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

[Scrumhead]

TBH, I think Mata is a bit of a strange signing. Even more so if the Telegraph’s numbers are right.

I could be wrong, but I have the feeling his best days are behind him and Bristol is one last pay day. Seems to me they could have spent money a bit better.

[Puja]

I could be wrong, but I have the feeling his best days are behind him and Bristol is one last pay day. Seems to me they could have spent money a bit better.

This could've been written word-for-word of McGinty two seasons ago...

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

TBH, I think Mata is a bit of a strange signing. Even more so if the Telegraph’s numbers are right.

I could be wrong, but I have the feeling his best days are behind him and Bristol is one last pay day. Seems to me they could have spent money a bit better.

Yeah, particularly odd given Bradbury seemed to settle in really well and was playing his best rugby for years. Mata can still do magic things, but it seems much less frequent.

[Puja]

Mata now out injured until November anyway.

Puja

[Mellsblue]

All that debating and it didn’t even Mata.

[jimKRFC]

Mata now out injured until November anyway.

Puja

Mata, Luatua and Harding all out at present. Had to have a "tbc" back rower on the bench for the Newport friendly tonight...

[FKAS]

Telusa Vienau has signed for Doncaster Knights for next season having been released by Sale at the end of last season.

[FKAS]

Rumours of Will Spencer to Saints on injury dispensation and that they are looking for an additional tighthead (one of 7 teams across the URC, Top14 and Prem according to Fissler).

[Adam_P]

Ethan Grayson joins Falcons. I was a bit miffed that Saints let him go as he was starting to look like a decent option at 12, so think Falcons have got a good one there

[Puja]

Ethan Grayson joins Falcons. I was a bit miffed that Saints let him go as he was starting to look like a decent option at 12, so think Falcons have got a good one there

Only a short-term contract till the end of the year, interestingly - the press release has it talking about him returning to San Diego for the new season in January. I suspect that Legion can and will be bought off if he turns out to become a Newcastle regular, though.

Puja

[FKAS]

Ethan Grayson joins Falcons. I was a bit miffed that Saints let him go as he was starting to look like a decent option at 12, so think Falcons have got a good one there

Only a short-term contract till the end of the year, interestingly - the press release has it talking about him returning to San Diego for the new season in January. I suspect that Legion can and will be bought off if he turns out to become a Newcastle regular, though.

Puja

Keiran Wilkinson is out for 3 months with injury so Falcons need 10 cover.

[Puja]

Ethan Grayson joins Falcons. I was a bit miffed that Saints let him go as he was starting to look like a decent option at 12, so think Falcons have got a good one there

Only a short-term contract till the end of the year, interestingly - the press release has it talking about him returning to San Diego for the new season in January. I suspect that Legion can and will be bought off if he turns out to become a Newcastle regular, though.

Puja

Keiran Wilkinson is out for 3 months with injury so Falcons need 10 cover.

Ooft. Poor sod has no luck at all.

Puja

[FKAS]

Only a short-term contract till the end of the year, interestingly - the press release has it talking about him returning to San Diego for the new season in January. I suspect that Legion can and will be bought off if he turns out to become a Newcastle regular, though.

Puja

Keiran Wilkinson is out for 3 months with injury so Falcons need 10 cover.

Ooft. Poor sod has no luck at all.

Puja

I know. I still expect him to be a great signing for Falcons though.

[jimKRFC]

Shock transfer news!!

Melksham Rugby announce the signing of Viliami Hakalo.

With 10 caps for the Tonga national team between 2006 and 2016, Viliami has showcased his talent on the world stage, scoring 22 points, including 3 tries, 2 conversions, and 1 penalty kick.

Viliami brings incredible experience and leadership to our squad. He’s also made his mark at club level, playing for Nottingham and the renowned Saracens.

[Puja]

Shock transfer news!!

Melksham Rugby announce the signing of Viliami Hakalo.

With 10 caps for the Tonga national team between 2006 and 2016, Viliami has showcased his talent on the world stage, scoring 22 points, including 3 tries, 2 conversions, and 1 penalty kick.

Viliami brings incredible experience and leadership to our squad. He’s also made his mark at club level, playing for Nottingham and the renowned Saracens.

Wild. I doubt he'll be dropping down to the 2nd XV very often, so I'm unlikely to play him though.

Puja

[Adam_P]

Saints have signed Will Spencer and Gavin Thornbury on short term deals to cover injuries in the second row. Definitely needed.

[Puja]

Saints have signed Will Spencer and Gavin Thornbury on short term deals to cover injuries in the second row. Definitely needed.

I had been under the impression that Spencer had called it quits, so I'm quite chuffed to find he's actually had a season pottering about as squad cover for Soyaux-Angouleme. Hopefully he's in good nick and won't immediately add to your injuries in the second row.

Puja

[FKAS]

Must be pretty bad for Saints to sign two locks on short term deals though signing a back up for Spencer is probably wise. Poor bloke has had no luck.

[Spiffy]

Saints have signed Will Spencer and Gavin Thornbury on short term deals to cover injuries in the second row. Definitely needed.

Gavin Thornbury is a pretty good lock. Large, powerful and athletic - he might have had a few Ireland caps but for some unfortunate injuries. Still only 30.

[FKAS]

Pollard, Ford and McGinty all out of contract next summer. Sale are confident of keeping Ford. Bristol were after Marcus Smith but Quins have used the savings from Andre leaving to keep him in London. Tigers are looking at bringing Costelow back from Scarlets (he came through the Tigers academy with JvP, Martin etc) but unknown whether that would be alongside Pollard (possible succession planning).

All per Telegraph.

[Puja]

Hmmm. Not sure what I think of a Costelow return - he's hardly the finished product and a bit flaky, and I'm not sure I've forgiven him for leaving us in the first place. Not like we've got any options in the wings waiting to come through though...

Puja

[FKAS]

Hmmm. Not sure what I think of a Costelow return - he's hardly the finished product and a bit flaky, and I'm not sure I've forgiven him for leaving us in the first place. Not like we've got any options in the wings waiting to come through though...

Puja

Threlfall appears rated in the system but he's not noted as a generational talent or anything. Costelow stuck behind an awful Scarlets pack and left isolated in Gatland's overly direct backline (and behind the average Welsh pack) probably aren't good ways for him to showcase his skills. I'm fine with his return, everyone makes mistakes and no doubt he had many promises made.

I'm not sure I like him as a like for like replacement for Pollard, yes we'd save a fortune but that's a bit risky. Pollard for a one year extension and Costelow playing understudy for a season then taking the shirt I'd feel better with.

[jimKRFC]

Siva Naulago out for 2 months with a fractured cheek. Don't think he's ever gone played 3 in a row without being banned or injured...

Suspect it will be an extended run for RICH LANE!!!
Hopefully get Deago Bailey or Elizalde some game time as well.

[Puja]

Hmmm. Not sure what I think of a Costelow return - he's hardly the finished product and a bit flaky, and I'm not sure I've forgiven him for leaving us in the first place. Not like we've got any options in the wings waiting to come through though...

Puja

Threlfall appears rated in the system but he's not noted as a generational talent or anything. Costelow stuck behind an awful Scarlets pack and left isolated in Gatland's overly direct backline (and behind the average Welsh pack) probably aren't good ways for him to showcase his skills. I'm fine with his return, everyone makes mistakes and no doubt he had many promises made.

I'm not sure I like him as a like for like replacement for Pollard, yes we'd save a fortune but that's a bit risky. Pollard for a one year extension and Costelow playing understudy for a season then taking the shirt I'd feel better with.

Feel sorry for CAtkinson - he's had nothing but wrong turns in terms of his career choices. Wasps going bang, then coming to Leicester at a time when Shillcock was on fire and McKellar clearly didn't rate him, upping sticks and going to Gloucester who only gave him 6 games last season before signing a big name test 10 for 2 years to go above him.

And now Leicester have Cheika in charge (who you feel would've loved him), Pollard away with SA often, Shillcock off the boil at 10, a potential vacancy at the end of the season - feels like the perfect situation for him turned up with him having no way to know it was coming before he left.

Puja

[FKAS]

Bit harsh on Shillcock. Thought he was fantastic in the first half last weekend. He's a bit meh ball in hand but he's got a howitzer of a kick and he forced Russell back and generally won the kicking duel. I'm not sure he's a flyhalf though more of a good utility back.

Charlie Atkinson's inability to kick reliably well to either touch or posts holds him back (particularly Vs Shillcock who's good at both). I thought at Gloucester they could find a way round that with Carreras at 15 and have the dual playmaker option. Barton seems to be settling well at 15 and he's a good kicker as well. Shame it's not helped Atkinson get a game behind a taped together Anscombe.