2023-2024 transfers

[Scotty]

Sean Lonsdale: Dragons sign Exeter forward - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/60573709

With losing Hill and Skinner, its another hit at lock.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Add it to the list of promising careers ruined by the WRU (I don't know if he's any good but no one signs for the Dragons unless the WRU tells them they have to)

 

[big ginger 8]

Add it to the list of promising careers ruined by the WRU (I don't know if he's any good but no one signs for the Dragons unless the WRU tells them they have to)

Or if their name is John Joseph Hanrahan and they can't get a job after Clermont.

 

[Scotty]

Add it to the list of promising careers ruined by the WRU (I don't know if he's any good but no one signs for the Dragons unless the WRU tells them they have to)

He's good but tbh i wouldnt be looking to give him any England caps anyway, not sure he will get any Wales caps either tbh but he's definitly a solid player.

Pretty gutted to close him but its not a devastating blow for Chiefs IMO

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Or if their name is John Joseph Hanrahan and they can't get a job after Clermont.

Using John Joseph over JJ added nothing to the quality of this post.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Using John Joseph over JJ added nothing to the quality of this post.

We talking and Jon "JJ" Joseph?

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Personally don't get why Diamond didn't keep Annett really. Would've made a good option with Langdon.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Personally don't get why Diamond didn't keep Annett really. Would've made a good option with Langdon.

Was he definitely released?
Even with Baths troubles they're still a club a lot of players would want to sign for, tbf, especially with a new DoR coming in next season

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Max Clark joins Wales Exiles I mean Dragons next season

 

[TRF_Olyy]

WRU really pumping all their money into Dragons

 

[TRF_Olyy]

James Philips --> Retirement

Sad to see him forced to hang up his boots, was always a fan - not a highlights reel player (apart from that try for Bath!) but did the nitty gritty very well and our set piece was noticeably better with him on the pitch than without

He took a boot full force to the mouth in a preseason friendly and hasn't come back from it - looked nasty live, instantly knocked out, blood everywhere etc.
Hopefully its that his jaw was broken and now won't hold up to the impacts of rugby anymore and not that he has lingering concussion issues

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Was he definitely released?
Even with Baths troubles they're still a club a lot of players would want to sign for, tbf, especially with a new DoR coming in next season

Maybe but I wouldn't be surprised if Diamond just offered low wage or 1 year contracts.

 

[will311293]

James Philips --> Retirement

Sad to see him forced to hang up his boots, was always a fan - not a highlights reel player (apart from that try for Bath!) but did the nitty gritty very well and our set piece was noticeably better with him on the pitch than without

He took a boot full force to the mouth in a preseason friendly and hasn't come back from it - looked nasty live, instantly knocked out, blood everywhere etc.
Hopefully its that his jaw was broken and now won't hold up to the impacts of rugby anymore and not that he has lingering concussion issues

Assuming probably why Dom Barrow came in? Do the same sort of role/job? Will be around a lot and throws themself into it. Philips always reminded me of a consistent big bloke who would be fairly reliable even if not the shining star.

 

[big ginger 8]

Thornley reporting the following as done.

Dunne ---> Exeter
O'Loughlin --> Exeter
Adam Byrne --> Connacht
Dooley --> Connacht

Also saying the Hawkshaw to Connacht move is likely to go through.

Disappointed to lose all of them, no starters but Dunne and Byrne possibly could have been. Depending on fitness, which is an issue for all of them apart from Dooley, they should be good signings. Although Dunne still has some development to go through.

 

[Scotty]

Thornley reporting the following as done.

Dunne ---> Exeter
O'Loughlin --> Exeter
Adam Byrne --> Connacht
Dooley --> Connacht

Also saying the Hawkshaw to Connacht move is likely to go through.

Disappointed to lose all of them, no starters but Dunne and Byrne possibly could have been. Depending on fitness, which is an issue for all of them apart from Dooley, they should be good signings. Although Dunne still has some development to go through.

So are Dunne and O'Loughlin decent then? What age/position?

 

[BPM]

Yes - decent with the potential to be more than that I'd say. Dunne is lock and O'Loughlin is a centre.

 

[Groundhog]

So are Dunne and O'Loughlin decent then? What age/position?

Will leave Leinster fans to say more, but both would be very good signings. Dunne is a young second row, massive and athletic who should be a very good player. O'Loughlin is a 28 year old centre who is a veteran for Leinster. Extremely solid player who doesn't have many gaps in his game.

Dooley and Byrne would be two very good signings for Connacht. They seriously need quality in the frontrow and Dooley wouldn't be out of place in many sides. Back three less so, but they'd be fools to turn their nose up at Byrne if he wants them. Hawkshaw we will see! There's a pack of players in Connacht who have a reasonably similar ceiling who are well established.

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

Yes - decent with the potential to be more than that I'd say. Dunne is lock and O'Loughlin is a centre.

Are either EPQ?

 

[big ginger 8]

So are Dunne and O'Loughlin decent then? What age/position?

Dunne is a 23 year old lock. 6'8" 120kg and fairly athletic for the size. He only has 17 senior appearances due to a mix of injury and getting lost in the depth chart but there is potential there. He at least has a high workrate. Main criticism from fans is the He possibly lacks the mean streak you'd want in a TH lock.

ROL as said is 28 and a centre/wing. I could see him featuring on the wing for you guys as he fits the mould Exeter seem to like there. He's quick but not especially fast and is pretty elusive. Is a good defender but has suffered with injuries at times as well.

Are either EPQ?

Dunne is, he was born in London.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

James Philips --> Retirement

Sad to see him forced to hang up his boots, was always a fan - not a highlights reel player (apart from that try for Bath!) but did the nitty gritty very well and our set piece was noticeably better with him on the pitch than without

He took a boot full force to the mouth in a preseason friendly and hasn't come back from it - looked nasty live, instantly knocked out, blood everywhere etc.
Hopefully its that his jaw was broken and now won't hold up to the impacts of rugby anymore and not that he has lingering concussion issues

Now confirmed:

James Phillips forced into retirement through injury | Sale Sharks

James Phillips sustained a double fracture of his jaw in a pre-season fixture against Treviso The 34-year-old forward hasn’t featured for Alex Sanderson’s side this season following medical advice Sale Sharks can confirm that forward James Phillips has retired on medical advice following a...

www.salesharks.com

Looks like it was a knee, not a boot, as I thought: Double whammy of a double broken jaw and long lasting concussion symptoms - very sad news