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)

propdavid_london wrote:So, Olly Barkley is looking for a new club with immediate effect -
http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12321/9139828/top-14-olly-barkley-leaves-grenoble-after-unsuccessful-spell

Where do we think he is best suited?

Newcastle

Falcons could do with a better 10 - But how long is Godman contracted for?

I thought I read that he was going to Perpignan?

I think that is just short term with Lopez injured and Hook/Allen off on 6N duty.

propdavid_london wrote:So, Olly Barkley is looking for a new club with immediate effect -
http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12321/9139828/top-14-olly-barkley-leaves-grenoble-after-unsuccessful-spell

Where do we think he is best suited?

Zebre

propdavid_london wrote:If Henson leaves Bath would he be welcome back there?

I doubt it. Wouldn't be needed and he doesn't get on with Mike Ford at all from the England days. He possibly contributed to him thinking about leaving in the first place and now he is head coach, I guess that makes it even less likely

propdavid_london wrote:So, Olly Barkley is looking for a new club with immediate effect -
http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12321/9139828/top-14-olly-barkley-leaves-grenoble-after-unsuccessful-spell

Where do we think he is best suited?

 Perpignan apparently are interested, according to Gillingham. Also lists Scarlets, Glous and Wuss

I have heard the Scarlets may be after Barkley until the end of the season. We are pretty short on 10/12 during the 6Ns.

Yarde to Quins and Sam Smith to Worcester both confirmed

http://www.quins.co.uk/news/8155.php#.UupDQndQJ8F

http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/sport/wrfc/10973998.Warriors_swoop_for_Quins_wing_Smith__but_Matavesi_nears_Ospreys_switch/?ref=rss

So it has finally been announced Yarde is joining Quins; great signing from them and perhaps a long overdue big name signing.

You beat me to it CJ. Great signing for you.

Wuss are starting to build a promising side. Undoubtedly they'll be in the Championship next year, but it'll give them time to gel.

HongKongCherry wrote:You beat me to it CJ. Great signing for you.

Wuss are starting to build a promising side.  Undoubtedly they'll be in the Championship next year, but it'll give them time to gel.

Some have sunk being there, but some have risen back stronger. Good luck to them, especially to their ex-Quins like Sam and Chris Brooker

Whilst I can understand why most prem teams would have been interested in Yarde and that it's a good signing for Quins I still feel the squad is light at prop and second row. As good as the 9/10 and 11/14/15 combo's are it won't mean much if the other top sides roll over the pack. I know Quins have a decent enough front five when everyone is available but how often is that? Think the BT money would be better going on a decent TH and more of a lump like second row.

B91212 wrote:Whilst I can understand why most prem teams would have been interested in Yarde and that it's a good signing for Quins I still feel the squad is light at prop and second row. As good as the 9/10 and 11/14/15 combo's are it won't mean much if the other top sides roll over the pack. I know Quins have a decent enough front five when everyone is available but how often is that? Think the BT money would be better going on a decent TH and more of a lump like second row.

Williams and Monye not got much left in them though, Chisholm and Lowe possibly broken, our tight 5 are at least young and we have players there. With Afoa off the market, not sure where we'd be able to get another TH of any quality from. And actually we've dominated or edged possession and territory in most matches this season, let in the joint fewest tries but we aren't scoring them. We are also probably gaining cap room because it seems like Mo will retire at least

ScarletSpiderman wrote:I have heard the Scarlets may be after Barkley until the end of the season.  We are pretty short on 10/12 during the 6Ns.

I really don't understand this. We have plenty of cover at 10,12

10. Aled Thomas, Jordan Williams, Josh Lewis
12. Maule, Reynolds, Warren, Owen
Shingler when he comes back, do you know by any chance because I can't find anything

Would be a complete waist of money, would be a great signing for the Blues though


This Yarde thing really annoys me, these type of transfers are what really bug me about the premiership.
It's a great league don't get mew wrong but there are teams like Newcastle, Gloucester and Irish who bring through great talents only to get them poached by their fellow clubs. The player who have left Irish over the seasons has been ridiculous and if they had kept those players they would be in the top 5. The bigger clubs always poach them and it doesn't allow teams like Irish to advance which is always going to leave the same teams in the quarter finals year after year; it will just get annoying and boring. The rfu should work with the clubs to try and help them keep their home grown talent who have come through their academies, i understand if they want to move on after a few years with the club but no when they are this young.

Odd to include Gloucester in that list, but I do agree to an extent

Gloucester have lost, what, Allen (big loss) and Lamb (haha). They are losing Burns too but have poached more than that recently, Morgan, Kvesic, Twelvetrees...

Tigers have had promising players poached but have been fine, just struggling with injuries rather than anything else. The key thing is, and it most cases it's clear that it's not money, why can some clubs keep their players and others can't?

If they're poached by clubs who aren't developing their own players then I'd agree, but Harlequins and Leicester, for example, are hardly failing to pull their weight in terms of developing young players. Quins have three ex-academy players starting for England this weekend - one is captain - and Danny Care who was only 19 when he joined as well. Leicester sent 5 ex-academy players on the Lions tour. London Irish have suffered badly from it but I don't see that it is in practice turning clubs off investing in their academies.

Also, why should the RFU help them out? They already invest millions in supporting Premiership academies. I don't see why they should interfere with individual contract negotiations.

Interesting that Sam Smith is going to Wuss, I would have thought a team in the premiership next season (I know Wuss technically could still do it) would have snapped him up, I always thought he was a pretty good player.

I wouldn't include Glaws on that list either, although their link with Hartpury does mean they get a lot of good youngsters on their books.

Things may change with the new owners at Irish though, the reality is you want an owner who doesn't mind opening his wallet. When Brownsword was the Bath owner, players like Catt, Tindall, Balshaw, Maggs, Delve and Borthwick all left within a very short time frame because he didn't want to keep up with the wage inflation. This was very sensible in many ways, but it didn't half hamper the club on the field. (Also the salary cap was being broken left right and centre in those days.)

thomh wrote:If they're poached by clubs who aren't developing their own players then I'd agree, but Harlequins and Leicester, for example, are hardly failing to pull their weight in terms of developing young players. Quins have three ex-academy players starting for England this weekend - one is captain - and Danny Care who was only 19 when he joined as well. Leicester sent 5 ex-academy players on the Lions tour. London Irish have suffered badly from it but I don't see that it is in practice turning clubs off investing in their academies.

Also, why should the RFU help them out? They already invest millions in supporting Premiership academies. I don't see why they should interfere with individual contract negotiations.

I'd just be happy if the RFU and England coaching staff stopped advising young players from clubs like LI to move to bigger clubs to help their development.

Transfers are part and parcel of any competitive league. Players move to clubs where they feel they will get more success, be it international recognition or silverware. From a Glaws perspective, we signed 36 because he wanted game time to get into the England; we've lost Burns because he's after silverware. It is a short career and players don't have the emotional ties a supporter has, so both moves are fully understandable.

Looking at the Yarde move, given that he was already in the EPS, you'd suggest his motivation was silverware and to play in top tier European games.

thomh who would you say are guilty of not developing their own players?

It would say the "poaching" goes in swings and roundabouts.

" Leicester sent 5 ex-academy players on the Lions tour."

Sorry to be pedantic but 6. Youngs, Cole, Croft, Youngs, Twelvetrees and Manu.

The RFU advised Ford to leave Tigers in order to get game time and challenge for England honours. That somewhat scuppered Tigers long term plan for him to replace Flood post RWC. It's not the RFU urging players to join the big clubs at all.

thomh wrote:If they're poached by clubs who aren't developing their own players then I'd agree, but Harlequins and Leicester, for example, are hardly failing to pull their weight in terms of developing young players. Quins have three ex-academy players starting for England this weekend - one is captain - and Danny Care who was only 19 when he joined as well. Leicester sent 5 ex-academy players on the Lions tour. London Irish have suffered badly from it but I don't see that it is in practice turning clubs off investing in their academies.

Also, why should the RFU help them out? They already invest millions in supporting Premiership academies. I don't see why they should interfere with individual contract negotiations.

I do see here you are coming from but I just feel it is doesn't too much by most of the big named team.
I meant it more at player like Henry Thomas, Marland, Yarde, Gaskell, Burns etc.
And no your completely right when you say that Harlequins and Leicester bring through their own talent which is great but it kind of helps my argument that Harlequins have signed Yarde but already have great wingers established and coming through like Ollie Lindsay and Sam smith. Why did they sign Yarde when they already have talent coming through from their own academy. Yes Yarde is special but he is still in development faze; i just don't see the point that's all

As for the RFU i think they have the responsibility to help clubs with their development and sustainability and it seem they are more concerned about certain clubs more than others. Granted that not all club team can be at the top of the table but for the past few years we have seen the same teams in the top 4. They do invest millions but it seem that a certain few club obtain more money than others which doesn't seem fair

I know i've said it earlier but once again looks like we've signed Tikoirotuma as a wing/13. To be honest that's more exciting then the Yarde news.

Fairfax NZ News reports Tikoirotuma, who has won back-to-back rugby titles with the Chiefs, has signed a two-year deal with Quins.
Read more at http://www.espnscrum.com/england/rugby/story/212237.html#5O1H65cojOsV5CG2.99

Oh and for the record Harlequins easily field more then 50% academy players every week.

Interestingly Marler's contract is up for renewal at the end of this season. As an Int player playing for a top side in Eng it's curious that there's been zero word of anyone going for him.

yappysnap wrote:I know i've said it earlier but once again looks like we've signed Tikoirotuma as a wing/13. To be honest that's more exciting then the Yarde news.

Fairfax NZ News reports Tikoirotuma, who has won back-to-back rugby titles with the Chiefs, has signed a two-year deal with Quins.
Read more at http://www.espnscrum.com/england/rugby/story/212237.html#5O1H65cojOsV5CG2.99

Oh and for the record Harlequins easily field more then 50% academy players every week.

Interestingly Marler's contract is up for renewal at the end of this season. As an Int player playing for a top side in Eng it's curious that there's been zero word of anyone going for him.

Marler will stay

JHamer, we have lost pretty much a full back line. At fly half we only really have Aled as a proven fly half, but he could end up fullback with Owen being dire and Jordan on the wing. Not sure if Jock Shingler is injured still.

In the centre we only have Maule, Warren and Owen (still dire) as Nic has tore a pec, like foxy did, and the others are on international duty or under 20s.

I don't want Olly, but he would fill a gap short term.

Yea I know he will. Just surprised that no one has looked at him to sign, at all. Very underrated/unliked?

yappysnap wrote:Yea I know he will. Just surprised that no one has looked at him to sign, at all. Very underrated/unliked?

Mix of both plus I think other clubs know that he'll stay/we'll pay to keep him, or have tried tapping him up but he's made it clear he won't go. He's an academy boy, 1st choice, playing for England, and the only teams with potentially better offers of silverware have his England rivals, arguably the best LH in the world (Ayerza) or another INT class prop and young LH already there (Bath). Otherwise there's France I suppose but I think Joe wouldn't contemplate giving up his England place to go there especially as tehre ARE good props either actually ahead of him but injured or snapping at his heels

Gareth Davies signs new deal with Scarlets
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/gareth-davies-signs-new-deal-6650289

ChequeredJersey wrote:

B91212 wrote:Whilst I can understand why most prem teams would have been interested in Yarde and that it's a good signing for Quins I still feel the squad is light at prop and second row. As good as the 9/10 and 11/14/15 combo's are it won't mean much if the other top sides roll over the pack. I know Quins have a decent enough front five when everyone is available but how often is that? Think the BT money would be better going on a decent TH and more of a lump like second row.

Williams and Monye not got much left in them though, Chisholm and Lowe possibly broken, our tight 5 are at least young and we have players there. With Afoa off the market, not sure where we'd be able to get another TH of any quality from. And actually we've dominated or edged possession and territory in most matches this season, let in the joint fewest tries but we aren't scoring them. We are also probably gaining cap room because it seems like Mo will retire at least

Fair enough, I know you can't count on Monye any more and understand that Williams is getting on for a winger but Yarde hasn't come cheap I expect and I feel you are short adequate cover in the front five (other than hooker where you have 3 more than decent options). I know about Lowe's neck issues but what's the deal with Chisholm, I know he's out long term but didn't realise it could be career serious.

B91212 wrote:

ChequeredJersey wrote:

B91212 wrote:Whilst I can understand why most prem teams would have been interested in Yarde and that it's a good signing for Quins I still feel the squad is light at prop and second row. As good as the 9/10 and 11/14/15 combo's are it won't mean much if the other top sides roll over the pack. I know Quins have a decent enough front five when everyone is available but how often is that? Think the BT money would be better going on a decent TH and more of a lump like second row.

Williams and Monye not got much left in them though, Chisholm and Lowe possibly broken, our tight 5 are at least young and we have players there. With Afoa off the market, not sure where we'd be able to get another TH of any quality from. And actually we've dominated or edged possession and territory in most matches this season, let in the joint fewest tries but we aren't scoring them. We are also probably gaining cap room because it seems like Mo will retire at least

Fair enough, I know you can't count on Monye any more and understand that Williams is getting on for a winger but Yarde hasn't come cheap I expect and I feel you are short adequate cover in the front five (other than hooker where you have 3 more than decent options). I know about Lowe's neck issues but what's the deal with Chisholm, I know he's out long term but didn't realise it could be career serious.

Just suspicious as he has effectively missed the entirety of the past 2 seasons

Heard rumours of Tavis Knoyle heading to the Cardiff Blues on a two year deal.

Just read about Knoyle too

Glaws look set to replace him with Braley (sp?) from Bristol.

Its a natural progress that players move to bigger clubs, so its not really fair to try to stop it, even though it is frustrating.

We produce a lot of players at the falcons...we have to as we cant match the finances of the bigger clubs..or the silverware...

Whilst id prefer most to stay with us, it annoys me that many seem in a rush to move on before they're ready...moving to sit on a bench or in a bigger clubs 2nds when they could be playing regular prem games with us.

After a quiet spell the academy is now rolling again and currently we've got players in the England U18's, 20's and Saxons, players in the irish age groups as well as the Scottish contingent....and a host of academy players getting a lot of game time in both the prem and LV cups etc. How long will theybe with us? Who knows...but hopefully the pull of Dean Richards, and his coaching staff will change the trend and keep them with us.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:JHamer, we have lost pretty much a full back line.  At fly half we only really have Aled as a proven fly half, but he could end up fullback with Owen being dire and Jordan on the wing.  Not sure if Jock Shingler is injured still.

In the centre we only have Maule, Warren and Owen (still dire) as Nic has tore a pec, like foxy did, and the others are on international duty or under 20s.

I don't want Olly, but he would fill a gap short term.

Fair enough, didn't know about Reynolds.

He is probability desperate at the moment and has been left out to dry really. I'm not too keen on signings him up on a loan because the money could be better spent elsewhere. It might make a bit is sense but i just don;t see the point in all fairness.

We have plenty at depth at 10, if Josh Lewis there to cover 10 then we would't have him in the squad, we might as well use what we have got. Same with Jordan Williams, he is in a versatile position that is very useful for situations like now. We are in a much better place than Cardiff are in with number 10. Maybe they should go for him instead.

Really disapointed Marland decided to leave to add to the long list of previous LI home-grown talent. It is frustrating that other clubs with strong academies don't see fit to stick to their own, but this is business I suppose so probably unavoidable. Maybe the new investment and training facilities will help for the future even though it wasn't enough to keep Marland.

Knoyle is confirmed to Cardiff. He's been pretty average for Glaws this season and has been the firm 3rd choice behind Robson and Cowan. He's got great potential, but its time he started showing some of it.

Ospreys have signed Josh Matavesi from Worcester. Dont know much about him, apart from what's in the article below. Anyone seen him in action?

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/ospreys-sign-fijian-international-centre-6652221

Yes, he came thru the Exeter academy, but left first for Racing then back to Wuss - decent player with typical island skills, but didn't fit in with the Chiefs' ethos, so fell out with coaching staff. He's still young, so may continue to develop

Thanks for the insight. Looks like a good signing.

He's very impressive over a highlights package. Defensively fragile though and can go missing. I'm not sure how good a fit he is for the Ospreys.

He is pacey and powerful. Needs some work but most young players do. Will add something to your midfield. Should work well alongside Beck.

Bloody Fiji, nicking our players

Has he played for Fiji yet?

Heaf wrote:Really disapointed Marland decided to leave to add to the long list of previous LI home-grown talent.  It is frustrating that other clubs with strong academies don't see fit to stick to their own, but this is business I suppose so probably unavoidable.  Maybe the new investment and training facilities will help for the future even though it wasn't enough to keep Marland.  

Yes this is business, every club has to deal with players leaving and guys like Yarde who are young and very skilled will always be looked at by the larger teams.

The best thing LI can do to stop losing players is stop sitting around the bottom of the Prem. Can you blame would be International players if they don't want to be in relegation battles every season and want to play in the HC or play offs?

yappysnap wrote:

Heaf wrote:Really disapointed Marland decided to leave to add to the long list of previous LI home-grown talent.  It is frustrating that other clubs with strong academies don't see fit to stick to their own, but this is business I suppose so probably unavoidable.  Maybe the new investment and training facilities will help for the future even though it wasn't enough to keep Marland.  

Yes this is business, every club has to deal with players leaving and guys like Yarde who are young and very skilled will always be looked at by the larger teams.

The best thing LI can do to stop losing players is stop sitting around the bottom of the Prem. Can you blame would be International players if they don't want to be in relegation battles every season and want to play in the HC or play offs?

The problem here being that constantly losing players makes it very difficult for LI to get off the bottom of the premiership in the first place. Its a feedback loop.

Besides, not all of the players we've lost are International standard (yet). David Sisi, Anthony Watson and Matt Garvey are not capped. Jonathan Joseph was only on the periphery of the full England Squad when he left. The problem, to me, is that players are being told by agents, parents and also by the England coaching staff, that playing at LI is holding them back, and they'll develop better at bigger clubs.

Matavesi seems like he's be around for ages doesn't he? A pretty good player I think, one I'm surprised Wuss would let go.

Fijian Dad and Cornish Mum I think?

yappysnap wrote:

Heaf wrote:Really disapointed Marland decided to leave to add to the long list of previous LI home-grown talent.  It is frustrating that other clubs with strong academies don't see fit to stick to their own, but this is business I suppose so probably unavoidable.  Maybe the new investment and training facilities will help for the future even though it wasn't enough to keep Marland.  

Yes this is business, every club has to deal with players leaving and guys like Yarde who are young and very skilled will always be looked at by the larger teams.

The best thing LI can do to stop losing players is stop sitting around the bottom of the Prem. Can you blame would be International players if they don't want to be in relegation battles every season and want to play in the HC or play offs?

Definitely it's a vicious circle isn't it? Could some of those also be leaving because of the coaches though? It seems like a big chunk of that list all left when Smith came in.

I still think you can't really blame the players though, they will want to play the best rugby they can and it's a short career.