Transfers Rumours

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

But Bath didn't need an entire new team.

I was more referring to #8 not being a priority though. They currently have 0 #8s for next season. They need new players literally everywhere , so if any player of the right quality wants to join, you take them. Worrying about being the right character or right position can come when you're slotting them into an existing team and structure

I thought, and said in pre-season that their primary targets ought to be any France-based Englishmen who might want to return: Marchant, Kpoku, JacquesW, Ribbans, Sinkler etc

ETA: I'd also argue that a club in Newcastle's position wants to get it's big signing(s) in nice and early. Once other players see 1-3 big names joining, they'll be much less reticent about committing themselves to a club on a redemption arc, rather than worrying about a false dawn.
A statement of "We're serious about this"

Mafi 100% needs a new contract next he’s really surprised me

But yeah good point

Just making big name signings before a head coach seems backwards to me

 

[davten]

Or is a head coach already identified but not named yet making these calls ??

 

[Which Tyler]

That sounds right.
You don't get the coach you want until 2027-28 (part-way through that season), so you've got 2 recruitment windows to put together a team hell just be wanting to tinker with.

But you also need a squad in the mean time that has enough players to actually put 23 out each week, preferably whilst not relying on short-term loans and signings. Finally, no-one plans to go straight from last to top-4, you always plan for a more gradual rise.
You accept that you're bottom 2, and probably bottom this year - and want to build a team good enough to see off Worcester.
You want a team good enough to be not-bottom next year - which will include a couple of statement signings, and quite honestly a virtually complete new squad, with only the best of your current players kept on.
Then for 27-28 you want a squad that's broadly equivalent with 3-7 in the table, and just needs tinkering and good coaching to make the step up to challenging at knock-out stages.


That's got to be the plan.
35-40 new players for next year, discard and upgrade half of them for 27-28, then down to the relatively normal 8-12 for future years.
Academy (and local school & Uni links) needs to be maximised ASAP so that more and more of the new players are Newcastle-raised.

Of course, no plan survives the first encounter with an opposition.


ETA:

Or is a head coach already identified but not named yet making these calls ??

Isn't Gregor Townsend already signed for post RWC27?

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

That sounds right.
You don't get the coach you want until 2027-28 (part-way through that season), so you've got 2 recruitment windows to put together a team hell just be wanting to tinker with.

But you also need a squad in the mean time that has enough players to actually put 23 out each week, preferably whilst not relying on short-term loans and signings. Finally, no-one plans to go straight from last to top-4, you always plan for a more gradual rise.
You accept that you're bottom 2, and probably bottom this year - and want to build a team good enough to see off Worcester.
You want a team good enough to be not-bottom next year - which will include a couple of statement signings, and quite honestly a virtually complete new squad, with only the best of your current players kept on.
Then for 27-28 you want a squad that's broadly equivalent with 3-7 in the table, and just needs tinkering and good coaching to make the step up to challenging at knock-out stages.


That's got to be the plan.
35-40 new players for next year, discard and upgrade half of them for 27-28, then down to the relatively normal 8-12 for future years.
Academy (and local school & Uni links) needs to be maximised ASAP so that more and more of the new players are Newcastle-raised.

Of course, no plan survives the first encounter with an opposition.


ETA:

Isn't Gregor Townsend already signed for post RWC27?

Not seen anything to suggest Townsend is signed up as a full coach post 2027.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Talk about Andy Christie to Newcastle, which would be a very good signing

But again
6. Christie
7. Christie
8. Sototu,

Great back row, but until I see the front rows and locks hard to get excited

If Gregor does come in perhaps he can get Shoeman (although how many Non EQP per match day squad is it? 8?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

If Gregor does come in perhaps he can get Shoeman (although how many Non EQP per match day squad is it? 8?

Don't worry, the RFU will petition World Rugby to get his nationality changed because he watched a few episodes of When The Boat Comes In as a kid

 

[Geordie]

Apparently Tigers have had talks with Tuima

You see i think that would be a great signing if Tigers can do their work on him. Lots of potential to be a top prem player bruiser who probably wouldnt leave for international games...

 

[Geordie]

Great signing but I would’ve had 8 at the bottom of their needs list

Agree,,,8 isnt what we need. We have Mafi, Lockwood, and a number of our young kids coming through are real physical who can play 8 aswell.
Thats purely a statement signing (if its true).

Its locks, props and a 10 we need.

 

[Rinkadink]

wins, by keeping a good amount in reserve for the right players and getting lucky with Irish, Worcester and Wasps going

Keeping a good amount in reserve? But they were close to the cap before and only managed it through front/rear loading contracts with their expert financial manager, allegedly.

 

[Which Tyler]

Keeping a good amount in reserve?

Yes, as is well known to unbiased people; and those that read threads on this forum
Front-loading of contracts seems to be a Van Graan thing; keeping a reserve was a Hooper/Blackadder thing

 

[Rinkadink]

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Sale linked with Daly and Lozowski

Honestly both make sense but I feel it should be more one or the other rather than both which is being reported