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

[Tigersman]

I saw that the Racing deal is with a optional year.
Would imagine a good season with Racing and he would prob stay another year then he's marquee eligible if he wanted to really push clubs

[FKAS]

Ollie Allan the England age grade scrum half looks to be joining Tigers from LI. Apparently not the only one due to be announced this week.

[Puja]

Completely unsourced rumour of Fischetti joining Leicester, which I'd be thrilled about if true. He was mustard for Irish and we are so short of quality at loosehead.

Puja

[Margin_Walker]

Ollie Allan the England age grade scrum half looks to be joining Tigers from LI. Apparently not the only one due to be announced this week.

Seen a bit of him and he's really good. Decent kicking game but his USP is his athleticism. This is him playing for Rams in ND1

[FKAS]

Completely unsourced rumour of Fischetti joining Leicester, which I'd be thrilled about if true. He was mustard for Irish and we are so short of quality at loosehead.

Puja

That would be an awesome signing for us.

There's also a rumour of Mike Williams on a short term deal as Wells is injured which would be less good news. I'll also be less than pleased if he gets in the way of the younger guys getting minutes.

[FKAS]

Ollie Allan the England age grade scrum half looks to be joining Tigers from LI. Apparently not the only one due to be announced this week.

Seen a bit of him and he's really good. Decent kicking game but his USP is his athleticism. This is him playing for Rams in ND1

It's one thing Tigers can do reliably it's develop good 9s. Ellis, Youngs, Harrison, Steele, White, JvP and now Edwards. We tend to do alright. With Edwards formerly England under 20s and Whiteley (bang average journeyman) the cover for international periods Allan has got a chance of game time of he impresses. Loans to Notts or Loughborough could also be on the cards.

[Puja]

Completely unsourced rumour of Fischetti joining Leicester, which I'd be thrilled about if true. He was mustard for Irish and we are so short of quality at loosehead.

Puja

That would be an awesome signing for us.

There's also a rumour of Mike Williams on a short term deal as Wells is injured which would be less good news. I'll also be less than pleased if he gets in the way of the younger guys getting minutes.

Ugh, no thanks. I thought he was part of the brave new world at Exeter, or have they figured him out already? Even if we assume that Martin will be away with the RWC and that Wells and Chessum will be out injured for that period, we'd still have Henderson, Carter, LChessum, Manz, and Carnduff, with the possibility of pushing Liebenberg up in extremis. If we need cover, can't we ask Calum Green to come back for a couple of months? At least he'd be likely to stay on the pitch.

Puja

[jimKRFC]

Bristol Bears Ladies have another big name joining - Holly Aitchison (England 10) confirmed as signing from Sarries.

Looks like a big push on the ladies front for next season.

[FKAS]

Completely unsourced rumour of Fischetti joining Leicester, which I'd be thrilled about if true. He was mustard for Irish and we are so short of quality at loosehead.

Puja

That would be an awesome signing for us.

There's also a rumour of Mike Williams on a short term deal as Wells is injured which would be less good news. I'll also be less than pleased if he gets in the way of the younger guys getting minutes.

Ugh, no thanks. I thought he was part of the brave new world at Exeter, or have they figured him out already? Even if we assume that Martin will be away with the RWC and that Wells and Chessum will be out injured for that period, we'd still have Henderson, Carter, LChessum, Manz, and Carnduff, with the possibility of pushing Liebenberg up in extremis. If we need cover, can't we ask Calum Green to come back for a couple of months? At least he'd be likely to stay on the pitch.

Puja

Quite. The only reasoning I can see is that they are worried that Henderson, Chessum and Martin all go to the world cup. With Wells injured Carter is the only lock with senior experience. Quite frankly I'd rather say sod it and take the short term pain and give Chessum Jnr, Manz Snr, Carnduff and Carmichael the game time. Carnduff is easily the smallest of the three and came off the bench to cover lock towards the end of last season and has captained England under 20s from there as of last week. They'd be experience elsewhere in the pack to guide them and we have jumpers in the backrow that can assist at lineout time.

I don't like that rumour either.

[Puja]

That would be an awesome signing for us.

There's also a rumour of Mike Williams on a short term deal as Wells is injured which would be less good news. I'll also be less than pleased if he gets in the way of the younger guys getting minutes.

Ugh, no thanks. I thought he was part of the brave new world at Exeter, or have they figured him out already? Even if we assume that Martin will be away with the RWC and that Wells and Chessum will be out injured for that period, we'd still have Henderson, Carter, LChessum, Manz, and Carnduff, with the possibility of pushing Liebenberg up in extremis. If we need cover, can't we ask Calum Green to come back for a couple of months? At least he'd be likely to stay on the pitch.

Puja

Quite. The only reasoning I can see is that they are worried that Henderson, Chessum and Martin all go to the world cup. With Wells injured Carter is the only lock with senior experience. Quite frankly I'd rather say sod it and take the short term pain and give Chessum Jnr, Manz Snr, Carnduff and Carmichael the game time. Carnduff is easily the smallest of the three and came off the bench to cover lock towards the end of last season and has captained England under 20s from there as of last week. They'd be experience elsewhere in the pack to guide them and we have jumpers in the backrow that can assist at lineout time.

I don't like that rumour either.

I hadn't realised Henderson was in the Scots squad. In that case, we probably do need a short-term lock for the three weekends that the Prem overlaps with the RWC, just in case, although I'd really rather anyone but Williams - not least because he's only dubiously actually a lock. Isn't Charlie Matthews still short of a contract? Will Spencer? The aforementioned Calum Green? There's rugby players short of a club all over the place; surely we can do better than a 6 who can't be trusted to stay on the pitch?

Puja

[FKAS]

Ugh, no thanks. I thought he was part of the brave new world at Exeter, or have they figured him out already? Even if we assume that Martin will be away with the RWC and that Wells and Chessum will be out injured for that period, we'd still have Henderson, Carter, LChessum, Manz, and Carnduff, with the possibility of pushing Liebenberg up in extremis. If we need cover, can't we ask Calum Green to come back for a couple of months? At least he'd be likely to stay on the pitch.

Puja

Quite. The only reasoning I can see is that they are worried that Henderson, Chessum and Martin all go to the world cup. With Wells injured Carter is the only lock with senior experience. Quite frankly I'd rather say sod it and take the short term pain and give Chessum Jnr, Manz Snr, Carnduff and Carmichael the game time. Carnduff is easily the smallest of the three and came off the bench to cover lock towards the end of last season and has captained England under 20s from there as of last week. They'd be experience elsewhere in the pack to guide them and we have jumpers in the backrow that can assist at lineout time.

I don't like that rumour either.

I hadn't realised Henderson was in the Scots squad. In that case, we probably do need a short-term lock for the three weekends that the Prem overlaps with the RWC, just in case, although I'd really rather anyone but Williams - not least because he's only dubiously actually a lock. Isn't Charlie Matthews still short of a contract? Will Spencer? The aforementioned Calum Green? There's rugby players short of a club all over the place; surely we can do better than a 6 who can't be trusted to stay on the pitch?

Puja

I think part of the problem is that Henderson like Martin and Chessum are in training squads and could all go to the world cup or none of them could go to the world cup (unlikely neither Martin nor Chessum go but could just be one). Probably need a body in there but want to spend as little as possible as you hope they don't actually need them.

Spencer would we want the medical bill? What the hell has happened to Charlie Matthews was highly rated a few years ago and now can't get a game. I don't know how he went in Japan to be fair.

[Adam_P]

Saints confirm the signing of Lee Radford into the coaching set up. Hopefully he makes the transition from League well and stiffens our defence up. If we can keep the best of our attacking game and add a more competent defensive effort, we'll be there or thereabouts to push higher up the table

[Margin_Walker]

Ollie Allan the England age grade scrum half looks to be joining Tigers from LI. Apparently not the only one due to be announced this week.

Seen a bit of him and he's really good. Decent kicking game but his USP is his athleticism. This is him playing for Rams in ND1

It's one thing Tigers can do reliably it's develop good 9s. Ellis, Youngs, Harrison, Steele, White, JvP and now Edwards. We tend to do alright. With Edwards formerly England under 20s and Whiteley (bang average journeyman) the cover for international periods Allan has got a chance of game time of he impresses. Loans to Notts or Loughborough could also be on the cards.

He's got a decent chance of making it. Just watching him play for his ACE school he looked like a pro player in waiting.

If Tigers really had a sense of humour, they'd sign Jarlath Gleeson from LI. 6 foot 9 ginger lock involved in the Ireland U19 setup. Him and Chessum junior would make an absurd lock combo one day.

[FKAS]

I mean the Chessum brothers are both ginger and 6ft7 and 6ft9, they'll play together at some point. Chessum Jnr has been playing alongside Rob Carmichael who's 6ft10 for the development side and in a couple of the under 20 6N games.

[16th man]

I saw that the Racing deal is with a optional year.
Would imagine a good season with Racing and he would prob stay another year then he's marquee eligible if he wanted to really push clubs

Also a good option for him whilst the current financial shit show plays out over here. It's not absolutely guaranteed that there will be somewhere to come back to yet, if a couple more teams go pop.

[FKAS]

Tigers confirm four signings

The four additions are:

Joe Powell (scrum-half)
Matt Rogerson (back-row)
Kieran Wilkinson (fly-half)
Mike Williams (lock / back-row)

[Puja]

I don't like Williams, but I suppose McKellar should get a fair chance to see if he can stop him shoulder charging rucks for no reason - there is probably a half-decent player buried somewhere in that frame. Rogerson I don't know on - bit worried what that means for our hopes of Ilione staying fit long-term if we're seeking another back row body.

Wilkinson looks like our regular attempt to rehabilitate ex-age group players who haven't come through. Worked with Kelly and Dolly, so hopefully a good bargain. Powell just makes sense - we'll be losing Youngs and JVP for large chunks of the season and he's got experience to shepherd through the youngsters.

Puja

[Margin_Walker]

Rogerson is a smart signing. He's one of those players coaches and team mates absolutely love. Just makes all his tackles and hits league leading numbers of attacking rucks. A real leadership figure too.

Powell was really underwhelming this season. Was one of those players with a decent rep you sign and struggle to figure out what he's actually really good at. McKellar will clearly know him well though and sure he'll do fine second season in the league. Ultimately he's going as third choice at best anyway.

[Mellsblue]

Rogerson is a smart signing. He's one of those players coaches and team mates absolutely love. Just makes all his tackles and hits league leading numbers of attacking rucks. A real leadership figure too.

Powell was really underwhelming this season. Was one of those players with a decent rep you sign and struggle to figure out what he's actually really good at. McKellar will clearly know him well though and sure he'll do fine second season in the league. Ultimately he's going as third choice at best anyway.

Any chance of an update on ex-LI players’ employment status?

[Which Tyler]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_2 ... _transfers

Players Out

Kyle Cooper released[96]
Isaac Curtis-Harris released[96]
Facundo Gigena released[96]
Louie Kirkham released[96]
Isaac Miller released[96]
Oran Murphy released[96]
Oliver Stirling released[96]
James Stokes released[96]
Logan Trotter released[96]
Tom Parton to Saracens[93]
Rob Simmons to Clermont[94]
Ollie Hassell-Collins to Leicester Tigers[82]
Giosuè Zilocchi to Benetton[95]
Hugh O'Sullivan to Newcastle Falcons[97]
Adam Coleman to Bordeaux[98]
So'otala Fa'aso'o to Perpignan[99]
Chunya Munga to Northampton Saints[100]
Tarrek Haffar to Northampton Saints[101]
Tom Pearson to Northampton Saints[102]
Paddy Jackson to Lyon[103]
Henry Arundell to Racing 92[104]
Benhard Janse van Rensburg to Bristol Bears[18]
Ben White to Toulon[105]
Rory Jennings to Newcastle Falcons[106]
Lovejoy Chawatama to Harlequins[72]
Chandler Cunningham-South to Harlequins[72]
Will Joseph to Harlequins[72]
Ollie Hoskins to Saracens[107]
Mike Willemse to Ealing Trailfinders[108]
Ben Loader to Stormers[109]
Josh Caulfield to Bristol Bears[19]
Lucio Cinti to Saracens[110]
Ben Donnell to Gloucester[54]
Michael Dykes to Gloucester[54]
Caolan Englefield to Gloucester[54]
Afolabi Fasogbon to Gloucester[54]
Rory Taylor to Gloucester[54]
Agustín Creevy to Sale Sharks[111]
Ed Scragg to Scarlets[112]
Jacob Atkins to Rovigo Delta[113]

[Margin_Walker]

Rogerson is a smart signing. He's one of those players coaches and team mates absolutely love. Just makes all his tackles and hits league leading numbers of attacking rucks. A real leadership figure too.

Powell was really underwhelming this season. Was one of those players with a decent rep you sign and struggle to figure out what he's actually really good at. McKellar will clearly know him well though and sure he'll do fine second season in the league. Ultimately he's going as third choice at best anyway.

Any chance of an update on ex-LI players’ employment status?

Sure. These are confirmed by club or player

Ben Atkins - Rams (ND1)
Matt Cornish
Agustín Creevy - Sale
Ignacio Ruiz
Lovejoy Chawatama - Harlequins
Luke Green
Ciaran Parker
Danilo Fischetti
Will Goodrick-Clarke
Ollie Hoskins - Saracens
Josh Caulfield - Bristol
Adam Coleman
Chunya Munga - Northampton
Api Ratuniyarawa
Ed Scragg - Scarlets
Josh Basham
Ben Donnell - Gloucester
Jack Cooke
So'otala Fa'aso'o - Perpignan
Juan Martín González
Izaia Moore-Aiono
Tom Pearson - Northampton
Matt Rogerson (c)- Leicester
Josh Smart
Caolan Englefield - Gloucester
Joe Powell - Leicester
Ben White - Toulon
Jacob Atkins - Rovigo
Paddy Jackson - Lyon
Rory Jennings - Newcastle
Tom Hitchcock
Benhard Janse van Rensburg - Bristol
Will Joseph - Harlequins
Luca Morisi
Eddie Poolman
Matt Williams
Ben Loader
Lucio Cinti - Saracens
Henry Arundell - Racing 92
Kyle Rowe
Tom Collins
Michael Dykes - Gloucester

Calum Scott
Joe Vajner
Afolabi Fasogbon - Gloucester
Tarek Haffar - Northampton
Mikey Summerfield
Chandler Cunningham-South - Harlequins
Jarlath Gleeson
Lucas Brooke
Ollie Allan - Leicester
Monty Bradbury
Conor Cross
Jake Shortland
Jack Walsh
Alexander Harmes
Ralph McEachran
Rory Taylor - Gloucester
Finn Worley Brady
Toby Maddock
Charlie Moss

[Puja]

From that list, these are the players who don't have anything announced yet:

Senior:
Matt Cornish
Ignacio Ruiz
Ciaran Parker
Danilo Fischetti
Will Goodrick-Clarke
Api Ratuniyarawa
Josh Basham
Jack Cooke
Juan Martín González
Izaia Moore-Aiono
Josh Smart
Tom Hitchock
Luca Morisi
Matt Williams
Kyle Rowe

Academy:
Calum Scott
Joe Vajner
Mikey Summerfield
Jarlath Gleeson
Lucas Brooke
Monty Bradbury
Conor Cross
Jake Shortland
Jack Walsh
Alexander Harmes


Can't imagine that the likes of Fischetti, Ratuniyarawa, Gonzalez and Morisi don't have things lined up, probably in France and I expect Basham has something, if only because Newcastle would've taken him back already if he hadn't.

Puja



ETA. Sorry, started writing this before seeing Margin's post. Still keeping it up cause it took me time, but their list is probably better.

[Puja]

Tom Collins

Isn't he off to Ealing?

Puja

[Margin_Walker]

Tom Collins

Isn't he off to Ealing?

Puja

Yep, more than likely. Not announced though, unless I've missed it.

[Which Tyler]

And JJ finally confirmed to Biarritz

IMO, the best move for all parties - just hope it's been handled well and that he's happy with it all.
Real pity we never got to say goodbye to him at the Rec.