Transfers rumours

[TRF_Olyy]

I guess Newcastle might be an option

I did think Newcastle, but they've got like 3 flyhalves all ready - none are much cop (though Hodgson had potential) but I can't see them having the budget to sign a fourth.

edit: If Saints had any room in the cap, I could see them gambling on Burns. They've gambled on every other running 10 in the Prem...

That's a good shout. They've not really got a proper backup to Myler other than academy players.

 

[TheSaffycen]

Ok, big one here...

Farrell to Toulon post World Cup

I can't see that happening, just because he seems like a guy who wants too play for England. Maybe for a season or 2 but I wouldn't have thought he would really appeal to Toulon. His main strength is goal kicking and they have spent a lot on securing Halfpenny but I could be wrong. If he was to be going then I want us too try and get Burns.

 

[Patchey]

I guess it depends on whether the England management would see him as an 'exception' to the normal rule. Did that with Jonny first moved there I guess.

 

[AFalcon20]

Would love to see Freddie Burns at Newcastle but can't see it happening sadly.

 

[munstermuffin]

If Stef Armitage isn't an exception for England then Farrell is nowhere near

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Please, take Farrell as long as we can keep Ford, Slade and Cips for the future. Do in Toulon!

How reliable is that source?

Also, have Saint's signed anyone for next year yet? They might have room, especially as he's hardly going to be able to command big money.




Four fly-halves? Jackson looks half decent, better than Carlisle and he'll probably have been given some game time guarantee as he's chasing the Scotland 10 jersey (Weir can't keep it under Vern Cotter). He and Goode will be the top two I'm guessing but I don't see how you could afford to have a fourth 10, both financially but also because having that much competition may well be counterproductive.

Agree that 4 is too many; especially if you want to justify giving your academy fly halves game time in the Anglo-welsh. Thing is I really would take Burns above any of the others. Carlisle can go back to Worcester, we take burns...jobs a good un.

 

[munstermuffin]

James Downey to France. Castres being mentioned but don't know where he will go few clubs in supposedly

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Munster are chasing Brumbies also ran Andrew Smith to fill the outside centre berth vacated by Casey Laulala.
http://thescore.thejournal.ie/andrew-smith-brumbies-munster-1441897-Apr2014/?utm_source=shortlink

Meanwhile Ulster are bursting at the seams with quality centres who could fill the role better and help Ireland's depth. Is it any wonder David Nucifora has been brought in to try sort out the provincial squads? This isn't a criticism of Munster or Ulster. It could equally be pointed out that Ulster have imported a couple of props of questionable value when Leinster have 5 internationals on their roster plus, in Tadhg Furlong, possibly the best propping prospect in years. They may be importing a second row which is a position Munster have massive stocks in.

 

[munstermuffin]

Munster are chasing Brumbies also ran Andrew Smith to fill the outside centre berth vacated by Casey Laulala.
http://thescore.thejournal.ie/andrew-smith-brumbies-munster-1441897-Apr2014/?utm_source=shortlink

Meanwhile Ulster are bursting at the seams with quality centres who could fill the role better and help Ireland's depth. Is it any wonder David Nucifora has been brought in to try sort out the provincial squads? This isn't a criticism of Munster or Ulster. It could equally be pointed out that Ulster have imported a couple of props of questionable value when Leinster have 5 internationals on their roster plus, in Tadhg Furlong, possibly the best propping prospect in years. They may be importing a second row which is a position Munster have massive stocks in.

Smith won't be coming. A decent player who played when Brumbies beat Lions but is a journey man.

Regards second bit I agree but I get feeling the merry go round thing will never happen although it'd be logical. It'd be hard to try get a Munster guy to go direct to Leinster if close to their first 15/23. Same for vice versa and with regards Ulster.

 

[profitius]

Munster are chasing Brumbies also ran Andrew Smith to fill the outside centre berth vacated by Casey Laulala.
http://thescore.thejournal.ie/andrew-smith-brumbies-munster-1441897-Apr2014/?utm_source=shortlink

Meanwhile Ulster are bursting at the seams with quality centres who could fill the role better and help Ireland's depth. Is it any wonder David Nucifora has been brought in to try sort out the provincial squads? This isn't a criticism of Munster or Ulster. It could equally be pointed out that Ulster have imported a couple of props of questionable value when Leinster have 5 internationals on their roster plus, in Tadhg Furlong, possibly the best propping prospect in years. They may be importing a second row which is a position Munster have massive stocks in.

Its lunacy alright. Bringing in all these average Joes when there are better players in other provinces not getting a game. Hopefully Nucifora will break down some of the barriers.

 

[goodNumber10]

Farrell to Toulon post World Cup

Don't see that myself - unless we're talking about Farrell snr.

Owen strikes me as a guy who wants to play international rugby - i can see him going at some point but i can't see him stepping down from England after one world cup.

 

[gaston le gaff]

Don't see that myself - unless we're talking about Farrell snr.

Owen strikes me as a guy who wants to play international rugby - i can see him going at some point but i can't see him stepping down from England after one world cup.

Money talks!!!!!!!!!

 

[goodNumber10]

Money talks!!!!!!!!!

It does of course, but there is more to ambition than just getting a fat pay check, and there is more to that family than cash.

 

[munstermuffin]

Smith won't be coming. A decent player who played when Brumbies beat Lions but is a journey man.

Regards second bit I agree but I get feeling the merry go round thing will never happen although it'd be logical. It'd be hard to try get a Munster guy to go direct to Leinster if close to their first 15/23. Same for vice versa and with regards Ulster.

Quick turnaround it seems. Smith has signed for Munster this morning. But it's only on a 1 year deal when our supposedly big target becomes available after RWC

 

[Peat]

Its lunacy alright. Bringing in all these average Joes when there are better players in other provinces not getting a game. Hopefully Nucifora will break down some of the barriers.

Who are they?

Ulster's layer of unused centres right now reads as follows - Paddy Wallace, Chris Farrell, Stuart McCloskey and Michael Allen

Wallace has been injured for a long time and may retire. Farrell has been injured a long time and would represent a heavy gamble if relied on, yet needs a paucity of competition ot catch up on his game time, although maybe Munster should have gone for him anyway. They didn't. McCloskey has only just broken through, he's 21 so hardly old for it, and Allen gets a fair bit of gametime already. Debatably he deserves more but how high up the depth chart would he be at Munster?

 

[gaston le gaff]

It does of course, but there is more to ambition than just getting a fat pay check, and there is more to that family than cash.

I could not agree more, but if they lapse the International rules which may well happen, the family come first and secure a future for his family or future family is a good option, whether he comes to France or not makes no difference to me as he wont be coming to Montpellier as we have better. but with the "New Deal" announced on Monday, the clubs with several French Internationals will have more money to spend and could possibly offer a very interesting deal for him or others!!!

 

[TheSaffycen]

but with the "New Deal" announced on Monday, the clubs with several French Internationals will have more money to spend and could possibly offer a very interesting deal for him or others!!!

Well Toulon only have like 2 French players so they wont get the extra funds for Farrell Seriously though I can't see him being on bad money at Saracens, and his dad is part of the national team set up so Farrell snr will definitely have said to him stay in England. Toulon, Toulouse, Mont, Racing, Clermont he wouldn't fit into, if he wants to win anything then he will probably stay with us to challenge for the ***le and Europe. Also if Perpignan do down would a lot of their players want to leave ? Because then Lopez, Allan and Hook are all available and I could see Toulon going for one of them.

 

[goodNumber10]

I could not agree more, but if they lapse the International rules which may well happen, the family come first and secure a future for his family or future family is a good option, whether he comes to France or not makes no difference to me as he wont be coming to Montpellier as we have better. but with the "New Deal" announced on Monday, the clubs with several French Internationals will have more money to spend and could possibly offer a very interesting deal for him or others!!!

Not sure why they would lapse the international rule.

The guys who have gone to France are well or of the squad anyway. No one playing there would be a current international.

 

[Patchey]

Well there is an obvious precedent for an incumbent English fly-half going to Toulon and being retained in the England squad. England were fine with allowing Wilkinson to go to Toulon and still play, presumably because A) He was/is a very good player and B) He was able to negotiate a contract allowing him release for international training etc. The comparison between Farrell potentially going there still be playing and Steffon Armitage being picked isn't really a fair one. Armitage is already there, has never been an England regular and has not been able to sign a contract negotiating releases specifically to play for England (as far as I'm aware). Toulon has said they would never stop a player going to an international camp but there is huge difference between saying that and actually doing.

IMO the only 'exceptional circumstances' where the rule regarding only picking home based players should be relaxed is when the players based abroad are significant;y better than those based at home. I don't think that is the case for Armitage and I don't think that would be the case for Fazlet. If he does go (BIG if) he shouldn't be picked. However there is at least a precedent for an exception being made, and he's the coach's son, so who knows?

 

[TheSaffycen]

IMO the only 'exceptional circumstances' where the rule regarding only picking home based players should be relaxed is when the players based abroad are significant;y better than those based at home. I don't think that is the case for Armitage and I don't think that would be the case for Fazlet. If he does go (BIG if) he shouldn't be picked. However there is at least a precedent for an exception being made, and he's the coach's son, so who knows?

I don't think that will happen this time as we are in a much better position. This is why the Home-Based rule will not change as no-one has a guaranteed a place in the team, if Farrell left Ford takes over, If Tuilagi left Burrell takes over, Brown goes Foden takes over, It doesn't matter who it is we have a replacement to take them over who is intl' quality.