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

[Banquo]

Don’t be surprised if several other promising young English players follow him across to the Top 14 for next season.

of course. Our clubs are a mess....if squad numbers are capped (tho I hear the RFU might bottle it) then clubs are going to have to make choices tween established and young, and within young player group. Quins have a big squad for example.

Exactly. Quins need to resign Marcus Smith, Finn Baxter, Will Evans & Tyrone Green (among others) this season. Anyanwu would be some way down the list of priorities. Then factor in that they have 3 centres- Northmore, Beard & Joseph- who have all been in England squads recently, both England u20 centres from the junior World Cup are Quins & a couple of other promising midfielders in their squad.

...yes, could easily be that contract talks arent going well.

[Mikey Brown]

Its his job. Nice??

Yes???

What are you even asking me?

That saying the money is nice implies its an optional hobby. He's not doing it (if he is) because the money is a nice to have, but because he has a finite career, I'd think. sorry to upset ye

You’ve got me there. Telling me I’m upset because I’m confused why you’ve taken such issue with the word ‘nice’ really is infuriating.

Well played.

[Banquo]

Yes???

What are you even asking me?

That saying the money is nice implies its an optional hobby. He's not doing it (if he is) because the money is a nice to have, but because he has a finite career, I'd think. sorry to upset ye

You’ve got me there. Telling me I’m upset because I’m confused why you’ve taken such issue with the word ‘nice’ really is infuriating.

Well played.

it was the angry question marks, that made me think that no offence

as before, best ignored.

[Beasties]

That’s livened Mon afternoon up. Keep going lads.

[Banquo]

That’s livened Mon afternoon up. Keep going lads.

imagine if we had something really controversial to discuss!

[Oakboy]

That’s livened Mon afternoon up. Keep going lads.

imagine if we had something really controversial to discuss!

Ah, the delights of Moody v Worsley!?

[Banquo]

That’s livened Mon afternoon up. Keep going lads.

imagine if we had something really controversial to discuss!

Ah, the delights of Moody v Worsley!?

lol ....I miss Faz

[Mellsblue]

My money is on him staying at Quins and all of us being hit by a bus the day after it’s confirmed.

[Banquo]

My money is on him staying at Quins and all of us being hit by a bus the day after it’s confirmed.

of course we may be missing the obvious, that his agent is flying a kite to get quins or someone else to make a move.

[francoisfou]

My money is on him staying at Quins and all of us being hit by a bus the day after it’s confirmed.

of course we may be missing the obvious, that his agent is flying a kite to get quins or someone else to make a move.

Rugby Prime (first I’ve heard of them. MidiOlypmique haven’t anything to report- for the moment) say he’s signed a two-year deal with Montpellier.

[Mikey Brown]

Oof. Thats nearly as bad as him going to Sarries.

[FKAS]

Oof. Thats nearly as bad as him going to Sarries.

Worse, Sarries are at least a decent side. Montpellier are a dumpster fire at the minute. Beautiful city/area mind.

[Puja]

My money is on him staying at Quins and all of us being hit by a bus the day after it’s confirmed.

of course we may be missing the obvious, that his agent is flying a kite to get quins or someone else to make a move.

Rugby Prime (first I’ve heard of them. MidiOlypmique haven’t anything to report- for the moment) say he’s signed a two-year deal with Montpellier.

Shit. I hadn't heard anything about him being involved in domestic violence - will he fit in?

Puja


(For the sake of clarity, this is a joke about Montpellier having under contract and signing a bunch of people credibly accused of DV and their shitty ethics. There is no suggestion of him having done anything)

[Banquo]

of course we may be missing the obvious, that his agent is flying a kite to get quins or someone else to make a move.

Rugby Prime (first I’ve heard of them. MidiOlypmique haven’t anything to report- for the moment) say he’s signed a two-year deal with Montpellier.

Shit. I hadn't heard anything about him being involved in domestic violence - will he fit in?

Puja


(For the sake of clarity, this is a joke about Montpellier having under contract and signing a bunch of people credibly accused of DV and their shitty ethics. There is no suggestion of him having done anything)

better than being hit by a bus

[Tigger]

Sale Sharks have signed former Saracens, Leinster and Connacht hooker Tadgh McElroy on a deal until the end of the 24/25 season.
The 27-year-old had joined Ulster on a short-term deal in September but he will now join up with Alex Sanderson’s squad ahead of the round six trip to Bath.

Sharks were left short in the hooker department after an England call-up for Luke Cowan-Dickie and an injury to Tommy Taylor.

[francoisfou]

of course we may be missing the obvious, that his agent is flying a kite to get quins or someone else to make a move.

Rugby Prime (first I’ve heard of them. MidiOlypmique haven’t anything to report- for the moment) say he’s signed a two-year deal with Montpellier.

Shit. I hadn't heard anything about him being involved in domestic violence - will he fit in?

Puja


(For the sake of clarity, this is a joke about Montpellier having under contract and signing a bunch of people credibly accused of DV and their shitty ethics. There is no suggestion of him having done anything)

Montpellier have maybe checked his record to see if he’s been through borstal or the juvenile court.

[Scrumhead]

Lennox featured quite heavily in the ‘Prep to Win’ documentary. The theme of his content was very much around mental health struggles. Not sure if it’s still the case, but he was commuting from North London because he wanted to live with his Mum.

He could be in a completely different place but from what I’ve seen/read about his character, I’m not sure he’s the ‘sod it, I’m off to France for a pay day’ type.

[Mikey Brown]

Lennox featured quite heavily in the ‘Prep to Win’ documentary. The theme of his content was very much around mental health struggles. Not sure if it’s still the case, but he was commuting from North London because he wanted to live with his Mum.

He could be in a completely different place but from what I’ve seen/read about his character, I’m not sure he’s the ‘sod it, I’m off to France for a pay day’ type.

Hmm, “sod it, I’m off to Sarries” actually sounds quite plausible then.

[Mellsblue]

Lennox featured quite heavily in the ‘Prep to Win’ documentary. The theme of his content was very much around mental health struggles. Not sure if it’s still the case, but he was commuting from North London because he wanted to live with his Mum.

He could be in a completely different place but from what I’ve seen/read about his character, I’m not sure he’s the ‘sod it, I’m off to France for a pay day’ type.

Read an interview with him last week. Still lives with his mum and no plans for that to change as he likes to get away from rugby when not training or playing.

[Scrumhead]

I guess he could take his mum with him to France?

[FKAS]

Sarries sign Tom Sweil on a short term contract. Louie Johnson has a bicep injury meaning he's out to the new year.

[Stom]

Don’t be surprised if several other promising young English players follow him across to the Top 14 for next season.

of course. Our clubs are a mess....if squad numbers are capped (tho I hear the RFU might bottle it) then clubs are going to have to make choices tween established and young, and within young player group. Quins have a big squad for example.

Exactly. Quins need to resign Marcus Smith, Finn Baxter, Will Evans & Tyrone Green (among others) this season. Anyanwu would be some way down the list of priorities. Then factor in that they have 3 centres- Northmore, Beard & Joseph- who have all been in England squads recently, both England u20 centres from the junior World Cup are Quins & a couple of other promising midfielders in their squad.

The whole salary cap/squad size limit thing is a mess. Your academy grads should come outside of that cap, imo, to allow clubs who do a lot for the future of English rugby to actually continue to produce those players if they can afford them.

[francoisfou]

Just read that Toulon are targeting Bundee Aki, whose contract expires next June. He’s 34 so a couple of seasons down there would be a fine way to end his career.

[FKAS]

Just read that Toulon are targeting Bundee Aki, whose contract expires next June. He’s 34 so a couple of seasons down there would be a fine way to end his career.

Would make sense, finish his international career with a Lions tour and then his club career with a couple of well paid seasons in the south of France.

Might finally tip Faz Snr's hand into selecting younger centres. Osborne aside the Ireland squad has Aki at 34, Henshaw at 31, McCloskey at 32 and Ringrose at 29. Not the most youthful group. Hume, Gavin or Postlethwaite could be options to look at sooner rather than later.

[francoisfou]

Just read that Toulon are targeting Bundee Aki, whose contract expires next June. He’s 34 so a couple of seasons down there would be a fine way to end his career.

Would make sense, finish his international career with a Lions tour and then his club career with a couple of well paid seasons in the south of France.

Might finally tip Faz Snr's hand into selecting younger centres. Osborne aside the Ireland squad has Aki at 34, Henshaw at 31, McCloskey at 32 and Ringrose at 29. Not the most youthful group. Hume, Gavin or Postlethwaite could be options to look at sooner rather than later.

“Postlethwaite”?

You’re sure he’s not playing Lancashire league cricket?