Transfers rumours

[Peat]

Assume he'll do a Reverse Abendanon, ie in France he's a world beater, at fullback at the Rec a good but limited player who no one seriously considers England material.

To be honest he sounds like another big money signing in a position we don't need. As does Steffon. Are we really turning into the rugby equivalent of a loud arsehole in an expensive suit lighting his cigar off burning £20 note in a bar in the City? Joy

Delon the Felon might be many things, but short of England material isn't one of them. If he'd kept his head screwed on, he might still be England's full-back.

And at the age of 32, his acquisition wouldn't be a long-term judgement of anything (particularly when he can play wing or even 13 himself).

Personality and cost aside, I wouldn't mind being linked with D Armitage.

As for Steflon - played 8 for Toulon enough, right? You could certainly fit him and Louw into the same back row.

 

[Every Time Ref]

Delon the Felon might be many things, but short of England material isn't one of them. If he'd kept his head screwed on, he might still be England's full-back.

And at the age of 32, his acquisition wouldn't be a long-term judgement of anything (particularly when he can play wing or even 13 himself).

Personality and cost aside, I wouldn't mind being linked with D Armitage.

As for Steflon - played 8 for Toulon enough, right? You could certainly fit him and Louw into the same back row.

And Denton and Faletau? Somewhere in there there's a very expensive bench warmer, plus we already had a very good 8 in Houston.

It just stinks of Big Names taking precedence over a coherent plan to build a rugby team, to be honest

 

[Which Tyler]

Craig=Boujedall=Craig!!

I'm no fan of Craig's utterances and throwing of his weight around; but he's far from Boudjelall levels.

 

[Peat]

And Denton and Faletau? Somewhere in there there's a very expensive bench warmer, plus we already had a very good 8 in Houston.

It just stinks of Big Names taking precedence over a coherent plan to build a rugby team, to be honest

Trophy winning sides have a full high quality 23 including 8 "bench warmers". And that's even after taking some injuries as a rule.

Any guarantee Faletau is coming? Denton can play blindside. Is Houston really a guy who's going to drive you on to trophies?

Who's your top quality guy in case Louw gets injured? Not many guys who are top class opensides and top class somewhere else in the row if not needed there available at the moment.

I don't want to say there's no potential downsides here but, particularly if Faletau isn't coming, there's something to be said for this.

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

Trophy winning sides have a full high quality 23 including 8 "bench warmers". And that's even after taking some injuries as a rule.

Any guarantee Faletau is coming? Denton can play blindside. Is Houston really a guy who's going to drive you on to trophies?

Who's your top quality guy in case Louw gets injured? Not many guys who are top class opensides and top class somewhere else in the row if not needed there available at the moment.

I don't want to say there's no potential downsides here but, particularly if Faletau isn't coming, there's something to be said for this.

Isn't there something more to be said for shrewd signings in areas of weakness? It's all very well having three international quality number eights to add to your back row, but if it's at the cost of other areas staying weak then it's a poor choice.

I'd have prioritised signing a second row and decent loosehead over Denton and Faletau, for example.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Any guarantee Faletau is coming?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35050298

 

[Peat]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35050298

Huh. Missed that. Cheers Olyy.

Well, then, yeah. Less sense. Although if they could fit him in as well everything else they need, then why not? After all, it's not like Bath care about the cap...

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Ennit,

I can understand Bath's thinking: They want to compete both domestically and in Europe, so want as much strength in depth as they can muster.
Realistically they need to be winning a trophy pretty damn soon to see a return on the considerable investment.

Would've thought they'd be looking at halfback before back row/back three, though.

 

[Peat]

Do you mean back-up for Ford or a new scrum-half? Not that I'd disagree either way, but for all we know, they are.

 

[Tony Manx]

Delon the Felon might be many things, but short of England material isn't one of them. If he'd kept his head screwed on, he might still be England's full-back.

Personality and cost aside, I wouldn't mind being linked with D Armitage.
.

Here, and there were I thinking you were a positive genius at this here game.............

I were going a vote for ye on the TRophies this year in that well supported category of "best spotter of underutilized English talent" and then you goes and spoils it......

Have to reconsider that there vote quick enough now.......

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Both.
Priestland hasn't impressed and will be away with Wales while Ford is away with England, so not what they signed up for. Also talk that he's off at the end of the season.
Matawalu was a crap signing to start with, they need someone either a) Mentor Cook) or b) Be a viable back up to Cook. Matawalu is neither.

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

Bath really need Stringer back, or someone of his ilk. How about a buy back from Sale with Cipriani thrown in?

Imagine Cipriani, Eastmond, Joseph, Rokoduguni and Watson in one back line. If only Cipriani could still play fullback like he could in 2008 and you could have Ford and him in.

*shivers*

 

[j'nuh]

Garvey, Houston, Denton, Faletau, Flouw, Armitage... someone is going to be very unhappy.

I just hope that they don't get their hands on Underhill. What a waste that would be.

 

[Maverick1987]

Garvey, Houston, Denton, Faletau, Flouw, Armitage... someone is going to be very unhappy.

I just hope that they don't get their hands on Underhill. What a waste that would be.

Are they really been linked with Steffon ? I've only seen links with Delon

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Are they really been linked with Steffon ? I've only seen links with Delon

Same,
I've seen people saying "Maybe we can get them both as a package" but nothing more.


From what I gather Delon has a young family, who I presume he's wanting to raise in the UK (I think his kids go to school in the UK already?).
Steffon is married but no kids - maybe he'll stay in Toulon while Delon returns? I mean it's not beyond the realms of imagination. Guy already moved from Toulon back to the UK, and there's another brother whose name escapes me who is UK based as well.

 

[Peat]

Same,
I've seen people saying "Maybe we can get them both as a package" but nothing more.


From what I gather Delon has a young family, who I presume he's wanting to raise in the UK (I think his kids go to school in the UK already?).
Steffon is married but no kids - maybe he'll stay in Toulon while Delon returns? I mean it's not beyond the realms of imagination. Guy already moved from Toulon back to the UK, and there's another brother whose name escapes me who is UK based as well.

Bevon is at Doncaster. Joel, the youngest, just move to Stade Montois. There clearly is no need for a package deal or them all to live in the same place.

 

[Irish boy]

Delon Armitage on form I easily twice the player Mike Brown is.

 

[Maverick1987]

Delon Armitage on form I easily twice the player Mike Brown is.

Nah . I wouldn't take Armitage over Brown ever . I think the opposite to you

 

[MrTea_32]

For instance If they did end up with steffon why not play him at 7, Faletau at 8 and louw at 6 where he played in the world cup.
Houston can be rotated in and a great impact sub and Garvey could cover back row and lock

 

[JJFlash]

For me, Delon Armitage wouldn't get anywhere near the England squad. Brown, Tait and Foden are better players (dare I say Goode too? Maybe not!)