RugbyRebels

Puja wrote: ↑Tue Nov 25, 2025 12:05 pm

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

Rumours are that it was a 2 + 1 deal and Tigers wanted to activate the 1 but Martin wanted more security of a new contract. Irrespective it's a complete fuck up on Tigers part letting him move to a rival.

Given how hot and cold we've been at replacing key players this really does have me worried. The Tigers squad has slowly decreased in quality since our title win.

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

Our recruitment has been pretty iffy at times but mainly because we've signed names as knee jerk reactions, e.g. replacing Ford with Pollard. Can't see us pilfering the French third division. Joel Kpoku might be a decent option, I think he's out of contract with Pau next summer and doesn't seem to have enjoyed the same game time there he had with Lyon.

Can sort of understand Tigers' decision after keeping a busted Manu on the books for about 8 seasons with no payoff

Danno wrote: ↑Tue Nov 25, 2025 7:26 pm Can sort of understand Tigers' decision after keeping a busted Manu on the books for about 8 seasons with no payoff

Who bizarrely seems to have gone on to play 20+ games a season for Bayonne.

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Tue Nov 25, 2025 9:15 pm

Danno wrote: ↑Tue Nov 25, 2025 7:26 pm Can sort of understand Tigers' decision after keeping a busted Manu on the books for about 8 seasons with no payoff

Who bizarrely seems to have gone on to play 20+ games a season for Bayonne.

Yeah France seems to suit him. Neither Sale nor Tigers could keep him consistently fit, though he did have an annoying habit of recovering and then getting injured again on international duty.

Martin has had a similarly disrupted career to date but I'd have like to see us chance another two years with him. He'd either make it or we should have developed some of the big lads coming through as a replacement. Currently the Tigers pack has a lot of grafters but few stand out ball carriers.

Marchant signing for Sale apparently.

Think that completes our depth at 13 (Lawrence, Freeman, Marchant) to go with our depth at 12 (Atkinson, Dingwall, Ojomoh). Possible BJVR qualifies too.

Just hooker, lock, scrum half and full back to solve.

Interesting signing for Sale as a RDP replacement. Could go well outside Ford and RMW but means they’ll probably want to sign a 10/12 to back up Ford and have a second playmaker option in the centre.

Captainhaircut wrote: ↑Wed Nov 26, 2025 1:55 pm Marchant signing for Sale apparently.

Think that completes our depth at 13 (Lawrence, Freeman, Marchant) to go with our depth at 12 (Atkinson, Dingwall, Ojomoh). Possible BJVR qualifies too.

Just hooker, lock, scrum half and full back to solve.

Interesting signing for Sale as a RDP replacement. Could go well outside Ford and RMW but means they’ll probably want to sign a 10/12 to back up Ford and have a second playmaker option in the centre.

With Tom Curtis and Ollie Davies I'd be surprised if they acquired another 10. Marchant has underrated footballing skills so might play the link role from 13. Won't be a RDP replacement but should still be able to do the job. Davies into 15 could also be an option (one EP will approve of).

I'm expecting Sanderson to try to splurge on the pack, rumours are he's been rebuffed by both CCS and Martin so he's clearly after some physicality and carrying ability up front.

Captainhaircut wrote: ↑Wed Nov 26, 2025 1:55 pm Marchant signing for Sale apparently.

Think that completes our depth at 13 (Lawrence, Freeman, Marchant) to go with our depth at 12 (Atkinson, Dingwall, Ojomoh). Possible BJVR qualifies too.

Just hooker, lock, scrum half and full back to solve.

Interesting signing for Sale as a RDP replacement. Could go well outside Ford and RMW but means they’ll probably want to sign a 10/12 to back up Ford and have a second playmaker option in the centre.

There’s not all that many caps among the centres you’ve named, but there’s a lot talent there that could be around for a good few years yet.

It will be very interesting to see if Marchant comes back the same player as when he left. He’s not got the power or heft of Freeman/Lawrence, though he has fantastic technique through contact, but he is the most skilful of the 3, just as quick and his aerial game would surely be a big temptation given how we’re playing at the moment.

Pleasing to hear of Marchant's return to the Prem. Certainly a player who should be interesting England but will be 30 when he comes back.

FKAS wrote: ↑Wed Nov 26, 2025 2:45 pm

Captainhaircut wrote: ↑Wed Nov 26, 2025 1:55 pm Marchant signing for Sale apparently.

Think that completes our depth at 13 (Lawrence, Freeman, Marchant) to go with our depth at 12 (Atkinson, Dingwall, Ojomoh). Possible BJVR qualifies too.

Just hooker, lock, scrum half and full back to solve.

Interesting signing for Sale as a RDP replacement. Could go well outside Ford and RMW but means they’ll probably want to sign a 10/12 to back up Ford and have a second playmaker option in the centre.

With Tom Curtis and Ollie Davies I'd be surprised if they acquired another 10. Marchant has underrated footballing skills so might play the link role from 13. Won't be a RDP replacement but should still be able to do the job. Davies into 15 could also be an option (one EP will approve of).

I'm expecting Sanderson to try to splurge on the pack, rumours are he's been rebuffed by both CCS and Martin so he's clearly after some physicality and carrying ability up front.

Rumour has it they were also rebuffed by Ilione.

charlesdeboeuf wrote: ↑Wed Nov 26, 2025 5:32 pm

FKAS wrote: ↑Wed Nov 26, 2025 2:45 pm

Captainhaircut wrote: ↑Wed Nov 26, 2025 1:55 pm Marchant signing for Sale apparently.

Think that completes our depth at 13 (Lawrence, Freeman, Marchant) to go with our depth at 12 (Atkinson, Dingwall, Ojomoh). Possible BJVR qualifies too.

Just hooker, lock, scrum half and full back to solve.

Interesting signing for Sale as a RDP replacement. Could go well outside Ford and RMW but means they’ll probably want to sign a 10/12 to back up Ford and have a second playmaker option in the centre.

With Tom Curtis and Ollie Davies I'd be surprised if they acquired another 10. Marchant has underrated footballing skills so might play the link role from 13. Won't be a RDP replacement but should still be able to do the job. Davies into 15 could also be an option (one EP will approve of).

I'm expecting Sanderson to try to splurge on the pack, rumours are he's been rebuffed by both CCS and Martin so he's clearly after some physicality and carrying ability up front.

Rumour has it they were also rebuffed by Ilione.

Good. We needed that one.

fivepointer wrote: ↑Wed Nov 26, 2025 4:48 pm Pleasing to hear of Marchant's return to the Prem. Certainly a player who should be interesting England but will be 30 when he comes back.

Only just … 31 for the RWC so hardly ancient.

Don't love the destination but very pleased he'll be available for England. Obviously he needs to earn his place, but he's a classy player who should slot straight back in.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/alex-san ... -of-money/

Pretty poor form from Sanderson this. Shouldn’t be surprised when he says they have enough money for 4 or 5 world class players that when they enter negotiations those players ask for serious money. Certainly don’t think it’s particularly fair to name CCS specifically.

Captainhaircut wrote: ↑Thu Nov 27, 2025 9:41 am https://www.rugbypass.com/news/alex-san ... -of-money/

Pretty poor form from Sanderson this. Shouldn’t be surprised when he says they have enough money for 4 or 5 world class players that when they enter negotiations those players ask for serious money. Certainly don’t think it’s particularly fair to name CCS specifically.

Pretty much what I expect from Sanderson to be honest. Seems to have a high opinion of himself and tends to be in a mood when things don't go his way.

Not really sure what he expected with CCS, a young man who seems to like living in London where he's lived for about five years. Sanderson talked up wanting to recruit big name players so asking a young guy with means to leave the capital and go north it shouldn't have been a shock when he revealed he wanted a good old chunk of cash.