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

[Which Tyler]

Bath's academy leavers:

Abdul-Khalik Akenzua Al-Kareem, Rory Crum, Josh Dingley, Luke Graham, Mackenzie Graham, Will Parry, James Short, Archie Stanley and Raff Weston will be leaving Bath Rugby following the end of this current 2024/25 season.

https://www.bathrugby.com/content/bath- ... departures

Parry feels like a miss, maybe Short

[Banquo]

Vanes to warriors

[Which Tyler]

Today’s pair:
https://www.bathrugby.com/content/annet ... leave-bath
Annett moves into coaching at Ulster, Cordwell retires from the sport

[Which Tyler]

Of course, it's entirely possible that I'm undervaluing Arundell, as I see him as someone who failed in a move to France, was overvalued whilst there, and still has everything to prove as a rugby player (as opposed to athlete) - others see him as an international miracle worker.
I expect him to be taking a pay cut from £200k, others see him as doubling it.

Very harsh on Arundell.

I would generally agree with your assessment of Arundell as a player currently, but I would imagine there's still enough people on the hype train that he could command a decent enough salary on the open market, especially since he does have ridiculous potential. Might not be getting the same wedge he was offered when he turned down Bath the other year and chose to re-sign with Racing, but I'd be surprised if he's cheap.

Puja

Rumours from France that Arundell's salary at Bath to be 180-190 - unclear if that's Euros or Pound Sterling - given the location, you'd presume euros, but it's less certain than even the number attached.
So somewhere between £150-190k depending.

Either way, a "cut" from £200k but may or may not be a significant cut - still more than Grace, but broadly similar ballpark.
Either way, current state as I see it, of senior squad changes for next year
Annett = Frost
Schreuder >> Van der Linde
Grace + McConnochie > Arundell
Cordwell + DuPlessis < Carreras

Then we've still got the following to add to any change from above, to pay for academy graduates and other re-negotiated contracts.
Out of contract (no news):
John Stewart (HK)
Kieran Verden (LHP)

Unconfirmed, but thought to be out of contract (no news):
Hame Faiva (HK)
Will Butt (CE)

Under contract, but rumours of big money being offered in France (I think we'd have something firmer by now if for this summer):
Same Underhill
Jo Cokanasiga

Speculated rather than rumoured:
Bailey to Leicester

[Banquo]

Of course, it's entirely possible that I'm undervaluing Arundell, as I see him as someone who failed in a move to France, was overvalued whilst there, and still has everything to prove as a rugby player (as opposed to athlete) - others see him as an international miracle worker.
I expect him to be taking a pay cut from £200k, others see him as doubling it.

Very harsh on Arundell.

I would generally agree with your assessment of Arundell as a player currently, but I would imagine there's still enough people on the hype train that he could command a decent enough salary on the open market, especially since he does have ridiculous potential. Might not be getting the same wedge he was offered when he turned down Bath the other year and chose to re-sign with Racing, but I'd be surprised if he's cheap.

Puja

Rumours from France that Arundell's salary at Bath to be 180-190 - unclear if that's Euros or Pound Sterling - given the location, you'd presume euros, but it's less certain than even the number attached.
So somewhere between £150-190k depending.

Either way, a "cut" from £200k but may or may not be a significant cut - still more than Grace, but broadly similar ballpark.
Either way, current state as I see it, of senior squad changes for next year
Annett = Frost
Schreuder >> Van der Linde
Grace + McConnochie > Arundell
Cordwell + DuPlessis < Carreras

Then we've still got the following to add to any change from above, to pay for academy graduates and other re-negotiated contracts.
Out of contract (no news):
John Stewart (HK)
Kieran Verden (LHP)

Unconfirmed, but thought to be out of contract (no news):
Hame Faiva (HK)
Will Butt (CE)

Under contract, but rumours of big money being offered in France (I think we'd have something firmer by now if for this summer):
Same Underhill
Jo Cokanasiga

Speculated rather than rumoured:
Bailey to Leicester

I'd hope for a different Underhill, one less injury prone

[Which Tyler]

Then we've still got the following to add to any change from above, to pay for academy graduates and other re-negotiated contracts.
Out of contract (no news):
John Stewart (HK)
Kieran Verden (LHP)

Unconfirmed, but thought to be out of contract (no news):
Hame Faiva (HK)
Will Butt (CE)

Faiva and Stewart confirmed - 2 braces of departures today
https://www.bathrugby.com/content/faiva ... leave-bath
ETA: Also confirms that Verden is off - but without the send-off (which he had last year, before returning to cover Griffin's injury)

[Which Tyler]

And what is surely the last of Bath's news for today!

Chris Harris from Gloucester, using Lawrence's injury dispensation



I think this is right for now.

Unless we've got any more big surprises, then the only editting SHOULD be anyone graduating from academy to senior (I've counted Tuipolotu - but that's more because I've only got enough space for 3 players in any position in the academy). Or highlighting new caps (eg Ojomoh in Argentina, or Linegar for Eng U20)

[Mikey Brown]

Unexpected, but not the worst signing in the world I suppose. A roadblock in both attack and defence, but he has paired very effectively with Russell and Redpath before.

[Adam_P]

Rumours that Saints are after JJ van der Mescht which would be a very welcome addition to the pack. Ties in with rumours I've also seen about a new scrum coach in Jaco Pienaar

[FKAS]

Rumours that Saints are after JJ van der Mescht which would be a very welcome addition to the pack. Ties in with rumours I've also seen about a new scrum coach in Jaco Pienaar

Would definitely help Saints at scrum, maul and tight carrying. Has he got the mobility and engine to keep up with the Saints attack and line speed in defence though.

[francoisfou]

Copied and pasted from today’s Telegraph:

« Leicester have been linked with former Wallaby fly-half James O’Connor. »

Is there an ounce of truth in this rumour ?

[Danno]

Is there an available FH that Tigers haven't been linked with?

[Banquo]

already trailed but Juan gonzalez of Uruguay to Wuss. Dramatically lowering average age of squad

Going old forwards and young backs, which is probably sensible.

[FKAS]

Is there an available FH that Tigers haven't been linked with?

No. Doesn't help that the journos were completely blindsided by the appointment of Parling. Guessing at everything now.

[FKAS]

already trailed but Juan gonzalez of Uruguay to Wuss. Dramatically lowering average age of squad

Going old forwards and young backs, which is probably sensible.

Vanes and Hoyt have joined Wuss from Tigers, that brings down the average age of the forwards.

[Banquo]

already trailed but Juan gonzalez of Uruguay to Wuss. Dramatically lowering average age of squad

Going old forwards and young backs, which is probably sensible.

Vanes and Hoyt have joined Wuss from Tigers, that brings down the average age of the forwards.

Yeah I know, posted re vanes earlier