Silly Season Transfer Rumours 23/24

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I need rumours.....and I need them now!

I think Luan is a good signing for Falcons. His games played at Edinburgh will have lowered his asking price. With Brantingham going he'd be an upgrade on the other LH options. Probably around par with Bello as a TH. Given the budget constraints at Falcons I'd say it's about as good as can be hoped for in a costly position.

If he can stay fit KC...we need some bulk and power...so we'll see.

Props is such a hard position to gage these days. You need 4 of them as most of them can't play more than 50 mins. So for success its how good the 4 Props you have in your starting team.

Bruin will probably only be as good as the other 3 supporting props Newcastle will have. His minutes the past 3 seasons are not great though so that is a concern. He's only managed the following:-

105 mins 23/24
419 mins 22/23
261 mins 21/22
648 mins 20/21 - year he played for Leicester

Geordie wrote:If he can stay fit KC...we need some bulk and power...so we'll see.

Injuries will have dropped his salary demands though. Bottom line is that with Falcons budget as it is, if de Bruin had made 20 apps a season for the last 3 years then Diamond wouldn't be able to sign him. 20 stone props that genuinely cover both sides aren't cheap unless there are caveats. For Luan, the caveat is the recent injuries. Without those, this contract should be the biggest of his career, likely at a strong Top 14 club.

With the financial situation in the Prem as it is, most clubs will have to look at signings with those sorts of caveats as it's what they can afford. Falcons even more so.

Tigers are rumoured to be after Cabous Eloff for instance. He's a prop that plays both sides but his scrummaging is iffy (tall prop) and his average minutes played per match is under 30 for the last two seasons. Despite those caveats, I really want Eloff to be confirmed though as he is huge and gets over the gain line. Whilst Tigers have too frequently been dismal at making yards after contact this season.

Le Roux Roets at Sale probably a good example too. He's 29-years-old and has started 9 top level games (more in the Currie Cup of course). There's going to be significant work ons, especially with fitness. He's gigantic though and Sanderson has clearly just prioritised bulk over anything else with that signing. Locks that physical without the obvious issues would simply be too expensive for Sale in the current situation though.

Rumours Diamond is after Elliot Stooke.

When it comes to adding physicality to the pack clubs really do have to go through the stats and try to identify bargains. Particularly when it's for squad players, adding depth. Acquiring a player with work ons or what are perceived unattractive qualities to other teams but has underlying value is definitely the way forward.

Diamond at Falcons will be desperate to get a much meaner and more experienced tight five in situ. If you can front up at set piece, in the tight exchanges and rolling maul time then it makes life easier.

Jordie Barrett joining Leinster from December until the end of 2024/25.  

king_carlos wrote:Jordie Barrett joining Leinster from December until the end of 2024/25.  

https://m.independent.ie/sport/rugby/all-black-star-jordie-barrett-in-sensational-move-to-leinster/a811675741.html

I thought it was a late April Fools originally but nope, in what is already an international backline they are going to try and cram Jordie Barrett as well. If they sign the Tongan Thor tighthead from Australia to go with Jordie and RG Snyman trying to select the 23 next season for the big game is going to be ridiculously hard.

Wow, big signing from Leinster. Maybe they won’t be caught after all. I wonder if they’re still going after Tupou.

mikey_dragon wrote:Wow, big signing from Leinster. Maybe they won’t be caught after all. I wonder if they’re still going after Tupou.

Believe it is only short term but still wow.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

king_carlos wrote:Jordie Barrett joining Leinster from December until the end of 2024/25.  

https://m.independent.ie/sport/rugby/all-black-star-jordie-barrett-in-sensational-move-to-leinster/a811675741.html

I thought it was a late April Fools originally but nope, in what is already an international backline they are going to try and cram Jordie Barrett as well. If they sign the Tongan Thor tighthead from Australia to go with Jordie and RG Snyman trying to select the 23 next season for the big game is going to be ridiculously hard.

Put him on the bench! Perfect 23.

mikey_dragon wrote:Wow, big signing from Leinster. Maybe they won’t be caught after all. I wonder if they’re still going after Tupou.

You know they will be, it's actually a position they could do with another player unlike lock and centre/FB where they've just thrown around way over 500k Euros for next season on two players.

Not bad bringing in Jordi Barrett for the business end of the season. Could have done with him up at Ulster if I'm honest

carpet baboon wrote:Not bad bringing in Jordi Barrett for the business end of the season. Could have done with him up at Ulster if I'm honest

It might make the likes of Frawley or Byrne get itchy feet for more gametime

Maine man wrote:

carpet baboon wrote:Not bad bringing in Jordi Barrett for the business end of the season. Could have done with him up at Ulster if I'm honest

It might make the likes of Frawley or Byrne get itchy feet for more gametime

Well that could be a bonus for us

Id say this could be Leinsters biggest ever signing.

Rumours that it might only be a stopgap for 2024/25 until DMac arrives in 2025/26. Leinster going full fantasy mode. I'd guess Jordie fits in on the wing if they're full strength?

1.Porter 2.Sheehan 3.Furlong 4.McCarthy 5.Snyman 6.Baird 7.JvdF 8.Doris
9.JGP 10.Byrne 11.Lowe 12.Henshaw 13.Ringrose 14.Jordie 15.Keenan

16.Kelleher 17.Healy 18.Tupou 19.Ryan 20.Connors 21.McGrath 22.Frawley 23.J O'Brien

Tupou is the signing I'd question. It undoubtedly strengthens them in the short term. If you're looking for a impact sub at TH to replace Furlong then Tupou is right up there with maybe Antonio and Malherbe. It would be ridiculous in terms of next seasons 23.

In terms of talent development, prop and scrum-half seem to be the two positions where Ireland need fresh players coming through? There's a gulf from JGP to the next SH now that Murray has slowed down. Whilst the Ireland props are generally a bit older. Bealham is actually older than Furlong. It therefore seems odd to take up the second spot in the Leinster 23 with a non-IQP TH.

Why on Earth would the IRFU sanction DMac to Leinster? Ok DMac at 10 with that backline is all kinds of fun but Leinster have a lot jam of Irish 10s that need game time and the Irish 15 who's a worldie in his own right.

Agreed on Tupou that is complete short termism. I'm not convinced he's a particularly good scrummager but in the loose he's a wrecking ball.

It's pretty outrageous when the best 23 has no place for Conan an 8 that would walk into a lot of sides starting 15. Maybe he needs to follow in his coach's foot steps and spend a couple of years at Tigers increasing his profile...

Ross Moloney to Bath - 3 year deal

That's been rumoured for a while. Good second row and good signing for Bath IMO.

Might mean Stooke is a possibility to us then...

Gone completely under the radar up in the NH, but NRL superstar Joey Manu is switching codes and joining Toyota Verblitz in a "million dollar move". Incredible money being thrown around up there at the minute, the Japanese League has been a massive positive for the domestic club scene in world rugby.

https://www.planetrugby.com/news/ex-all-blacks-coach-backs-league-superstar-to-effortlessly-switch-codes-after-million-dollar-move

I'm sure he'll be a success in Japan but it feels slightly irrelevant unless he's got a clause to allow him a sabbatical in Super Rugby so that he then qualifies for the ABs.

Does anybody outside of Japan actually watch the club rugby there? I'm not aware of it getting much international coverage which is a bit of a shame.

Francois van Wyk joins Bath from Leicester.

Aidon Davis leaves Exeter to join Cheetahs in SA.

Ken Owens has retired through injury,

The other aspect to note about Japanese rugby is how many top coaches are here. High profile names include Ian Foster, Robbie Deans, Steve Hansen, Todd Blackadder, Wayne Smith, Kieran Crowley, Wayne Pivac, Johan Ackermann and Dave Rennie.

Other coaches, staff members and "advisors" include people who have bounced around club and country set-ups in the north and south. You won't know all these names but you'll recognize some:

Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Greig Laidlaw, Frans Ludeke, Ben Herring, Peter Hewat, C.J. Van Der Linde, Glenn Delaney, Ruaidhri Murphy, Matt Taylor, Joe Maddock, Nick Hensley, Wesley Clarke, Mike Blair, Nick Holten, Marius Goosen, Ben Franks, Ed Robinson (Andy's son), Russell Winter, Hugh Hogan, Ryan Martin, Nathan White, Boris Stankovich, Paul Feeney, Tusi Pisi, Matt Cockbain, etc etc

I've put home nations talent in bold (except Kiwi Ireland player Nathan White) to highlight how poor Northern hemisphere coaches have been at grabbing opportunities in Japan. This is a great environment to test out your coaching philosophies because you have teams composed of all kinds of nationalities and talents. With two premiership clubs going bust, and pressure on budgets everywhere, I expected to see a lot more people looking for jobs here.

The yen is weak now, so it's not a financial payday for all but the top names but it's still a job in professional rugby.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Does anybody outside of Japan actually watch the club rugby there? I'm not aware of it getting much international coverage which is a bit of a shame.

The audience outside Japan almost certainly consists of Japanese expats, family members of overseas players, and people who catch short clips on Tiktok.

There is a J Sports rugby YouTube Channel with League One highlights (Japanese commentary).

https://www.youtube.com/@jsportsrugby/videos

And a Japan League One channel with match highlights (Japanese commentary):

https://www.youtube.com/@LeagueOneChannel/videos

Sakura Rugby gives occasional full length match videos. The commentary is in Japanese but these can be easier to follow for non-Japanese speakers, as you can fast forward at your own pace. The video titles are also in English, so you know what you are watching without using an online translator.

https://www.youtube.com/@sakurarugby/videos

geoff999rugby wrote:Ross Moloney to Bath - 3 year deal

Very under rated, often criticised for his lack of size.

I have seen him person, Im 6'4 and 105 kilos and this guy looked like a total monster beside me, enormous.

He has great hands, very good rugby mind, loves work. Good signing, I fear Leinster will miss him.

Rugby Fan, thanks for those YouTube channel links. I have been hoping TNT might pick up a game a week and put it on as morning viewing. Given the UK players out there it would be interesting to see how they are getting on or some of the potential superstars playing against each other.

Its not a new signing but i think its important with all the talk of Guy Pepper.

Our other young 7 Marcus Tiffin has signed a full 2 year contract after finishing his Newcastle Uni Degree. Hes another very talented and physical young 7...and i think he will make Peppers departure much less felt.

And Guy Pepper confirmed to Bath as Sam Underhill signs a new contract aswell....

Falcons have signed Cameron Neild from Sale on a two year deal...

Geordie wrote:Falcons have signed Cameron Neild from Sale on a two year deal...

Handy player. A Steve Diamond favourite.

Steve Diamond's approach oddly reminds me of Johnson from Peep Show.



Dimes comes in, slashes squad numbers down to a sort of 36-38 player goldilocks zone, signs very specific types of players and employs the exact same game plan. It must have been the shortest job interviews of all time at Worcester and Newcastle. "What's your vision Steve?". "Exactly what I did at Sale". "Anything new?". "Nope".

Given where Falcons have been, it'll probably see an improvement too!

We've seen improvements alresdy KC...instant impact.

I wont complain if he has the same gameplan as the other sides hes managed...make KP a place teams leave either beaten, bruised or both...

Diamond did make his team's very difficult to play against, he likes promoting local players to give the team a sense of identity the fans could go with. Sale had a high turnover of head coaches and finished 11th and 10 the before he took over and established them as a mid table club on a modest budget. That budget did grow over time and he had some success in using it. He's an underrated head coach due to his personality and tendency towards a more aggressive style.

Ellis Jenkins retires at the end of the season. Great player before his knee injury but the injury has prevented him from playing/training like he used to. He had to be managed a lot with workloads since.

Always a top guy though and wish him all the best for the future. Great servant to Cardiff.

He really was outstanding in 2018. His reading of the game is still brilliant.
Do you think he will go into coaching? He seems like one of those blokes who just understands rugby

He should do put no idea what his plans are post retirement.

On other news Bradbury to Edinburgh has now been confirmed.

Jonny Gray leaves Exeter with immediate effect

Supposedly signed by Bordeaux for next season and I guess he is finally getting up to speed after the dislocated knee last season. Assume he will sign elsewhere for the stretch run.

Peter Hewat to head to Tigers as attack coach.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2024/04/23/leicester-to-hire-attack-coach-peter-hewat-saints-defeat/

Hazel Sapling wrote:Jonny Gray leaves Exeter with immediate effect

Supposedly signed by Bordeaux for next season and I guess he is finally getting up to speed after the dislocated knee last season. Assume he will sign elsewhere for the stretch run.

Yet to play this season, I presume he's just being released to join Bordeaux early so he can acclimatise and finish his rehab there ready for pre season.

Hepburn confirmed to Scarlets

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/articles/c103e72l2y2o

SA centre Chris Hollis to Dragons from Stormers apparently.

Seems like he hasn’t played for Stormers in a competitive game, but maybe a link to our new defence coach.

I want us to invest more in Westwood and Ackerman (plus Owen). But it’s better than Dai signing Scarlets old boys though, maybe.

Heard two things about Dragons today. One is a bit spurious that our D coach is from Otago. The other is it’s Tiatia.

Filo has an ok coaching CV, and is a big step up on our current defence coach….

oh no not hollis.....I'd be happy to see more time go into Ackerman and Westwood too.

Not sure what Dai is doing at this point. We need like 7-8 front five forwards......Without that any other else is a waste of time. If he doesnt address the front 5 we simply wont have a platform to win games.

One thing the URC has shown this season if you dont have a solid front 5 you have no chance of making the top 8, no matter how good your backline is.

I’ve said already elsewhere, it’s a waste of a signing. If we are pleading poverty and Dai all about playing youngsters, it’s nonsense. Some Drags fans getting excited as they’ve seen a photo of him with a bicep and a Wikipedia weight of over 100 kegs. Madness.

Fact is the guy hasn’t played top level for ages.

We’ve signed another back-row!

News was that Dai is bringing another 7 players in as well. Plus a full time experienced defence coach so Dai can "learn from them a bit". Bit of a worrying sign when the guy at the top needs to learn on the job from one of his coaches.......

Looks like we have a new chairman as well now Buttress has stepped down...

Falcons have signed 23 yesr old twin props Callum and Connor Hancock from Leeds Beckett Uni on a one year academy deal. Apparently they they have been training with us through out the year...so must have impressed Diamond.

Geordie wrote:Falcons have signed 23 yesr old twin props Callum and Connor Hancock  from Leeds Beckett Uni on a one year academy deal. Apparently they they have been training with us through out the year...so must have impressed Diamond.

Will diamond do the sneaky switcheroo at half time so it looks like the same prop is on but really it's his brother?
Clever man