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

[Mikey Brown]

Cipriani to play for Trinidad & Tobago. Just looked him up as he was mentioned on the Baabaas thread and I thought he'd retired. No idea if it's likely to happen but I feel like that would be pretty cool.

[Puja]

Cipriani to play for Trinidad & Tobago. Just looked him up as he was mentioned on the Baabaas thread and I thought he'd retired. No idea if it's likely to happen but I feel like that would be pretty cool.

I've heard that rumour before (and that WR were keen to try and make it happen). You'd've thought there'd be a few like that - Kvesic to Germany, etc.

Puja

[FKAS]

Cipriani as player coach for T&T would be great for them.

[Mellsblue]

Given he was famously unsympathetic to some of the less talented players he’s trained with, let’s hope he’s in a happy-go-lucky phase of his life. Everything will be irie, if so.

[francoisfou]

It appears that Jack Willis will shortly sign a contract with Toulouse until the end of the season, and according to an agreement with the RFU, won't effect his eligibility to be selected for England.

[FKAS]

It appears that Jack Willis's will shortly sign a contract with Toulouse until the end of the season, and according to an agreement with the RFU, won't effect his eligibility to be selected for England.

Players made redundant can move abroad and remain eligible for England until the summer. Rumours Launchbury is about to head across the channel as well.

[Puja]

It appears that Jack Willis's will shortly sign a contract with Toulouse until the end of the season, and according to an agreement with the RFU, won't effect his eligibility to be selected for England.

Might affect his ability to get into the XXIII though. He'll be at a major disadvantage with not being able to attend training camps and having to go back in the 6N rest weeks, unless he's managed to get that written into his Toulouse contract.

Can't blame him for it. It'd be a phenomenal pay cut to stay in England and fit into someone's salary cap plans.

Puja

[Banquo]

It appears that Jack Willis's will shortly sign a contract with Toulouse until the end of the season, and according to an agreement with the RFU, won't effect his eligibility to be selected for England.

Might affect his ability to get into the XXIII though. He'll be at a major disadvantage with not being able to attend training camps and having to go back in the 6N rest weeks, unless he's managed to get that written into his Toulouse contract.

Can't blame him for it. It'd be a phenomenal pay cut to stay in England and fit into someone's salary cap plans.

Puja

Plus he's currently riding the pine in favour of an Coletoje combo.

[Mellsblue]

On which note, what are people’s thoughts on a Coletoje second row pairing once Lawes is back. Perhaps not enough grunt without Hill but…

[FKAS]

On which note, what are people’s thoughts on a Coletoje second row pairing once Lawes is back. Perhaps not enough grunt without Hill but…

I think Coles could become the bench impact option. He carried very well against the Pumas but his basics on the other side of the ball weren't great. Chessum should hopefully be back soon as well. I was disappointed with Hill's ineffective display, he could be the one edged out.

Jack Willis getting a great deal in. Wintering in the South of France for more cash then he'd have got tagging onto a Prem squad. Good option to have.

[Banquo]

On which note, what are people’s thoughts on a Coletoje second row pairing once Lawes is back. Perhaps not enough grunt without Hill but…

but his basics on the other side of the ball weren't great.

What was up with his defence? I missed the first 25 mins to be fair.

[Mellsblue]

On which note, what are people’s thoughts on a Coletoje second row pairing once Lawes is back. Perhaps not enough grunt without Hill but…

Jack Willis getting a great deal in. Wintering in the South of France for more cash then he'd have got tagging onto a Prem squad. Good option to have.

What are the terms of Willis’s contract?

[Peej]

It appears that Jack Willis's will shortly sign a contract with Toulouse until the end of the season, and according to an agreement with the RFU, won't effect his eligibility to be selected for England.

Might affect his ability to get into the XXIII though. He'll be at a major disadvantage with not being able to attend training camps and having to go back in the 6N rest weeks, unless he's managed to get that written into his Toulouse contract.

Can't blame him for it. It'd be a phenomenal pay cut to stay in England and fit into someone's salary cap plans.

Puja

Toulouse or 5 minutes a week after flogging yourself through training camps?

[FKAS]

On which note, what are people’s thoughts on a Coletoje second row pairing once Lawes is back. Perhaps not enough grunt without Hill but…

Jack Willis getting a great deal in. Wintering in the South of France for more cash then he'd have got tagging onto a Prem squad. Good option to have.

What are the terms of Willis’s contract?

I couldn't say, I'm not his agent.

I suspect it's on better financial terms than any Prem club were offering though or why go? I'd also presume it's a short term deal until the summer when he'll return in order to protect his England involvement which after all does come with its own remuneration.

[Mellsblue]

Jack Willis getting a great deal in. Wintering in the South of France for more cash then he'd have got tagging onto a Prem squad. Good option to have.

What are the terms of Willis’s contract?

I couldn't say, I'm not his agent.

I suspect it's on better financial terms than any Prem club were offering though or why go? I'd also presume it's a short term deal until the summer when he'll return in order to protect his England involvement which after all does come with its own remuneration.

You just said it as if it’s fact so I assumed you knew the details. Agreed that the €€€€€ is possibly more than what is on offer in the Prem but the chance to play in the Top14 and be in contention for trophies might be another pull. Also, going by how emotional his social media posts were, getting away from the Prem for 6 months for a post match pint and free digs might’ve been enough to tempt. He’s had a very tough couple of years professionally.
If I were offered eg £80k by Saints and eg £50k by Toulouse I would say au revoir faster than a Ben Youngs pass, ie I’d take a long time to think to about whether to do it but once I made my mind up I’d be off with little precision.

[Puja]

If I were offered eg £80k by Saints and eg £50k by Toulouse I would say au revoir faster than a Ben Youngs pass, ie I’d take a long time to think to about whether to do it but once I made my mind up I’d be off with little precision.

Actually, sod the like button - that deserves the full Haskell:



Excellent point on the advantages of getting away as well. I'd imagine it's be quite hard turning out for one of Wasps' rivals having spent his whole career there, so probably needs a bit of a break from the Prem.

Puja

[16th man]

Toulouse or 5 minutes a week after flogging yourself through training camps?

This must be something that has startied to go through some players heads over the last couple of years.

Given the erratic nature of Jones' selection policy outside his core undroppables, what damage can going and getting some cash and experience for a couple of years in France do?

Post RWC and presumably Eddie, its hard to see how Mercer won't be in a better place for doing it.

There may be some grumbles from people who think you should stay and fight for a place, but, is it really worth the pain if you're most likely to be treated like Dunne or Willis or Lawrence or Thorley etc.

[francoisfou]

On which note, what are people’s thoughts on a Coletoje second row pairing once Lawes is back. Perhaps not enough grunt without Hill but…

Jack Willis getting a great deal in. Wintering in the South of France for more cash then he'd have got tagging onto a Prem squad. Good option to have.

What are the terms of Willis’s contract?

From what I've read, it's a contract until the end of the 2022/23 season, which could be Saturday June 17th, the date of the Top14 final in which Toulouse may well participate. I've no idea of any other terms.

[16th man]

Toulouse or 5 minutes a week after flogging yourself through training camps?

This must be something that has startied to go through some players heads over the last couple of years.

Given the erratic nature of Jones' selection policy outside his core undroppables, what damage can going and getting some cash and experience for a couple of years in France do?

Post RWC and presumably Eddie, its hard to see how Mercer won't be in a better place for doing it.

There may be some grumbles from people who think you should stay and fight for a place, but, is it really worth the pain if you're most likely to be treated like Dunne or Willis or Lawrence or Thorley etc.

Speaking of which

[Peej]

Tom Willis to Bordeaux is a new one to emerge this week

[Banquo]

Tom Willis to Bordeaux is a new one to emerge this week

Tom Ouillis

[Banquo]

Toulouse or 5 minutes a week after flogging yourself through training camps?

This must be something that has startied to go through some players heads over the last couple of years.

Given the erratic nature of Jones' selection policy outside his core undroppables, what damage can going and getting some cash and experience for a couple of years in France do?

Post RWC and presumably Eddie, its hard to see how Mercer won't be in a better place for doing it.

There may be some grumbles from people who think you should stay and fight for a place, but, is it really worth the pain if you're most likely to be treated like Dunne or Willis or Lawrence or Thorley etc.

Speaking of which

Looks great with the ball, but always has tbh. Its without that was the issue.

[fivepointer]

Joe Marchant to Stade F. Balls!

[Banquo]

Joe Marchant to Stade F. Balls!

....when?

[Margin_Walker]

Report in the Times suggesting that OHC to Leicester is happening at the end of the season. A visit to the Training ground was also mentioned in he Rugby Paper yesterday

LI apparently targeting Cokanasiga to replace him.