Transfers 2014/15

[psychic duck]

Surprised at that.
I'm feeling that not nots are for the drop, they've lost a lot of their best players and haven't recruited particularly well, especially in the backs.

Fortunately for them London Welsh have signed a whole host of non entities over the summer.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_2014–15_Aviva_Premiership_transfers#London_Welsh

When a side with more resources like Bristol or Worcester go back up then they will have problems.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I think Welsh have a better squad, to be honest.
Their backs are way way better. Pack could be an issue, but it did well enough vs Bristol, who themselves had a strong pack.

I mean a backline of Weepu, Barkley, Scott, Molenaar, May, Stegmann, Jewell with Lewis, Ross, Reynolds, Crane on the bench is pretty flipping tasty.

They've got some decent forwards, as well - just a case of whether they'll tick or not as a unit.

 

[munstermuffin]

Only they still got O'Leary so it's ok Tomas got this.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

I think Welsh have a better squad, to be honest.
Their backs are way way better. Pack could be an issue, but it did well enough vs Bristol, who themselves had a strong pack.

I mean a backline of Weepu, Barkley, Scott, Molenaar, May, Stegmann, Jewell with Lewis, Ross, Reynolds, Crane on the bench is pretty flipping tasty.

They've got some decent forwards, as well - just a case of whether they'll tick or not as a unit.

Back this up. They didn't have the 'best' squad for the Championship but I have to give credit where credit is due. Brunell turned them into a competitive outfit with players who were willing to work hard. He's signed players that fit that bill, they are guys who are going to be workman like. He's been shrewd in what he has signed. Their only major issue is in the front three, they could get a battering up there but the rest of it will be competitive. What he has begun to build is a squad similar to that when Exeter first came up. They will thrive on the under dog tags.

 

[big ginger 8]

Think L.I. have actually made some decent signings and while not having great strength in depth have a first team that can put it up to nearly anyone in the Aviva

 

[Patchey]

Sailosi Tagicakibau, LI (been on loan to the Stormers) ----> Wasps.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/28809015

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Sailosi Tagicakibau, LI (been on loan to the Stormers) ----> Wasps.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/28809015

See post #837

 

[Patchey]

Bugger!

Thanks BBC sport for being late on the update. I thought it was a bit close to the start of the season for a signing...

 

[psychic duck]

I think Welsh have a better squad, to be honest.
Their backs are way way better. Pack could be an issue, but it did well enough vs Bristol, who themselves had a strong pack.

I mean a backline of Weepu, Barkley, Scott, Molenaar, May, Stegmann, Jewell with Lewis, Ross, Reynolds, Crane on the bench is pretty flipping tasty.

They've got some decent forwards, as well - just a case of whether they'll tick or not as a unit.

Really? Look at their pack options (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Welsh_RFC#Current_squad). Last time they recruited some decent props, this time their first choice prop is Nathan Trevett.

London Irish may not be great either it must be said but surely better than Welsh (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Irish). Court, Paice, Cross, Leo, Cox, Sinclair, Treviranus and Narraway should have enough pedigree at Premiership level to keep them up, even if it's nowhere near good enough to be silverware challengers.

Don't think Welsh's backs are all that either tbh. Weepu is fat and just come back from a stroke, Barkley, May and Ross all nearing retirement, all the rest apart from maybe Molenaar very unproven at this level and barely got a game at their previous teams.

Looking at the squad's I would rate Newcastle (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newcastle_Falcons#Current_squad) as on paper the one Welsh would most likely be battling to avoid bottom place with. Has Brookes at tighthead there turned out to be any good out of interest? Was highly rated by some, kept making England Saxons squads even though he never got a game at Tigers.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Brookes looked very good in the loose (carrying and defence) but suspect in the loose, last season.
However when he was playing for England his scrum woes completely evaporated and he looked far better and more rounded compared to Thomas.

 

[welshglory]

He looks really promising, with sinkclair coming through as well, Cole still young and Wilson ever solid Thomas should only be called up on merit now.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Official Brad Thorn ----> Leicester Tigers

https://twitter.com/martin_crowson/status/501706442232328192

 

[Patchey]

Really? Look at their pack options (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Welsh_RFC#Current_squad). Last time they recruited some decent props, this time their first choice prop is Nathan Trevett.

London Irish may not be great either it must be said but surely better than Welsh (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Irish). Court, Paice, Cross, Leo, Cox, Sinclair, Treviranus and Narraway should have enough pedigree at Premiership level to keep them up, even if it's nowhere near good enough to be silverware challengers.

Don't think Welsh's backs are all that either tbh. Weepu is fat and just come back from a stroke, Barkley, May and Ross all nearing retirement, all the rest apart from maybe Molenaar very unproven at this level and barely got a game at their previous teams.

Looking at the squad's I would rate Newcastle (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newcastle_Falcons#Current_squad) as on paper the one Welsh would most likely be battling to avoid bottom place with. Has Brookes at tighthead there turned out to be any good out of interest? Was highly rated by some, kept making England Saxons squads even though he never got a game at Tigers.

Molenaar unproven? He basically saves Quins season last year. That's a little harsh.

Also, Weepu isn't the ball he was after the World Cup. He was in shape when playing for the Blues this year pre-stroke.

I mean Welsh still have a gash/old squad but I think you're being a little harsh on those two at least.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Molenaar was exactly what Quins were missing - I don't expect him to have the same impact for Welsh as he did for Quins.

 

[goodNumber10]

Adam Jones has signed for Cardiff Blues:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>So Adam Jones is in Cardiff Blues' team photo... <a href="http://t.co/T97COQt1zD">pic.twitter.com/T97COQt1zD</a></p>&mdash; ESPN Scrum.com (@espnscrum) <a href="https://twitter.com/espnscrum/statuses/501723311227686912">August 19, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Bluemoon]

That was either a monumental c*** up by someone at Cardiff Blues HQ, or a little bit of clever marketing!

 

[Thingimubob]

Beeb finally broke it too - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/28856090

did not expect that one bit

 

[psychic duck]

Beeb finally broke it too - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/28856090

did not expect that one bit

He's probably finished though I'm afraid. With his pre-season completely destroyed through this Welsh civil war, may not even make 2015 at all.

Molenaar unproven? He basically saves Quins season last year. That's a little harsh.

Also, Weepu isn't the ball he was after the World Cup. He was in shape when playing for the Blues this year pre-stroke.

I mean Welsh still have a gash/old squad but I think you're being a little harsh on those two at least.

I said apart from maybe Molenaar they were very unproven, and they are. The likes of Rob Lewis, Seb Jewell, Nic Reynolds and Rhys Crane barely got a game or did much of note when they were at top flight clubs. The rest are real veterans as well, by the end of the season Barkley will be 33, Molenaar 34, May 36 and Ross 37. I doubt any of those will be significant forces in the Premiership.

What will be key for them is the international periods as barely a single member of the squad are likely to be called up for internationals whilst most others will lose players, and also whether Pablo Henn can make much of an impact the way Montanella and Ion did to help them last time.

 

[Jaguares]

Official Brad Thorn ----> Leicester Tigers

https://twitter.com/martin_crowson/status/501706442232328192

Good news for my English team

 

[Draggs]

Warburton also seen in the Blues squad photo. Looks like we know who broke ranks first.