Transfers 2014/2015 Season

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)

geoff999rugby wrote:I see Paul Rees continue to spout his incorrect bile at the Irish

'Wales, and now Ireland, are already struggling to hold on to players, with French clubs already able to offer salaries no one else can match.'

2 Simple questions for this apology of a journalist:

- How many top Irish players have signed to move away in the current season
- How many of the 55 players mentioned in Joe Schmidt's squad (+injured players mentioned) will be playing rugby outside of Ireland next year

He can answer in binary if he likes because 1 and 0 are the only two numbers he will need.
He continues to show how totally clueless he is with respect to understanding the differences between Welsh and Irish rugby

Nice post Geoff, I appreciate your turn of phrase. While I dont agree that Ireland is struggling to hold onto players its has become possibly more of a concern.

Where are these confirmed lads? Surprised with Waldrom, with Ewers at 8 already

Try News Now website for global news reels Bathite - under rugby union they tend to be pretty accurate news bulletins.

I can confirm Waldrom move to exeter. Have updated including some of the annouced french club signings.

Bathite wrote:Where are these confirmed lads? Surprised with Waldrom, with Ewers at 8 already

I read it on ESPN

Also does anyone know is Rhys gill is out of contract im sure he is

beshocked wrote:Surely if it's false then the Daily Mail can be sued? For defamation of character etc.

Who has been defamed? Sam Smith, by the damaging allegation that he would consider a move to London Irish?

tigers are after a big ball carrying number 8 to replace waldrom

Laurence Pearce from Rotherham - done deal.

Rotherham really seem to have either an eye for promising talent or are just great at developing players or both.

Adam Jones to Saracens in The Rugby Paper

Just seen this on another forum.Taranaki Rugby@taranakirugby Isaia Tuifua is off to the Cardiff Blues! Ice has played 33 games for Taranaki. Best wishes and safe travels Ice! pic.twitter.com/xhlnZVEN5z

We've been linked several times to the Argentinian number 12 at Rotherham. I think hes one of the top scorers in the league this season. Dont know much about him.

 

Welshmushroom wrote:Try News Now website for global news reels Bathite - under rugby union they tend to be pretty accurate news bulletins.

I can confirm Waldrom move to exeter.  Have updated including some of the annouced french club signings.

thanks for maintaining that thread WM.

could add in the confirmed section :
- Virgile Bruni (RCT) to USAP
- Alexis Palisson (RCT) to unknown club (confirmed he's leaving though)
- Beauxis (ST) to UBB we're fast becoming Toulouse retirement home

apparently from insider info re Leicester

 The teddy Thomas deal is picking up a lot of pace.
 
Benjamin has signed a new deal (no shocker there)
 
And Opeti Fonua from Bayonne (apparently this is if they get relegated) he is a big lad at like 21 stone and 6ft 5. Guess it would give Pierce more time to develop and would give us more options to Crane.

Isaia Tuifua from Taranaki to the Blues (courtesy of wales606/taranaki twitter feed).

I tweeted to the blues in september to sign him and now they have, i await my cheque in the post   

Opeti Fonua to Leicester? Well he'd fit the bill...the guy is an absolute giant...a wrecking ball.

PS...and with leicesters renowned ability to improve players...the guy could be quite a fearsome prospect...

Fonua is the guy who flattened wilko. Absolutely bounced him.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Opeti Fonua to Leicester? Well he'd fit the bill...the guy is an absolute giant...a wrecking ball.

PS...and with leicesters renowned ability to improve players...the guy could be quite a fearsome prospect...

 I guess Leicester want another Henry Tualigi. I wouldn't say no to having him

Welly wrote:apparently from insider info re Leicester

 The teddy Thomas deal is picking up a lot of pace.
 
Benjamin has signed a new deal (no shocker there)
 
And Opeti Fonua from Bayonne (apparently this is if they get relegated) he is a big lad at like 21 stone and 6ft 5. Guess it would give Pierce more time to develop and would give us more options to Crane.

the Teddy Thomas from Biarritz? good pick, he has pace indeed.

http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/19081/9125091/exeter-chiefs-sign-england-back-row-thomas-waldrom-for-2014-15

Waldrom to Chiefs

Oops - sorry - that was already posted

propdavid_london wrote:http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/19081/9125091/exeter-chiefs-sign-england-back-row-thomas-waldrom-for-2014-15

Waldrom to Chiefs

So feicin underwhelmed by this signing - with Ewers all but dotting the i's and crossing the t's on his new contract, I'm not sure I see the point tbh. Is TTTE there to provide experienced tuition to the youngster? Why the feic couldn't Richie B do that? Is he really going to be happy playing second string? He's not got much left to prove, so he doesn't fit the usual Baxter signing - odd one

Well ASBO you are welcome to Moray Low too but you are defo not getting Bob 'Jinja Tackle Monster' Harley though - so there !   

Alasbut100ofus perhaps they think Ewers will be selected for England.

Advantage of Waldrom is he'll be unlikely to be picked by England again so will be available for every game of the season.

Aye, maybe beshocked - in terms of cover, a step up from the existing options in Kai Horstmann (coming towards the end of his career?) and James Phillips (unlucky with injuries and has never quite stepped up)

C21st, heard that Low wasn't up to much at the weekend, mind Welsh was minced by them over in Toulon

according to Martin Gillingham Leicester are on the verge of signing Teddy Thomas, he is usually correct with the top 14

 

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

propdavid_london wrote:http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/19081/9125091/exeter-chiefs-sign-england-back-row-thomas-waldrom-for-2014-15

Waldrom to Chiefs

So feicin underwhelmed by this signing - with Ewers all but dotting the i's and crossing the t's on his new contract, I'm not sure I see the point tbh.  Is TTTE there to provide experienced tuition to the youngster?  Why the feic couldn't Richie B do that?  Is he really going to be happy playing second string?  He's not got much left to prove, so he doesn't fit the usual Baxter signing - odd one

Agree with that - why would you drop Johnston or Ewers for Waldrom

Maybe Baxter expects Ewers to go with England a bit more , and Wally could teach him a thing or two

Hines to Sale !

http://www.thescore.ie/nathan-hines-leinster-sale-1273722-Jan2014/

gcBlues wrote:Isaia Tuifua from Taranaki to the Blues (courtesy of wales606/taranaki twitter feed).

I tweeted to the blues in september to sign him and now they have, i await my cheque in the post   

What do you know of him gc?

Is he a good player/ attacker?

whocares wrote:Hines to Sale !

http://www.thescore.ie/nathan-hines-leinster-sale-1273722-Jan2014/

that is a fantastic signing. huge experience. no international conflicts. has kept himself in great condition. great work ethic off and on the field.

for teams who dont have unlimited resources, they need to make good value for money hires of young and older players, as the stars are too expensive and too unavailable (due to intl commitments).

Exactly the kind of grunt Sale need in that back. They've got some good quality youngsters but the likes of Hines and Braid will help develop them for the future and maybe secure some European action.

Is heard the Teddy Thomas rumour before and he looks a potentially great signing though his arrival probably means Goneva is going. Fonua is a new rumour but one that sounds good to me. I had heard rumours that Tigers were delaying negotiations on Crane's New contract and Waldrom has already gone. Potentially two new 8s?

Sam perhaps one top 8 and an academy/championship player?

Apparently Glaws have signed Thomas Young from Cardiff. Not sure we need another flanker even with Q gone and Hazell likely to retire, unless Cox is off.

That would be Fonua and Pearce an eye watering 40+ stone combo of 8s between the two of them. Think we'll probably keep Crane though. Maybe Pearce will replace Noone in the squad.

Lamb to Worcester and Bowden to Bristol would leave us a little light at 10 and 12 though. Maybe we'll give Pohe a run... or maybe we'll sign another Kiwi.

HongKongCherry wrote:Apparently Glaws have signed Thomas Young from Cardiff. Not sure we need another flanker even with Q gone and Hazell likely to retire, unless Cox is off.

Really?

Big loss if Warbuton is off.

I guess Ellis Jenkins has leap frogged him in the pecking order, and Navidi should still be around.

Apparently Abendanon is off to Clermont. Odd signing for them in a way, a different sort of player from Lee Byrne.

Jhamer25 wrote:

gcBlues wrote:Isaia Tuifua from Taranaki to the Blues (courtesy of wales606/taranaki twitter feed).

I tweeted to the blues in september to sign him and now they have, i await my cheque in the post   

What do you know of him gc?

Is he a good player/ attacker?

From what i saw of him in the ITM last year he looks like an abrasive centre, strong running and will create holes. Solid defender too.

Maybe some of our New Zealand posters could shed some more light.

formerly known as Sam wrote:That would be Fonua and Pearce an eye watering 40+ stone combo of 8s between the two of them. Think we'll probably keep Crane though. Maybe Pearce will replace Noone in the squad.

Lamb to Worcester and Bowden to Bristol would leave us a little light at 10 and 12 though. Maybe we'll give Pohe a run... or maybe we'll sign another Kiwi.

 Been Linked with blair stewart so maybe a potential replacement. We need so older heads in the backs, with Flood going and Hamilton rumoured to be leaving.

  Cockers looking for someone big and nasty at 8 do adds substance to the fonua rumour

http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Big-nasty-player-sought/story-20470595-detail/story.html

 something the pack has been missing imo.

Anyone else heard the rumours that Parisse wants out of Paris after a messy divorce where his wife ran off with a chef?

Agreed on both points Welly. The young guns will give is flair but a couple of older heads to bring experience is always good, especially in high pressure games.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Anyone else heard the rumours that Parisse wants out of Paris after a messy divorce where his wife ran off with a chef?

So that's why i thought he was a bit undercooked in the AI's






  

formerly known as Sam wrote:Anyone else heard the rumours that Parisse wants out of Paris after a messy divorce where his wife ran off with a chef?

Agreed on both points Welly. The young guns will give is flair but a couple of older heads to bring experience is always good, especially in high pressure games.

Shame if that's true about Parisse.

If that's the case, Bath should definitely look at him in my opinion.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Anyone else heard the rumours that Parisse wants out of Paris after a messy divorce where his wife ran off with a chef?

Agreed on both points Welly. The young guns will give is flair but a couple of older heads to bring experience is always good, especially in high pressure games.

 the divorce happened in april didn't it?

 Haven't anything bout him wanting out though.

Confirmation that Craig Mitchell will leave Exe Chiefs bound for Cardiff Blues

That must be what the 'new signing' announcement at 12pm was gonna be, the blues put the time on twitter but havent mentioned much else

Confirmed, Mitchell to the Blues!!!

WOOOOOP! We have a tight head prop!

beshocked wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Anyone else heard the rumours that Parisse wants out of Paris after a messy divorce where his wife ran off with a chef?

Agreed on both points Welly. The young guns will give is flair but a couple of older heads to bring experience is always good, especially in high pressure games.

Shame if that's true about Parisse.

If that's the case, Bath should definitely look at him in my opinion.

Why? Doesn't make any sense whatsoever

We've got a very good back row. Parisse would improve any team in the world, but it wouldn't make sense for us. Houston/Louw/Garvey is a really strong unit and we've got Fearns and young Sisi to push for the 8 shirt.

There's no way that we could afford Parisse in the cap in a million years and the focus for next year is on recruiting a new 9.

Bathite wrote:

beshocked wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Anyone else heard the rumours that Parisse wants out of Paris after a messy divorce where his wife ran off with a chef?

Agreed on both points Welly. The young guns will give is flair but a couple of older heads to bring experience is always good, especially in high pressure games.

Shame if that's true about Parisse.

If that's the case, Bath should definitely look at him in my opinion.

Why? Doesn't make any sense whatsoever

We've got a very good back row. Parisse would improve any team in the world, but it wouldn't make sense for us. Houston/Louw/Garvey is a really strong unit and we've got Fearns and young Sisi to push for the 8 shirt.

There's no way that we could afford Parisse in the cap in a million years and the focus for next year is on recruiting a new 9.

Bathite Parisse would strengthen your backrow immensely. Your backrow options except for Louw just don't compare to Parisse favourably.

With your money bags owner you can afford him with the salary cap going up. Agree you need to strengthen 9 but a class act like Parisse at 8 would be significantly helpful too.

I wouldn't say any of your current no 8s are even top 5 in the AP.

You're a numpty. As you know, doesn't matter how rich the owner is, the salary cap is the same. Yes it has increased for next season, but i'd imagine we'd been plannnig to that number for a while now and that recruitment will be based on the new figure.

There isn't a single back row player in the prem that compares to Parisse. He'd be "significantly helpful" to any team in world rugby

Our 8s might not be top 5 in the league in your opinion, but our back row as a unit certainly is, if not top 3. Hasn't been a weakness for us this season at all, whereas 9 is.

 

wales606 wrote:Confirmed, Mitchell to the Blues!!!

WOOOOOP! We have a tight head prop!

Bathite wrote:You're a numpty. As you know, doesn't matter how rich the owner is, the salary cap is the same. Yes it has increased for next season, but i'd imagine we'd been plannnig to that number for a while now and that recruitment will be based on the new figure.

There isn't a single back row player in the prem that compares to Parisse. He'd be "significantly helpful" to any team in world rugby

Our 8s might not be top 5 in the league in your opinion, but our back row as a unit certainly is, if not top 3. Hasn't been a weakness for us this season at all, whereas 9 is.

I am a numpty because you disagree with me? Instead of calling me names, put your case across. When there's a will there's a way. I think your owner might look at it.

Actually I think there are plenty of backrowers who compare to Parisse. Bath has one too - Louw.

Sorry I disagree. I would take the Quins,Saints,Sarries and Leicester backrow over yours any day of the week. On paper the Gloucester backrow is better than yours too though they've been performing poorly this season. Exeter could also make a fair case for being better too.

Not saying that your backrow has been a weakness but it can be stronger.