Transfers rumours

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Ben Loader going to Gloucester might as well stay in SA as it's the same England chances smh

 

[Which Tyler]

This one has progressed beyond Fissler (though unknown if he's still the source), so becomes worth considering:
Willie Le Roux to Bath

I don't think we need him, I'm happy with TdG and Harris, with Donoghue as the (current) young up and comer and Bailey able to cover as necessary. I'm also happy that JvG lost his security blanket in Gallagher (no issue with Gallagher per se, but I do feel that he put a handbreak on TdG's development, and indeed, Bath's game plan).

Rumour is that he's looking for a player/coach role though, which makes it much more interesting.

If we're looking at a back 3 player, I'd be more interested in Loader / Radwan (for the right price)

 

[Groundhog]

Apparently more than one province (us and Ulster) want George Kloska from Bristol. Only just signed a contract but fallen down their depth chart. Irish Qualified

I'd say will come here when our jokers gone.

 

[munstermuffin]

Apparently more than one province (us and Ulster) want George Kloska from Bristol. Only just signed a contract but fallen down their depth chart. Irish Qualified

I'd say will come here when our jokers gone.

We are losing 3 THP's in next 7 months

 

[Groundhog]

We are losing 3 THP's in next 7 months

Yup, presume poor Salanoa is done. Helps Kloska can play a bit of hooker but he sounds like a stopgap player

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

Rumours of Jordie Barrett being Prem bound (though I am not sure how that squares with his NZ contract)

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Bath hold talks with Lawrence and are confident of keeping star

Bath are optimistic that England centre Ollie Lawrence will agree terms to stay at The Rec after this season - following speculation that he was set to move on.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Rumours of Jordie Barrett being Prem bound (though I am not sure how that squares with his NZ contract)

Supports my theory that Jordie mistook Leinster for Leicester!!


Although being serious if Kelly and Pollard goes tigers in theory will have a marquee spot and a 12 position free
Nevermind at 27 I don't see him leaving unless it's another 1 year thing

 

[Rinkadink]

but fallen down their depth chart

Not at all, expected to be our starting tight head. Kloska is injured at the moment hence not in recent match day 23s. He switched from hooker quite late (he was an excellent prospect at booker too, getting MOTM in his premiership debut, etc) but at his recent rate of development under Iro, I'd say could potentially go all the way. His ball handling skills are special too for a big fella, can fix defenders with the physical threat but then throw no look passes and link plays without breaking a sweat. Definitely one Bristol would want to keep, will be quite the coup should he move to Ireland.

Heard rumours before the press but wanted to keep it quiet because, well...

 

[Groundhog]

Not at all, expected to be our starting tight head. Kloska is injured at the moment hence not in recent match day 23s. He switched from hooker quite late (he was an excellent prospect at booker too, getting MOTM in his premiership debut, etc) but at his recent rate of development under Iro, I'd say could potentially go all the way. His ball handling skills are special too for a big fella, can fix defenders with the physical threat but then throw no look passes and link plays without breaking a sweat. Definitely one Bristol would want to keep, will be quite the coup should he move to Ireland.

Heard rumours before the press but wanted to keep it quiet because, well...

Very interesting, thanks for the insight! Sounds like a great prospect in that case. I know he has played hooker as well, to be honest another area we are weak, but prop is the way larger issue.

I am relatively unsure how realistic it is, source is far from a reliable one, but seems too weird a link for no smoke without fire.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

REPORT: Sam Underhill linked with shock Bath departure...

...

www.rugby-addict.com

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

 

[BPM]

Quins linked with Duncan Paia'aua. If true, it might confirm Anyanwu is indeed off. Talented player who I'd be happy with.

 

[Which Tyler]

Dan Frost to Bath seems to have gathered enough momentum to be a viable rumour, rather than Fissler throwing stuff at a wall.

NB: all 4 of Bath's hookers are off contract this summer, with Dunn and Annet both off the boil a bit

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Some rumours kicking around about Arundell to Bath next season.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

He's not that good of a player, he needs to sign for Gloucester so we don't see him in an England shirt.

 

[BPM]

Arundell is a funny one. Some aspects of his game like footwork and acceleration are too notch, but his core skills and game sense are nowhere near the same level. Without being harsh, he's the archetypal highlight reel player who got hyped to the heavens on great moments rather than great games.

To be totally fair, I haven't watched him play in a while so it's very possible he's improved in France. I know he hasn't scored that many tries, but that doesn't bother me if he's developed the other elements of his game.

The biggest issue for me is that using a central contract to repatriate a player who doesn't fit our gameplan and wouldn't be nailed on for the first choice 23 feels like a waste.

The Mail are linked Quins with Kpoku. That feels like a much better use of resources and I'd be saying the same regardless of club destination. He might not make the 23 today but he's got bags of potential in a position we lack strength in depth.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

He's not that good of a player, he needs to sign for Gloucester so we don't see him in an England shirt.

Wouldn't write him off just yet, he's still only a kid learning his trade. And the hype wasn't his fault.

He can do the highlight reel stuff that you can't teach and hopefully he's learning some of the broader stuff through experience and, yes, mistakes.

When May started out he was just a sprinter, yet he developed his all round game and for a while was one of the best in the world. Not saying Arundell's got that kind of ceiling but he's got talent and hopefully he'll be as receptive to learning.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

To be totally fair, I haven't watched him play in a while so it's very possible he's improved in France.

He was dreadful last week, consistently made the wrong decision when asked to make a choice
Two that stick out are he was one on one with Ford, could've cut back inside to a gap and been clean away but instead when to bump Ford, got slowed down enough that the defence drifted and he got dragged into touch
Another was a 2 on 1 down the wing, instead of drawing Roebuck and making the simple pass he, again, went for the bump off and got dump tackled and turned over
Two decisions that could've led to two tries and instead led to two changes of possession

Always said he looks like a top athlete rather than top rugby player - give him space or a broken field and he's electric, but beyond that he's pretty ordinary
Obviously having that athleticism can take you a long way, but he's got a lot to work on if he wants to be a consistent international

 

[BPM]

Didn't see the game but that mostly fits with my assessment of Arundell. The only reason I say 'mostly' is that he tried to 'bump' both players. That seems new - I would have said he'd be more likely to think he could take them on without the space to do it rather than overpower them. In the Ford example, perhaps he thought he would have the power to do it. Roebuck is a big dude though so that seems all kinds of wrong. Sounds like he's added something to his game - just the wrong thing!

I agree with @Vieux Talonneur. He could do with taking a leaf out of May's book. He might not have been world class, but he became an excellent player and is a brilliant example of what can be achieved with the right attitude and application.