Transfers rumours

[dullonien]

I know it's been floating around for quite a while now, but Tavis Knoyle is heavily linked to Gloucester with a deal rumoured to be done.

He's got a year left on his contract, but it's thought that since Scarlets have four scrum-halves aged 22 and younger on their books, something had to give.

How has he been performing this season? Areas of strength and weakness? I must admit that it's strange that he'd pick Gloucester, because he's a Welsh international and would have to work hard to get into the matchday team at Glos, with Jimmy Cowan and Dan Robson (who has probably overtaken Cowan) at the club.

He's not had much chance this season because the Scarlets have pretty much rotated their scrum halves every game, making it difficult for any of them to really shine.

He's a physical scrum half who also possesses a good pass. When he's playing well, he hasn't got many weaknesses tbh (strong, quick, good pass, good kicking, good at attacking the fringes). But his form is liable to fluctuate, and as such this is his big weakness. When his form dips, it's usually his kicking that suffers the most, and his passing can become a little erratic as well.

I suppose the link with Nigel Davies will be an important one. Under Davies Knoyle was often first choice at the Scarlets, so I think he rates him highly. Don't be surprised id Knoyle will be seriously challenging for a starting spot.

I think he's better than what Cyril and others give him credit for. He was rushed into the Welsh set-up a little too quickly, due to a lack of quality scrum halves available, and as such I think people tend to forget how young he still is. He's still learning, and still developing. With sufficient game time I still think he could develop into a quality player.

 

[psychic duck]

He's not had much chance this season because the Scarlets have pretty much rotated their scrum halves every game, making it difficult for any of them to really shine.

He's a physical scrum half who also possesses a good pass. When he's playing well, he hasn't got many weaknesses tbh (strong, quick, good pass, good kicking, good at attacking the fringes). But his form is liable to fluctuate, and as such this is his big weakness. When his form dips, it's usually his kicking that suffers the most, and his passing can become a little erratic as well.

I suppose the link with Nigel Davies will be an important one. Under Davies Knoyle was often first choice at the Scarlets, so I think he rates him highly. Don't be surprised id Knoyle will be seriously challenging for a starting spot.

I think he's better than what Cyril and others give him credit for. He was rushed into the Welsh set-up a little too quickly, due to a lack of quality scrum halves available, and as such I think people tend to forget how young he still is. He's still learning, and still developing. With sufficient game time I still think he could develop into a quality player.

Agreed with most of this. He isn't as bad as some make out. He showed early promise, but unfortunately he hasn't really kicked on from that initial promise and hasn't really improved (a pity due to the lack of depth in this position behind Phillips), he's an average scrum half I would say, not as god awful and error prone as that atrocity Webb but not as good as Phillips are near international class. Lost his place at the Scarlets due to being a tackle bag holder with Wales, and no surprise he is leaving with the Turks having 4 scrum halves and he may be joining his old coach Nigel Davies. I have read reports that have suggested that the Scarlets decided they no longer wanted him and he has been struggling to find takers for next season, so that may mean he could be cheaper than you might think despite his status as international scrum half.

 

[Tony Manx]

Berquist is a better player

Then Waenga might as well stay in NZ as Berquist is not being selected, even for the bench, now he is, supposedly, fit!

 

[Peat]

shame i liked birch

do we ned mcilwaine? suppose he will be cheap and offer decent depth

D'Arcy's leaving, maybe Andrew is as well? Have not been impressed by him.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Word has it that a certain centre has agreed to sign a 1 year contract extension....

 

[big ginger 8]

Word has it that a certain centre has agreed to sign a 1 year contract extension....

Yeah originally from a pretty reliable source as well.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Keith Earls?

 

[big ginger 8]

Keith Earls?

His deals not up until 2014

 

[munstermuffin]

Word has it that a certain centre has agreed to sign a 1 year contract extension....

Is that the Goodman extension or BOD as player/backs coach next season

 

[big ginger 8]

Ultimate Rugby ‏<s style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(187, 187, 187);">@</s>ultimaterugby<small class="time" style="font-size: 12px; color: rgb(187, 187, 187); position: relative; float: right; margin-top: 1px;">10 Apr</small>
Anscombe says Ulster are resigned to losing flanker Stephen Ferris at the end of the season to an as of yet undisclosed team.

 

[Conal]

D'Arcy's leaving, maybe Andrew is as well? Have not been impressed by him.

were is d'arcy off to?

god i dislike ricky andrew

i think its the hair , and the inability to do anything but run straight at the defence

 

[Peat]

Somewhere in France is all that's been said.

 

[munstermuffin]

Ultimate Rugby ‏<s style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(187, 187, 187);">@</s>ultimaterugby<small class="time" style="font-size: 12px; color: rgb(187, 187, 187); position: relative; float: right; margin-top: 1px;">10 Apr</small>
Anscombe says Ulster are resigned to losing flanker Stephen Ferris at the end of the season to an as of yet undisclosed team.

Is this not few days old. I'm still uncertain is this a haggling strategy

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Rumours gathering pace that Fetu'u Vainikolo is leaving Connacht for Sale.

 

[big ginger 8]

Rumours gathering pace that Fetu'u Vainikolo is leaving Connacht for Sale.

Not a bad signing if true exciting runner.

Good for Ireland too as it would allow Layden to play wing or Poolman to move there giving Griffen more gametime.

 

[psychic duck]

Rumours gathering pace that Fetu'u Vainikolo is leaving Connacht for Sale.

That would be a great signing. Has great pace and an exciting player and finisher and considerable experience (was a first team starter at the Highlanders for a while) and I've always been impressed with him playing for Tonga and he of course scored a great match winning try vs Scotland last November. Plus he wouldn't cost that much coming from a lesser team and lesser nation. An improvement on Amesbury.

 

[psychic duck]

Another rumour for Sale Sharks, and it would be another decent signing if true. http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/#Sale Sharks circling Dan Bowden?

One critcism of Sale this season has been that Tuitupou and Leota as a combination are a bit too similar to play together. And if they sign Bowden that would help them out for distribution as I've seen him play and he has a tremendous pass which could help the backline plays. Also can play fly half too and would probably be a better option than MacLeod there to be honest.

<iframe width="450" height="253" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/c5qsBK2g0dk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>

 

[Draggs]

That would be a good move, considering Leicester have brought in Lamb and Owen. Well, I'd rather have Bowden than Lamb, but as far as having so many standoffs.

 

[munstermuffin]

Actually never posted here mentioned in another thread but whispers ROG considering a year in Japan but it unlikely

 

[Patchey]

What have the Japanese done to deserve that? I mean they're already getting Stephen Donald, at least we can still kick the ball straight...