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

[anders_limpar]

There's a decent chance it's just saints taking the opportunity to save some cash given the financial situation and fewer games

[Which Tyler]

There's a decent chance it's just saints taking the opportunity to save some cash given the financial situation and fewer games

IF they still had 2 marquees, then yes, it can only really be a money saving thing - or possibly a falling out between Biggar and Dowson.

If they had dropped down to 1 marquee ahead of this season, then it would free up some cap space for bringing in Wuss / Wasps players

[Banquo]

There's a decent chance it's just saints taking the opportunity to save some cash given the financial situation and fewer games

IF they still had 2 marquees, then yes, it can only really be a money saving thing - or possibly a falling out between Biggar and Dowson.

If they had dropped down to 1 marquee ahead of this season, then it would free up some cap space for bringing in Wuss / Wasps players

Biggar didn't want to leave at the end of the season, but its not a falling out per se. Be interesting to see what they do next- they need something to bring a bit of consistency.

[Banquo]

There's a decent chance it's just saints taking the opportunity to save some cash given the financial situation and fewer games

Could be, but it leaves them quite exposed at 10, Biggar being injured notwithstanding.

[FKAS]

There's a decent chance it's just saints taking the opportunity to save some cash given the financial situation and fewer games

IF they still had 2 marquees, then yes, it can only really be a money saving thing - or possibly a falling out between Biggar and Dowson.

If they had dropped down to 1 marquee ahead of this season, then it would free up some cap space for bringing in Wuss / Wasps players

Biggar didn't want to leave at the end of the season, but its not a falling out per se. Be interesting to see what they do next- they need something to bring a bit of consistency.

Biggar was their best bet for some greater control but the niggly injuries he seems susceptible to doesn't help the consistency.

If they don't use freed up cash to reinforce the front row and midfield then I think the top four is probably beyond them.

[Banquo]

IF they still had 2 marquees, then yes, it can only really be a money saving thing - or possibly a falling out between Biggar and Dowson.

If they had dropped down to 1 marquee ahead of this season, then it would free up some cap space for bringing in Wuss / Wasps players

Biggar didn't want to leave at the end of the season, but its not a falling out per se. Be interesting to see what they do next- they need something to bring a bit of consistency.

Biggar was their best bet for some greater control but the niggly injuries he seems susceptible to doesn't help the consistency.

If they don't use freed up cash to reinforce the front row and midfield then I think the top four is probably beyond them.

Its more concentration and consistency imo. Same players ish got them to the semi last year. As you have pointed to in another thread, application and tactics are their major issue.

[Which Tyler]

Sounds familiar

[FKAS]

Biggar didn't want to leave at the end of the season, but its not a falling out per se. Be interesting to see what they do next- they need something to bring a bit of consistency.

Biggar was their best bet for some greater control but the niggly injuries he seems susceptible to doesn't help the consistency.

If they don't use freed up cash to reinforce the front row and midfield then I think the top four is probably beyond them.

Its more concentration and consistency imo. Same players ish got them to the semi last year. As you have pointed to in another thread, application and tactics are their major issue.

Yeah but Biggar helped with the consistency and tactics. If Saints were to lose him then it's a big reliance on Fin Smith to fill his boots.

Saints issues this season has been that the front row giving away penalties at scrum time and the midfield making errors and conceding metres in defence. If Fin can somewhat fulfil the Biggar role than Saints letting him go and recruiting for those two areas makes sense.

Saints have also been linked to Blamire, I wonder if they might change tact and go after Oghre now.

[Banquo]

Biggar was their best bet for some greater control but the niggly injuries he seems susceptible to doesn't help the consistency.

If they don't use freed up cash to reinforce the front row and midfield then I think the top four is probably beyond them.

Its more concentration and consistency imo. Same players ish got them to the semi last year. As you have pointed to in another thread, application and tactics are their major issue.

Yeah but Biggar helped with the consistency and tactics. If Saints were to lose him then it's a big reliance on Fin Smith to fill his boots.

Saints issues this season has been that the front row giving away penalties at scrum time and the midfield making errors and conceding metres in defence. If Fin can somewhat fulfil the Biggar role than Saints letting him go and recruiting for those two areas makes sense.

Saints have also been linked to Blamire, I wonder if they might change tact and go after Oghre now.

Not sure I agree about their major issues- defence should be a lot better, but their finishing and concentration close to the line has been appalling, as has their handling; I think you are basing your view on the Tigers game, where I agree those were their major issues; in the other games I've seen, much less so, much more about daft mistakes, rather than caving to scrum or midfield pressure. That said, they could do with stiffening the front row and sorting out their midfield- there's a lot of rotation going on there.

[FKAS]

Its more concentration and consistency imo. Same players ish got them to the semi last year. As you have pointed to in another thread, application and tactics are their major issue.

Yeah but Biggar helped with the consistency and tactics. If Saints were to lose him then it's a big reliance on Fin Smith to fill his boots.

Saints issues this season has been that the front row giving away penalties at scrum time and the midfield making errors and conceding metres in defence. If Fin can somewhat fulfil the Biggar role than Saints letting him go and recruiting for those two areas makes sense.

Saints have also been linked to Blamire, I wonder if they might change tact and go after Oghre now.

Not sure I agree about their major issues- defence should be a lot better, but their finishing and concentration close to the line has been appalling, as has their handling; I think you are basing your view on the Tigers game, where I agree those were their major issues; in the other games I've seen, much less so, much more about daft mistakes, rather than caving to scrum or midfield pressure. That said, they could do with stiffening the front row and sorting out their midfield- there's a lot of rotation going on there.

Not really. The issue at centre is on both sides of the ball, there's no ball carrier to fix the defence in attack so it's easy to number off or target any of those backs who try to carry hard. Dingwall getting smashed and coughing the ball up for a Bath counter attack that led to a try and the Dingwall intercepted pass last weekend are prime examples.

Scrum issues are more because of the number of injuries, Tigers took advantage to dramatic effect but there have been other teams that have had some joy there. With someone like West available on the cheap why wouldn't you reinforce?

[Banquo]

Yeah but Biggar helped with the consistency and tactics. If Saints were to lose him then it's a big reliance on Fin Smith to fill his boots.

Saints issues this season has been that the front row giving away penalties at scrum time and the midfield making errors and conceding metres in defence. If Fin can somewhat fulfil the Biggar role than Saints letting him go and recruiting for those two areas makes sense.

Saints have also been linked to Blamire, I wonder if they might change tact and go after Oghre now.

Not sure I agree about their major issues- defence should be a lot better, but their finishing and concentration close to the line has been appalling, as has their handling; I think you are basing your view on the Tigers game, where I agree those were their major issues; in the other games I've seen, much less so, much more about daft mistakes, rather than caving to scrum or midfield pressure. That said, they could do with stiffening the front row and sorting out their midfield- there's a lot of rotation going on there.

Not really. The issue at centre is on both sides of the ball, there's no ball carrier to fix the defence in attack so it's easy to number off or target any of those backs who try to carry hard. Dingwall getting smashed and coughing the ball up for a Bath counter attack that led to a try and the Dingwall intercepted pass last weekend are prime examples.

Scrum issues are more because of the number of injuries, Tigers took advantage to dramatic effect but there have been other teams that have had some joy there. With someone like West available on the cheap why wouldn't you reinforce?

Well I agreed to the latter (see stiffening up front), and I'd argue that Saints midfield has been very effective with the ball given the number of tries they score through the backs and how they even carved Tigers up out wide....but I do agree they've been exposed in defence especially physically.(wasn't it Smith who Brizzle intercepted?). I'm probably a bit defensive on Dingwall as I know the family; I do think playing him and Hutchinson together is a bit one note, Hutchinson defence isn't great and neither are big lads- Proctor is more physical and I like him and Fraser D as a pairing- but yesterday they carved Brizzle up between them. I think its fair to say they could do with a big fella somewhere in the back 5 a la Nadolo.

[FKAS]

Not sure I agree about their major issues- defence should be a lot better, but their finishing and concentration close to the line has been appalling, as has their handling; I think you are basing your view on the Tigers game, where I agree those were their major issues; in the other games I've seen, much less so, much more about daft mistakes, rather than caving to scrum or midfield pressure. That said, they could do with stiffening the front row and sorting out their midfield- there's a lot of rotation going on there.

Not really. The issue at centre is on both sides of the ball, there's no ball carrier to fix the defence in attack so it's easy to number off or target any of those backs who try to carry hard. Dingwall getting smashed and coughing the ball up for a Bath counter attack that led to a try and the Dingwall intercepted pass last weekend are prime examples.

Scrum issues are more because of the number of injuries, Tigers took advantage to dramatic effect but there have been other teams that have had some joy there. With someone like West available on the cheap why wouldn't you reinforce?

Well I agreed to the latter (see stiffening up front), and I'd argue that Saints midfield has been very effective with the ball given the number of tries they score through the backs and how they even carved Tigers up out wide....but I do agree they've been exposed in defence especially physically.(wasn't it Smith who Brizzle intercepted?). I'm probably a bit defensive on Dingwall as I know the family; I do think playing him and Hutchinson together is a bit one note, Hutchinson defence isn't great and neither are big lads- Proctor is more physical and I like him and Fraser D as a pairing- but yesterday they carved Brizzle up between them. I think its fair to say they could do with a big fella somewhere in the back 5 a la Nadolo.

Yes Smith intercepted yesterday and Dingwall last weekend.

In not blaming Hutchinson or Dingwall it's just that Saints could use a bit more physicality at 12 and Wasps have released a player that fits the bill. If Biggar is off immediately it would be a good use of the freed up salary cap.

Saints will carve up a lot of teams with that attack but in the tough games they could use a little extra edge on both sides of the ball.

There aren't many Nadolo esque players around, Tigers will certainly miss him

[Beasties]

Not really. The issue at centre is on both sides of the ball, there's no ball carrier to fix the defence in attack so it's easy to number off or target any of those backs who try to carry hard. Dingwall getting smashed and coughing the ball up for a Bath counter attack that led to a try and the Dingwall intercepted pass last weekend are prime examples.

Scrum issues are more because of the number of injuries, Tigers took advantage to dramatic effect but there have been other teams that have had some joy there. With someone like West available on the cheap why wouldn't you reinforce?

Well I agreed to the latter (see stiffening up front), and I'd argue that Saints midfield has been very effective with the ball given the number of tries they score through the backs and how they even carved Tigers up out wide....but I do agree they've been exposed in defence especially physically.(wasn't it Smith who Brizzle intercepted?). I'm probably a bit defensive on Dingwall as I know the family; I do think playing him and Hutchinson together is a bit one note, Hutchinson defence isn't great and neither are big lads- Proctor is more physical and I like him and Fraser D as a pairing- but yesterday they carved Brizzle up between them. I think its fair to say they could do with a big fella somewhere in the back 5 a la Nadolo.

Yes Smith intercepted yesterday and Dingwall last weekend.

In not blaming Hutchinson or Dingwall it's just that Saints could use a bit more physicality at 12 and Wasps have released a player that fits the bill. If Biggar is off immediately it would be a good use of the freed up salary cap.

Saints will carve up a lot of teams with that attack but in the tough games they could use a little extra edge on both sides of the ball.

There aren't many Nadolo esque players around, Tigers will certainly miss him

They had one in Naiyaravoro until recently. Not quite Nadolo but going forward he made ground…

Odendaal would fit in anywhere, but I’m amazed at how many quality Wasps players are yet to be employed.

[Banquo]

Well I agreed to the latter (see stiffening up front), and I'd argue that Saints midfield has been very effective with the ball given the number of tries they score through the backs and how they even carved Tigers up out wide....but I do agree they've been exposed in defence especially physically.(wasn't it Smith who Brizzle intercepted?). I'm probably a bit defensive on Dingwall as I know the family; I do think playing him and Hutchinson together is a bit one note, Hutchinson defence isn't great and neither are big lads- Proctor is more physical and I like him and Fraser D as a pairing- but yesterday they carved Brizzle up between them. I think its fair to say they could do with a big fella somewhere in the back 5 a la Nadolo.

Yes Smith intercepted yesterday and Dingwall last weekend.

In not blaming Hutchinson or Dingwall it's just that Saints could use a bit more physicality at 12 and Wasps have released a player that fits the bill. If Biggar is off immediately it would be a good use of the freed up salary cap.

Saints will carve up a lot of teams with that attack but in the tough games they could use a little extra edge on both sides of the ball.

There aren't many Nadolo esque players around, Tigers will certainly miss him

They had one in Naiyaravoro until recently. Not quite Nadolo but going forward he made ground…

Odendaal would fit in anywhere, but I’m amazed at how many quality Wasps players are yet to be employed.

Naiyatavoro never punched hs weight and was a turnstile tbh.

Clubs just dont have spare cash, even if cap wasnt an issue, plus lose revenues through lost fixtures.

[fivepointer]

BREAKING: Leicester Tigers sign fly half Charlie Atkinson on a long-term deal from Wasps.

Great signing. He's shown really encouraging signs this season. Tigers have a good 'un.

[FKAS]

Excellent news. He's a very good young talent that Tigers can hopefully grow. He might get a few run outs at 15 as cover for Steward but that won't be bad for him. Having Pollard and Gopperth to help mentor as well.

Matt Everard the former Wasps coach who came through the Tigers academy has joined as a senior academy coach at Tigers as well.

[Puja]

That is two excellent signings for Leicester - Everard's highly rated as a coach and Atkinson is capable of being a Prem starter straight away, let alone being the promising youngster to learn off (and take over from) Pollard and Burns that we've not had from our academy.


I wonder where Umaga's going. He's too good to not be picking up a contract, but he's the definition of mercurial - some gorgeous pinpoint cut-out passes this season that literally no-one else in the league is capable of seeing and delivering, coupled with enough inaccuracy that he probably can't be a starting 10 yet. Maybe the kind of player that the T14 or ProD2 would be keen on?

Puja

[Tigersman]

Apparently Umaga was off to Toulon till Bigger became available

[francoisfou]

Midi Olympique say that Clermont are preparing to make an offer for Jamie George.
If George knows something we don't about the RFU relaxing their unpopular rule on the eligibility of overseas based players, then it'd be a good move, although he must already be on a good wedge at Sarries.

[Peej]

Umaga to Toulon is a bit of a shock. Is Ihaia West long-term injured?

Atkinson to Tigers on a long-term deal is a real kick in the bollocks. Even if Wasps come back from the brink, their hopes of building back effectively will be hit more and more by losing players like Atkinson.

[Puja]

Midi Olympique say that Clermont are preparing to make an offer for Jamie George.
If George knows something we don't about the RFU relaxing their unpopular rule on the eligibility of overseas based players, then it'd be a good move, although he must already be on a good wedge at Sarries.

It'd be for next season, I'd imagine. He's 32, probably doesn't have another RWC cycle in him, has already been abruptly dropped by Eddie once and is probably a prime candidate to be "moved on from" after 2023. Sarries will be paying him relatively well, but it'll be the EPS money that's made staying in England worthwhile. If that's going away, he's better off taking the Euro.

If it's true, could be the start of a Blamire to Saracens - I think he'd be just their kind of player and he does need to move for regular starts. Or Oghre's a class player that's still somehow without a contract.

Puja

[Which Tyler]

Midi Olympique say that Clermont are preparing to make an offer for Jamie George.
If George knows something we don't about the RFU relaxing their unpopular rule on the eligibility of overseas based players, then it'd be a good move, although he must already be on a good wedge at Sarries.

What makes you think it's unpopular?

[Banquo]

That is two excellent signings for Leicester - Everard's highly rated as a coach and Atkinson is capable of being a Prem starter straight away, let alone being the promising youngster to learn off (and take over from) Pollard and Burns that we've not had from our academy.


I wonder where Umaga's going. He's too good to not be picking up a contract, but he's the definition of mercurial - some gorgeous pinpoint cut-out passes this season that literally no-one else in the league is capable of seeing and delivering, coupled with enough inaccuracy that he probably can't be a starting 10 yet. Maybe the kind of player that the T14 or ProD2 would be keen on?

Puja

Hopefully Tigers have done their salary cap sums properly this time

[francoisfou]

Midi Olympique say that Clermont are preparing to make an offer for Jamie George.
If George knows something we don't about the RFU relaxing their unpopular rule on the eligibility of overseas based players, then it'd be a good move, although he must already be on a good wedge at Sarries.

What makes you think it's unpopular?

By removing the opportunities for those who wish to experience playing abroad and still be eligible for national selection. However, as Jamie George is 32, as Puja said, then maybe his England chances will be slimmer after the World Cup.

[Which Tyler]

Yes, I know what the policy is - but what makes you think it's unpopular?
Or, I supposed, who do you think it's unpopular with?

If it's just the players, then of course it's unpopular - they want to have their cake and eat it, of course they want to earn twice as much money with no downsides.
But amongst the RFU, the club, and fans of club rugby, it's very popular.

"unpopular" suggests it goes way further than 3-4 people