Transfers for next season (including transfer rumours!)

Buer · 18-02-2014 8:11pm

[Jackass] wrote: »

I'll be watching with great interest to see how he gets on in Glasgow. Reportedly will be making his debut against Leinster at the RDS.

A 75kg bloke who took up rugby 18 months ago and has only played the 15 man game at local club level in the USA. I would say the likes of McFadden will be licking his lips.

petebricquette · 18-02-2014 8:13pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

It wouldn't surprise me if London Irish are offering great contracts to Irish players. The head of the new consortium said they wanted to bring in more Irish faces. It might not be the worst thing for the national team if there's another side around willing to give a shot to Irish/IQ players.

I mean, traditionally it worked out that that was the only 'foreign' club we drew our player pool from. Seems like the new guy wants to get things back to that. It'd be great to have a sort of 5th province to choose from. I'm delighted for Griffs. Shrewd move on his part as well.

[Jackass] · 18-02-2014 8:17pm

Buer wrote: »

A 75kg bloke who took up rugby 18 months ago and has only played the 15 man game at local club level in the USA. I would say the likes of McFadden will be licking his lips.

It didn't do Nigel Walker any harm!

Buer · 18-02-2014 8:20pm

[Jackass] wrote: »

It didn't do Nigel Walker any harm!

Ah yeah but Walker was Welsh. He grew up playing the game and played representative rugby up until leaving school. He was in the Welsh schools squad. Isles is a complete novice.

former legend · 18-02-2014 8:40pm

Matt Stevens going home and joining the Sharks at the end of the season.

Buer · 18-02-2014 8:46pm

former legend wrote: »

Matt Stevens going home and joining the Sharks at the end of the season.

Was once a genuinely very good player before injury, suspension and the general cluster f*ck that was Bath ruined him. He could have been a legend for England.

CIARAN_BOYLE · 18-02-2014 9:01pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

It wouldn't surprise me if London Irish are offering great contracts to Irish players. The head of the new consortium said they wanted to bring in more Irish faces. It might not be the worst thing for the national team if there's another side around willing to give a shot to Irish/IQ players.

They've six IQ guys for next season now I think

Hagan Court O'leary Humphries Sheridan Griffin

Hype710 · 18-02-2014 9:18pm

Michael Keating also rumoured to be heading to London Irish.

Morf · 18-02-2014 9:57pm

Hype710 wrote: »

Michael Keating also rumoured to be heading to London Irish.

Good for him. Was he on the SCT team that Belvedere won with Tom Sexton as captain?

Buer · 19-02-2014 8:55am

Morf wrote: »

Good for him. Was he on the SCT team that Belvedere won with Tom Sexton as captain?

I believe so.

It's great that there's another top flight team that will have a backbone of Irish players, allowing them exposure to a decent level.

However, I do wonder if they'll continue to be a top flight side. No offence but these guys they're signing are not exactly the cream of the crop and LI are already near the bottom of the table. They'll need a few more experienced heads in the set up to steady the ship, I would think.

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny · 19-02-2014 10:51am

Buer wrote: »

I believe so.

It's great that there's another top flight team that will have a backbone of Irish players, allowing them exposure to a decent level.

However, I do wonder if they'll continue to be a top flight side. No offence but these guys they're signing are not exactly the cream of the crop and LI are already near the bottom of the table. They'll need a few more experienced heads in the set up to steady the ship, I would think.

London Irish are looking at increasing their popularity with local Irish people around London which has fallen off, altho i personally think results are the main factor their as well! I agree with the comment on experience, their signing lads to replace the likes of Marland Yarde & JOC, who himself is relatively inexperienced but and international at the same time, and their just not to that standard. Isn't looking good for LI's future

Steve Perchance · 19-02-2014 3:20pm

Kockott has decided that he's really going to stay with Castres for definite this time - http://www.espn.co.uk/france-top-14-2013-14/rugby/story/215283.html

That article also suggests Gio Aplon to Grenoble.

thomond2006 · 21-02-2014 1:09am

Lyon have confirmed the signing of George Smith. That's a serious statement of intent for next season when they should be in the Top14.

Beadyeye · 21-02-2014 5:20am

Morf wrote: »

Good for him. Was he on the SCT team that Belvedere won with Tom Sexton as captain?

No, he was the Batman

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny · 21-02-2014 2:08pm

George Smith signing for Pro D2 side Lyon on 2 year deal

thomond2006 · 23-02-2014 2:00pm

Charl McLeod going to Grenoble. Experienced competition for James Hart next season!

thomond2006 · 25-02-2014 2:33pm

It's reported that Fabien Barcella is going to Toulon next year. He was rated as one of the best looseheads in the world a few years ago until a bad run of injuries struck.

former legend · 26-02-2014 3:00pm

London Irish are continuing their recruitment drive, Luke Narraway has signed. They're building a decent enough squad.

Stanza2 · 26-02-2014 10:34pm

former legend wrote: »

London Irish are continuing their recruitment drive, Luke Narraway has signed. They're building a decent enough squad.

New Irish backers are living up to promises, they have even been getting results since new takeover, weeding out the bad influences and starting to build a team. Think Eoin Griffin has been their best signing. Big move for him. Hope it goes well.

bamboozle · 27-02-2014 10:08am

thomond2006 wrote: »

Charl McLeod going to Grenoble. Experienced competition for James Hart next season!

Heard rumour a couple of players in the AIL were being looked at by Grenoble.

I guess this is something we can expect more, lads who play U20's but dont get academy contracts will look to be picked up elsewhere.

Keating to LI would be a great move for him. It was really a case of him or Dave Kearney at Leinster and he chose to move on.

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny · 27-02-2014 10:55am

bamboozle wrote: »

Heard rumour a couple of players in the AIL were being looked at by Grenoble.

I guess this is something we can expect more, lads who play U20's but dont get academy contracts will look to be picked up elsewhere.

Keating to LI would be a great move for him. It was really a case of him or Dave Kearney at Leinster and he chose to move on.

Your very own Mick McGrath must surely be one of those!! Wouldn't be outta place there at all! Would think Charlie Butterworth, John Quill, Mark Roche are being considered.....

siltirocker · 27-02-2014 11:47am

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny wrote: »

Your very own Mick McGrath must surely be one of those!! Wouldn't be outta place there at all! Would think Charlie Butterworth, John Quill, Mark Roche are being considered.....

Was surprised Mark Roche hasdn't went on somewhere. Was even more surprised when Connacht didn't offer him a spot after him being down there.

Although many say he turned down pro/academy contracts because they wouldn't give him a Dave McSharry type contract. Train with Connacht/Munster 60/70 percent of the week but still train 30/40 percent of the time and turn out for Lansdowne each week unless in the provincial 23.

Which I think is ludicrous if true.

blackdog1 · 27-02-2014 12:09pm

siltirocker wrote: »

Was surprised Mark Roche hasdn't went on somewhere. Was even more surprised when Connacht didn't offer him a spot after him being down there.

Although many say he turned down pro/academy contracts because they wouldn't give him a Dave McSharry type contract. Train with Connacht/Munster 60/70 percent of the week but still train 30/40 percent of the time and turn out for Lansdowne each week unless in the provincial 23.

Which I think is ludicrous if true.

Mark Roche is great going forward but a poor defender against big lads. Niall kennealy of con made hay with landsdowne's midfield

blackdog1 · 27-02-2014 12:11pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

It's reported that Fabien Barcella is going to Toulon next year. He was rated as one of the best looseheads in the world a few years ago until a bad run of injuries struck.

He was a pure power prop and had the worst injury for that type of player..achilles tendon. Hasn't been the same since. Was another oliver miloud type scrummager until it happened.

ScissorPaperRock · 27-02-2014 3:02pm

Carlin Isles has signed for Glasgow Warriors

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/pro12/carlin-isles-signs-for-glasgow-warriors-1.1706812

razorblunt · 28-02-2014 10:15am

ScissorPaperRock wrote: »

Carlin Isles has signed for Glasgow Warriors

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/pro12/carlin-isles-signs-for-glasgow-warriors-1.1706812

He's going to freeze his brass monkeys off waiting for the ball in Scotstoun!

bamboozle · 28-02-2014 1:53pm

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny wrote: »

Your very own Mick McGrath must surely be one of those!! Wouldn't be outta place there at all! Would think Charlie Butterworth, John Quill, Mark Roche are being considered.....

you might be on the money...I'd certainly rate McGrath up there with a number of wingers getting game time for the provinces, given his age a 2 year development contract is a no brainer at one of the provinces.

all the above are well able for a move to a professional set up.

the likes of David Joyce also.

Danny Kenny formerly of UCD moving from London Irish to Doncaster, hope to see him progress, I think ex Ulster prop Jerry Cronin is still there.

http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/other-sports/rugby-union/doncaster-knights-sign-london-irish-flanker-danny-kenny-1-6426133

thomond2006 · 03-03-2014 12:23pm

Gloucester are after Laidlaw: http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_9194409,00.html

It looks like yet another big name is leaving the Pro12.

former legend · 04-03-2014 9:50am

Laidlaw confirmed by Gloucester
http://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/news/9760.php

Comments from Davies seem to indicate that they're looking at him very much as a 10, but aren't Glaws losing both Cowan and Knoyle this summer?

irishbucsfan · 04-03-2014 10:34am

former legend wrote: »

Laidlaw confirmed by Gloucester
http://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/news/9760.php

Comments from Davies seem to indicate that they're looking at him very much as a 10, but aren't Glaws losing both Cowan and Knoyle this summer?

He'll be replacing Freddie Burns. Not sure what they're going to do at 9!