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

[FKAS]

I suspect Gloucester were the only ones with the cap space to offer the sort of wages he was getting at Montpellier. Bit of a shame he'd rather head off back to France then spend another season working on the areas Borthwick wants him to improve to try and force his way into the squad.

[twitchy]

It's pretty depressing that the default now is that anyone who doesn't make the england squad is just digging out the passport.

[Oakboy]

In Mercer's case, might his style simply suit French rugby more than English? Based ONLY on the few Gloucester games on TV that I saw this season, I'd not rate him as anything special. That does not mean much beyond suggesting that his omission by Soapy Balls is understandable.

[Scrumhead]

It's pretty depressing that the default now is that anyone who doesn't make the england squad is just digging out the passport.

Agreed. It’s like blackmail. Pick me now or else.

[Stom]

In Mercer's case, might his style simply suit French rugby more than English? Based ONLY on the few Gloucester games on TV that I saw this season, I'd not rate him as anything special. That does not mean much beyond suggesting that his omission by Soapy Balls is understandable.

Watching the early season Glos Quins game, where we got to see Mercer v Dombrandt, and they both stood out positively. But Mercer was comprehensively outplayed by Dombrandt. Not sure what the issue is for him, but I just don't think he's as good as I used to think he was.

[Captainhaircut]

In Mercer's case, might his style simply suit French rugby more than English? Based ONLY on the few Gloucester games on TV that I saw this season, I'd not rate him as anything special. That does not mean much beyond suggesting that his omission by Soapy Balls is understandable.

Watching the early season Glos Quins game, where we got to see Mercer v Dombrandt, and they both stood out positively. But Mercer was comprehensively outplayed by Dombrandt. Not sure what the issue is for him, but I just don't think he's as good as I used to think he was.

Isn’t the issue that the team he plays in is absolutely shit?

[francoisfou]

In Mercer's case, might his style simply suit French rugby more than English? Based ONLY on the few Gloucester games on TV that I saw this season, I'd not rate him as anything special. That does not mean much beyond suggesting that his omission by Soapy Balls is understandable.

Watching the early season Glos Quins game, where we got to see Mercer v Dombrandt, and they both stood out positively. But Mercer was comprehensively outplayed by Dombrandt. Not sure what the issue is for him, but I just don't think he's as good as I used to think he was.

Isn’t the issue that the team he plays in is absolutely shit?

Probably closer to the truth!

[Puja]

In Mercer's case, might his style simply suit French rugby more than English? Based ONLY on the few Gloucester games on TV that I saw this season, I'd not rate him as anything special. That does not mean much beyond suggesting that his omission by Soapy Balls is understandable.

Watching the early season Glos Quins game, where we got to see Mercer v Dombrandt, and they both stood out positively. But Mercer was comprehensively outplayed by Dombrandt. Not sure what the issue is for him, but I just don't think he's as good as I used to think he was.

Isn’t the issue that the team he plays in is absolutely shit?

And the tiny arms, of course.

I think there is a truism there about the players who go to France - it is a lot easier to look quality when surrounded by other stars.

Puja

[francoisfou]

Jonny May has signed a two-year contract with Soyaux/Angoulême in ProD2.

[FKAS]

Fraser Balmain joined Sarries for next season. Gloucester replace him with Alfie Petch from Biarritz. Good deal for Sarries, erm not so for Glaws.

[Puja]

Fraser Balmain joined Sarries for next season. Gloucester replace him with Alfie Petch from Biarritz. Good deal for Sarries, erm not so for Glaws.

Was just coming here to post about Petch, but hadn't realised that Balmain had gone. That's a ridiculous signing for Saracens to have alongside Riccioni.

I think Petch could come good - he played 17 games for Biarritz last season, so he must've learned a bit - but it's a hell of a step down from Balmain.

Puja

[Timbo]

Gloucester giving big struggling financially vibes at the moment.

[Banquo]

Gloucester giving big struggling financially vibes at the moment.

they arent alone....luckily the rfu are about to bung the prem 260m over 8 years

[FKAS]

Fraser Balmain joined Sarries for next season. Gloucester replace him with Alfie Petch from Biarritz. Good deal for Sarries, erm not so for Glaws.

Was just coming here to post about Petch, but hadn't realised that Balmain had gone. That's a ridiculous signing for Saracens to have alongside Riccioni.

I think Petch could come good - he played 17 games for Biarritz last season, so he must've learned a bit - but it's a hell of a step down from Balmain.

Puja

Petch only started 6 games and didn't make it past 51 minutes in any of his starts. Glaws must be backing Fasogbon to step up or needing to free up some cash for signings/re-signings elsewhere.

Sarries will lose Riccioni during international windows and having lost Judge probably needed another experience back up. Having all three of Riccioni, Hoskins and Balmain is a good combination.

[FKAS]

"Leicester Tigers have announced six Senior Academy players will step up to the club’s first team squad ahead of the 2024/25 season.

The group includes prop Tim Hoyt, hooker Archie Vanes, lock Tom Manz, back-rows Finn Carnduff and Emeka Ilione and centre Joseph Woodward."

Lewis Chessum misses out and stays in the development squad for another year after injury, as does Josh Manz.

[FKAS]

Peter Hewat confirmed as Tigers attack coach and Matt Parr new head of S&C.

[Adam_P]

Rumours of George Smith, ex Coventry lock, joining Saints. He was at Twickenham hanging out with the non playing squad in Saints clothing at the weekend.

If true then the NFL IPP obviously hasn't worked for him.

Could be a decent replacement for Moon. He is certainly a specimen.

[Timbo]

Will Goodrick-Clarke signs for the Chiefs. Looks like they’re going to have a good scrum again next season.

[FKAS]

Will Goodrick-Clarke signs for the Chiefs. Looks like they’re going to have a good scrum again next season.

Only surprise was he wasn't back in the Prem sooner.

[Peej]

Yeah I would have thought he'd have been in high demand

[FKAS]

Yeah I would have thought he'd have been in high demand

Yeah prime age EQ LH who's reliable both at the scrum and in the loose really should have been entertaining a lot of offers. I guess his injury before the LI failing hurt his initial prospects. He'll probably do very well at Chiefs. Might even enter the England discussion.

[francoisfou]

Mako Vunipola is said to be in “advanced talks” with Vannes who’ve just won promotion to the Top14.

[FKAS]

Dan Lancaster joins his dad at Racing after leaving Ealing.

[twitchy]

[Puja]

What the actual fuck