RugbyRebels

Puja wrote: ↑Thu Jun 08, 2023 10:07 am

FKAS wrote: ↑Thu Jun 08, 2023 9:52 am Rumours of Tom Pearson to Saints being a done deal. Not sure who they're dropping from their backrow to make room but that's an ideal signing for them.

You've thought that'd see Ludlam share the 6/8 duties with Lawes and Augustus, both of whom are injury-prone enough that he's unlikely to be sitting on the bench too often. Agreed it's an ideal signing - they have needed a proper 7 to balance them out.

Puja

I was hoping Hinkley would do that, but alas....

FKAS wrote: ↑Thu Jun 08, 2023 4:32 pm

Adam_P wrote: ↑Thu Jun 08, 2023 12:35 pm Yeah think Pearson and Saints is a very tidy match. Would like us to go after Cunningham-South too, but I've seen chat of us showing interest in Munga in addition to Pearson

Munga is a more logical choice to be fair. You need another lock, ideally one that'll challenge for a starting spot. CCS would be a handy Lawes successor but is only lock cover really. Munga should be another good fit for your attacking style.

Saints need a beast in the second row to replace Ribbans. Then Moon and Coles can duke it out, though I'm worried about Coles post england.

FKAS wrote: ↑Thu Jun 08, 2023 4:32 pm

Adam_P wrote: ↑Thu Jun 08, 2023 12:35 pm Yeah think Pearson and Saints is a very tidy match. Would like us to go after Cunningham-South too, but I've seen chat of us showing interest in Munga in addition to Pearson

Munga is a more logical choice to be fair. You need another lock, ideally one that'll challenge for a starting spot. CCS would be a handy Lawes successor but is only lock cover really. Munga should be another good fit for your attacking style.

Munga's a bit one paced to be honest.

He may develop, but he hasn't ever stuck me as a player that really stands out. He's a decent lineout option, but outside that isn't really exceptional at anything. I may end up being dead wrong and he's got time on his side, but I see him more as a solid prem squad player than someone who'll spend a lot as a nailed on starter for a top team. He'd certainly be a step down from Ribbans at the moment.

Margin_Walker wrote: ↑Thu Jun 08, 2023 4:56 pm

FKAS wrote: ↑Thu Jun 08, 2023 4:32 pm

Adam_P wrote: ↑Thu Jun 08, 2023 12:35 pm Yeah think Pearson and Saints is a very tidy match. Would like us to go after Cunningham-South too, but I've seen chat of us showing interest in Munga in addition to Pearson

Munga is a more logical choice to be fair. You need another lock, ideally one that'll challenge for a starting spot. CCS would be a handy Lawes successor but is only lock cover really. Munga should be another good fit for your attacking style.

Munga's a bit one paced to be honest.

He may develop, but he hasn't ever stuck me as a player that really stands out. He's a decent lineout option, but outside that isn't really exceptional at anything. I may end up being dead wrong and he's got time on his side, but I see him more as a solid prem squad player than someone who'll spend a lot as a nailed on starter for a top team. He'd certainly be a step down from Ribbans at the moment.

Agreed. He's certainly not like for like but at 22, 6ft7 and 19 stone there's plenty to work with.

FKAS wrote: ↑Thu Jun 08, 2023 6:03 pm

Margin_Walker wrote: ↑Thu Jun 08, 2023 4:56 pm

FKAS wrote: ↑Thu Jun 08, 2023 4:32 pm

Munga is a more logical choice to be fair. You need another lock, ideally one that'll challenge for a starting spot. CCS would be a handy Lawes successor but is only lock cover really. Munga should be another good fit for your attacking style.

Munga's a bit one paced to be honest.

He may develop, but he hasn't ever stuck me as a player that really stands out. He's a decent lineout option, but outside that isn't really exceptional at anything. I may end up being dead wrong and he's got time on his side, but I see him more as a solid prem squad player than someone who'll spend a lot as a nailed on starter for a top team. He'd certainly be a step down from Ribbans at the moment.

Agreed. He's certainly not like for like but at 22, 6ft7 and 19 stone there's plenty to work with.

Would think he'll benefit from a change of scenery. Like you said, there's definitely a base to build from there, but he's never looked like kicking on when he was at Irish.

Puja

If I was Arundell I'd do a season in France if it was on offer (assuming the same England dispensation given to Worcester/Wasps players). Then come back and sign for Bath next season.

Ben Loader also in 'advanced negotiations' with the Stormers according to to Netwerk24.

Made quite an impression against them in the Champions Cup this season. Beat about 100 defenders in the first game and got himself sent off in the second one.

Margin_Walker wrote: ↑Fri Jun 09, 2023 2:52 pm
Made quite an impression against them in the Champions Cup this season. Beat about 100 defenders in the first game and got himself sent off in the second one.

This made me lol a lot!

Margin_Walker wrote: ↑Fri Jun 09, 2023 2:52 pm If I was Arundell I'd do a season in France if it was on offer (assuming the same England dispensation given to Worcester/Wasps players). Then come back and sign for Bath next season.

Ben Loader also in 'advanced negotiations' with the Stormers according to to Netwerk24.

Made quite an impression against them in the Champions Cup this season. Beat about 100 defenders in the first game and got himself sent off in the second one.

That is an excellent point - if the same dispensation is given until the end of the season, players like Arundell should absolutely cash in on the opportunity to have their cake and eat it, while the option is there.

Puja

Puja wrote: ↑Fri Jun 09, 2023 3:19 pm

Margin_Walker wrote: ↑Fri Jun 09, 2023 2:52 pm If I was Arundell I'd do a season in France if it was on offer (assuming the same England dispensation given to Worcester/Wasps players). Then come back and sign for Bath next season.

Ben Loader also in 'advanced negotiations' with the Stormers according to to Netwerk24.

Made quite an impression against them in the Champions Cup this season. Beat about 100 defenders in the first game and got himself sent off in the second one.

That is an excellent point - if the same dispensation is given until the end of the season, players like Arundell should absolutely cash in on the opportunity to have their cake and eat it, while the option is there.

Puja

He may well be waiting for clarification on it. LI collapse is obviously slightly less last minute, but it is still late enough to impact the level of any offer he's getting from prem clubs.

Still expect he'll end up at Bath this summer, but it's an interesting option and would probably be good in terms of broadening his horizons.

Departures list confirmed now by Glos:-

36
Ben Morgan
Jordy Reid
Ben Meehan
Jake Polledri
Tom Seabrook
Giorgi Kveseladze
Alex Craig
Henry Walker
Kyle Moyle

And from the academy:-

Finn Theobald-Thomas (Hooker)
Ollie Adkins (Prop)
Bryan O'Connor (Prop)
Jenson Boughton (Prop)
Henry Pearson (Prop)
Josh Gray (Flanker)
Jack Bartlett (Number 8)
Keillan Cullen (Fly-half)
Isaac Marsh (Centre)
Alex Morgan (Wing)

Meehan had been rumoured for a while, so expect us to go after a replacement 9, also surprised by Giorgi and Alex Craig, which means we are definitely short on locks. A shame about Walker having come through the ranks but hasn't really kicked on from U20 and wasn't getting much game time at all.

You'd've thought Kveseladze would have a contract lined up in France. Very handy player.

Puja

Think he would’ve got there, he looked good sporadically, but with SA and the new lad Llewelyn coming in his chances would probably be limited again

You'd presume Alex Craig has a contract somewhere as well. He's a solid lock in prime age though 11 appearances in 2 seasons is probably why Glaws are letting go.

Falcons sign Eduardo Bello from Sarries. He was a bit disappointing for Sarries but Falcons having Bello and McCallum for next season is an upgrade on Davison and Munipola from this season.

Will Joseph linked to Quins as a replacement for Marchant.

Joseph would seem like a good fit.

Is he a decent wing as well or just like Marchant/JJ he’s fast/evasive enough to get away with being put out there?

I think more the latter, but still - it’s a signing I’d very much like to see.

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Tue Jun 13, 2023 9:51 am Joseph would seem like a good fit.

Is he a decent wing as well or just like Marchant/JJ he’s fast/evasive enough to get away with being put out there?

He's a better 13 imo. He is very fast though. Faster than all the back three players in that LI squad iirc apart from Arundell.

His big issue has been fitness. He's had plenty of injuries for a guy so early in his career. Got a high ceiling though, if he can get a bit of luck on that front.

Oh I didn’t realise he was a bit of a sick note. It’s probably a done deal then.

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Tue Jun 13, 2023 6:59 pm Oh I didn’t realise he was a bit of a sick note. It’s probably a done deal then.

sick note at 20.

Ha, sick note probably a bit strong, but he has had two notable injuries since playing his first premiership games at 18. March 2021 to March 2022 and another 3 months out this season.

Probably just getting some bad luck out the way early. He'll be bomb proof now.

Margin_Walker wrote: ↑Tue Jun 13, 2023 10:05 pm Ha, sick note probably a bit strong, but he has had two notable injuries since playing his first premiership games at 18. March 2021 to March 2022 and another 3 months out this season.

Probably just getting some bad luck out the way early. He'll be bomb proof now.

Hopefully- lots of young lads get injured when they make the transition. Not a great start I'd agree.

Munga now confirmed by Saints.

I think that's the first LI player confirmed to have a new club. Floodgates now to open?

Yep, first confirmed.

Hopefully there will be floodgates, but fear squad slots may be at a premium at the moment. Hoping especially to see some of the senior academy lads picked up, as it's a real shame for careers to be cut short before they had a chance to sink or swim

Great opportunity for Munga. Hope he presses on at Saints.