Transfers rumours

[Tony Manx]

Wouldn't Heaslip be missing for the international windows as well? I'd imagine that he'd get release for Irish training camps written into his contract as well..

It is not the international window period that is the concern...............including tours, internationals and Top 14 games and H Cup matches (excluding play offs) "French International squad members" are to be limited to 30 matches a year leaving many matches for other players to have to fill in. As he is not a french player, he, or someone like him, would be expect to fill in for the games that Picamoles/Gallan would not be available!

 

[big ginger 8]

Heaslip is the highest paid Irish player. He's on at least half a mil, sponserships excluded. I can't see him moving to a team which he has two top class 8's for a matter of 75-100k with a far more strenuous calender.

Yeah but that was signed three years ago when he was possibly the best in the world. Now? He definately won't get the same amount.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Yeah but that was signed three years ago when he was possibly the best in the world. Now? He definately won't get the same amount.

I don't think so, theyll pay big for our only top class 8 who never gets injured.

 

[Feicarsinn]

I'd much rather lose Heaslip than O'Brien. He's older, and in Jordi Murphy we have another potentially top class 8. O'Brien is irreplaceable.

That said, I think at least one of the guys is going to be from Munster. Conor Murray is going to be Irish 9 for a while now, he may chose to move seeing how secure he is in that position. Donnacha Ryan could be an option for Clermont too if they're looking to replace Nathan Hines.

 

[osullie6]

Conor Murray to stay at Munster. That's great news for Munster. He's become their key playmaker this season, and I think his loss would have really crippled their chances of competing at the higher levels of the Heineken Cup and the knockout stages of the Rabo.

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/12619.php?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter#.UqbzI_RdVyQ

I'm really hoping it's not O'Brien who's moving. Though newspapers this morning suggest that of Murray, O'Brien and Heaslip that O'Brien was the least likely to move.

 

[lynam1104]

Conor Murray to stay at Munster. That's great news for Munster. He's become their key playmaker this season, and I think his loss would have really crippled their chances of competing at the higher levels of the Heineken Cup and the knockout stages of the Rabo.

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/12619.php?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter#.UqbzI_RdVyQ

I'm really hoping it's not O'Brien who's moving. Though newspapers this morning suggest that of Murray, O'Brien and Heaslip that O'Brien was the least likely to move.

Heaslip definitely seems most likely to move being a bit older and probably having the largest money of the 3 being offered to him. SOB I just can't see going with the farm and he seems to genuinely love living and playing in Ireland whereas Heaslip seems a little more practical about it. SOB would also be the bigger loss due to his versatility and Jordi Murphy looking pretty good so far.

 

[04perryo]

Rumours on the warriors forums Akapusi Qera--->worcester

 

[TRF_Olyy]

If that were to be true then it'd be a great bit of business, considering they lost Kvesic to Glaws.
Qera has been better than Kev, during his time at Gloucester so far, imo.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Qera has had 6 years and hundreds of caps in which to impress though, to be fair!

This one is supposedly pretty likely, he'll get to work with Dean and I'm assuming he'll be guaranteed release for Fiji.

 

[Toby Sweeney]

Jonathan Davies (centre), Scarlets -> Clermont

Where is Rougerie going to play then?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Qera has had 6 years and hundreds of caps in which to impress though, to be fair!

I meant player vs player this season, rather than career vs career.

 

[Tony Manx]

Where is Rougerie going to play then?

See my post on last page (154) reference changes in French International players squad rules forcing increase in staffing to cover nore rest periods from next season!

 

[brancelmare]

Where is Rougerie going to play then?

Wing

 

[ratsapprentice]

Takashi Kikutani (Toyota Verblitz) --> Saracens

 

[Patchey]

Anyone comment on this?

Kikutani is fairly old, 33 I think, and plays back row so I'd be a bit surprised if this was true. Sarries already have more back rows that they really need. The only reason I can think of to sign Kikutani is if there are people leaving or he is going to provide cover when Sarries have players away during the Six Nations.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Source:

https://twitter.com/FreemanrugbyJap

 

[Patchey]

The Steve Borthwick connection suddenly makes it seem a lot more sensible...

 

[Toby Sweeney]

Wing

Yeah, that seems plausible as Sivivatu looks to be leaving!

 

[ratsapprentice]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Regarding the Akapusi Qera to Warriors rumour that's been doing the rounds, I wouldn't get too excited. Pretty sure that won't happen.</p>&mdash; Tom Guest (@tomguestWN) <a href="https://twitter.com/tomguestWN/statuses/410748750185783296">December 11, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Slightly different twitter rumours from the norm:
Cardiff Blues and Dragons siding with the WRU to stay in the Pro 12. Ospreys and Scarlets looking to jump to the Premiership.

Adding my own rumour:
WRU fund Blues and Dragons, withdraw all funding from the Ospreys and Scarlets, bring back a funded Valleys team in Pontypridd.