Transfers rumours

[BPM]

Would not at all mind him getting English qualified. We don't really have any top quality young 6s coming through, just 7s and 8s that can play 6, so Ackermann could be a real catch for us.

Makes sense for Gloucester too if the rumours of Moriarty being Northampton (or elsewhere) bound are true.

Sorry Toby but I really don't agree with that. With our development pathway looking good, we should be above poaching and I'd argue that Tom Ellis, James Chisholm and Josh Bayliss are all promising 6s.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Why odd? He'd be playing for his dad.

Because he wouldn't be able to play for SA.

It isn't like George Ford who could do both.

 

[BPM]

Perhaps, but there are plenty of other reasons why he might not play for SA too ... some through stiff competition and some political.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Perhaps, but there are plenty of other reasons why he might not play for SA too ... some through stiff competition and some political.

Maybe but he is only 21.
Just seems odd move personally.

Like if Ackermann snr gets sacked will he do a George?

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

N

Sorry Toby but I really don't agree with that. With our development pathway looking good, we should be above poaching and I'd argue that Tom Ellis, James Chisholm and Josh Bayliss are all promising 6s.

Ellis, Chisholm and Bayliss are all fine but I can't imagine any of them turning out to be World Class whereas Ackermann has that potential. I'm not suggesting EJ call him up and say that there's a place for him in the England's squad in 3 years time if he wants it (I'm aware that EJ may not be coach in 3 years time) but should he move up here by his own accord I see no reason why in 3 years time, if he's good enough to make the squad, why we shouldn't reap the benefits.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Sorry Toby but I really don't agree with that. With our development pathway looking good, we should be above poaching and I'd argue that Tom Ellis, James Chisholm and Josh Bayliss are all promising 6s.

Nott aswell.

 

[BPM]

Nott aswell.

Good shout.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Good shout.

although i hope sale don't play him more at lock.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Bayliss?!

Yeah... ok then....

 

[BPM]

Personally I thought Bayliss was very good for the U20s.

I'm not sure he's even played any first team games for Bath yet, but he looks promising to me. I wasn't making a direct comparison to Ackermann Jnr. I was debating Toby's point that we don't have any good young blindside flankers coming through.

Ackermann Jnr. is a very good young player, but I've never understood why we're so quick to proclaim SH players as future world beaters whilst down playing our own?

Chisholm and Eills were both very good for Quins last season and while I don't think either will be the next Jerome Kaino, I think both have the ability to become a test class flankers.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Can't agree with you on Bayliss, he's a tryer, but didn't look particularly talented to me.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Would Simmonds be better off looking to play at 6 long term?

 

[ratsapprentice]

Probably, but I think he'll have the same issue Ceviche seems to, from Jones' perspective - he's too damn small.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Would Simmonds be better off looking to play at 6 long term?

It would give him less direct competition for an England shirt but a back row of Simmonds/Underhill/Vunipola cannot compete at the lineout. I'd say his best chance at an England shirt would actually be to aim to make the ideal 20, serious pace coming off the bench and able to cover the whole back row. The Clifford mould. With EJ's "finisher" ethos I'd have thought he would be open to looking for players specifically for the bench.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Talk of Ruan ackermann leaving for Gloucester.

Seems odd.

He'd be along for the ride with his dad earning more money one would expect and he won't be getting a look in for the Bokke and would battle for a start with even just the Lions between Kriel, Smith and Whiteley if all are fit even if I would think he'd round out the backrow well with Kriel/Smith rotating at open side. Quality player though.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

What about Clifford? With Binny and Hughes knocking about I doubt he's gonna make much progress at 8 for England.
It's a shame Fearns woke up to the realisation that he'd signed for Gloucester early enough to duck out

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Looking for a 6?

* Destructive tackler - check
* Turnovers - check
* Lineout - check
* Carrying - check
* Bolshy - check
* Lions star - check
* Captain in waiting - check
* Everything else - check

You know it makes sense......

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Looking for a 6?

* Destructive tackler - check
* Turnovers - check
* Lineout - check
* Carrying - check
* Bolshy - check
* Lions star - check
* Captain in waiting - check
* Everything else - check

You know it makes sense......

Itoje? Don't laugh if I am off please?

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

He'd be along for the ride with his dad earning more money one would expect and he won't be getting a look in for the Bokke and would battle for a start with even just the Lions between Kriel, Smith and Whiteley if all are fit even if I would think he'd round out the backrow well with Kriel/Smith rotating at open side. Quality player though.

Isn't Kreil off? or is he staying?

If he is staying then the move makes more sense but i thought he was off.

Looking for a 6?

* Destructive tackler - check
* Turnovers - check
* Lineout - check
* Carrying - check
* Bolshy - check
* Lions star - check
* Captain in waiting - check
* Everything else - check

You know it makes sense......

but Dan cole is a prop?

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Isn't Kriel off? or is he staying?

If he is staying then the move makes more sense but i thought he was off.

I havn't heard that one. Goodness, we will have no-one left soon. Serfontein was bad enough.