Transfer news, rumours, suggestions, frenzied speculation, and outright lies - Season 2023-24

[Mikey Brown]

What crimes has he done?

[FKAS]

Solomon Shand, Eng U18 back row and Gloucester Academy, has signed for Montpellier. Lots of young English talent heading over the channel at the moment.

Working A league for development and they know that they can still play for England age grade. Three years over there before 21 means they are JEFF which increases their value to French sides.

[Puja]

What crimes has he done?

Now, now, just because he's moving to the club of scumbags, let's not all rush to the Judgement of Solomon.

Puja

[Puja]

Solomon Shand, Eng U18 back row and Gloucester Academy, has signed for Montpellier. Lots of young English talent heading over the channel at the moment.

Joking aside, this is more worrying to me than the likes of Marchant and JWillis (and certainly more worrying than Fazlet). If they come back in years to come, then that's one thing, but I don't want our talent production line plundered and us losing players to the higher salaries of being JIFF qualified or, worse, 5 years then into the French team.

Apparently they're doing it to the Saffers as well - Craven Week saw lots of French scouts picking over players, with the most notable being 17 year old Jacques Botha (6ft 8 and 17st 6 already) getting signed by Stade Francais.

Puja

[jimKRFC]

Jono and Aristot Benz-Soloman both sign for Gloucester/Hartpury after being released by Bristol.
Charlie Rice signs for Pirates, hopefully he can kick on develop his potential.

Warren Gatland apparently looking at James Williams as 12 and thus getting attention from Welsh regions. Losing Williams would be a total nightmare for Bris.

[Mikey Brown]

I'm a month behind but I had completely missed Quins signing a new defence coach. I don't think I saw it posted here.

https://www.quins.co.uk/article/jason-g ... 20approval

With an impressive coaching CV spanning more than 15 years, Gilmore arrives in the UK following Head Coach roles with Australia A, Australia U20 and the Barbarians, alongside Assistant Coach and Defence Coach roles with the NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds.

[Mellsblue]

All the Quins fans must be very Happy.

[Mikey Brown]

All the Quins fans must be very Happy.

If this is a joke it’s flying over my head.

[Mikey Brown]

Oh…

[Stom]

Oh…

Adam Sandler movies aren’t exactly the pun of choice…

[Scrumhead]

Harry Williams released by Montpellier. Apparently he is wanted by Sale and Saracens.

[FKAS]

All the Quins fans must be very Happy.

If this is a joke it’s flying over my head.

It's a little bit rough, not quite the hole in one he was hoping for.

[FKAS]

Harry Williams released by Montpellier. Apparently he is wanted by Sale and Saracens.

How many tightheads do Sarries need? Riccioni, Hoskins and Balmain are all signed up. Harvey Beaton as cover from the development squad.

Sale have Schonert, AOF, Harper so maybe could use another experienced option, particularly if AOF is going to keep switching sides.

[Mikey Brown]

That was my first thought, maybe it's been decided AOF should pursue LHP.

[FKAS]

Perhaps though with McIntyre, Harrison and Onasanya they've got some options there as well. It's not like they are going to be beset by call ups.

[Scrumhead]

Harry Williams released by Montpellier. Apparently he is wanted by Sale and Saracens.

How many tightheads do Sarries need? Riccioni, Hoskins and Balmain are all signed up. Harvey Beaton as cover from the development squad.

Sale have Schonert, AOF, Harper so maybe could use another experienced option, particularly if AOF is going to keep switching sides.

Shrug … just sharing what I read

[Danno]

All the Quins fans must be very Happy.

A defence coach finally

[FKAS]

Sarries sign versatile forward Harry Wilson from the Championship.

[Scrumhead]

Exeter have apparently signed Tamati Tua (ex NZ U20) from the Brumbies.

[FKAS]

Well Exeter have been after a centre, he's a big bloke as well iirc if him and Wimbush pair up that'll be amongst the tallest centre combos we'll have seen in the Prem.

[FKAS]

Falcons have signed centre Sammy Arnold from Brive.

[Scrumhead]

Arnold is a decent player. There was a bit of hope for him in the Irish set-up at one point.

[FKAS]

Ollie Devoto to join Taunton Titans as a player coach. Didn't want to leave the South West apparently.

Martin Moloney a backrow formerly of Leinster on trial at Exeter Chiefs.

[FKAS]

Two Try Guy appears to have retired from rugby and taken up a new career in finance. Given the concussions that caused him to miss most of last season it's probably a sensible move.

[Adam_P]

Having lost a pair of front row brothers in the Wallers, Saints have signed Nathan Langdon so we can continue a brotherly partnership there