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Transfers rumours

psychic duck said:
Poor decision by him, although the Scarlets are a better side than the Dragons or London Welsh, I feel he would be guaranteed more game time at Dragons or London Welsh and both those sides would need him more. I couldn't see him starting at least not in the big Heineken Cup matches with the Scarlets, he would most likely be a utility back reserve bench player, which won't get him anywhere.
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I don't know. It might be better to play in a team that has the potential of achieving something and the opportunity for him to grow as a playter with good backs around him, instead of getting thrashed every week with average players.
 
Can't believe Gareth Owen is still only 23! He's been written off by most, but still has time to make it, and the Scarlets offers him a good chance to do so. Hopefully he's over his injury nightmare and we see what he can do. Watched one of the 2007 U19 games the other day where he was playing 10, he was soo impressive, he really does posses all the skills necessary to make it at 10, 12, 13 or 15. I hope the Scarlets concentrate on one position though.
 
Draggs said:
Yay! I got one.
At least the Turks have an inside centre. Still hope they give Owen Williams a chance there.
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Yeh, Owen Williams looks a prospect. It's difficult to know where Gareth Owen will fit in, but there's every chance of him re-combining with Jon Davies to form the '08 U20 midfield partnership. I see Scott Williams as an outside centre personally. I hope Gareth Owen doesn't find himself spending all his time on the replacements bench again, because I'd still love it if he made it as a regional and international player. We're not short of centres in Wales, but he's always had something about him, he really has got the full range of talents.
 
dullonien said:
Yeh, Owen Williams looks a prospect. It's difficult to know where Gareth Owen will fit in, but there's every chance of him re-combining with Jon Davies to form the '08 U20 midfield partnership. I see Scott Williams as an outside centre personally. I hope Gareth Owen doesn't find himself spending all his time on the replacements bench again, because I'd still love it if he made it as a regional and international player. We're not short of centres in Wales, but he's always had something about him, he really has got the full range of talents.
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Agree, both Davies and Williams are outside centres.
What is Owen's defence like? With Priestland, Davies, Stoddart, and Liam Williams in that backline, there won't be much tackling going on.
Owen seems to be a god-or-goat player. Played some blinders, but also played some absolute shockers. Turks definately need someone to bail out Priestland if neeeded, both with respect to game control and kicking (in play and at goal).
 
Draggs said:
Agree, both Davies and Williams are outside centres.
What is Owen's defence like? With Priestland, Davies, Stoddart, and Liam Williams in that backline, there won't be much tackling going on.
Owen seems to be a god-or-goat player. Played some blinders, but also played some absolute shockers. Turks definately need someone to bail out Priestland if neeeded, both with respect to game control and kicking (in play and at goal).
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Owen's defence is fine from what I can remember. I blame the Ospreys for Owen's up and down performances. He was never given enough gametime to gain some consistency in his performances. Instead they chucked him into one off games where he appeared to try too hard, because he knew there wasn't going to be another opportunity any time soon. The amount of time Owen spent on the bench, I'm not at all sure he was getting any gametime at all, even for his premiership team. Not sure how a player is meant to progress in that kind of environment tbh!

For the U20's, he showed he had the complete range of skills. He's very quick for a 10/centre, can step off both feet, and he's also got a piston like hand-off on both sides. His distribution was excellent as well, leading me and Cyril to believe he was going to be the next Henson at 12. Not sure about his goal kicking, but his kicking from hand was accurate and long.

If the Scarlets can get the best out of him, that involves giving him a run of games in one position, something the Scarlets are usually very good at doing, then he should flourish, and should bring another level of attack to the Scarlets play. I really am looking forward to see what he can do at the Scarlets.
 
Gavin Henson to London Welsh, Gareth Owen to Scarlets.
Just rumours floating around right now, I'll let you know if I hear more.

dullonien said:
Owen's defence is fine from what I can remember. I blame the Ospreys for Owen's up and down performances. He was never given enough gametime to gain some consistency in his performances. Instead they chucked him into one off games where he appeared to try too hard, because he knew there wasn't going to be another opportunity any time soon. The amount of time Owen spent on the bench, I'm not at all sure he was getting any gametime at all, even for his premiership team. Not sure how a player is meant to progress in that kind of environment tbh!

For the U20's, he showed he had the complete range of skills. He's very quick for a 10/centre, can step off both feet, and he's also got a piston like hand-off on both sides. His distribution was excellent as well, leading me and Cyril to believe he was going to be the next Henson at 12. Not sure about his goal kicking, but his kicking from hand was accurate and long.

If the Scarlets can get the best out of him, that involves giving him a run of games in one position, something the Scarlets are usually very good at doing, then he should flourish, and should bring another level of attack to the Scarlets play. I really am looking forward to see what he can do at the Scarlets.
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So a potential Turk backline could be this:
Aled Davies (don't rate Knoyle, Gareth Davies), Rhys Priestland, George North, Gareth Owen, Jonathan Davies, Morgan Stoddart, Liam Williams; Gareth Davies/Rhodri Williams, Jordan Williams/Owen Williams/Diggy Bird/Aled Thomas, Scott Williams/Dale Ford.
Jordan and Diggy have played both outside half and fullback, and both are accurate kickers I hear.
 
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dullonien said:
Owen's defence is fine from what I can remember. I blame the Ospreys for Owen's up and down performances. He was never given enough gametime to gain some consistency in his performances. Instead they chucked him into one off games where he appeared to try too hard, because he knew there wasn't going to be another opportunity any time soon. The amount of time Owen spent on the bench, I'm not at all sure he was getting any gametime at all, even for his premiership team. Not sure how a player is meant to progress in that kind of environment tbh!

For the U20's, he showed he had the complete range of skills. He's very quick for a 10/centre, can step off both feet, and he's also got a piston like hand-off on both sides. His distribution was excellent as well, leading me and Cyril to believe he was going to be the next Henson at 12. Not sure about his goal kicking, but his kicking from hand was accurate and long.

If the Scarlets can get the best out of him, that involves giving him a run of games in one position, something the Scarlets are usually very good at doing, then he should flourish, and should bring another level of attack to the Scarlets play. I really am looking forward to see what he can do at the Scarlets.
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Always thought Owen was a tad flaky in defence myself. Think the main reason he has been released is that he doesn't fit our knew squad image. Tandy is clearly trying to build a squad that's 'Leicester' like in work ethic and attitude. If he can stay fit (big IF) and get a run of games he can still be a very good player, but I think he'll be another player who suffers from his versatility. Centre would appear to be his best position but ahead of JD and SW? Jack of all trades...
 
On the grapevine ...

Xavier Rush is to retire due to neck injury and is set to become the Blues new defence coach.
 
TRF_Cymro said:
On the grapevine ...

Xavier Rush is to retire due to neck injury and is set to become the Blues new defence coach.
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On the BBC now: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/18794777

That would be a big loss to the Blues, playing wise. I was hoping for one or two more seasons, giving them time to develop the likes of Hamilton. Their lack of development in this position is really going to hurt them next season I feel. Pretorius will most likely fill the 8 role, with Luke Hamilton as back-up. Problem is that Pretorius is a blindside imo, although hopefully he'll make the switch.

Anyone else in the Blues region I'm missing, or more to the point Young, Baber and Burnell all missed/ignored?

Also, are the rumours that Baber and Burnell leaving true? There doesn't seem to have been an official statement about it yet, and no dedicated forwards and backs coaches have been brought in yet.

Finally, any news on who the Blues captain will be next season? I can't see it being ***o again, because he's not first choice lock any more. Warburton would be the obvious candidate, but will he miss too many games with Wales, and possible injury. Bradley was used heavily last season, but not at all sure about his captaincy credentials.
 
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Davies was talking in Rugby World this month about how he's now one of the senior players at the Blues and needs to become more of a leader.
 
Burnell is gone!
http://www.cardiffblues.com/news/5899.php

I'd consider Pretorius or Paterson for the captaincy. They will be there most of the season and pretty much guaranteed to start.
Bradley Davies is thick as hell; a penalty machine. Warburton is battling with serious head injuries/Wales captain so he doesn't need anymore to deal with.
I would also consider Roberts, but he too will miss much of the season.
 
Leinster have apparently signed some poxy average centre from Makos. More to follow...
 
Apparently we've poached Alan O'Connor off the ladyboys for our academy.
 
Baber will probably put a word in for his mate Gavin Evans for the captaincy.

Why on earth haven't they gotten rid of both of them. Maybe they don't have a backs coach to take over. Either way, i thought he was the worst of the two, especially his ego.
 
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TRF_Feicarsinn said:
Leinster have apparently signed some poxy average centre from Makos. More to follow...
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Who I'm guessing you've never seen play! Goodman is squad depth with captaincy experience. He'll be third choice flyhalf behind Sexton and Madigan and he'll be behind O'Driscoll, D'arcy, McFadden and O'Malley at centre. Given that it's possible all of Sexton, Madigan, O'Driscoll, D'arcy and McFadden will be on international duty quite a bit next season, I can see the reasoning Goodman has signed.
 
snoopy snoopy dog dog said:
Who I'm guessing you've never seen play! Goodman is squad depth with captaincy experience. He'll be third choice flyhalf behind Sexton and Madigan and he'll be behind O'Driscoll, D'arcy, McFadden and O'Malley at centre. Given that it's possible all of Sexton, Madigan, O'Driscoll, D'arcy and McFadden will be on international duty quite a bit next season, I can see the reasoning Goodman has signed.
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Heh, this is almost identical to my post in transfers thread.
 

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