2023-2024 transfers

[Which Tyler]

Gloucester losing Carreras would be huge, and would be a massive signing for Bath

Don't mention the salary cap!

Pretty sure you're not serious but... I've seen some (especially Glos and Briz) fans who seem to think that Bath are cheating as badly or worse than Sarries; so I did a little digging during last night's insomnia. So here's a little comparison, Bath's 23 for the final last year, versus Saracens' 23 for a final at the height of their cheating (I picked 2017-18).
Stats via Statbunker, and taken at the time of their respective finals.

TLDR - no way Bath are cheating as badly as Saracens' 2018 - I think we just forget how stacked Sarries were back then.

M. Vunipola vs Obano is a 6x lion, with 27 international starts vs 0 international starts
George vs Dunn is a 3x lion, and 5 international starts vs 0 international starts
Koch vs du Toit is South Africa's 2nd choice THP vs South Africa's 3rd choice THP (7 vs 5 starts)
Itoje vs Roux is a 3x lion, and 20 international starts vs 8 international starts
Kruis vs Ewels is 16 vs 14 international starts
Isiekwe vs Hill both have a couple of bench appearances only
Wray vs Underhill is 0 vs 32 international starts
B Vunipola vs Barbeary is 28 vs 0 international starts
A combined pack (which is where matches are won) would have 1 Bath player, 2 up for debate, and 5 Sarries - and that's with Schalk Burger being unavailable that day!

Wigglesworth vs Spencer is 9 vs 0 international starts
Farrell vs Russell is a 3x Lion with 50 international starts vs 1x lion with 80 international starts - both would be marquees, so realistically exempt, and probably paid about as much
Wyles vs Muir is 50 international starts vs 0
Barritt vs Redpath is 23 starts vs 4 - deserved or not, Barritt has way more leverage in contract negotiations
Lozowski vs Lawrence is 2 vs 14 international starts
Maitland vs Cokanasiga is a 1x lion with 34 international starts vs 14
Goode vs Gallagher is 14 vs 0 international starts
A combined backs selection would have 1 Bath player, 2 up for debate and 4 Sarries - and that's with Liam Williams being unavailable that day!

On the benches, Sarries could call up 4 international starters for 61 starts, Bath could call up 2, for 14 starts. 13 of Bath's is Stuart at THP, and you'd probably pick Figallo ahead of him, given the choice.
6 lions vs 1; 352 vs 186 international starts (without Burger or Williams involved [for another lion and 116 starts] - Bath weren't missing anyone noteworthy)

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Lancaster dumped by Racing. Never felt like that was a fit for his approach.

Get on the blower Munster.

 

[Groundhog]

Yeah Racing and Lancaster not really a culture fit. His big MO is academy and player development. Not really the job at a big money 'win now at all costs' club

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I'm expecting Neinaber to go back to SA this season to go for the three in a row and can't blame him.

He chose the right time to leave us, might have even stayed a year too long but I think with Neinaber in as foil to his softer approach a return wouldn't be a bad move.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Lancaster dumped by Racing. Never felt like that was a fit for his approach.

Get on the blower Munster.

Please not Leicester, please not Leicester please god please not Leicester

 

[Which Tyler]

Please not Leicester, please not Leicester please god please not Leicester

Not even if he brings his son, and security blanket (OF) with him?

 

[Groundhog]

Eoghan Clarke quite randomly signed for Sarries. Very much a depth signing for them, he did quite well for us for a stopgap.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Eoghan Clarke quite randomly signed for Sarries. Very much a depth signing for them, he did quite well for us for a stopgap.

Looks like it's because Kapeli Pifeleti has gone to France - really puts the pressure on with George/Dan with England

 

[Which Tyler]

Dan Frost Exeter => Bath confirmed by Bath

Expect to see 2 of Dunn, Annett, Faiva leave - probably the latter 2
Also possible that we "lose" at least one of Stewart and Spandler, who've been overtaken by Kepu Tuipolotu already.

 

[Scotty]

Dan Frost Exeter => Bath confirmed by Bath

Expect to see 2 of Dunn, Annett, Faiva leave - probably the latter 2
Also possible that we "lose" at least one of Stewart and Spandler, who've been overtaken by Kepu Tuipolotu already.

Oh ffs we are bad enough without losing him, have the vultures moved on from Falcons now to us

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Please not Leicester, please not Leicester please god please not Leicester

It'd get embarrassing at that point. Like how much do you want to be Leinster?

I think the IRFU will win the battle for him if there is one, they can offer a far wider job description which he'd like.

 

[Which Tyler]

Bath sign Bernard Van Der Linde from the Bulls.
Oh good, another South African. Though, TBH, he's a Saffer SH to replace a Saffer SH, so neutral there.
All.rugby suggests he's had 4 starts and 3 bench appearances in 3 years - not sure we need him as 3rd choice SH, would prefer to trust those currently in the academy first.

 

[Which Tyler]

Carreras Gloucester => Bath confirmed

Bath sign Carreras | Bath Rugby

Bath Rugby is delighted to announce the signing of Santi Carreras from Gloucester Rugby.

www.bathrugby.com

 

[TRF_Olyy]

 

[Rinkadink]

 

[TommiG88]

Arundell confirmed to Bath.

Expecting a swathe of departures now.

 

[Scotty]

Arundell confirmed to Bath.

Expecting a swathe of departures now.

Tbh some good business though, Dan Frost, Santiago carreras and Arundell. Will he be a wing of FB, I think he's best chance for England is as a FB.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Don't think he's got the top 2 inches for 15, and has played almost exclusively wing in France - no way you'd play him there over Carreras (or TdG)

 

[Which Tyler]

Expecting a swathe of departures now.

Don't expect them just yet, departures tend to be announced at the new club's convenience, or after the last match is simply released.
Also bear in mind, we've lost Du Plessis and Grace mid-season.

On top of those two, I expect us to lose Annett, Faiva, Schreuder, McConnochie; and probably Coetzee.
Others at risk, either this year or next, look like being:
Stewart, Spandler, Cordwell, Cuckson, Staddon
Le Roux, Butt, Cokanasiga, Emens

Other youngsters we may lose for various reasons:
Bailey (too good to be 3rd choice, may wait for Russell to move on, will probably leave if he re-signs), Harris (too good to be 3rd choice, injury prone), Hennessey (Wales will come calling at some point), DeGlanville (doesn't seem to be rated by JvG, might be happy to stay 2nd choice if Bath are winning trophies).

Putting that together:
Arundell <=> Grace - probably not too far off in terms of salary demands. You could make an argument for both that they're worth more than the other.
Van Der Linde <=> Schreuder - definitely leaves us some cash in hand.
Frost <=> Annett - probably not too far off in terms of salary demands.
Nobody <=> Du Plessis - perfectly respectable amount of cash in hand.
Nobody <=> Faiva - large amount of cash in hand.
Carreras <=> McConnochie - would likely take all of Faiva's and Du Plessis' money as well. Do that, and the salaries won't be too far off, maybe even a little in profit (combining 3 salaries into 1).

Of course, we don't know if there are any other incomings at the moment; but all 3 strong rumours have already come through.


Obviously, Rinkadink will disagree on principle, Olly will probably disagree, but also probably tongue in cheek.
Mileage will vary on the above individuals' worth.

Tbh some good business though, Dan Frost, Santiago carreras and Arundell. Will he be a wing of FB, I think he's best chance for England is as a FB.

He'll be a wing, almost certainly replacing Cokanasiga (whether this year or with an eye to next summer)
Swapping one winger with all the physical attributes but no real rugby brain for a winger with all the physical attributes but no real rugby brain.

 

[big ginger 8]

Jamie Ritchie --> Perpignan