Rugby Transfers 2011-2012

First topic message reminder :

TOP 14

Agen
In : Senekal (Toulon), Tian (Bourgoin), Giraud (Montpellier), P. O'Connor (Waratahs/AUS), J. Schwalger (Hurricanes/NZ), Coux (Bourgoin), J. Garcia (La Rochelle), Scelzo (Clermont), Janaudy (Bourgoin), Desroches (Toulouse)
Out : Kolinisau (Fiji 7s), Mach (Castres), Cazeaux (Carcassonne), O'Sullivan (retired), Châteauraynaud (Albi), D'Andrea (Albi)
Out of Contract : Scholtz, Kouider, Moala, Campos

Bayonne
In : D. Gerber (Boland Kavaliers/AFS), Heymans (Toulouse), Lauaki (Clermont), Tialata (Hurricanes/NZ), Chisholm (Brumbies/AUS), Rokocoko (Blues/NZ), M. O'Connor (Grenoble), Manukula (Aurillac), Etchegaray (r.l. Auch)
Out : Treloar (Bordeaux-Bègles), Fiorini (Mont-de-Marsan), Peyras (Montpellier), Martin (Montpellier), Heguy (Biarritz), Filipo (Wasps/ANG), Fauqué (La Rochelle)
Out of Contract : Boyoud, Lea'aetoa*, Da Ros, Etchegaray, Gower, D. Gerber, Ziegler*

Biarritz
In : Heguy (Bayonne), Baby (Clermont), Burotu (Suva/FIJI), Caprice (Blackheath)
Out : Alexandre (Grenoble), Erinle (ENG), Fior (Brive), Mignardi (Brive), Barozzi (Brive)
Out of Contract : Tranier, Guinazu, Vahafolau, Gobelet
World Cup Jokers: Ja. Afoa, Bidabé

Bordeaux-Bègles (promoted to Top 14)
In : Delboulbès (Carcassonne), Toetu (Tarbes), Tisseau (Albi), F. Le Bourhis (Carcassonne), Denêtre (Albi), Reihana (Northampton), L. Houston (Reds), Madaule (Narbonne)
Out : Jagr (Mont-de-Marsan), Chollon (Stade Français), G. Bernard (Auch), Badel (Colomiers)
Out of Contract : Vermis, S. O'Connor, Baquet, Montagnat, Gaultier, Chouquet


Brive
In : Fior (Biarritz), Mignardi (Biarritz), Hauman (Aurillac), Caisso (Colomiers), Barozzi (Biarritz), Luafutu (Tasman/NZ), Lacombe (Toulouse), Geraghty (Northampton), Boussuge (Bath), Natriashvili (Saint-Junien)
Out : Estebanez (Racing-Métro), Palisson (Toulon), Vosloo (Clermont), Lespinas (Lyon OU), Cabello (r.l. Clermont), Pelissié (Grenoble), Perry (Worcester), D. Browne (Leinster), Orquera (Aironi), Bonrepaux (Lyon OU), Domingo (Tulle)
Out of Contract : Popham, Waqaseduadua

Castres
In : Buckle (Bourgoin), Rallier (r.l. Colomiers), Rayssac (r.l. Colomiers), Bonnefond (r.l. Oyonnax), Lamerat (Toulouse), Tales (La Rochelle), Lacrampe (Tarbes), Taumoepeau (Toulon), Mach (Agen), Max Evans (Glasgow), P.-G. Lakafia (Toulouse), Wihongi (Sale)
Out : Tillous-Borde (Toulon), Audrin (Montpellier), Tatupu (Exeter), Kayser (Clermont), Saayman (Pau), Adamou (Tarbes), C. McIntyre (Nec Green Rockets/JAP), Hoeft (Toulouse), Lamache (r.l. Toulon), Siccardi (Albi)
Out of Contract : Buckle, Giorgadze, Bonnefond

Clermont
In : G. Pisi (Taranaki/NZ), Skrela (Toulouse), King (Scarlets), Byrne (Ospreys), Kayser (Castres), Vosloo (Brive), Sivivatu (Chiefs), Hines (Leinster), Kotze (Aurillac), Cabello (r.l. Brive), M. Bennett (Glasgow)
Out : G. Pisi (Taranaki), Lauaki (Bayonne), Baby (Biarritz), Privat (Montpellier), Scelzo (Agen), Lavea (Sale), Joubert (Sharks/SA), Nalaga (FIJ), M. Ledesma (retired), Allegre (Oyonnax)
Out of Contract : Wepener


Lyon OU (promoted to Top 14)
In : Tchougong (Bourgoin), Roux (Colomiers), Bonrepaux (Brive), Basson (Bourgoin), Koyamaibole (Sale), Fatafehi (Saint-Etienne), Lespinas (Brive), Marchois (Stade Français), Leguizamon (Stade Français)
Out : P.-Y. Montagnat (Grenoble), Castellina (ARG), Salellas (Mâcon), Nauroy (retire), Pakihivatau (retire), Seve (retire), Portier (retire)
Out of Contract : Taukafa, Hehea, Nicoud, Gomez, Leite

Montpellier
In : Tulou (Bourgoin), Solana (r.l. Carcassonne), Peyras (Bayonne), Martin (Bayonne), Audrin (Castres), Creevy (Pampas XV/ARG), Amorosino (Leicester), Privat (Clermont), Combezou (La Rochelle), Van Vuuren (Aurillac)
Out : Macurdy (Carcassonne), Giraud (Agen), Thiart (Perpignan), Solana (Pays d'Aix), Nicot (Colomiers), Vallée (arrêt)
Out of Contract : Rofes, Uva, Chkhaidze, Wasserman, Kuzbik, Ladhuie, Tissot

Perpignan
In : R. Coetzee (Bourgoin), Parent (r.l. Saint-Etienne), Thiart (Montpellier), Hook (Ospreys)
Out : Edmonds (retired)
World Cup Joker : Alvarez-Kairelis

Racing-Métro
In : Matavesi (Exeter), Bousses (Stade Français), Estebanez (Brive), Bianchin (Grenoble), Descons (Pau), Dumoulin (Bourgoin), Germain (Bourgoin)
Out : Raiwalui (retired), Kraska (Albi), Gau (Albi)
Out of Contract : Fillol, Festuccia, Galindo, Arganese, Scarbrough, Culine, Masi, S. Bobo

Stade Français
In : Warwick (Munster), Wright (Leinster), Tetaz Chaparro (Pampas XV/ARG), Chollon (Bordeaux-Bègles), Milloud (Bourgoin), Turinui (Dax), P. Short (Bath), Contepomi (Toulon)
Out : Bousses (Racing-Métro), Beauxis (Toulouse), Marchois (Lyon OU), Leguizamon (Lyon OU), Liebenberg (retired), P. Ledesma (retired), Tardy (Pau)
Out of Contract : Weber, Southwell, Phillips, Oelschig, Ma. Bergamasco, Gerber, Haskell

Toulon
In : Giteau (Brumbies/AUS), Palisson (Brive), Lewis-Roberts (Sale), B. Botha (Bulls/SA), S. Armitage (London Irish), Tillous-Borde (Castres), Dumora (Pau), Frou (La Rochelle), Rokobaro (Pays d'Aix), Tawaqa (Narbonne), D. Smith (Western Force/AUS), Mason (Hull KR, Rugby League), Agnesi (r.l. Pau), A. Pretorius (Lions/SA), Lamache (r.l. Castres)
Out : Senekal (Agen), May (Northampton), Taumoepeau (Castres), Contepomi (Stade Français), Merabet (Oyonnax), Sourice (Pays d'Aix), G. Smith (Sanyo/JAP), Auelua (NTT Communications/JAP), Barthélémy (p. Albi), Bastères (p. Pays d'Aix), Mignoni (retired)
Out of Contract : Agnesi, Delarue, Marienval, Henson, Sackey, Wulf (Blues/NZ)
World Cup Jokers : A. Pretorius, M. Kefu

Toulouse
In : Matanavou (Mont-de-Marsan), Beauxis (Stade Français), Burgess (Waratahs/AUS), G. Steenkamp (Bulls/SA), G. Botha (Bulls/SA), McAlister (Blues/NZ), Hoeft (Castres)
Départs : Skrela (Clermont), Heymans (Bayonne), Lacombe (Brive), Lamerat (Castres), P.-G. Lakafia (Castres), Michalak (Sharks/SA), Desroches (Agen)
Out of Contract : Lecouls, Kelleher
World Cup Jokers : Hoeft, Basualdo, Delasau



________________________________________________________________________________

AVIVA PREMIERSHIP

Bath
In : Eastmond (St. Helens, Rugby League), Caldwell (Ulster), Attwood (Gloucester), Hipkiss (Leicester), Fearns (Sale), F. Louw (Stormers), Beech (Wasps), Perenise (Hurricanes), Fa'amatuainu (r.l. Scarlets), Moss (r.l. Bristol)
Out : Bu. James (Lions), Watson (EP Kings), Hape (London Irish), A. Jarvis (Ospreys), Cheeseman (Harlequins), P. Short (Stade Français), Boussuge (Brive), Grewcock (retired), D. Barnes (retired)

Exeter
In : Barrett (Saracens), C. Mitchell (Ospreys), Dorrian (Bedford), Tatupu (Castres), Muldowney (Glasgow), B. White (Cardiff), Andress (Harlequins)
Out : Matavesi (Racing-Métro), Davis (Wasps), Grace (Connacht), Locke (Cornish Pirates)

Gloucester
In : Chistolini (Petrarca), D. Murphy (London Irish), Runciman (London Welsh), Cortese (Pampas XV), Savage (Hartpury)
Out : Attwood (Bath), Doran-Jones (Northampton), N. Robinson (Wasps), Pasqualin (Newcastle), Dickinson (Sale), Azam, Capdevielle

Harlequins
In : Cheeseman (Bath), Fairbrother (Western Force), Hopper (Cornish Pirates)
Out : Stevenson (Ulster), Ce. Jones (Worcester), Percival (Worcester), Moore (Connacht), Andress (Exeter)


Leicester
In : Brookes (Newcastle), Tait (Sale), N. Morris (Leinster), Kitchener (Worcester), Young (Newcastle)
Out : Amorosino (Montpellier), Hipkiss (Bath), P. Myburgh (Cheetahs), Blaze (retire)

London Irish
In : Shingler (Scarlets), Ansbro (Northampton), Hape (Bath), Halavatau (Bees), Sandford (Rotherham), R. Samson (Edinburgh), J. Spratt (Ospreys), B. Evans (Hurricanes)
Out : Mapusua (Kubota Spears), Stowers (Ospreys), D. Murphy (Gloucester), Lamb (Northampton), S. Armitage (Toulon), Seveali'i (Bourgoin), Lennard (Bedford), Fisher (Bedford), Malone (retired)

Newcastle
In : Sheriffe (Rugby League), Pasqualin (Gloucester), Shortland (Otago), Frazier (Doncaster), Helleur (Auckland), Mayhew (Esher), Chudley (Bedford)
Out : Brookes (Leicester), Amesbury (Sale), Young (Leicester), Afu (Carcassonne), Henderson (GHA), M. Ward (Blaydon), T. Tu'ipulotu (Yamaha Jubilo), R. Vickerman (English 7s), G. Bobo, Levi

Northampton
In : Doran-Jones (Gloucester), May (Toulon), G. Pisi (Taranaki), Armetiev (VVA-Podmoskovye), Lamb (London Irish), M. Roberts (Scarlets), Cato (Saracens), Manoa (San Francisco), Craig (Leeds), C. Sempere (Nottingham)
Out : Vickerman (Waratahs), Ansbro (London Irish), M. Easter (Sale), Reihana (Bordeaux-Bègles), Geraghty (Brive), Sanderson (Moseley), Long (Cambridge), Dreyer, Cornwell, Joe Ford (Leeds)

Sale
In : Cobâlaş (VVA-Podmoskovye), Buckley (Munster), Ward (Wasps), Lavea (Clermont), Myall (Leeds), Burrell (Leeds), M. Easter (Northampton), Vernon (Glasgow), Ja. Collins (Worcester), Amesbury (Newcastle), McKenzie (Edinburgh), Ostrikov (Aurillac), Tuitupou (Munster), Mathie (Leeds), A. Powell (Wasps), Dickinson (Gloucester), H. Fourie (Leeds)
Out : Hodgson (Saracens), Tait (Leicester), Lewis-Roberts (Toulon), Fearns (Bath), Bell (Wasps), Ch. Jones (Worcester), S. McIntyre (Wasps), Koyamaibole (Lyon OU), Wihongi (Castres), Boko, Brightwell, Cox (Edinburgh), R. Crane, Foster, M. James, Kuadey, Leck (Edinburgh), McMillan, Mulchrone, Ormsby, Rouse, Cohen (retired), J. Kennedy (retired)

Saracens
In : Bax (Western Province), Hodgson (Sale), Smit (Sharks), Kenatale (Tailevu), Vunipola (Bristol)
Out : Henson (Toulon), Ryder (Glasgow), Reynecke (Connacht), Parr (Nottingham), Cato (Northampton), Barrett (Exeter), Staff (Bedford), Barrell (Bedford), Al. Brown (Doncaster), Skuse (retired)

Wasps
In : Davis (Exeter), N. Robinson (Gloucester), Castex (Narbonne), Bell (Sale), Poff (Crusaders), S. Thompson (Leeds), Filipo (Bayonne), S. McIntyre (Sale), Mayor (Gran Parma), Wentzel (Leeds), Thiede (Doncaster)
Out : Hobson (Bristol), Walder (Mitsubishi Dynaboars), Ward (Sale), Beech (Bath), A. Powell (Sale), B. Jacobs (Kyuden Voltex), S. Kefu (Bay of Plenty), Jewell (London Welsh), Van Gisbergen, Betsen, Vickery (retired), Matthews (retired)

Worcester (promoted to Aviva Premiership)
Arrivées : Grove (r.l. Edinburgh), D. Gray (Montauban), Percival (Harlequins), Perry (Brive), Ce. Jones (Harlequins), Ch. Jones (Sale), O. Hayes (Bristol), E. Claassens (London Welsh), Drauniniu (London Welsh), S. Tu'ipulotu (Plymouth), Porter (Plymouth), Gulliver (Cornish Pirates)
Out : C. Black (Ulster), Ja. Collins (Sale), Kitchener (Leicester), Silver (Bristol), W. Walker, Bowley, Ripol, Higgitt, A. Williams, Rawlinson (retired), A. Black (retired)


________________________________________________________________________________

MAGNERS LEAGUE

Aironi
In : Orquera (Brive), N. Olivier (Cheetahs), Keats (Hurricanes), D'Apice (Rugby Roma), Trevisan (Crociati Roma), Ferrarini (Crociati Roma)
Départs : Mercier (Padoue), Krause (retired)

Cardiff Blues
In :
Out : B. White (Exeter), Loxton (Connacht), Slater (Bristol), T. Brown (Dragons), G. Cooper (retired), G. Powell (retired), Shanklin (retired)

Connacht
In : Reynecke (Saracens), Naoupu (Kobe Steelers), McCrea (Ulster), N. O'Connor (Ulster), Loxton (Cardiff), M. Jarvis (Ospreys), Anderson (Ulster), Grace (Connacht), Maguire (Leinster), J. Stevens (Galwegians), F. Vainikolo (Highlanders), Moore (Harlequins), O'Donohoe (Leinster)
Out : Keatley (Munster), Cronin (Leinster), Carr (Leinster), McComish (Ulster), Nathan (Glasgow), Upton (Japon), E. Taylor, Fa'amasuli, R. Sweeney, Wynne, Bibo, Fanning, Monaghan, Ta’auso, O'Loughlin (retired), Willis (retired), Morris (retired)

Dragons
In : Bedford (Rotherham), J. Smith (Ulster), Na. Williams (Moseley), T. Brown (Cardiff), Waters (Pontypridd)
Out : Bearman (Ospreys), T. Cooper (Cornish Pirates), N. Brew, Watkins, Gomer Davies, Matt Evans, Ja. Davies, N. Griffiths, McKenzie, P. Palmer, A. Ellis, Attwell, Ad. Brown, Rh. Wilson, Ja. Thomas, Lee (retired), Sowden-Taylor (retired), Goodfield (retired)

Edinburgh
In : Lawrie (Doncaster), Leck (Sale), Cox (Sale)
Out : Grove (r.l. Worcester), MacLeod (Kobe Steelers), McKenzie (Sale), C. Hamilton (Tarbes), R. Samson (London Irish), Newlands (Oyonnax), A. Blair, M. Robertson, F. Brown, Little, D. Blair (retired)

Glasgow
In : Ryder (Saracens), Seymour (Ulster), Cusack (Doncaster), Nathan (Connacht), Wight (Melrose), G. Reid (Ayr), Pitman (l. Ospreys)
Out : M. Evans (Castres), Vernon (Sale), Muldowney (Exeter), Tkachuk (retired), Stortoni (retired), O'Hare (retired), M. Bennett (Clermont)

Leinster
In : Cronin (Connacht), Hagan (Connacht), Sykes (Sharks), Berquist (Crusaders), D. Browne (Brive), Carr (Connacht)
Out : Hines (Clermont), Wright (Stade Français), N. Morris (Leicester), Maguire (Connacht), O'Donohoe (Connacht), Keating (Doncaster), Keogh (Shannon), Hogan (retired)

Munster
In : Keatley (Connacht), BJ Botha (Ulster)
Out : Warwick (Stade Français), Buckley (Sale), Tuitupou (Sale), Quinlan (retired), Hayes (retired), Dowling (retired), B. Murphy (retired)

Ospreys
In : Stowers (London Irish), Breeze (r.l. London Welsh), Dirksen (Swansea RFC), A. Jarvis (Bath), Fotuali'i (Crusaders), Bearman (Dragons)
Départs : Hook (Perpignan), Byrne (Clermont), M. Jarvis (Connacht), C. Mitchell (Exeter), J. Spratt (London Irish), Holah (Waikato), Nutbrown (Bay of Plenty), J. Collins (Yamaha), Pitman (p. Glasgow), B. Lewis (retired), McInerney (retired)

Scarlets
Arrivées : A. Thomas (London Welsh)
Départs : Fa'amatuainu (r.l. Bath), M. Roberts (Northampton), Shingler (London Irish), King (Clermont), Lawrence (Bristol), G. Quinnell (retired), Daf. Jones (retired)

Treviso
Arrivées :
Départs :

Ulster
In : Stevenson (Harlequins), McComish (Connacht), C. Black (Worcester), Jo. Afoa (Blues), J. Payne (Blues)
Out : BJ Botha (Munster), Anderson (Connacht), McCrea (Connacht), N. O'Connor (Connacht), Caldwell (Bath), Seymour (Glasgow), J. Smith (Dragons), McIlwaine (Doncaster)


Will try to update this as much as possible.

To be honest I think a difference between club rugby in Europe and in NZ and SA and to a lesser extent Aus is summed up here.

We (Hurricanes) are losing 3 (international level) props at the end of the season.
So we are signing up locally born young props.
That should be the first reaction not look to get a prop from elsewhere. Though of course we may have to get 1 (since 3 are off overseas at the same time).

The fascination with transfers seems really negative. Looked at from a overall competition perspective it is just the same players playing each other but with different shirts on rather than bringing new players into the competition.

nganboy wrote:To be honest I think a difference between club rugby in Europe and in NZ and SA and to a lesser extent Aus is summed up here.

We (Hurricanes) are losing 3 (international level) props at the end of the season.
So we are signing up locally born young props.
That should be the first reaction not look to get a prop from elsewhere. Though of course we may have to get 1 (since 3 are off overseas at the same time).

The fascination with transfers seems really negative. Looked at from a overall competition perspective it is just the same players playing each other but with different shirts on rather than bringing new players into the competition.

Thats a good post

cheers that's very nice of you
i'm at work so have a on me

Any Ulster fans know whats happening with Danielli, as I thought his contract was up this season. Good post MBTGOG.

Nganboy, I had always thought Musnter would be the first Irish team to have a full Irish first choice XV. Sadly it will be Leinster I feel:

01 Healy
02 Cronin
03 Ross
04 Cullen
05 McLaughlin
06 O'Brien
07 Jennings
08 Heaslip
09 Reddan
10 Sexton
11 Fitzgerald
12 McFadden
13 O'Driscoll
14 Horgan
15 Kearney

16 Strauss
17 Hagan
18 Toner
19 Ruddock
20 Boss
21 Madigan
22 Darcy

Ulsterexile wrote:Any Ulster fans know whats happening with Danielli, as I thought his contract was up this season. Good post MBTGOG.

To put it simply, his contrat is up at the end of next season- not this year.

MBTGOG You have too much time on your hands!

Good news for the rest of us, cheers

tlazarus9 wrote:

red_stag wrote:

tlazarus9 wrote:I really think Russia will suprise people at the World Cup, there First XV is very strong, in the mould of Georgia

In another group maybe. Once bitten twice shy for Ireland. They won't have forgotten what happened in 2007 with Georgia. I expect them and USA to have an incredible match and possibly mix it with the Italians. But Austrlia, Italy and Ireland will be too strong I reckon.

Im sure your right, they wont win games but Id' be suprised if anyone steamrollers them other than AUS perhaps

Think they beat one or two teams on their recent tour of New Zealand. Henry Paul backs coach.

nganboy wrote:To be honest I think a difference between club rugby in Europe and in NZ and SA and to a lesser extent Aus is summed up here.

We (Hurricanes) are losing 3 (international level) props at the end of the season.
So we are signing up locally born young props.
That should be the first reaction not look to get a prop from elsewhere. Though of course we may have to get 1 (since 3 are off overseas at the same time).

The fascination with transfers seems really negative. Looked at from a overall competition perspective it is just the same players playing each other but with different shirts on rather than bringing new players into the competition.

Most transfers in Irish teams are just Irish players moving to another Irish team.

Once a team starts bringing in big transfers from the SH, you have to accept that you will never match them without being willing to do the same.

The big French and English clubs kicked it off and the rest of us have no option but to try and strengthen as much as possible to keep up or even overtake.

That said, in Ireland we rely on our Academies as well. The signings of the Bok trio made headlines but in one game we had nearly an entire backline around 20 and under. With 5 players who had just come out of the Ulster Academy.

LeinsterBaby,

They won both their games in their Tour to New Zealand.

Some NZ transfers speculation for the mix.

Bayonne have opted out of giving a contract to Byron Kelleher

Wow. It's not as if Bayonne have world beating scrum halves either.

Has he peed someone off?

Probably can't afford it.

greybeard wrote:Wow. It's not as if Bayonne have world beating scrum halves either.

Has he peed someone off?

Goin on past form I'd imagine he has!
Byron wont be goin into Neurosurgery when he hangs up his boots

MBTGOG wrote:
Saracens
In : Bax (Western Province), .

Just to let you know Bax has left Saracens, by the way.

Bare in mind that Bayonne are still being linked with Mike Phillips who they can probably get a bit cheaper than Byron Kelleher.

Artful_Dodger wrote:Bare in mind that Bayonne are still being linked with Mike Phillips who they can probably get a bit cheaper than Byron Kelleher.

Won't they have to pay the Os some compensation for the time left on MP's contract?

Quite possibly 100, I didnt consider that, it does seem as though the Ospreys want rid of him though.

latest news
Ma'a Nonu not required by the Hurricanes next year.

Anyone want an All Black linebreaker?

Stupid flippin' coach!!!

Looks like James O'Connor is re-signing with the Force

Kiwireddevil wrote:Looks like James O'Connor is re-signing with the Force

Brilliant!!

nganboy wrote:latest news
Ma'a Nonu not required by the Hurricanes next year.

Anyone want an All Black linebreaker?

Stupid flippin' coach!!!

Yes pls - read that he was considering a move to the Chiefs, then realised it probably wasn't the Exe variety!!

I suspect Nonu will now be linked with just about every non-Scottish side in the Northern Hemisphere now!

In New Zealand, they seem pretty sure he'll be heading to the Chiefs, of the NZ variety.

Hammett wants to start a new and stamp his own authority on this side.

It's an interesting one for Nonu really, because he's no longer considered to be an All Black starter (remarkable when you think how good he was last season), and yet as a player in his prime, he could earn a small fortune abroad and still come back to NZ in time for the next WC should he want to.

Personally I hope he stays. I like to see players show loyalties to their national sides.

Just fyi guys, there's a separate Nonu thread going here: https://www.606v2.com/t6603-ma-a-nonu-released-by-the-hurricanes

I think it's worthy of it's own discussion thread so won't merge it into this one, but we may as well talk about it in one place (and I don't think my super moderator powers extend to moving individual comments from here to there ...).

Munsty, could you highlight any amendments like?

This thread should be stickied - will be very helpful when the Rugby Games come out!

The Waratahs have released flanker Ben Mowen, they're currently chasing Rocky Elsom.

The Top14 transfer window has now closed, here's a wrap up of players in and out.

Bliwdy students - too much time on their hands!! Nice one, Munsty

Quick update:

Exeter
In : Barrett (Saracens), C. Mitchell (Ospreys), Dorrian (Bedford), Tatupu (Castres), Muldowney (Glasgow), B. White (Cardiff), Andress (Harlequins), Short (Bath), Camacho (Harlequins)
Out : Matavesi (Racing-Métro), Davis (Wasps), Grace (Connacht), Locke (Cornish Pirates), Miller (retired), McKenzie, Cowley, Nadolo

Looks like SBW will be going to the Chiefs next season. Not sure about this though, the Chiefs are a bit of a basket case at times. However. my overriding feeling is at least he is staying in NZ. Looks like Cruden will be on his way there too so hold on to your butts, Chiefs fans!!

http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-news/sonny-bill-expected-sign-chiefs-4275186

mintie,

That's something that I certainly wasn't expecting. Hopefully he can draw in the crowds to Hamilton.

Add Greg Goosens to the falcons in's...Saffa Full back from La Rochelle.

Big name signings or what eh?

Wants to be closer to his Mum in Auckland apparently. I wouldn’t rule out Auckland trying to entice him also. Whatever happens could pave the way for Ma’a Nonu to join either the Crusaders or the Blues.

More importantly, as far as I am concerned is who the Hurricanes will use at flyhalf if Cruden does go. Sopoaga is with the Highlanders again next season and Kirkpatrick is average at best. There maybe a case for getting Tyler Bleyendaal, who has been behind Carter and Berquist but with Berquist going an opportunity for game time at the Crusaders arises.

Quins are losing Camacho who is going to Lyon i think...

We have signed Bristol scrum half Richard Bolt and north Harbour prop Nic mayhew.

Mayhew looks like another good running prop who should provide solid cover for internationals or injuries.

Bolt isn't going to set the prem alight, but shoul be an alright 3rd/4th choice behind Care, Dickson and maybe academy boy Sam Stuart.

yappy, Camacho is heading to Sandy Park

MBTGOG, you missed Mike Phillips off your list who is going to Bayonne. Anyone think their team will stop the French next year then?

The French clubs(not the French) will defeat themselves on a European level. The toughest Championship to win is the Top14,the HCup is a bonus ,and no French club has ever achieved the double in the same season.

Mick, don't you think Toulon or Toulouse could be the first? I don't know both their squads inside out but from what I know of them, they're more than capable.

Toulouse,ASM,and perhaps racing Could do the double.Toulon achieving it is a little like saying Man City will double in football.

The Chch Press understands that SBW has agreed terms with the (Waikato) Chiefs for next year.

And the Waratahs have signed [url=Sarel Pretorius]http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/tahs-swoop-for-pretorius-20110701-1guxx.html[/url] from the Cheetahs.