RugbyRebels

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Sat Nov 08, 2025 9:22 am

FKAS wrote: ↑Sat Nov 08, 2025 8:40 am

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Fri Nov 07, 2025 4:08 pm

A tight forward? Or a loose-forward who is one of his team’s few tight carriers?

I sort of get what you mean, but does he need to be in a pack of other monster carriers to continue developing? Or is being the star carrier in a team that play fast and loose, while needing to keep up the work-rate/fitness, not an option as well?

I think what he needs is to be somewhere that's going to put an emphasis on him improving core elements of his game that make him useful as that utility forward. Sale with their focus on the set piece or Sarries with their focus on high work rate in defence were obvious moves that would have seen him work on areas that maybe aren't as strong as they could be (wouldn't go as far as weaknesses).

I think what's encouraging from an England point of view is to see how Quins are embracing him as that utility option as opposed to the back up 8 that can play a six if we want more carrying in the backrow. In a ideal world we'd see him double down on his lineout work and start to lead the Quins lineout and spend some time in the second row with Petti.

I’m not saying it all hinges on how today goes, but I think Willis disappearing might have significantly altered his trajectory. I can’t see him playing lock much all that much if it’s suddenly looking like he can be developed as the super physical, aggressive carrying 8.

I could see him fitting in at either Sale or Sarries, like you say, but equally I think offering a club team a vital point of contrast is valuable too.

Intriguing either way though.

I feel like he’s been quite harshly criticised at times since he first burst on the scene for England. At the time I thought it was way too early, then he impressed, then he got written off as lazy and lacking nous despite being about 21.

I don't think it's laziness it's more that he just didn't have the endurance to play the full 80.

Personally I think the option to use him at lock is transformative in where he stands in the squad. He's looked a decent jumper at the lineout and a menace at stopping the rolling maul. Being able to offer a strong carrying game from lock and the backrow is very useful. You're right in that the Willis decision might well change things for him. I'm not sure he can replicate what TWillis did in the carrying stakes but I'd be delighted for him to prove me wrong.

I’d like him to become the world class 6 or 8 he has the talent to become. Sod making him into some utility player.

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Sat Nov 08, 2025 1:17 pm I’d like him to become the world class 6 or 8 he has the talent to become. Sod making him into some utility player.

I'd very happily settle for a Martin Corry V2.

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Sat Nov 08, 2025 1:17 pm I’d like him to become the world class 6 or 8 he has the talent to become. Sod making him into some utility player.

Yes, develop him. But does he get in above Earl at the moment? And then does he get in before Pollock?

As I'm not sure his ruck work is good enough for him to play 6. Last weekend we were predictably stuffed at the breakdown thanks to a combination of Earl and CCS not getting the job done, imo. And that's not necessarily saying either were poor, just that they don't work as a pair. Just like Armitage and Haskell didn't work alongside Robshaw.

Stom wrote: ↑Mon Nov 10, 2025 3:45 pm

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Sat Nov 08, 2025 1:17 pm I’d like him to become the world class 6 or 8 he has the talent to become. Sod making him into some utility player.

Yes, develop him. But does he get in above Earl at the moment? And then does he get in before Pollock?

As I'm not sure his ruck work is good enough for him to play 6. Last weekend we were predictably stuffed at the breakdown thanks to a combination of Earl and CCS not getting the job done, imo. And that's not necessarily saying either were poor, just that they don't work as a pair. Just like Armitage and Haskell didn't work alongside Robshaw.

Maro Itoje is massively underrated in this area and Coles as good as he was wasn't smashing breakdowns in the same way Maro does.

I think CCS like Pollock really does work well as an impact sub at the minute. Being able to cover lock as well really helps spread with those bench options.

Hoskins Sotutu being linked with Saracens as a replacement for Willis.

I have seen him described as a bigger version of zach mercer (as in strengths/weaknesses).

Puja wrote: ↑Fri Oct 24, 2025 1:45 pm Hoskins Sotutu to the Premiership and switching to England rumours have started up again with Leicester, Gloucester, Sarries and Newcastle mentioned. Could very likely be agent talk - his New Zealand contract runs out in 2026 and, while the ABs might not want him themselves, the agent might be betting that they'd rather pay a bit extra to keep him in Super Rugby and see him go to his father's country in Fiji, rather than go to his mother's country and join more of a rival. That list of Prem clubs is fairly obvious and basic as well and the articles mentioning the rumour also say Shant Blockmove would be sweetening the deal by offering TWillis's EPS contract, which is clearly mince - would be very out of character for Blockmove to promise things to get someone to move and Sotutu's not really a like-for-like for TWillis.

Still, fun rumour to think about - I'd welcome him at Leicester in a heartbeat.

Puja

The Sotutu rumours seem to come round every three months. Given Glaws signed about three 8s in the summer why they'd need another more expensive one that say strengthening their tight five I'm not sure.

Sarries will be positively desperate for an 8 and do have a great reputation at getting the most out of players that have been called luxury options elsewhere. Carre and Skelton have both really shone in that pack. Tigers might well it as an upgrade on Cracknell who won't count as EQ next season now.

Mata will be our of contract athe end of the year, he's getting on a but now, and hasn't really shone (the occassional massive tackle apart) so Sotutu would be an improvement for Bristol.

Also, it occurs to me that a certain Joe Joyce will be out of contract at Connacht as well & we are short a second row now....

Joe Joyce has given the Irish thing a chance and it hasn't worked. Might well be due for a timely move back to the Bristol area.

Fissler speculating about a change at DoR for Gloucester - probably inspired by speculation on Shedweb (but fueled by John Mitchell coming in to train their coaches)

Which Tyler wrote: ↑Thu Nov 13, 2025 10:22 am Fissler speculating about a change at DoR for Gloucester - probably inspired by speculation on Shedweb (but fueled by John Mitchell coming in to train their coaches)

It's a very young coaching set up currently. An experienced mentor wouldn't be a bad idea if the board still expect that coaching staff to develop and be the long term combination.

Transfer-related news: Tim Hoyt has discovered his Fijian heritage and came off the bench against France. I am startled that he's considered international quality, but apparently been doing solidly at Worcester, so maybe the move was what he needed.

Puja

I "loved" the commentator on that "Worcester's first international... Since their return to rugby" whilst ignoring that this is the first international windows since their return to rugby, so not exactly worth mentioning

Wing Ryan Crowley has joined Leicester Tigers full-time after his initial spell on trial at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

The 27 year-old RAF avionics engineer joins from Chinnor after impressing during a trial with the club that included a try-scoring Tigers debut against Harlequins in the PREM Cup and an energetic hot-stepping appearance at Newcastle Red Bulls last month.

Crowley will be with the club for the remainder of the season after earning his chance after working his way up the leagues with Henley and Chinnor, as well as appearing for the RAF and Combined Services.

"He came on a trial basis from the RAF and Chinnor and just brought a real energy and hunger to try and take his opportunity," said Head Coach Geoff Parling.

"He's been brilliant around the group, works really hard and I'm really pleased we can offer him something official to the end of the season."
Crowley played for Pontypridd in Wales before joining the RAF, then in spells with London Scottish, Chinnor and Henley.

"I had a bit of a turning point around the age of 24, I'd thought about dropping out of the game but decided to give it a real go with Chinnor again in the Championship," said Crowley.

"I've kept knocking and knocking, was overlooked in the age grade system in Wales, and this is my first full-time environment at the age of 27. I guess like Olly Cracknell shows playing for Wales, you've just got to stay in it, keep working hard and take your opportunity.

"It's nice to be focused on playing my rugby as my day-to-day job. Even coming in on loan I always felt very welcome and it's very nice to get it over the line.

"I'm probably not as tall as Ollie Hassell-Collins or as fast as Adam Radwan but what I bring is my hard work and effort, my footwork, and hope to be the player who can spark something out of nothing."

George Martin sign for Saracens!

TheNomad wrote: ↑Tue Nov 25, 2025 11:19 am George Martin sign for Saracens!

Fuming. Although, apparently, we can't blame the player: https://www.rugbypass.com/news/saracens ... e-snubbed/

It is understood that the Tigers haven’t offered a new deal to Martin, who extended his contract with the club after the World Cup, which opened the door for Saracens to make a move.
...
The move to North London next season is subject to Martin ... passing a medical.

That is a bold move from Parling or Dan Cole (whichever of them is responsible). I can only imagine that the prognosis on his future ability to play injury-free is depressing enough that we don't think he's value for money, but it's a big gamble if the move rejuvenates him and he comes back to haunt us fully fit.

Puja

With Martin going to Sarries - might Sodeke be looking for a new home?
Would that ease the blow for you?

Might have to fight Bath though - where we've only 3 senior locks (and one of them, very senior) - Newcastle too will be on the market ofr any highly rated youngsters


Might Sarries be having a bit of a clear out? supposedly Tomos Williams is just waiting an official announcement, and favourites to secure Jac Morgan as well. That'd be 3 significant salaries to find space* for


* hopefully, I don't mean space as in m²

Which Tyler wrote: ↑Tue Nov 25, 2025 12:46 pm With Martin going to Sarries - might Sodeke be looking for a new home?
Would that ease the blow for you?

Might have to fight Bath though - where we've only 3 senior locks (and one of them, very senior)

I'd imagine Sodeke would probably want to wait and see if Martin actually makes any appearances before considering his route to the top blocked. The fact that Leicester have flat out not offered him a contract doesn't bode well at all. I hope I'm wrong and it's just a really stupid decision by our lot.

Puja

Gotta be worth a cheeky interest though

Which Tyler wrote: ↑Tue Nov 25, 2025 12:51 pm Gotta be worth a cheeky interest though

True. I've got half a hope (completely unsubstantiated) that we might be looking at providing a home for Kpoku to come back to England, although knowing my luck, it'd probably end up being Jonathan.

Puja

Puja wrote: ↑Tue Nov 25, 2025 12:56 pm

Which Tyler wrote: ↑Tue Nov 25, 2025 12:51 pm Gotta be worth a cheeky interest though

True. I've got half a hope (completely unsubstantiated) that we might be looking at providing a home for Kpoku to come back to England, although knowing my luck, it'd probably end up being Jonathan.

Puja

Oh yeah, I'd forgotten about Kpoku - he'd surely fancy his chances with our current line up of locks

Is he playing much out there? Can't help thinking that the Arundell example is an indication that this notion of "better standard, you'll develop a lot" isn't necessarily true

What they need to be doing, if they're that level, is playing internationally, and getting the right exposure at club level

TheNomad wrote: ↑Tue Nov 25, 2025 1:29 pm

Puja wrote: ↑Tue Nov 25, 2025 12:56 pm

Which Tyler wrote: ↑Tue Nov 25, 2025 12:51 pm Gotta be worth a cheeky interest though

True. I've got half a hope (completely unsubstantiated) that we might be looking at providing a home for Kpoku to come back to England, although knowing my luck, it'd probably end up being Jonathan.

Puja

Oh yeah, I'd forgotten about Kpoku - he'd surely fancy his chances with our current line up of locks

Is he playing much out there? Can't help thinking that the Arundell example is an indication that this notion of "better standard, you'll develop a lot" isn't necessarily true

What they need to be doing, if they're that level, is playing internationally, and getting the right exposure at club level

He's played 3 games so far. Had a knock at the start of the season, so only back fit in October. Played 19 games for Racing last season

Which Tyler wrote: ↑Tue Nov 25, 2025 12:46 pm With Martin going to Sarries - might Sodeke be looking for a new home?
Would that ease the blow for you?

Might have to fight Bath though - where we've only 3 senior locks (and one of them, very senior) - Newcastle too will be on the market ofr any highly rated youngsters


Might Sarries be having a bit of a clear out? supposedly Tomos Williams is just waiting an official announcement, and favourites to secure Jac Morgan as well. That'd be 3 significant salaries to find space* for


* hopefully, I don't mean space as in m²

I doubt Sarries would want Sodeke to go. He's very highly rated there. They might let Adegbemile go, though he's started to get attention there having torn up for Loughborough.