Transfer news, rumours, suggestions, frenzied speculation, and outright lies - Season 2023-24

[Margin_Walker]

FWIW RiL saying that Bath have signed Charlie Griffin and Kepu Tuipulotu.

If that's true as well as the rumour about Offiah going there, they are really cleaning up on the best of that LI U17 crop from last year.

Bath at least used to wait until their early twenties before raiding LI...

For sure.

All bets are off now!

[Puja]

FWIW RiL saying that Bath have signed Charlie Griffin and Kepu Tuipulotu.

If that's true as well as the rumour about Offiah going there, they are really cleaning up on the best of that LI U17 crop from last year.

Jesus fuck. I know Bath did traditionally use Irish as a feeder club, but that's just getting silly.

I had thought Tuipulotu to Saracens was a done deal. May have looked at Bath's hooking stocks vs Theo Dan likely having the Saracens shirt for the next 10 years.

Puja

[Which Tyler]

A] RiL saying something =/= that thing being true.
B] If it's true that the 3 academies are being disbanded - those 60-80 players are going to want to find a home somewhere.
B₂] Existing clubs are going to be most interested in the best talent from those 3 academies.
B₃] It's going to take more than 3 going to one club to start smelling fishy

[Margin_Walker]

A] RiL saying something =/= that thing being true.
B] If it's true that the 3 academies are being disbanded - those 60-80 players are going to want to find a home somewhere.
B₂] Existing clubs are going to be most interested in the best talent from those 3 academies.
B₃] It's going to take more than 3 going to one club to start smelling fishy

It's all light hearted in good spirits. No offence intended.

I did preface with 'for what it's worth' on the RiL point to be fair.

Conversation for another thread, but there will be 100s of players looking for new homes when the academies close. They'll be younger than these final year lads though who are on the pro academy contract market now and were always going to be picked up.

[Banquo]

A] RiL saying something =/= that thing being true.
B] If it's true that the 3 academies are being disbanded - those 60-80 players are going to want to find a home somewhere.
B₂] Existing clubs are going to be most interested in the best talent from those 3 academies.
B₃] It's going to take more than 3 going to one club to start smelling fishy

It's all light hearted in good spirits. No offence intended.

I did preface with 'for what it's worth' on the RiL point to be fair.

Conversation for another thread, but there will be 100s of players looking for new homes when the academies close. They'll be younger than these final year lads though who are on the pro academy contract market now and were always going to be picked up.

there will be 100's more when 35+12 kicks in

[Which Tyler]

It's all light hearted in good spirits. No offence intended.

No offence taken. Just thought it was worth the reminder.

there will be 100's more if 35+12 kicks in

FTFY
I'm still hoping it doesn't, as it's simply silly.

[Banquo]

It's all light hearted in good spirits. No offence intended.

No offence taken. Just thought it was worth the reminder.

there will be 100's more if 35+12 kicks in

FTFY
I'm still hoping it doesn't, as it's simply silly.

Its not even a question as it stands- its part of PGP is my understanding. RFU have formally presented it to us Champ Clubs as well, implying we'll pick up the slack. As an aside, the 76 players who appear to be on Bath's roster also looks a bit silly. There is a middle ground you'd think tho.

****its the RFU, could easily change. Know more after Friday*****

[Which Tyler]

As an aside, the 76 players who appear to be on Bath's roster also looks a bit silly. There is a middle ground you'd think tho.

It does - but then, including 18 year old on the senior roster has always been silly IMO. It was silly when Exeter were doing it (do they still?) and it's silly when Bath do it.

****its the RFU, could easily change. Know more after Friday*****

This was more my point though. As far as I'm aware (and I'm way less connected than you) negotiations are ongoing. RFU can propose what they like, but if no-one agrees, then it's not agreed upon.

[FKAS]

I suspect even if the RFU force it through it will be 35 + 12 registered players for the Prem in a similar way to how clubs have to register squads for European competition. The clubs then keeping more in the development pathway outside of the registered players who will no doubt be eligible to play in things like the Prem Cup etc.

The Prem and RFU also like to fire shots publicly back and forth when re-negotiating the agreement between them. The PRL normally mention moving the Prem Final away from Twickers and depriving the RFU of a serious money making opportunity etc.

[Banquo]

As an aside, the 76 players who appear to be on Bath's roster also looks a bit silly. There is a middle ground you'd think tho.

It does - but then, including 18 year old on the senior roster has always been silly IMO. It was silly when Exeter were doing it (do they still?) and it's silly when Bath do it.

****its the RFU, could easily change. Know more after Friday*****

This was more my point though. As far as I'm aware (and I'm way less connected than you) negotiations are ongoing. RFU can propose what they like, but if no-one agrees, then it's not agreed upon.

PGP is done and dusted (according to sources ), and its not the RFU driving it (squad reductions), its connected to DCMS and Covid loans. Don't shoot the messenger, I agree its nuts.

[FKAS]

Francois van Wyk signs for Bath.

[Which Tyler]

As an aside, the 76 players who appear to be on Bath's roster also looks a bit silly. There is a middle ground you'd think tho.

Out of interest - just been answering some questions on expected / possible departures, and looking at Bath's squad.
Can you remember the number allowed for the academy? Because that's where Bath will come unstuck (assuming the 35+12 does indeed go through)
Currently, Bath's senior squad looks to have 48 players, 1 of whom (Owen) is thought to have already left, whilst another (Le Roux) is thought to not have started yet.
So depending what counts as "transition from the academy" we're already within the 35+12 (I make it 13 home grown senior players aged 24 or under at the start of the current season).

It's the 30 academy players being reduced to ??? that's going to be where we (well, the players) are screwed.
It looks like we're only graduating 1 (Treacey) from the U18 to the senior academy this year (where he'll likely be supplemented by the likes of Offiah, Griffin, and Tipolotu - which suggests that Van Graan is already being ruthless there; and presumably will be ruthless with academy graduates into the senior squad as well.

[FKAS]

"The transition group would have its own salary cap while clubs would carry a further “rookie” class for Under-20 and Under-19 up to a maximum of 15 players."

That was also included. I suspect that it will be the buffer between the academy and the 12 transition group.

If course the idea was thought up by a government appointed set of consultants so it's bound to be overcomplicated and a car crash.

[francoisfou]

The idefatigable Jimmy Gopperth, who'll be 41 in June, has extended his contract with ProD2 side Provence Rugby by one year, at least, and that season could be in the Top14.
His club are currently 2nd with four matches remaining which are definitely winnable.
He's played 23 of the 25 matches this season and he's at 85% kicking for the posts.
George North will join Provence next season so it'd be great to see them both in the Top14.

[FKAS]

The idefatigable Jimmy Gopperth, who'll be 41 in June, has extended his contract with ProD2 side Provence Rugby by one year, at least, and that season could be in the Top14.
His club are currently 2nd with four matches remaining which are definitely winnable.
He's played 23 of the 25 matches this season and he's at 85% kicking for the posts.
George North will join Provence next season so it'd be great to see them both in the Top14.

Temana Harrison, Tomas Francis and Johnny McPhillips also at Provence. Hopefully they get promotion so Jimmy gets a final season in the top flight.

[Banquo]

As an aside, the 76 players who appear to be on Bath's roster also looks a bit silly. There is a middle ground you'd think tho.

Out of interest - just been answering some questions on expected / possible departures, and looking at Bath's squad.
Can you remember the number allowed for the academy? Because that's where Bath will come unstuck (assuming the 35+12 does indeed go through)
Currently, Bath's senior squad looks to have 48 players, 1 of whom (Owen) is thought to have already left, whilst another (Le Roux) is thought to not have started yet.
So depending what counts as "transition from the academy" we're already within the 35+12 (I make it 13 home grown senior players aged 24 or under at the start of the current season).

It's the 30 academy players being reduced to ??? that's going to be where we (well, the players) are screwed.
It looks like we're only graduating 1 (Treacey) from the U18 to the senior academy this year (where he'll likely be supplemented by the likes of Offiah, Griffin, and Tipolotu - which suggests that Van Graan is already being ruthless there; and presumably will be ruthless with academy graduates into the senior squad as well.

only insight I have is that two of the seniors are also on trial at Ospreys...

[Spiffy]

The idefatigable Jimmy Gopperth, who'll be 41 in June, has extended his contract with ProD2 side Provence Rugby by one year, at least, and that season could be in the Top14.
His club are currently 2nd with four matches remaining which are definitely winnable.
He's played 23 of the 25 matches this season and he's at 85% kicking for the posts.
George North will join Provence next season so it'd be great to see them both in the Top14.

The classy Ruan Pienaar is still playing in SA at age 40 too, at Currie Cup level. Some rumors that he might return to Ulster as a coach.

[Banquo]

As an aside, the 76 players who appear to be on Bath's roster also looks a bit silly. There is a middle ground you'd think tho.

Out of interest - just been answering some questions on expected / possible departures, and looking at Bath's squad.
Can you remember the number allowed for the academy? Because that's where Bath will come unstuck (assuming the 35+12 does indeed go through)
Currently, Bath's senior squad looks to have 48 players, 1 of whom (Owen) is thought to have already left, whilst another (Le Roux) is thought to not have started yet.
So depending what counts as "transition from the academy" we're already within the 35+12 (I make it 13 home grown senior players aged 24 or under at the start of the current season).

It's the 30 academy players being reduced to ??? that's going to be where we (well, the players) are screwed.
It looks like we're only graduating 1 (Treacey) from the U18 to the senior academy this year (where he'll likely be supplemented by the likes of Offiah, Griffin, and Tipolotu - which suggests that Van Graan is already being ruthless there; and presumably will be ruthless with academy graduates into the senior squad as well.

Pepper to Baath confirmed

[Which Tyler]

Pepper to Baath confirmed

3 years
https://www.bathrugby.com/content/guy-p ... -year-deal

[FKAS]

Pepper to Baath confirmed

3 years
https://www.bathrugby.com/content/guy-p ... -year-deal

Do we know if the rumours around one year development, two years senior with substantial salary uplift after year one are true?

[Which Tyler]

Do we know if the rumours around one year development, two years senior with substantial salary uplift after year one are true?

It's been announced as a 3 year deal - which would imply that they're not true - certainly pointless from a salary cap perspective.
If they are true it's more likely to be "counts as an academy product" basis for the (potential) 35+12 calculations.

[Epaminondas Pules]

FWIW RiL saying that Bath have signed Charlie Griffin and Kepu Tuipulotu.

If that's true as well as the rumour about Offiah going there, they are really cleaning up on the best of that LI U17 crop from last year.

If so that's a couple of fabulous signings!

[Which Tyler]

Bath Academy contract for Austin Emens (GB7s, studying at Bath Uni)
https://www.bathrugby.com/content/bath- ... stin-emens

We've a good record of signing 7s players recently - Rokoduguni, McConnochie, Muir...

[Whagwan]

Maggie Bradbury heading home to Edinburgh. Real shame as he's been outstanding this season, Mata has big shoes to fill.

https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/news/ ... edinburgh/

[Mikey Brown]

Yeah Mata is/was class but not sure he's at his peak anymore. Interesting trade, Bradbury has looked great for Bristol though you'd say Mata suits the more typical Bristol style of play.