Transfers for next season (including transfer rumours!)

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny · 22-04-2014 12:33pm

.ak wrote: »

Ah that's disappointing. Thought he looked handy enough. Guess he just didn't enjoy it?

got very little chances, was very unfair on him i thought. He wasn't that bad when playing, payed very well against Lions at 15 in his only start. Not given a sniff otherwise.

Article in the Daily Telegraph Australia asked all NRL clubs about the possibility of signing Benji. Only side open to the idea were the Storm. All others turned him down apparently

awec · 22-04-2014 1:53pm

Ulster's Sean Doyle is away to the Brumbies according to UAFC.

CIARAN_BOYLE · 22-04-2014 2:09pm

awec wrote: »

Ulster's Sean Doyle is away to the Brumbies according to UAFC.

He signed very recently with Ulster didn't he?

awec · 22-04-2014 2:09pm

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

He signed very recently with Ulster didn't he?

Aye this season year if I remember right.

Tox56 · 22-04-2014 3:28pm

awec wrote: »

Ulster's Sean Doyle is away to the Brumbies according to UAFC.

Weird, Gilsenan would have been a very useful signing

awec · 22-04-2014 4:32pm

Well it hasn't been confirmed but seems to be accepted as happening.

yuinc · 22-04-2014 5:40pm

Weird..

Gilsenan wants the option to return to Leinster in the future, leaving for Ulster would have affected that.

Plus London is more attractive than Belfast.

irishbucsfan · 22-04-2014 5:42pm

yuinc wrote: »

Weird..

Gilsenan wants the option to return to Leinster in the future, leaving for Ulster would have affected that.

Plus London is more attractive than Belfast.

London may well be more attractive than Belfast, but Reading isn't

And there is no problem with players moving between Ulster and other provinces, we've seen it numerous times.

Swiwi. · 22-04-2014 6:00pm

Buer wrote: »

I'm surprised it has taken this long for the Welsh to move for Anscombe, to be honest. It has been well known that he's Welsh qualified for a number of years now and that Wales have been struggling for a dominant outhalf. Anscombe might not be the best 10 in NZ but he'd be the best 10 in Wales.

It's a bit off topic, but moving HP to 14 in place of Cuthbert, and sticking GA at 15 might be a better use of his skills. Still hasn't actually confirmed a move yet, of course, only we know (old news really) that Wales are interested. He turned them down 2 years ago when the Blues delisted him and chose the Chiefs instead, but maybe this time he'll be persuaded.

FellasFellas · 22-04-2014 6:22pm

Swiwi. wrote: »

It's a bit off topic, but moving HP to 14 in place of Cuthbert, and sticking GA at 15 might be a better use of his skills. Still hasn't actually confirmed a move yet, of course, only we know (old news really) that Wales are interested. He turned them down 2 years ago when the Blues delisted him and chose the Chiefs instead, but maybe this time he'll be persuaded.

Hp is off to Toulon.

astonaidan · 22-04-2014 9:50pm

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny wrote: »

Confirmed. Benji Marshall leaving Union to return to NRL. Mutual agreement with the Blues to end his contract

I never understood the playing him 10, pity I think he could have been a class fullback

hahashake · 22-04-2014 11:04pm

Buer wrote: »

I'm surprised it has taken this long for the Welsh to move for Anscombe, to be honest. It has been well known that he's Welsh qualified for a number of years now and that Wales have been struggling for a dominant outhalf. Anscombe might not be the best 10 in NZ but he'd be the best 10 in Wales.

Would be amazed if he was the best 10 in Wales. Then again Wales isn't exactly blessed at 10.

I would say he is 7th best in NZ, and that's guesswork as he's played most of his recent rugby at 15.

Re Benji, it's for the best. If he isn't willing to learn the game in a dev side, he may as well give up now.

Fireball07 · 22-04-2014 11:30pm

Buer wrote: »

I'm surprised it has taken this long for the Welsh to move for Anscombe, to be honest. It has been well known that he's Welsh qualified for a number of years now and that Wales have been struggling for a dominant outhalf. Anscombe might not be the best 10 in NZ but he'd be the best 10 in Wales.

A year or two and Patchell will be starting imo. Patchell is the man.

Morf · 23-04-2014 12:01am

thomond2006 wrote: »

James Hook is apparently off to Japan. Where does that leave his World Cup hopes?

From a supporter's pov it's sad to see these good players go to a league that we can't watch!

I think Shane Williams went to feel tall.

Morf · 23-04-2014 12:04am

Fireball07 wrote: »

A year or two and Patchell will be starting imo. Patchell is the man.

Has looked very promising in a very often rubbish Cardiff side and almost single-handedly won them games on occasion.

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny · 23-04-2014 12:04am

Fireball07 wrote: »

A year or two and Patchell will be starting imo. Patchell is the man.

Owen Williams with Leicster looks the business as well

yimrsg · 23-04-2014 9:22am

Sam Davies for the Ospreys is another young Welsh outhalf on the rise.

justsomebloke · 23-04-2014 10:18am

Fireball07 wrote: »

A year or two and Patchell will be starting imo. Patchell is the man.

Ye agreed with this, I think the WC may come a year too soon to be the standout OH, but I wouldn't be surprised if he is in the match day Lion's squad for NZ

astonaidan · 23-04-2014 1:05pm

hahashake wrote: »

Would be amazed if he was the best 10 in Wales. Then again Wales isn't exactly blessed at 10.

I would say he is 7th best in NZ, and that's guesswork as he's played most of his recent rugby at 15.

Re Benji, it's for the best. If he isn't willing to learn the game in a dev side, he may as well give up now.

He was willing, he said he felt he should play club rugby for rest of season, then ITM

hahashake · 23-04-2014 1:09pm

astonaidan wrote: »

He was willing, he said he felt he should play club rugby for rest of season, then ITM

Not sure how he was willing when being dropped to dev side was the catalyst for him leaving. I believe you were talking about him saying he should have played that prior to the Blues but that was impossible as his last game for the Tigers was in the middle of the ITM season.

astonaidan · 23-04-2014 5:09pm

hahashake wrote: »

Not sure how he was willing when being dropped to dev side was the catalyst for him leaving. I believe you were talking about him saying he should have played that prior to the Blues but that was impossible as his last game for the Tigers was in the middle of the ITM season.

Are you sure, I thought it was he said to Kirwan he should drop to club till end of season or just go back to what he knows in league

hahashake · 23-04-2014 9:02pm

astonaidan wrote: »

Are you sure, I thought it was he said to Kirwan he should drop to club till end of season or just go back to what he knows in league

Senior squad members will get dropped to the development side but as they don't play games every weekend they usually play some club rugby too.

Kirwan told Marshall he was likely to be dropped out of the 23-man squad to face the Waratahs and would need to play club rugby and for the Blues development side. The other option was league.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/9970982/Benji-Marshall-and-Blues-agree-release-deal

I assume this is the quote you are referring to and it was Kirwan telling Benji he had to drop to dev or go back to league.

galwaylad14 · 23-04-2014 11:19pm

Must say I don't know much about any of those Welsh out halves mentioned but if they aren't good enough to be taking over from Priestland pretty soon then I wouldn't hold out much hope for them to be honest. Maybe I'm being harsh on Priestland but I just think he's absolutely hopeless, especially his kicking.

CatFromHue · 23-04-2014 11:26pm

Alot of Priestland's game can be good to excellent but he does struggle with consistency and I think confidence too. I would hope Wales have a sports psychologist as he looks like he'd really benefit from one.

His goal kicking isn't the best though.

errlloyd · 24-04-2014 12:11am

Why am I hearing Stuart Hogg is going to Ulster?

irishbucsfan · 24-04-2014 1:00am

errlloyd wrote: »

Why am I hearing Stuart Hogg is going to Ulster?

Some are reporting it as a done deal. EDIT: I should say noone is actually reporting it. That is completely misleading, I just mean people I've heard from, not people with any actual decent reputation!

Would be brilliant for Ulster.

Although it solidifies my position on the Darren Cave to Leinster bandwagon.

awec · 24-04-2014 1:27am

The Hogg to Ulster story has been going around for a while now. I posted a photo in the Ulster thread of what looks like Hogg's agent (though I really dunno) meeting with Anscombe and Humphreys:

awec wrote: »

Player rumour time.

Who is this:

Pictured recently having lunch with a certain Mr Anscombe and a certain Mr Humphries in a Belfast hotel.

Also the person who took this photo said that a certain Mr Hogg was also at said lunch. Is that him with his back to the camera?

Hagz wrote: »

My guess is it's Gordon Hood. Stuart Hogg's agent. The guy on the left.

Also http://thefrontrowunion.com/2014/04/ulster-stuart-hogg-to-join-ulster/

"It’s been doing the round for a while this one, especially since Hogg was spotted at the Stormont Hotel last week with Humph and the Cowboy and judging from the amount of messages we got today it looks like it’s happening!"

Cowboy is Anscombe, for anyone unaware.

Still one to believe when you actually see a photo of him in an Ulster shirt signing a contract.

Morf · 24-04-2014 2:43am

Ulster says YES to Hogg

My apologies, that reference was a bit boarish.

awec · 24-04-2014 10:30am

So one of the pretty reliable in-the-knows on UAFC just clarified this.

Hogg arranged a meeting with Ulster.

Ulster not interested.

Not happening.

jacothelad · 24-04-2014 10:54am

Morf wrote: »

Ulster says YES to Hogg

My apologies, that reference was a bit boarish.

That's a pig of a post...or is it boorish to point it out?

:D:D:D

Glass Prison 1214 · 24-04-2014 11:04am

awec wrote: »

So one of the pretty reliable in-the-knows on UAFC just clarified this.

Hogg arranged a meeting with Ulster.

Ulster not interested.

Not happening.

Maybe he was doing what some of our lads do when they are 'seen' at French clubs. Just bargaining for a better contract from Glasgow.

CIARAN_BOYLE · 24-04-2014 11:05am

Glass Prison 1214 wrote: »

Maybe he was doing what some of our lads do when they are 'seen' at French clubs. Just bargaining for a better contract from Glasgow.

Maybe he believed Payne to Leinster rumours and thought he could replace him.

awec · 24-04-2014 11:33am

Glass Prison 1214 wrote: »

Maybe he was doing what some of our lads do when they are 'seen' at French clubs. Just bargaining for a better contract from Glasgow.

Probably this.

Though he has a year left on his deal - would be poor form if he's doing that.

matthew8 · 24-04-2014 2:20pm

Apparently Franco Van Der Merwe is going to Ulster after the super rugby season. Good lineout operator and has started for SA recently.

Tox56 · 24-04-2014 2:28pm

matthew8 wrote: »

Apparently Franco Van Der Merwe is going to Ulster after the super rugby season. Good lineout operator and has started for SA recently.

And so we are spared dozens of pages worth of project player debates, praise the lord

Hagz · 24-04-2014 2:44pm

Not good news if you were hoping to see Henderson's progression at lock speed up with the exit of Muller.

awec · 24-04-2014 3:16pm

Hagz wrote: »

Not good news if you were hoping to see Henderson's progression at lock speed up with the exit of Muller.

We always needed a lock.

Henderson, Tuohy and Stevenson are our only decent options for next year right now.

former legend · 24-04-2014 6:46pm

matthew8 wrote: »

Apparently Franco Van Der Merwe is going to Ulster after the super rugby season. Good lineout operator and has started for SA recently.

This is now confirmed by BBC.

Molester Stallone · 24-04-2014 11:24pm

Tox56 wrote: »

And so we are spared dozens of pages worth of project player debates, praise the lord

He'll be 32 next birthday, don't think it would have been much of a debate

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny · 25-04-2014 10:09am

A word from Connacht is that Shane O Leary has joined from Grenoble for next season

Morf · 25-04-2014 2:10pm

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny wrote: »

A word from Connacht is that Shane O Leary has joined from Grenoble for next season

Is that rugby transferts (sp?) blog still going?

Last time I checked it hadn't been updated for ages.

[Jackass] · 25-04-2014 5:57pm

Morf wrote: »

Is that rugby transferts (sp?) blog still going?

Last time I checked it hadn't been updated for ages.

I loved that blog, shame it's gone.

It looks like the author is now with a different site, or the author of the below site is copying the format completely, but here is a slightly aged post on transfers (from January) but this site deals with wider rugby content as well as just transfers, so might be the same guy.

http://intheloose.com/2014/01/08/2014s-biggest-rugby-transfer-rumours/

Fireball07 · 26-04-2014 6:30pm

Hagz wrote: »

Not good news if you were hoping to see Henderson's progression at lock speed up with the exit of Muller.

When Henderson is good enough, he'll pass Tuohy. Mightn't happen for a while, Tuohy is a good player. Took Dave Foley until now to pass DOC.

danthefan · 26-04-2014 6:43pm

Fireball07 wrote: »

When Henderson is good enough, he'll pass Tuohy. Mightn't happen for a while, Tuohy is a good player. Took Dave Foley until now to pass DOC.

That really isn't relevant to Henderson.

Not sure why he has to become good enough to pass Touhy rather than just playing alongside Touhy.

Hagz · 26-04-2014 6:48pm

Because Franco Van der Merwe is too good to bench. In the sense that he's better than both Henderson and Tuohy.

Fireball07 · 26-04-2014 7:29pm

danthefan wrote: »

That really isn't relevant to Henderson.

Not sure why he has to become good enough to pass Touhy rather than just playing alongside Touhy.

It's relevant in that Foley was a promising young lock like Henderson. Van Der Merwe is better than Tuohy, so it's been him, Henderson and Stevenson to partner VDM.

Swiwi. · 27-04-2014 2:03pm

Fairfax Media understands Chris Noakes is set to sign for London Irish

Swiwi. · 27-04-2014 2:05pm

Buer wrote: »

I'm surprised it has taken this long for the Welsh to move for Anscombe, to be honest. It has been well known that he's Welsh qualified for a number of years now and that Wales have been struggling for a dominant outhalf. Anscombe might not be the best 10 in NZ but he'd be the best 10 in Wales.

"Anscombe is only 22 and, therefore, doesn't need to make rash decisions. Should he fail to make the All Blacks World Cup squad he will then weigh-up a possible switch to Wales, with an out-clause understood to be included in his recently-inked two-year extension with the Auckland NPC team."

Seems he's staying in NZ for the mo'

razorblunt · 29-04-2014 12:20pm

More departures from Scotland.

Ruairidh Jackson off to Wasps.
Ross Rennie staying at Bristol after his loan spell finishes shortly.

Locals here aren't happy with the Rennie situation at all but aware that he hasnt managed an injury free period in a while.

Edinburgh have offered a full time contract to an Academy flanker (plus a hooker and winger) with an apparent bucketload of potential. Though around these parts that usually means their schoolmates are championing their cause.

Hagz · 29-04-2014 1:54pm

Wasps have signed Alapati Leiua. Great signing. Wasps are my favourite english club and I hate not seeing them in the Heineken Cup.

Transfers for next season (including transfer rumours!)

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