's the big one. Cole going leaves us with Heyes and Hurd, with nothing but some very green academy lads in Ayiehfor and Maka (maybe Miell swinging both ways as well). We need a reliable old head there, for definite, especially since there's a non-zero chance both Heyes and Hurd will be away with internationals.

Puja

Pearson and Kinder both have played some 15 previously. Pearson in particular looks composed beyond his years.

We've signed Gabriel Hamer-Webb as Bassett's replacement which is a great option if OHC or Radwan aren't available. A better like for like fit than Seabrook.

Titcombe won BUCS player of the year at fullback didn't he? He definitely played both 10 and 15 a fair bit at that level. Just checked and nope. He was twice selected as the best BUCS flyhalf and once as the overall best player at BUCS level. He did play fullback for England Universities Vs their French counterparts.

A new tighthead (or two) is 100% on the shopping list I'd have thought. Can't see that we'll have spent anywhere close to as much as the cap will allow so far so be interesting to see who else comes in.

[Puja]

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.

Other than that, a tighthead and done?

Had actually missed that Seabrook wasn't joining - seemed like such a done deal that I assumed it'd been done. Not to Parling's liking, perhaps? We could probably do with a bit more wing cover - it's not like we're losing OHC or Radwan to internationals any time soon, but beyond them it's Wand/Kata or academy boys.

Tighthead's the big one. Cole going leaves us with Heyes and Hurd, with nothing but some very green academy lads in Ayiehfor and Maka (maybe Miell swinging both ways as well). We need a reliable old head there, for definite, especially since there's a non-zero chance both Heyes and Hurd will be away with internationals.

Puja

Pearson and Kinder both have played some 15 previously. Pearson in particular looks composed beyond his years.

We've signed Gabriel Hamer-Webb as Bassett's replacement which is a great option if OHC or Radwan aren't available. A better like for like fit than Seabrook.

Titcombe won BUCS player of the year at fullback didn't he? He definitely played both 10 and 15 a fair bit at that level. Just checked and nope. He was twice selected as the best BUCS flyhalf and once as the overall best player at BUCS level. He did play fullback for England Universities Vs their French counterparts.

A new tighthead (or two) is 100% on the shopping list I'd have thought. Can't see that we'll have spent anywhere close to as much as the cap will allow so far so be interesting to see who else comes in.

I had completely forgotten Hamer-Webb's existence! Yeah, with him as well as the youngsters, we should be fine.

Puja

[twitchy]

Saints have signed a massive saffa from france.

[francoisfou]

Saints have signed a massive saffa from france.

It's JJ van der Mescht (2m 145kg) from Stade Français who's said to be under contract until 2027 so it's maybe yet to be confirmed.

[FKAS]

Saints have signed a massive saffa from france.

It's JJ van der Mescht (2m 145kg) from Stade Français who's said to be under contract until 2027 so it's maybe yet to be confirmed.

Perhaps the first signs of a SF clearout and rebuild? Can't imagine he's hugely mobile at 22+ stone and Gustard does like a pretty hard blitz.

He'd definitely add to a Saints scrum and maul that looked pretty underpowered last season. Saints have lots of mobility in their pack but with Augustus going there's a definite lack of size to their carrying. He could be an ideal blunt instrument to complement the rest of their pack.

[francoisfou]

Dan Lancaster, not retained by Racing, is to join Glasgow on a two-year contract.

[Scrumhead]

Speaking of a SF clear out, any more on the Marchant to Sale rumours? I don’t love the idea of him going to Sale but I can get over it if it means he’s available for England.

[Mellsblue]

George Worth to Bedford.

[francoisfou]

Speaking of a SF clear out, any more on the Marchant to Sale rumours? I don’t love the idea of him going to Sale but I can get over it if it means he’s available for England.

Not that I’ve read or heard.

[FKAS]

George Worth to Bedford.

Back from France. Good utility player, seemed to lack a USP to allow him to make the grade at Prem level. Good all rounder.

[Adam_P]

Saints have signed Cov winger James Martin for next season. In the same news release, also the surprising mention that we're letting Makepeace-Cubitt go, which seems very odd to me.

[Captainhaircut]

Witheat leaving Saints too which is a bit weird.

Interesting to see where he and Makepeace-Cubitt go. Worcester?

[Banquo]

Witheat leaving Saints too which is a bit weird.

Interesting to see where he and Makepeace-Cubitt go. Worcester?

Worcester say they have finished signing and suspect their finances are being watched like a hawk.


There’s rumours of some off field issues I’ve heard. Likely given how highly witheat was rated- bet he’ll be at Bedford

[FKAS]

Could Makepeace-Cubitt be Sale bound? Potential Rob du Preez replacement to compliment Curtis and Davies backing up Ford.

[FKAS]

Witheat leaving Saints too which is a bit weird.

Interesting to see where he and Makepeace-Cubitt go. Worcester?

Worcester say they have finished signing and suspect their finances are being watched like a hawk.


There’s rumours of some off field issues I’ve heard. Likely given how highly witheat was rated- bet he’ll be at Bedford

Is this a way for the Prem sides to circumvent the dual reg rules with some of the senior dev guys signing for their local Champ sides before rejoining in a season or so. Probably still training with the Prem side for half the week

[Banquo]

Witheat leaving Saints too which is a bit weird.

Interesting to see where he and Makepeace-Cubitt go. Worcester?

Worcester say they have finished signing and suspect their finances are being watched like a hawk.


There’s rumours of some off field issues I’ve heard. Likely given how highly witheat was rated- bet he’ll be at Bedford

Is this a way for the Prem sides to circumvent the dual reg rules with some of the senior dev guys signing for their local Champ sides before rejoining in a season or so. Probably still training with the Prem side for half the week

They can just send them on season long loans rather than release like this.
Champ sides want season long loans as they are restricted to 6 dual reg in matchday.

[FKAS]

Worcester say they have finished signing and suspect their finances are being watched like a hawk.


There’s rumours of some off field issues I’ve heard. Likely given how highly witheat was rated- bet he’ll be at Bedford

Is this a way for the Prem sides to circumvent the dual reg rules with some of the senior dev guys signing for their local Champ sides before rejoining in a season or so. Probably still training with the Prem side for half the week

They can just send them on season long loans rather than release like this.
Champ sides want season long loans as they are restricted to 6 dual reg in matchday.

Ta.

[FKAS]

Mike Forshaw is Tigers new defence coach, Ant Allen joins as an assistant coach as well.

[Banquo]

Mike Forshaw is Tigers new defence coach, Ant Allen joins as an assistant coach as well.

Good for Ant, hope he has a better time than with us