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

[francoisfou]

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

West played for Toulon in last night’s game at Bordeaux/Bègles. Haven’t Toulon secured the signature of Biggar?

[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.

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.

Unpopular with players, possibly. Unpopular with people who want there to be a functioning domestic game in England, absolutely not. That rule's the only thing stopping a mass exodus of talent from the Premiership, relegating it to a second-class league which is too low quality to produce seasoned international players. That's not to mention reducing England's time with players, like the fact that they've had the extra training week before the international periods, are available for the 4th AI, don't have to go back to clubs in rest weeks of the 6N and allow the RFU some control over their management.

Puja

[francoisfou]

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.

Unpopular with players, possibly. Unpopular with people who want there to be a functioning domestic game in England, absolutely not. That rule's the only thing stopping a mass exodus of talent from the Premiership, relegating it to a second-class league which is too low quality to produce seasoned international players. That's not to mention reducing England's time with players, like the fact that they've had the extra training week before the international periods, are available for the 4th AI, don't have to go back to clubs in rest weeks of the 6N and allow the RFU some control over their management.

Puja

Fair points, but I’m not convinced that there’d be the mass exodus you mentioned, although a few Springboks have come to Europe for a better wage and are still being selected.

[Banquo]

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.

Unpopular with players, possibly. Unpopular with people who want there to be a functioning domestic game in England, absolutely not. That rule's the only thing stopping a mass exodus of talent from the Premiership, relegating it to a second-class league which is too low quality to produce seasoned international players. That's not to mention reducing England's time with players, like the fact that they've had the extra training week before the international periods, are available for the 4th AI, don't have to go back to clubs in rest weeks of the 6N and allow the RFU some control over their management.

Puja

Fair points, but I’m not convinced that there’d be the mass exodus you mentioned, although a few Springboks have come to Europe for a better wage and are still being selected.

Saffers rules are perforce different

[FKAS]

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

Less doing the sums and more thinking you're a smart arse that's found a minor loophole. Thankfully the smart arse has gone.

[Peej]

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

West played for Toulon in last night’s game at Bordeaux/Bègles. Haven’t Toulon secured the signature of Biggar?

Biggar seems like a huge amount of outlay when you already have someone of West's quality available. Not sure what Umaga would offer. Then of course, maybe his uncle put a word in?

[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

Less doing the sums and more thinking you're a smart arse that's found a minor loophole. Thankfully the smart arse has gone.

dunno about that

[Banquo]

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

West played for Toulon in last night’s game at Bordeaux/Bègles. Haven’t Toulon secured the signature of Biggar?

Biggar seems like a huge amount of outlay when you already have someone of West's quality available. Not sure what Umaga would offer. Then of course, maybe his uncle put a word in?

Biggar is a better player than West, though older in fairness. I think Biggar's qualities are somewhat overshadowed by his...being a bit of whiney dick on the park. Its a shame, because he's great off the park apparently.

[Puja]

West played for Toulon in last night’s game at Bordeaux/Bègles. Haven’t Toulon secured the signature of Biggar?

Biggar seems like a huge amount of outlay when you already have someone of West's quality available. Not sure what Umaga would offer. Then of course, maybe his uncle put a word in?

Biggar is a better player than West, though older in fairness. I think Biggar's qualities are somewhat overshadowed by his...being a bit of whiney dick on the park. Its a shame, because he's great off the park apparently.

Agreed. I think Biggar is also seen as staid and incapable of being exciting by some (mostly because he was the 10 of choice during Gatball). While he'll never be able to personally attack a gap like West can, I think a backline run by Biggar will do more exciting things than one run by West, because so many more of his basics are better.

Puja

[Peej]

Oh I don't disagree he's an outstanding player. And he's the best 10 in the air in the world. I meant more paying mid season for Biggar to break a contract when you already have West seems a huge amount of money to invest in one position, which Toulon could arguably spend better elsewhere

[FKAS]

Toulon managing to lose Belleau and Carbonel in the same summer left them pretty empty at flyhalf. West and Biggar would give them a pair of interesting options.

[Scrumhead]

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.

2 very good signings. Mad that Everard is 31. He looks ancient.

[Puja]

Noah Heward's been picked up by Bristol: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/63464474

2 very good signings. Mad that Everard is 31. He looks ancient.

Couldn't remember what he looked like, so googled and found this photo of him from 2011, back when he was 20: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/16071662

I think he had a hard paper-round!

Puja

[FKAS]

Sheesh it must have been uphill both ways with square wheels on the bike.

Tigers current under 25 side.

1. Whitcombe (21)
2. Dolly (23)
3. Heyes (23)
4. Chessum (22)
5. Henderson (22)
6. Martin (21)
7. Reffell (23)
8. Jansen (23)
9. JVP (21)
10. Atkinson (21)
11. Porter (25)
12. Kelly (21)
13. Cokansiga (21)
14. Potter (24)
15. Steward (21)

Pretty tasty.

[Timbo]

Amazing you’ve got that many quality youngsters while still being able to put out by far the best vets teams in the league too.

[FKAS]

Amazing you’ve got that many quality youngsters while still being able to put out by far the best vets teams in the league too.

Yeah that's because youth and vets are cheaper than signing players in their prime and we needed a full squad rebuild. Hopefully bringing through the youngsters will create stability for years to come.

Tigers over 30s XV is quite tough;

1. Cronin
2. Clare
3. Cole
4. Green
5.
6. Murimurivalu
7. Tom Cowan-Dickie
8. Taufeteʻe
9. Wigglesworth/Youngs
10. Burns
11. Nadolo
12. Gopperth
13. Scott
14. Saumaki
15. Ashton

Had to pad the backrow with people who've covered in an emergency, not got enough locks. Backline is ancient.

[Scrumhead]

Sheesh it must have been uphill both ways with square wheels on the bike.

Tigers current under 25 side.

1. Whitcombe (21)
2. Dolly (23)
3. Heyes (23)
4. Chessum (22)
5. Henderson (22)
6. Martin (21)
7. Reffell (23)
8. Jansen (23)
9. JVP (21)
10. Atkinson (21)
11. Porter (25)
12. Kelly (21)
13. Cokansiga (21)
14. Potter (24)
15. Steward (21)

Pretty tasty.

Tasty indeed. Particularly when it doesn’t include a promising next batch like Ilione and Chessum no. 2 etc.

[Which Tyler]

Just because this has peaked my interest,
Bath U25:
1. Arthur Cordwell - 24
2. John Stewart* - 22
3. Kieren Verden - 23
4. Ewan Richards* - 20
5. Josh Dingley* - 19
6. JJ Tonks - 22
7. Miles Reid - 24
8. Ted Hill - 23

9. Tom Carr-Smith* - 21
10. Orlando Bailey - 21
11. Joe Cokanasiga - 24
12. Ollie Lawrence - 22
13. Cameron Redpath - 23
14. Gabriel Hamer-Webb - 22
15. Tom de Glanville - 22



Bath O30:
1. Juan Schoeman - 30
2. Tom Dunn - 30
3. Aranos Coetzee - 34
4. Josh McNally - 33
5. Dave Attwood - 35
6. Richard de Carpentier - 32
7. Chris Cloete - 31
8. GJ van Velze - 34

9. Louis Schreuder - 31
10. Piers Francis - 31
11. Ruaridh McConnochie - 30
12.
13. Jonathan Joseph - 31
14.
15.

For the backs, out next oldest is Ben Spencer (29); then a bunch aged 26

[Banquo]

Biggar seems like a huge amount of outlay when you already have someone of West's quality available. Not sure what Umaga would offer. Then of course, maybe his uncle put a word in?

Biggar is a better player than West, though older in fairness. I think Biggar's qualities are somewhat overshadowed by his...being a bit of whiney dick on the park. Its a shame, because he's great off the park apparently.

Agreed. I think Biggar is also seen as staid and incapable of being exciting by some (mostly because he was the 10 of choice during Gatball). While he'll never be able to personally attack a gap like West can, I think a backline run by Biggar will do more exciting things than one run by West, because so many more of his basics are better.

Puja

plus, as Peej says, he's fantastic in the air, which can be quite a weapon even in attack.

[Banquo]

Just because this has peaked my interest,

Is it peak interest, or interest that is piqued #pedant

[jimKRFC]

Noah Heward joins Bristol on a two year deal:

https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/news/ ... year-deal/

Not sure I get this signing... we really need a player that will fight like mad and drag the team along. A bit like J Willis perhaps...
So rather than spend the cap we have left on him we sign Batley, Heward and Tyack - just makes no sense to me.

[Puja]

Noah Heward joins Bristol on a two year deal:

https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/news/ ... year-deal/

Not sure I get this signing... we really need a player that will fight like mad and drag the team along. A bit like J Willis perhaps...
So rather than spend the cap we have left on him we sign Batley, Heward and Tyack - just makes no sense to me.

I do like Heward as a player though - he'll do well for you.

I think JWillis is coming - just need to wait until Dan Thomas's exit becomes permanent.

Puja

[Tigersman]

Hmm I can see the saints story being true tbh
What welsh team really needs Thomas?

[Puja]

Hmm I can see the saints story being true tbh
What welsh team really needs Thomas?

He's on loan to Llanelli at the moment, isn't he? I had assumed it was the first step to making a permanent switch.

I hadn't heard about Saints being after JWillis? Seems an odd match, given that they have Lawes and Ludlam as home-grown guaranteed starters in at flanker - he's hardly someone who can cover the international periods. TWillis, on the other hand, would make a *lot* of sense.

Puja

[jimKRFC]

I do like Heward as a player though - he'll do well for you.

I'm sure he will if he gets a chance. But with Siva and Ibitoye coming back from injury, Fricker, Bailey, Bates, Morahan and Purdy it's crowded position.

He's on loan to Llanelli at the moment, isn't he? I had assumed it was the first step to making a permanent switch.

DT is back with Bristol now, apparently he and Pat don't get on though so wouldn't be surprised to see him leave in the summer.