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

[Mikey Brown]

It’s weird because I think Eddie Jones is a total prick but it would be so fucking funny if they won.

[Mellsblue]

It’s the big build up for the RWC in 2027. They’re trying to strengthen the domestic teams to increase bum on seats and eyeballs on televisions in time for then. It seems like good long term thinking assuming Eddie doesn’t Eddie in the next four years…

[Puja]

Sounds like the Aussies are going in on the Prem clubs with Eddie Jones allegedly helping the Western Force to try to bring in Potter from Tigers.

Be a loss, ridiculously consistent and hard working player.

Wouldn't necessarily be a surprise though - we are back-three heavy in our squad and Bassett fills a very similar niche. If it meant we could keep Watson, I'd be okay with it.

Puja

We've got lots of fullback cover but wing doesn't look that well stocked. Steward, Brown and Shillcock aren't great if we need to move them out to the wing. Kata, OHC and Bassett are good recruits but Potter has played 26 games in the last two seasons and with all of Nadolo, Murimurivalu, Saumaki and Ashton already gone we'd really need to keep Watson and perhaps go recruiting or train up Cokanasiga to cover as we don't have any young wingers waiting to step up (Browning?).

Could be that Loader or WJoseph are available soon...

Puja

[Puja]

Complete speculation ahead, based on the reports today that LIrish players have been talking to other clubs and have, in some cases, allegedly signed pre-contract agreements in the event of the club going under.

On who has money left and who needs players - I would assume that most of the players staying within the Prem would be EQP. While I'd love Fischetti or BJVR at Leicester, those kind of players are likely to take larger money available in France and Japan (and no doubt the likes of Hoskins and Coleman swept up by the Australian hoovering that's going on rn). That leaves the following wanting to stay in England for their potential international career, probably in order of cost:

Arundell
Pearson
Rogerson
Loader
Tom Collins
Goodrick-Clarke
Cunningham-South
WJoseph
Munga
Haffar
Afolabi

Who has money to spend still, do we think? Leicester haven't replaced Nephi Leatigaga and have released Saumaki (who was signed with much fanfare even if he never played much), plus there's rumours of Potter going. Exeter surely have room as they've barely replaced their massive clearout of core players. Sale have released a lot of players - maybe not many on big money, but may all add up to a bit of space. I can't imagine Saracens not making a play for Arundell; he is exactly their kind of signing and you'd've thought they'd find some way to wangle it (although Parton may be irked at having moved to get away from the shadow of the wunderkind!).

Hopefully none of it comes to pass and this is all rendered moot by Irish's takeover going through and everyone going home happy.

Puja

[TheNomad]

Some really good players there

[jimKRFC]

Complete speculation ahead, based on the reports today that LIrish players have been talking to other clubs and have, in some cases, allegedly signed pre-contract agreements in the event of the club going under.

On who has money left and who needs players - I would assume that most of the players staying within the Prem would be EQP. While I'd love Fischetti or BJVR at Leicester, those kind of players are likely to take larger money available in France and Japan (and no doubt the likes of Hoskins and Coleman swept up by the Australian hoovering that's going on rn). That leaves the following wanting to stay in England for their potential international career, probably in order of cost:

Arundell
Pearson
Rogerson
Loader
Tom Collins
Goodrick-Clarke
Cunningham-South
WJoseph
Munga
Haffar
Afolabi

Who has money to spend still, do we think? Leicester haven't replaced Nephi Leatigaga and have released Saumaki (who was signed with much fanfare even if he never played much), plus there's rumours of Potter going. Exeter surely have room as they've barely replaced their massive clearout of core players. Sale have released a lot of players - maybe not many on big money, but may all add up to a bit of space. I can't imagine Saracens not making a play for Arundell; he is exactly their kind of signing and you'd've thought they'd find some way to wangle it (although Parton may be irked at having moved to get away from the shadow of the wunderkind!).

Hopefully none of it comes to pass and this is all rendered moot by Irish's takeover going through and everyone going home happy.

Puja

As Bristol are weakest (imho) at lock we should (if we have the money) be after Munga & Cunningham-South. We're well stocked at prop and backs so we'd probably get some of them...

[FKAS]

Goodrick-Clark would be a handy addition for Tigers. If Potter is off then Collins or Dykes as a replacement for the back three. Josh Basham would fit right in, in our backrow as well as offering versatility.

Sadly the likes of Pearson, Arundell etc might be more than we can stretch to and remain under the cap.

Jim, really hope Cunningham-South doesn't go to Bristol to play lock, he's got potential to be a really good 8 if he keeps developing in the backrow. He's got the frame to be a lineout option as well as a powerful option in attack and defence. Sale snapping him up as a Jono Ross replacement would be ideal.

[Mellsblue]

Pearson to Sale to replace Ross would be good to see and, imo, a good fit.

[FKAS]

Pearson to Sale to replace Ross would be good to see and, imo, a good fit.

It would push him down the 6 role wouldn't it. They'd be no real opportunity on the openside.

Pearson at Chiefs might be an interesting one, if given the Simmonds style roaming role in the loose.

Hugh O'Sullivan is the first LI player out the door joining Falcons for next season.

[Mellsblue]

Pearson to Sale to replace Ross would be good to see and, imo, a good fit.

It would push him down the 6 role wouldn't it. They'd be no real opportunity on the openside.

Pearson at Chiefs might be an interesting one, if given the Simmonds style roaming role in the loose.

Who’s his competition at open side at Sale?
Where would he play at Exeter?

[FKAS]

Pearson to Sale to replace Ross would be good to see and, imo, a good fit.

It would push him down the 6 role wouldn't it. They'd be no real opportunity on the openside.

Pearson at Chiefs might be an interesting one, if given the Simmonds style roaming role in the loose.

Who’s his competition at open side at Sale?
Where would he play at Exeter?

At Sale Curry x2 and then the young lad Dugdale is a handy openside. Whereas at blindside/8 there's the two du Preez brothers though Sanderson does like to put one in at lock if he can. They've signed a Saffa utility forward and Beaumont is still there.

At Chiefs I don't think they've really got a fetcher. Fisilau looks like he might get opportunities at 8, Pearson at 7 and then Tshiunza at 6 would be a physical and dynamic backrow. I can't remember which if any senior backrows are actually sticking around bar Capstick who shouldn't be a barrier to Pearson. Baxter would probably go for Cunningham-South and play him at 7 though...

[Mellsblue]

It would push him down the 6 role wouldn't it. They'd be no real opportunity on the openside.

Pearson at Chiefs might be an interesting one, if given the Simmonds style roaming role in the loose.

Who’s his competition at open side at Sale?
Where would he play at Exeter?

At Sale Curry x2 and then the young lad Dugdale is a handy openside. Whereas at blindside/8 there's the two du Preez brothers though Sanderson does like to put one in at lock if he can. They've signed a Saffa utility forward and Beaumont is still there.

At Chiefs I don't think they've really got a fetcher. Fisilau looks like he might get opportunities at 8, Pearson at 7 and then Tshiunza at 6 would be a physical and dynamic backrow. I can't remember which if any senior backrows are actually sticking around bar Capstick who shouldn't be a barrier to Pearson. Baxter would probably go for Cunningham-South and play him at 7 though...

Dugdale is seen as a 6 from what I’ve heard. T. Cuzza obvs plays 6 to accommodate B. Cuzza so could continue so as to accommodate Pearson, when he’s not away with England. B. Cuzza may also be away with England especially if J. Willy is ineligible. I’d also like Pearson to think he could beat out B. Cuzza if he has any pretension to playing for England which he should have.

I think citing Exe as a good landing spot after worrying he won’t play openside at Sale is a weird one given Exe don’t even play an openside. There’s also the fact that Sale look set to be at the sharp end of things for the foreseeable. Exe not so much.

[jimKRFC]

Goodrick-Clark would be a handy addition for Tigers. If Potter is off then Collins or Dykes as a replacement for the back three. Josh Basham would fit right in, in our backrow as well as offering versatility.

Sadly the likes of Pearson, Arundell etc might be more than we can stretch to and remain under the cap.

Jim, really hope Cunningham-South doesn't go to Bristol to play lock, he's got potential to be a really good 8 if he keeps developing in the backrow. He's got the frame to be a lineout option as well as a powerful option in attack and defence. Sale snapping him up as a Jono Ross replacement would be ideal.

Got to be honest I'm not really bothered about England at present! But, if it make you happier Munga for lock and we can replace Heenan & Thomas with Pearson & Cunningham-South.

[Puja]

Goodrick-Clark would be a handy addition for Tigers. If Potter is off then Collins or Dykes as a replacement for the back three. Josh Basham would fit right in, in our backrow as well as offering versatility.

Sadly the likes of Pearson, Arundell etc might be more than we can stretch to and remain under the cap.

Jim, really hope Cunningham-South doesn't go to Bristol to play lock, he's got potential to be a really good 8 if he keeps developing in the backrow. He's got the frame to be a lineout option as well as a powerful option in attack and defence. Sale snapping him up as a Jono Ross replacement would be ideal.

I'd rather see us go for Haffar and Afolabi myself - we already have a selection of props who are "fine" without being great and I don't see adding Goodrick-Clarke doing much for improving that. Haffar is capable of providing 1st XV cover and stepping in at Premiership level already, which would be a useful immediate addition to our loosehead stocks, and Afolabi could be something exceedingly special in the future.

Puja

[Margin_Walker]

Depressing thread, but Haffar's a catch. Could potentially have a very high ceiling and I'd be prioritising him over WGC too.

[FKAS]

Who’s his competition at open side at Sale?
Where would he play at Exeter?

At Sale Curry x2 and then the young lad Dugdale is a handy openside. Whereas at blindside/8 there's the two du Preez brothers though Sanderson does like to put one in at lock if he can. They've signed a Saffa utility forward and Beaumont is still there.

At Chiefs I don't think they've really got a fetcher. Fisilau looks like he might get opportunities at 8, Pearson at 7 and then Tshiunza at 6 would be a physical and dynamic backrow. I can't remember which if any senior backrows are actually sticking around bar Capstick who shouldn't be a barrier to Pearson. Baxter would probably go for Cunningham-South and play him at 7 though...

Dugdale is seen as a 6 from what I’ve heard. T. Cuzza obvs plays 6 to accommodate B. Cuzza so could continue so as to accommodate Pearson, when he’s not away with England. B. Cuzza may also be away with England especially if J. Willy is ineligible. I’d also like Pearson to think he could beat out B. Cuzza if he has any pretension to playing for England which he should have.

I think citing Exe as a good landing spot after worrying he won’t play openside at Sale is a weird one given Exe don’t even play an openside. There’s also the fact that Sale look set to be at the sharp end of things for the foreseeable. Exe not so much.

Nah Dugdale is primarily a 7, 15 starts at 7 over the last two seasons compared to 1 at 6.

Sale previously used Simmonds and LCD as their fetchers with neither available to them next season they might change tactics, particularly if they could find a physical openside that would suit them. Baxter previously had Salvi and Kvesic do well under him at Chiefs.

The top 4 is changeable, Saints scrapped in to fourth this season ahead of LI and Quins dropped out to be replaced by Sale. The year Quins won Chiefs and Bristol were up there.

[Puja]

Depressing thread, but Haffar's a catch. Could potentially have a very high ceiling and I'd be prioritising him over WGC too.

Yeah, I was thinking of you and feeling guilty while I was typing it. Hopefully this stays as fun speculation and never goes to the real world.

Puja

[Mellsblue]

At Sale Curry x2 and then the young lad Dugdale is a handy openside. Whereas at blindside/8 there's the two du Preez brothers though Sanderson does like to put one in at lock if he can. They've signed a Saffa utility forward and Beaumont is still there.

At Chiefs I don't think they've really got a fetcher. Fisilau looks like he might get opportunities at 8, Pearson at 7 and then Tshiunza at 6 would be a physical and dynamic backrow. I can't remember which if any senior backrows are actually sticking around bar Capstick who shouldn't be a barrier to Pearson. Baxter would probably go for Cunningham-South and play him at 7 though...

Dugdale is seen as a 6 from what I’ve heard. T. Cuzza obvs plays 6 to accommodate B. Cuzza so could continue so as to accommodate Pearson, when he’s not away with England. B. Cuzza may also be away with England especially if J. Willy is ineligible. I’d also like Pearson to think he could beat out B. Cuzza if he has any pretension to playing for England which he should have.

I think citing Exe as a good landing spot after worrying he won’t play openside at Sale is a weird one given Exe don’t even play an openside. There’s also the fact that Sale look set to be at the sharp end of things for the foreseeable. Exe not so much.

Nah Dugdale is primarily a 7, 15 starts at 7 over the last two seasons compared to 1 at 6.

Sale previously used Simmonds and LCD as their fetchers with neither available to them next season they might change tactics, particularly if they could find a physical openside that would suit them. Baxter previously had Salvi and Kvesic do well under him at Chiefs.

The top 4 is changeable, Saints scrapped in to fourth this season ahead of LI and Quins dropped out to be replaced by Sale. The year Quins won Chiefs and Bristol were up there.

I appreciate he’s mostly played 7 but then so did T. Cuzza until he didn’t. Sale also seem to prefer two ‘fetchers’ now we’re at the business end of the season… Even if Dugdale is viewed as a 7 long term then you’d like to think Sale would see Pearson as an upgrade and, RPA Young Player of the Year, Gallagher Premiership Breakthrough Player of the Year and BT Sport Team of the Year openside, Pearson would back himself to beat out Dugdale and challenge B. Cuzza.

Kvesic mostly played no8 and Salvi was a very different player. ‘Might’ is doing a lot of heavy lifting.

I doubt you’d find many who don’t think Sale are on an upward trajectory and Exe on a downward.

Ultimately, and sadly, it’ll probably be down to who can afford him rather than what’s best for the player/what the player wants.

[Margin_Walker]

Depressing thread, but Haffar's a catch. Could potentially have a very high ceiling and I'd be prioritising him over WGC too.

Yeah, I was thinking of you and feeling guilty while I was typing it. Hopefully this stays as fun speculation and never goes to the real world.

Puja

Nah, it's fine. It's got a fairly decent chance of being reality at the moment, so may as well speculate.

The guys I always feel for most (outside of the non playing staff) are those in contract rehabbing injuries and those who realistically aren't going to get another prem contract with the reduction from 13 to 10 teams. Probably true that we couldn't really service as many pro players in the league as we had, but still a shock to be cut completely adrift half way through a contract.

[Puja]

Dugdale is seen as a 6 from what I’ve heard. T. Cuzza obvs plays 6 to accommodate B. Cuzza so could continue so as to accommodate Pearson, when he’s not away with England. B. Cuzza may also be away with England especially if J. Willy is ineligible. I’d also like Pearson to think he could beat out B. Cuzza if he has any pretension to playing for England which he should have.

I think citing Exe as a good landing spot after worrying he won’t play openside at Sale is a weird one given Exe don’t even play an openside. There’s also the fact that Sale look set to be at the sharp end of things for the foreseeable. Exe not so much.

Nah Dugdale is primarily a 7, 15 starts at 7 over the last two seasons compared to 1 at 6.

Sale previously used Simmonds and LCD as their fetchers with neither available to them next season they might change tactics, particularly if they could find a physical openside that would suit them. Baxter previously had Salvi and Kvesic do well under him at Chiefs.

The top 4 is changeable, Saints scrapped in to fourth this season ahead of LI and Quins dropped out to be replaced by Sale. The year Quins won Chiefs and Bristol were up there.

I appreciate he’s mostly played 7 but then so did T. Cuzza until he didn’t. Sale also seem to prefer two ‘fetchers’ now we’re at the business end of the season… Even if Dugdale is viewed as a 7 long term then you’d like to think Sale would see Pearson as an upgrade and, RPA Young Player of the Year, Gallagher Premiership Breakthrough Player of the Year and BT Sport Team of the Year openside, Pearson would back himself to beat out Dugdale and challenge B. Cuzza.

Kvesic mostly played no8 and Salvi was a very different player. ‘Might’ is doing a lot of heavy lifting.

I doubt you’d find many who don’t think Sale are on an upward trajectory and Exe on a downward.

Ultimately, and sadly, it’ll probably be down to who can afford him rather than what’s best for the player/what the player wants.

Feels weird to posit that concentrating three EPS and EPS-adjacent opensides at the same club is the best idea for England. From a pure England perspective, I'd rather he went to Saints and pushed Ludlam to 6 or 8, rather than us having 3 of our best opensides squabbling over 2 club shirts.

Puja

[Mellsblue]

Nah Dugdale is primarily a 7, 15 starts at 7 over the last two seasons compared to 1 at 6.

Sale previously used Simmonds and LCD as their fetchers with neither available to them next season they might change tactics, particularly if they could find a physical openside that would suit them. Baxter previously had Salvi and Kvesic do well under him at Chiefs.

The top 4 is changeable, Saints scrapped in to fourth this season ahead of LI and Quins dropped out to be replaced by Sale. The year Quins won Chiefs and Bristol were up there.

I appreciate he’s mostly played 7 but then so did T. Cuzza until he didn’t. Sale also seem to prefer two ‘fetchers’ now we’re at the business end of the season… Even if Dugdale is viewed as a 7 long term then you’d like to think Sale would see Pearson as an upgrade and, RPA Young Player of the Year, Gallagher Premiership Breakthrough Player of the Year and BT Sport Team of the Year openside, Pearson would back himself to beat out Dugdale and challenge B. Cuzza.

Kvesic mostly played no8 and Salvi was a very different player. ‘Might’ is doing a lot of heavy lifting.

I doubt you’d find many who don’t think Sale are on an upward trajectory and Exe on a downward.

Ultimately, and sadly, it’ll probably be down to who can afford him rather than what’s best for the player/what the player wants.

Feels weird to posit that concentrating three EPS and EPS-adjacent opensides at the same club is the best idea for England. From a pure England perspective, I'd rather he went to Saints and pushed Ludlam to 6 or 8, rather than us having 3 of our best opensides squabbling over 2 club shirts.

Puja

Unless they push and learn off each other to improve even further and get to be rotated so they’re fresher for club and country, that is.

[FKAS]

I appreciate he’s mostly played 7 but then so did T. Cuzza until he didn’t. Sale also seem to prefer two ‘fetchers’ now we’re at the business end of the season… Even if Dugdale is viewed as a 7 long term then you’d like to think Sale would see Pearson as an upgrade and, RPA Young Player of the Year, Gallagher Premiership Breakthrough Player of the Year and BT Sport Team of the Year openside, Pearson would back himself to beat out Dugdale and challenge B. Cuzza.

Kvesic mostly played no8 and Salvi was a very different player. ‘Might’ is doing a lot of heavy lifting.

I doubt you’d find many who don’t think Sale are on an upward trajectory and Exe on a downward.

Ultimately, and sadly, it’ll probably be down to who can afford him rather than what’s best for the player/what the player wants.

Feels weird to posit that concentrating three EPS and EPS-adjacent opensides at the same club is the best idea for England. From a pure England perspective, I'd rather he went to Saints and pushed Ludlam to 6 or 8, rather than us having 3 of our best opensides squabbling over 2 club shirts.

Puja

Unless they push and learn off each other to improve even further and get to be rotated so they’re fresher for club and country, that is.

Feels like you're reaching a bit there. The injuries to Weise and Dan du Preez have also influenced the decision to go with dual opensides more often.

Pearson at Saints would be a scary thought as an addition for their attack. Not sure they've got the right forwards coach to bring him on though.

[FKAS]

Seeing rumours today of Lukhan Salakia-Loto returning to Australia, presumably to play in the WC. Would be a huge blow to Saints pack in general, and the second row in particular, to lose both him and Ribbons at the same time. Bit late in the day to find a top quality replacement too.

Confirmed now that he's returned to Australia as his family haven't settled in the East Midlands.

[Puja]

Seeing rumours today of Lukhan Salakia-Loto returning to Australia, presumably to play in the WC. Would be a huge blow to Saints pack in general, and the second row in particular, to lose both him and Ribbons at the same time. Bit late in the day to find a top quality replacement too.

Confirmed now that he's returned to Australia as his family haven't settled in the East Midlands.

Can't say as I blame them, given the state of the country rn.

Puja

[FKAS]

Seeing rumours today of Lukhan Salakia-Loto returning to Australia, presumably to play in the WC. Would be a huge blow to Saints pack in general, and the second row in particular, to lose both him and Ribbons at the same time. Bit late in the day to find a top quality replacement too.

Confirmed now that he's returned to Australia as his family haven't settled in the East Midlands.

Can't say as I blame them, given the state of the country rn.

Puja

I mean the state of the country wasn't exactly great when he joined last year either. If you're used to the care free living, good weather and city life they probably enjoyed in Australia being dropped into Northampton was probably quite a shock to the system.