Transfers 2014/2015 Season

by Welshmushroom Thu 05 Dec 2013, 11:42 am

First topic message reminder :

Well silly season is almost upon us so thought I would keep tabs on the comings and goings. Will put the confirmed transfers, unconfirmed transfers (rumours) and out of contract players into various columns. Please post any news or rumours and I will keep the original post updated.

Confirmed
Jon Davies (Scarlets) to Clermont
Regan King (Clermont) to Scarlets
Ian Evans (Ospreys) to Toulon
John Afoa (Ulster) to Gloucester
Rory Kockott (Castres) to Toulon (reportedly trying to cancel deal to stay at Castres)
Richard Hibbard (Ospreys) to Gloucester
Mamuka Gorgodze (Montpellier) to Toulon
Sebastien Vahaamahina (Perpignan) to Clermont
Guilhem Guirado (Perpignan) to Toulon
Robin Copeland (Blues) to Munster
Armitev (Northampton) to Russia (unconfirmed club)
Qera (Gloucester) to Toulouse
Casey Laulala (Munster to France (Club unconfirmed but thought to be Racing Metro)
Tom Court (Ulster) to London Irish
Andre Pretorius (Blues) to Worcester
Zac Guildford (New Zealand) to Clermont
Sivivatu (Clermont) to Castres
Aled Brew (Biarritz) to Dragons
Lee Byrne (Clermont) to Dragons
Dwayne Peel (Sale) to Bristol
Thomas Waldrom (Leicester) to Exeter
Dan Evans (Dragons) to Ospreys
Ieuan Jones (Dragons) to Blues
Jean-Philippe Genevois (Biarritz) to Perpignan
Benoit Cabello (Clermont) to Perpignan
Sakiusa Matadigo (Racing) to Perpignan
Jonathan Wisniewski (Racing) to Grenoble
Leigh Halfpenny (Blues) to Toulon
Josh Turnbull (Scarlets) to Blues
Nick Abendanon (Bath) to Clermont
Anthony Perenise (Bath) to Bristol
Craig Mitchell (Exeter) to Blues
Hoani Tui (Exeter) to Lyon
Tavis Knoyle (Gloucester) to Blues
Marland Yarde (London Irish) to Harlequins
Neil Cochrane (Wasps) to Edinburgh
Henry Thomas (Sale) to Bath
Josh Matavesi (Worcester) to Ospreys
Nick Auterac (Saracens) to Bath
Boris Stankovich (Leicester) to Dragons
Bradley Davies (Blues) to London Wasps
Moray Low (Glasgow) to Exeter
Chris Cussiter (Glasgow) to Sale
Matt Stevens (Saracens) to Sharks
Sam Smith (Harlequins) to Worcester
James Gaskell (Sale) to Wasps

Unconfirmed
Martin Moore (Leinster) to France
Freddie Burns (Gloucester) to Leicester
Matthew Morgan (Ospreys) to Leicester/Northampton/Dragons
Toby Flood (Leicester) to Toulon/Toulouse
Niki Genova (Leicester) to Castres
Jim Hamilton (Montpellier) to Japan
Anthony Allen (Leicester) to Leinster
Lote Tuquiri (Leinster) to Connacht
Johnnie Beattie (Montpellier) to Castres
Brice Dulin (Castres) to Racing Metro
Antonie Claassen (Castres) to Racing Metro
Eion Griffin (Connacht) to London Irish
Gavin Henson (Bath) to Dragons

Out of Contract
Adam Jones (Ospreys)
Keith Earls (Munster)
Rob Hawkins (Leicester)
Louis Deacon (Leicester)
Daniel Bowden (Leicester)
Scott Hamilton (Leicester)

Retiring
Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster)
Andrew Sheridan (Toulon - unconfirmed)
Steve Borthwick (Saracens)
Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon) - might be playing on for another season.
Sebastien Bruno (Toulon)
George Chuter (Leicester) moving to Worcester coaching
Johann Muller (Ulster)
Mike Tindall (Gloucester - unconfirmed)
Ian Gough (London Irish - unconfirmed)
Will James (Gloucester)

by The Saint Thu 02 Jan 2014, 9:18 pm

Jhamer, I personally think that Turnbull has looked better at 8 this season, and much better than he has look at 6 or 7. He linked up well with Shingler and Barclay. McCusker came back in and it all fell apart...

If Lee Byrne is out of contract then why aren't the Ospreys lobbing sacks of money at him?

by Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler Thu 02 Jan 2014, 9:43 pm

The Saint wrote:

If Lee Byrne is out of contract then why aren't the Ospreys lobbing sacks of money at him?

Aside from them not yet having any fixtures for next season except the LV cup?

by The Saint Thu 02 Jan 2014, 9:53 pm

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:
The Saint wrote:

If Lee Byrne is out of contract then why aren't the Ospreys lobbing sacks of money at him?

Aside from them not yet having any fixtures for next season except the LV cup?

They'll have fixtures. If we're subject to change then I can't really see much changing except perhaps for the name of the team. It hasn't stopped the signings of the other regions either.

by HongKongCherry Thu 02 Jan 2014, 10:05 pm

Welshmushroom wrote:
HongKongCherry wrote:
Welshmushroom wrote:Any Gloucester fans shed some light on people out of contract. I'm assuming Tindall is on his way to retirment but with the signings they have made already they must have to axe a few off the payroll to afford them.

Here you are:

Out of contract:
Dawiduik - Re-signed
Edmonds
George
Harden
Knight - Re-signed
James
Lokotui
Stooke - Re-signed
Cox
Hazell
Qera - Left and gone to France
Cowan
Burns - Rumour is to Leicester
Bentley
Taylor
Mills
Tindall - Retiring?
Sharples - Re-signed
Simpson-Daniel - Re-signed
Thomas

just trying to figure out who on this list should still be going on the update - see notes above for Gloucester

James has confirmed he'll retire and Hazell and Taylor are expected to join him. Cowan and Edmonds are definitely off.

by Jhamer25 Fri 03 Jan 2014, 12:00 am

The Saint wrote:
Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:
The Saint wrote:

If Lee Byrne is out of contract then why aren't the Ospreys lobbing sacks of money at him?

Aside from them not yet having any fixtures for next season except the LV cup?

They'll have fixtures. If we're subject to change then I can't really see much changing except perhaps for the name of the team. It hasn't stopped the signings of the other regions either.

That's the other problem with signings this season (the other being money) , what player is going to want to come to a club where the future of the club isn;t guaranteed; even if one of the regions were going to sign a player like Victor Vito, Lee Byrne, Craig Mitchell or Rhys Gill with the little money they have, not knowing the of what the future for that club will be is definitely another big turn off.
I can see regions signings players between themselves and a few little signings, but it's going to be interesting to see if any of the higher profiled name (like above) do come to one of the regions.

Hopefully this new deal the WRU are going to offer will work, but it probably won't. It would be to easy and simple to come to a conclusion with the idiots that are in charge of welsh rugby (both regional and members of the board)

by dragon4life Fri 03 Jan 2014, 3:46 pm

Is it around about this time clubs start to announce the signings?

by Artful_Dodger Fri 03 Jan 2014, 4:42 pm

dragon4life wrote:Is it around about this time clubs start to announce the signings?

Yes.

by formerly known as Sam Fri 03 Jan 2014, 5:26 pm

AP clubs are allowed to talk to players at other AP clubs now so the rumour mill and transfer announcements step up at this time.

by Jhamer25 Fri 03 Jan 2014, 11:32 pm

Yep, can't wait to see what other welsh players are leaving the regions.
Something to look forward to

by **Ozzy3213** Mon 06 Jan 2014, 1:55 pm

Announcement today that Halani Aulika, Shane Geraghty, Darren Allinson and Tom Fowlie have all signed extensions for us. I think that just leaves Marland Yarde and James O'Connor as out of contract at the end of the season. Whilst normally no news is good news, I think that is unlikely to be the case with this!

by Bathite Mon 06 Jan 2014, 2:07 pm

Ozzy, in light of JOC heading home january 2015, is there any scope to keep him for the next 11.5 months?

by **Ozzy3213** Mon 06 Jan 2014, 2:11 pm

Definitely Bathite. I am pretty sure an offer is on the table for him. Would love him to stay for a bit longer with us.

To update what I said about contracts, Ofisa Treviranus is also out of contract at the end of the season.

by Welshmushroom Mon 06 Jan 2014, 2:23 pm

Have cencelled the Sam Lewis transfer confirmed as the Dragons jumped the gun there. Lets hope thats not the case with Byrne and Brew as well. Have updated those.

Also Peel has signed for Bristol according to reports so thats updated too.

by Welshmushroom Tue 07 Jan 2014, 9:40 am

Well apparently the "sources" in wales may be a bit premature regarding the dragons. Byrne and Brew are in fact not confirmed by the Dragons this morning. So I will have to move them into the rumour section again.....

Dragons are causing me a major headache editing this post all the time Very Happy

by Impossible Standards Tue 07 Jan 2014, 11:31 am

Dragons are causing me a major headache editing this post all the time

Try supporting them Very Happy

by munkian Tue 07 Jan 2014, 11:49 am

French papers have confirmed it but I'm taking nothing for granted till I see them at Dave parade.

I'd be fine with just signing Brew though

by Guest Tue 07 Jan 2014, 1:31 pm

They're signed though, don't panic. Think Byrne and Brew aren't so young to make rash decisions as to where they want to play, unlike others Wink

by Bathite Tue 07 Jan 2014, 1:33 pm

Anthony Perenise has signed for Bristol for next year from Bath. Frees up the space for our rumoured capture of Henry Thomas

by Driver Tue 07 Jan 2014, 2:14 pm

Scarlets have offered Priestland and Williams new deals.

by ScarletSpiderman Tue 07 Jan 2014, 3:06 pm

Driver wrote:Scarlets have offered Priestland and Williams new deals.

They have, although to be honest if either player signs them without looking elsewhere they would ever be stupid or extremely loyal. I can't see any regional contract extensions prior to an agreement between the union and regions.

by yappysnap Tue 07 Jan 2014, 3:23 pm

Rugby Paper tweeting that it's between Quins and Irish to sign Yarde.

Hope it's not Quins! Id be peed off as we have plenty of wingers just as good for club.

by propdavid_london Tue 07 Jan 2014, 3:50 pm

Wow - that's news Yappy!
I agree that we do have a lot of promising wingers, but still - he is a quality player.
Sam Smith, Charlie Walker, Ugo Monye, Tom Williams, Ollie Lindsey Hague

Perhaps this would mean that we can offload Sackey. Or perhaps there is wind that one of the others is off.

I would have thought as usual though that Quins would look for another Centre or some beef for the pack - be it 2nd row or TH.

by **Ozzy3213** Tue 07 Jan 2014, 5:57 pm

yappysnap wrote:Rugby Paper tweeting that it's between Quins and Irish to sign Yarde.

Hope it's not Quins! Id be peed off as we have plenty of wingers just as good for club.

Err, no you don't. You have some decent young wingers coming through, but none are at his level yet, and he will also continue to improve.

My understanding is that TRP are correct on this one and it's a two horse race between you and us. I don't think he'll be rushed and I can see him waiting until after he's back playing again before making a decision.

by beshocked Tue 07 Jan 2014, 6:05 pm

Agree with Ozzy3213. Don't think you have wingers as good as Yarde.

Charlie Walker and Ollie Lindsay Hague are decent youngsters but not there yet. Same with Sam Smith

Tom Williams is okay but doesn't match up well against most opposition wingers. Ugo Monye is alright but is not back to his best yet. Sackey unfortunately is past his best.

by HongKongCherry Wed 08 Jan 2014, 9:00 am

I'm pretty sure Sackey's salary is covered by the injury dispensation due to Chisholm's injury, so unless he doesn't regain fitness Sackey will have to leave anyway. I do agree with the others, Yarde is in a different class to other Quins' wingers. Monye is still a quality winger, but the others are just good club players, or players with potential. Yarde would bring something very different to the backline.

by Scrumpy Wed 08 Jan 2014, 10:02 am

I thought Bath wanted Yarde?

by **Ozzy3213** Wed 08 Jan 2014, 10:05 am

Bath may want Yarde Scrumpy, but there's this little thing called the salary cap, which I would imagine Bath are already at the limit of (cough, cough) and therefore would need to release a big earner or two in order to get him in.

by Bathite Wed 08 Jan 2014, 10:05 am

I think everyone just links us to every out of contract player and because we stole so many Irish players last year, it's an obvious link.

He's a cracking player, but i'm not sure i'd be that happy if we spent the £150k you'd expect he'd demand, with Banahan, Roko, Agulla, Watson all options on the wing

by Scrumpy Wed 08 Jan 2014, 10:06 am

Ozzy3213 wrote:Bath may want Yarde Scrumpy, but there's this little thing called the salary cap, which I would imagine Bath are already at the limit of (cough, cough) and therefore would need to release a big earner or two in order to get him in.

Bendy and Biggs

by Bathite Wed 08 Jan 2014, 10:07 am

Ozzy3213 wrote:Bath may want Yarde Scrumpy, but there's this little thing called the salary cap, which I would imagine Bath are already at the limit of (cough, cough) and therefore would need to release a big earner or two in order to get him in.

What he said!

by **Ozzy3213** Wed 08 Jan 2014, 10:08 am

Not convinced Biggs would be a big earner, and is Abendanon confirmed as leaving?

by Scrumpy Wed 08 Jan 2014, 10:14 am

Ozzy3213 wrote:Not convinced Biggs would be a big earner, and is Abendanon confirmed as leaving?

Bendy is a rumour, although after last weeks game we would be mad to let him go, Biggs has had a couple of good seasons so I'm sure his wages would have increased.

by yappysnap Wed 08 Jan 2014, 11:29 am

I just don't see Yarde doing much for Quins that our current wingers don't already do. Yes he's stepped up well for a struggling side but honestly Smith and Walker have done more then enough in the HC and Prem to retain their starting spots and they're both very fast and pretty tough. Chisholm when fit is probably just as quick as Yarde and a very powerful winger. Monye has a totally different skill set and Williams is in my opinion a far smarter winger. We just don't need Yarde or the big salary he'll want.

Sackey will def go end of season. He was going to retire before we nabbed him and unless there's a crisis he's just going to get a few LV games at most.

Biggest concerns will be retaining Botica and bagging an experienced front rower. If JTH and Molenar are around fir next season then 12 is sorted.

We should lose Big Mo at the end of the season too. Potentially PDJ or Kennedy could go if neither manage to grab a starting spot. There salary is probably wasted as bench players.

by **Ozzy3213** Wed 08 Jan 2014, 11:37 am

Yappy, your loyalty to your teams players is commendable, but seriously, Yarde is a step up on all of the wingers that you have.

I do however agree that he would be a waste for you, as your wingers are decent enough, and there are other areas of your side you need to improve more.

by propdavid_london Wed 08 Jan 2014, 11:46 am

Yappy - I thought that Botica was going to be with Quins for a while. Didn't realise that he was out of contract at end of season!
If we can ship PDJ that should free a bit of cash. I've heard there is rumour of WRU loaning out some of the top players.
Perhaps we could entice Adam Jones to London. (only joking) Collier is starting to look pretty good.

by beshocked Wed 08 Jan 2014, 11:51 am

propdavid london why not try and entice Adam Jones to the Stoop as a serious option?

Is Botica even playing well enough to warrant staying?

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Wed 08 Jan 2014, 11:57 am

Hoani Tui confirmed as going to Lyon - he's been great for Exe over the last several years, so goes with sincere thanks clap

by yappysnap Wed 08 Jan 2014, 12:06 pm

Adam Jones would be amazing for us and with Collier there to rotate with hopefully it could work out like the Cole/Castro situation Tigers had.

Botica is a very skillful fly half, he has the goods to be a good premiership operator but needs more starting game time. Right now he only comes on when Nev is injured or we're chasing a game or closing a game out.

Last season he looked far more relaxed when playing a game from the start as opposed to coming on late and trying everything.

by propdavid_london Wed 08 Jan 2014, 12:07 pm

beshocked - because I was under the impression that the WRU loaning players out to English clubs was all smoke n' mirrors and chucking of dirt around with the regions.
If Adam came to Quins I would be very happy - or even Alun W Jones.

by munkian Wed 08 Jan 2014, 12:10 pm

Official - Brew and Byrne to Dragons

http://www.newportgwentdragons.com/News/Article/32321

by propdavid_london Wed 08 Jan 2014, 12:10 pm

I was also under the impression that the new NEV contract had something about him playing less games and winding down.
I must say that we haven't really seen him playing less games so far this season.
Your right though Yappy - I think Botica has the skills, just needs a bit more consistent gametime - hopefully he will be happy to wait his turn, if not we could see him leave like Ford did from Tigers.

by ScarletSpiderman Wed 08 Jan 2014, 12:14 pm

munkian wrote:Official - Brew and Byrne to Dragons

http://www.newportgwentdragons.com/News/Article/32321

Well done to the Dragons! Two big name signings, and two welsh lads coming home too. They have been a shining light during the recent turmoil. First retaining Toby Faletau and now getting there two lads. I have a horrible feeling that the Dragons could be top dogs of the regions next season.

by munkian Wed 08 Jan 2014, 12:21 pm

'ave it !

by HongKongCherry Wed 08 Jan 2014, 12:22 pm

Ozzy3213 wrote:Bath may want Yarde Scrumpy, but there's this little thing called the salary cap, which I would imagine Bath are already at the limit of (cough, cough) and therefore would need to release a big earner or two in order to get him in.

When has paying players ever been an issue for Bath?? Wink

You can't see Biggs' salary being enough to cover for Yarde; likewise the likely signing of Thomas will more than likely take up more than the departing Perenise.

Are Leicester considering Yarde at all? They were definitely sniffing around Charlie Sharples, so they are in the market for a winger.

by munkian Wed 08 Jan 2014, 12:27 pm

Especially with Croft injured Very Happy

by BamBam Wed 08 Jan 2014, 12:29 pm

That's an interesting one. Youngs, Burns, Tuilagi, Yarde and Tait all potentially playing together behind a good pack

by formerly known as Sam Wed 08 Jan 2014, 1:20 pm

I think Tigers are after a winger that can cover fullback as a Hamilton replacement. Unless Goneva confirms he's off then maybe we'll look at an explosive winger. We still have Thompstone and Benjamin who are big and quick wingers who can grab us a try or two and at significantly less than Yarde will cost.

by **Ozzy3213** Wed 08 Jan 2014, 1:29 pm

From what I know, which is only a small amount, if anyone wants to sign Marland, they will have to break the bank to do so.

by yappysnap Wed 08 Jan 2014, 2:14 pm

Ozzy3213 wrote:Yappy, your loyalty to your teams players is commendable, but seriously, Yarde is a step up on all of the wingers that you have.

I do however agree that he would be a waste for you, as your wingers are decent enough, and there are other areas of your side you need to improve more.

by beshocked Wed 08 Jan 2014, 2:15 pm

Ozzy3213 wrote:From what I know, which is only a small amount, if anyone wants to sign Marland, they will have to break the bank to do so.

Well if that's the case I expect Yarde will stay at London Irish then.

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