Transfers for next season (including transfer rumours!)

molloyjh

thomond2006 wrote: »

Yes, they are definitely losing Luke Rooney. David Smith will probably negotitate a release as well, he's been in the doghouse for a while.

A lot of Toulon fans are not happy about the foreign influx, there's a few good products from their academy like Pierrick Gunther and Vincent Martin that showed up really well at the start of the season and now they cannot get a game. Orioli is the only academy product that is first choice when fully fit.

Toulon are investing in their youth structure though, they plan to start a new program in Nice. The current JIFF rules mean 55% of the squad has top have been developed through a French academy, similar to the 'homegrown' rule in the EPL. This percentage is supposed to increase over the next few years. Apparently there are employment laws that block a restriction based on being French Qualified, although I'm not certain on that.

Not to defend Toulon, but Racing Métro will have few French players in their lineup next season as well. It's not good for the national team that the likes of Wisniewski will be watching the likes of Sexton from the bench.

It'll be interesting to see how, if at all, that affects the French national side and how quickly the 55% will increase.

Winters

molloyjh wrote: »

It'll be interesting to see how, if at all, that affects the French national side and how quickly the 55% will increase.

or decrease..

Gael Fickou is another product of the Toulon academy. When he moved to Toulouse last season he was asked what the difference was between Toulon and Toulouse. "They speak French in Toulouse" was his answer.

The actual age bracket of most of Toulon's players is quite old. Are the owners pockets bottomless?

irishbucsfan

molloyjh wrote: »

It'll be interesting to see how, if at all, that affects the French national side and how quickly the 55% will increase.

It's supposed to be 70% by now based on the original plans isn't it?

It will get there eventuallly. They do want to push the clubs in that direction.

SebBerkovich

I do think it's an overall positive for the hemisphere teams to face more Southern Hemisphere folk. but i'm glad it's not and irish team that suffers for that.

thomond2006

irishbucsfan wrote: »

It's supposed to be 70% by now based on the original plans isn't it?

It will get there eventuallly. They do want to push the clubs in that direction.

The problem for the French national team is those players that come through the academy don't have to be French born or go on to play for France. Two of Toulon's espoirs, Chilachava and Mikautadze, both came through the Toulon academy but have been capped by Georgia. Both Armitage brothers count as JIFF players despite being capped by England.

totallegend

Looks like Stade Francais have signed Digby Ioane on a two-year deal.

thomond2006

totallegend wrote: »

Looks like Stade Francais have signed Digby Ioane on a two-year deal.

Haven't seen much of Ioane since the World Cup but Stade Francais have made a real coup there. They are a mid-table French club these days and Ioane could probably do better!

sydthebeat

totallegend wrote: »

Looks like Stade Francais have signed Digby Ioane on a two-year deal.

seriously??????

Bogota

WHAT?! who on earth are Leinster going to sign?

Please don't tell me that Zane Kirchner is our man to replace Nacewa. With Fitzgerald chronically injured, Carr and Conway gone and Kearney and BOD away (so McFadden will fill 13) we are going to be horribly short of back 3 quality players.

irishbucsfan

Leinster just need an experienced winger for international window coverage.

I personally hope our first choice wingers next season are two of Fitzgerald, McFadden and Dave Kearney.

Supposedly they are looking for someone though.

matthew8

I'm not too annoyed about Toulon only starting 3 French players. It's not like France is struggling for top quality players on the national level. Very deep at nearly every position.

molloyjh

matthew8 wrote: »

I'm not too annoyed about Toulon only starting 3 French players. It's not like France is struggling for top quality players on the national level. Very deep at nearly every position.

Jackman was on Against the Head after the U20s France game saying there's a serious problem brewing in French rugby at the moment due to the French clubs buying in foreign players at the expense of developing younger talent. Their U20s were very poor this season.


I really do hope Leinster are in the market for a new winger. We can't lose 3 back 3 players and only replace them with 1.

opinionatedfan

molloyjh wrote: »

J
I really do hope Leinster are in the market for a new winger. We can't lose 3 back 3 players and only replace them with 1.

Especially with no obvious player graduating from the academy.

Don't know what to expect from Hudson next year.

Munster13

Anyone heard of any Munster targets or rumours, because we will need some key signings, and I've heard nothing so far and its frustrating

ormond lad

Grenoble have signed Fijian wing Ratu Alipate Raitini (22). Bernard Jackson confirmed it on twitter. Decent signing.

thomond2006

http://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/super-15/2013/chiefs-leonard-va-rejoindre-les-zebre_sto3785242/story.shtml

Brendon Leonard to Zebre, decent signing for them.

neilmulvey

thomond2006 wrote: »

Apparently there are employment laws that block a restriction based on being French Qualified

The FFR will only get the amount of foreigners down if they can introduce a licence system to control spending etc. All the power is with the clubs.

Swiwi

thomond2006 wrote: »

http://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/super-15/2013/chiefs-leonard-va-rejoindre-les-zebre_sto3785242/story.shtml

Brendon Leonard to Zebre, decent signing for them.

Yeah, he's not a bad half-back, should have got more AB caps in my opinion. He got injured at the wrong time, and when he came back the new breed had arrived. He's definitely Rabo-worthy, especially given Italian rugby is not reknown for its halfbacks.

thomond2006

According to Midi Olymique, Toulon are close to signing Bismarck du Plessis who would arrive after the Rugby Championship. They do need a hooker and who better than Bismarck.

jamiedav2011

thomond2006 wrote: »

According to Midi Olymique, Toulon are close to signing Bismarck du Plessis who would arrive after the Rugby Championship. They do need a hooker and who better than Bismarck.

It just gets more and more ridiculous.

thomasm

Danny Barnes gone from Munster to Newcastle

http://www.independent.ie/sport/falcons-swoop-for-barnes-29319182.html

Kiwi_knock

After this morning's papers seemed to have all but confirmed that Jacques Potgieter had signed for Saracens, he has gone and signed for the Waratahs. Good signing for them, I think they will be challenging the Reds next year for the second best team in the Aussie conference.

Kiwi_knock

Tamati Ellison has signed a one year contract with the Rebels, very good signing for them. They have been missing something in the centres, and he will certainly enhance their team.

Earlier this week, Lachie Turner signed for the Reds. Easier for him to make the 1st team at the Reds compared to the Tahs.

Swiwi.

Kiwi_knock wrote: »

Tamati Ellison has signed a one year contract with the Rebels, very good signing for them. They have been missing something in the centres, and he will certainly enhance their team.

Earlier this week, Lachie Turner signed for the Reds. Easier for him to make the 1st team at the Reds compared to the Tahs.

The NZRFU turned down Ellison, no doubt got tired of his peripatetic ways. Good signing for the Rebels he is class, even though I don't understand why he turned his back on playing for NZ.

irishbucsfan

Swiwi. wrote: »

peripatetic.

No, You're perry pathetic!

The Aussie

Jungle drums are beating that Money Bill Williams will be on the move after the Rugby League World Cup (:pac:. . . . . World Cup)

He is playing in the NRL Grand Final this weekend for the Roosters, then the World Cup coming up in England, then.....



http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8733438

Swiwi.

The Aussie wrote: »

Jungle drums are beating that Money Bill Williams will be on the move after the Rugby League World Cup (:pac:. . . . . World Cup)

He is playing in the NRL Grand Final this weekend for the Roosters, then the World Cup coming up in England, then.....



http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8733438

...the Chiefs.

I'll be surprised if he doesn't return to rugby in NZ. What better way to increase your profile than feature in RWC 2015?

After that, it's anyone's guess.

thomond2006

Swiwi. wrote: »

...the Chiefs.

I'll be surprised if he doesn't return to rugby in NZ. What better way to increase your profile than feature in RWC 2015?

After that, it's anyone's guess.

Replace Giteau at Toulon?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/10529955/England-fly-half-Toby-Flood-seals-move-to-Toulouse-from-Leicester-Tigers-at-end-of-the-season.html

Flood gone to Toulouse, not Toulon...

Priestland replacement?

matthew8

Huge blow for Leicester, hard to see them dominating for much longer with that team.

jamiedav2011

matthew8 wrote: »

Huge blow for Leicester, hard to see them dominating for much longer with that team.

Talk of Freddie Burns moving to replace Flood, that wouldn't weaken them I think.

Could never understand signing Lamb though.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Flood tweeted earlier saying he hasn't made his mind up yet and won't until January

P_1

Shockingly it seems SBW has rejoined the Chiefs on a 2 year deal

.ak

P_1 wrote: »

Shockingly it seems SBW has rejoined the Chiefs on a 2 year deal

Shockingly? I'd say textbook journeyman really. His plan is to get back in an all black jersey for 2015.

Say what you will about him, but he's a brilliant athlete and I actually have a lot of respect for him. How can you not? A bloke that plays in 3 world cups in 4 years and probably reach the final of all three.

I say journeyman, but I mean that as a good thing.

errlloyd

.ak wrote: »

Shockingly? I'd say textbook journeyman really. His plan is to get back in an all black jersey for 2015.

Say what you will about him, but he's a brilliant athlete and I actually have a lot of respect for him. How can you not? A bloke that plays in 3 world cups in 4 years and probably reach the final of all three.

I say journeyman, but I mean that as a good thing.

His new contract allows him to play Olympic 7s as well.

P_1

.ak wrote: »

Shockingly? I'd say textbook journeyman really. His plan is to get back in an all black jersey for 2015.

Say what you will about him, but he's a brilliant athlete and I actually have a lot of respect for him. How can you not? A bloke that plays in 3 world cups in 4 years and probably reach the final of all three.

I say journeyman, but I mean that as a good thing.

Ah I was posting with my tongue fairly in my cheek when I used the word shockingly.

He's also a fairly successful boxer too. He just strikes me as an incredibly talented athlete who just wants to succeed in everything he tries.

Morf

P_1 wrote: »

Shockingly it seems SBW has rejoined the Chiefs on a 2 year deal

2014 is NRL then back to NZRU for 2015 on.

irishbucsfan

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

Flood tweeted earlier saying he hasn't made his mind up yet and won't until January

Cockerill says he's leaving and has told Leicester. He may not have made up his mind as to where that will be.

Winters

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Cockerill says he's leaving and has told Leicester. He may not have made up his mind as to where that will be.

A bit like when the IRFU came and said they had ceased negotiations with Sexton before he had actually signed with Racing.. I wonder if this hampers Floods bargaining position?

In other news reports that James O'Connor has signed with Toulon for next season. The circle of clubs interested in 1/2p and Warburton is becoming smaller.

Super Sidious

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

Flood tweeted earlier saying he hasn't made his mind up yet and won't until January

He had to say that, as negotiations with players are not allowed untill January 1st.

Agents are allowed to be spoken to by respective clubs...

I can't believe any rumours about players after ROG's 'Failed' move to Miami for 3 Million dollars... LOL!

Freddy Burns should be No.1 choice, followed by Priestland.

thomond2006

Winters wrote: »

A bit like when the IRFU came and said they had ceased negotiations with Sexton before he had actually signed with Racing.. I wonder if this hampers Floods bargaining position?

In other news reports that James O'Connor has signed with Toulon for next season. The circle of clubs interested in 1/2p and Warburton is becoming smaller.

It's a shame that JOC won't be playing in the World Cup or for Australia in general, he's a class act when his head is in the game. I thought London Irish's new owners might break the bank to keep him, as a statement of intent.

I imagine JOC's primary positions (as a direct replacement for Wilkinson) will be 10 and 12 which he will rotate with Matt Giteau, as Toulon have huge resources in the back three.

A possible 9-15 is Kockott, Giteau, Mitchell, O'Connor, Basteraud, Habana, Armitage which is insane!

Winters

Just noticed that ex Munster prop has moved from Free State to Lyon in Pro D2.

Fireball07

Winters wrote: »

Just noticed that ex Munster prop has moved from Free State to Lyon in Pro D2.

Wian Du Preez?

Winters

Fireball07 wrote: »

Wian Du Preez?

Yes sorry forgot to add his name!

Steve Perchance

thomond2006 wrote: »

It's a shame that JOC won't be playing in the World Cup or for Australia in general, he's a class act when his head is in the game. I thought London Irish's new owners might break the bank to keep him, as a statement of intent.

I imagine JOC's primary positions (as a direct replacement for Wilkinson) will be 10 and 12 which he will rotate with Matt Giteau, as Toulon have huge resources in the back three.

A possible 9-15 is Kockott, Giteau, Mitchell, O'Connor, Basteraud, Habana, Armitage which is insane!

Last I heard, Kockott had changed his mind and is staying with Castres - http://www.espn.co.uk/france/rugby/story/208061.html

thomond2006

Steve Perchance wrote: »

Last I heard, Kockott had changed his mind and is staying with Castres - http://www.espn.co.uk/france/rugby/story/208061.html

Boudjellal was quoted this week saying that Kockott contacted him to confirm that he will honour the pre-contract.

thomond2006

Wisniewski going to Grenoble from Racing apparently. That's a very good capture for Grenoble and a good move for Wisniewski who was destined for bench duty in Paris as soon as Sexton was signed.

jamiedav2011

thomond2006 wrote: »

Wisniewski going to Grenoble from Racing apparently. That's a very good capture for Grenoble and a good move for Wisniewski who was destined for bench duty in Paris as soon as Sexton was signed.

Great signing that.

.ak

Racing will probably be looking for another 10 then, I'd imagine.

thomond2006

.ak wrote: »

Racing will probably be looking for another 10 then, I'd imagine.

I'd say they might struggle to attract a good replacement for a couple of reasons, they won't want to spend big on a likely bench player and also any potential arrival knows they are competing with Sexton! Perhaps they will look at using Hernandez more at 10 next year.