Transfer gossip - sometimes even accurate (accidentally) - Season 2022/23

[Oakboy]

Speaking of which, Itoje is hinting he may go abroad for his next contract, starting in 2024.

I think we have reached a simple impasse. Either have a salary cap OR stop the ban on players based overseas playing for England. Trying to apply both (even with the proposed cap increase) risks killing the game.

[Puja]

Speaking of which, Itoje is hinting he may go abroad for his next contract, starting in 2024.

I think we have reached a simple impasse. Either have a salary cap OR stop the ban on players based overseas playing for England. Trying to apply both (even with the proposed cap increase) risks killing the game.

I read that news a different way - Itoje's floating the idea because he wants both French money and EPS money and he thinks there might be a shift if he adds his pressure. If we want an English game with the top players in it, then we need to keep the ban, cause they're making very clear that English fans won't see them outside of Regulation 9 release otherwise.

Puja

[FKAS]

Speaking of which, Itoje is hinting he may go abroad for his next contract, starting in 2024.

I think we have reached a simple impasse. Either have a salary cap OR stop the ban on players based overseas playing for England. Trying to apply both (even with the proposed cap increase) risks killing the game.

I read that news a different way - Itoje's floating the idea because he wants both French money and EPS money and he thinks there might be a shift if he adds his pressure. If we want an English game with the top players in it, then we need to keep the ban, cause they're making very clear that English fans won't see them outside of Regulation 9 release otherwise.

Puja

Ditching the ban either destroys the quality of the league as the internationals move abroad or even worse the French clubs just poach straight out of the academy or worse it forces the Prem clubs into a financial arms race to keep their talent and we know that's not a sustainable option.

[Mikey Brown]

I think we have reached a simple impasse. Either have a salary cap OR stop the ban on players based overseas playing for England. Trying to apply both (even with the proposed cap increase) risks killing the game.

I read that news a different way - Itoje's floating the idea because he wants both French money and EPS money and he thinks there might be a shift if he adds his pressure. If we want an English game with the top players in it, then we need to keep the ban, cause they're making very clear that English fans won't see them outside of Regulation 9 release otherwise.

Puja

Ditching the ban either destroys the quality of the league as the internationals move abroad or even worse the French clubs just poach straight out of the academy or worse it forces the Prem clubs into a financial arms race to keep their talent and we know that's not a sustainable option.

And as far as I understand it, it doesn’t actually help with access to the players. You can only presume it will be far more disruptive with a dozen foreign based players rather than just Willis.

We keep hearing about earning potential but if it doesn’t make practical sense for the coach to pick them then it doesn’t matter either way really.

I appreciate we’ve all stated our cases for this several times and I imagine nobody is budging at this point.

[Spartan Shark]

Sale News:
1. Have signed a player who can play across the back 5 in the scrum......no names (Elliot Stooke perhaps)
2. Hoping to extend Manus contract, decision due in next 2 weeks
3. Possible injury cover required for Cobus Weise who is out for 6-9 months following knee surgery
4. Ewan Ashman continues to be courted by the SRU and might be off to Edinburgh even though still has year on contract
5: Akker wants to stay and talking about an extension

So on the above:
1. Looks like Ernst van Rhyn is the player to play across the back 5 in the scrum
2. Tom Ellis signed as cover Cobus Weise
3. Just been confirmed Ashman is off to Edinburgh (big loss)

[chris1850]

Ashman is a massive loss for us. Shame the timing wasn't right for Langdon to come back. He's been ripping it up for Montpellier this season apparently,. Saints have made an excellent acquisition there.

Leaves us short on hookers for next season with only Akker (assuming he's staying) and TT as regular starters. Thompson and Caine are next off the block but they are very young and inexperienced. Not sure either is ready yet to step up.

[FKAS]

Lewis Boyce and Micheal Etete leave Bath with immediate effect. Boyce to Ealing and Etete to take up an opportunity in Australia.

[Which Tyler]

Wow, good signing for Ealing there!

[fivepointer]

Boyce should do well in the Championship - if he can stay fit. Hasnt happened for him at Prem level after looking a real prospect a few years back.

[francoisfou]

Changes are afoot at Racing 92 in the Top14.
Stuart Lancaster will be head coach next season and will have Frédéric Michalak as backs' coach and Dmitre Szarzewski with the forwards.
The big player signing is Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, for two seasons.
Fijian winger/centre Josua Tuisova has signed from Lyon and Welsh lock Will Rowlands has also signed.
No news yet if Christian Wade will have a new contract but according to Eurosport, he's expected to stay.

[FKAS]

Good signings for Racing, I'm not sold on Lancaster yet but could be convinced.

Have they confirmed who will be replacing Finn Russell?

[francoisfou]

Good signings for Racing, I'm not sold on Lancaster yet but could be convinced.

Have they confirmed who will be replacing Finn Russell?

Yes, South African Tristan Tedder, who's currently with Perpignan (and he's being replaced by Quins' Tomasso Allan).

[francoisfou]

Dragons' Ross Moriarty has signed for Brive with immediate effect.
Brive are currently in last place in the Top14 and are nine points adrift of Perpignan in 13th, so are in desperate need of a player to lift them in their last five matches of the season.
Is Moriarty up to the task? If not, he'll be playing in ProD2 next season.

[FKAS]

Good signings for Racing, I'm not sold on Lancaster yet but could be convinced.

Have they confirmed who will be replacing Finn Russell?

Yes, South African Tristan Tedder, who's currently with Perpignan (and he's being replaced by Quins' Tomasso Allan).

No star name replacement then. Interesting for a post world cup season. I thought we might see an Aussie or Kiwi come north.

Re Moriarty has it been confirmed it's a long term deal or is Brive just a stop gap before he moves on to somewhere else for the season after?

[francoisfou]

Good signings for Racing, I'm not sold on Lancaster yet but could be convinced.

Have they confirmed who will be replacing Finn Russell?

Yes, South African Tristan Tedder, who's currently with Perpignan (and he's being replaced by Quins' Tomasso Allan).

No star name replacement then. Interesting for a post world cup season. I thought we might see an Aussie or Kiwi come north.

Re Moriarty has it been confirmed it's a long term deal or is Brive just a stop gap before he moves on to somewhere else for the season after?

Two seasons for Moriarty, from what I've read.

[Puja]

Is Moriarty up to the task? If not, he'll be playing in ProD2 next season.

So, a higher level than the Dragons regardless...

Puja

[fivepointer]

Alex Codling to become new head coach at Newcastle.

[twitchy]

Charlie Ewels after his short term contract in SA.

[FKAS]

Charlie Ewels after his short term contract in SA.

I didn't realise he was playing school rugby whilst he was over there.

[Mellsblue]

J Willy’s contract is for 3 years with 2 optional. Couldn’t be happier for him. He seems to be absolutely loving it over there.

[Mr Mwenda]

Yup, good on him for understanding that international rugby isn't all there is to life! Still, bit anticlimactic from an England team perspective - it looked like he'd finally had the luck to stay fit and be a fixture in the team.

[FKAS]

Chris Ashton to retire at the end of the season.

[Puja]

Chris Ashton to retire at the end of the season.

Still 2 tries short of his century, with probably only 3 Leicester games left in the season. I hope he does get a chance to try and get them before the end.

Puja

[FKAS]

Chris Ashton to retire at the end of the season.

Still 2 tries short of his century, with probably only 3 Leicester games left in the season. I hope he does get a chance to try and get them before the end.

Puja

Would be fairytale stuff to score the 100th in the final and win the game. Can't see it though. His best chance is probably the last game of the season Vs Quins.

[francoisfou]

Jack Willis has officially prolonged his contract with Stade Toulousain for three seasons, this season, next and an option for a third.



Midi-Olympique are suggesting that the current relaxation of England eligibility for former Wasps and Worcester players may well be extended after the World Cup, which will have persuaded Willis to stay in SW France.