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

[Danno]

Is he that good? Mainly directed at @francoisfou as he's the most likely to have seen enough of him

[Banquo]

Callum Chick to Saints. Slightly odd

Odd in what regard? We need a decent 8 to replace Augustus, and Chick stands a better chance of development and potential to get international experience at Saints than at Falcons

I just think he’s a bit of a plodder frankly, and a bit of a meh signing ambition wise. Probably all that can be afforded. That said I don’t even know how old he is, and whether he can develop into a top prem player?

[Banquo]

Is he that good? Mainly directed at @francoisfou as he's the most likely to have seen enough of him

I should have asked that first re Chick

[TheNomad]

Is he that good? Mainly directed at @francoisfou as he's the most likely to have seen enough of him

He's OK, from what I've seen of him - if I was in a (metaphorical) tug of war (which there is, apparently), I'm not sure I'd pull that hard...if you catch my drift

[Danno]

Well you've certainly given me an image

Club player no more than that?

[Adam_P]

Don't get me wrong I'd have preferred the Lorenzo Cannone rumour to be true, but given that we've got the likes of Fin Smith and Pollock who are going to demand significant pay increases in the next year or two, we do need to balance the books. I think Chick will do a decent job, and hopefully Graham will be fit next season.

[Puja]

Callum Chick to Saints. Slightly odd

Odd in what regard? We need a decent 8 to replace Augustus, and Chick stands a better chance of development and potential to get international experience at Saints than at Falcons

I just think he’s a bit of a plodder frankly, and a bit of a meh signing ambition wise. Probably all that can be afforded. That said I don’t even know how old he is, and whether he can develop into a top prem player?

I think you're a little unfair to him there - he's not a world-beater, but I'd say he's a good Prem player. Solidly England A quality, with the possibility of improving in a better environment. Less impactful in a carry than Augustus, but more accurate and consistent, so likely the same quality all-in-all.

Apart from anything else, I'd take your hand off at the wrist if you offered him to Leicester rn, so he's a decent option in my books. I'm surprised Saints aren't planning on playing Pollock at 8 full-time though - it's where he's looked best, to my mind, and they're not short of a decent flanker.

Puja

[francoisfou]

Is he that good? Mainly directed at @francoisfou as he's the most likely to have seen enough of him

I don’t subscribe to Canal+ which televises French club rugby so I only know what I’ve read in the press/internet, and I believe he’s been playing quite well.
I’d also read that Bayonne want to sign Welsh fly half Gareth Anscombe, so maybe Lancaster would play centre with Manu at Bayonne.

[Danno]

Is he that good? Mainly directed at @francoisfou as he's the most likely to have seen enough of him

I don’t subscribe to Canal+ which televises French club rugby so I only know what I’ve read in the press/internet, and I believe he’s been playing quite well.
I’d also read that Bayonne want to sign Welsh fly half Gareth Anscombe, so maybe Lancaster would play centre with Manu at Bayonne.

Thanks Squire

[Banquo]

Odd in what regard? We need a decent 8 to replace Augustus, and Chick stands a better chance of development and potential to get international experience at Saints than at Falcons

I just think he’s a bit of a plodder frankly, and a bit of a meh signing ambition wise. Probably all that can be afforded. That said I don’t even know how old he is, and whether he can develop into a top prem player?

I think you're a little unfair to him there - he's not a world-beater, but I'd say he's a good Prem player. Solidly England A quality, with the possibility of improving in a better environment. Less impactful in a carry than Augustus, but more accurate and consistent, so likely the same quality all-in-all.

Apart from anything else, I'd take your hand off at the wrist if you offered him to Leicester rn, so he's a decent option in my books. I'm surprised Saints aren't planning on playing Pollock at 8 full-time though - it's where he's looked best, to my mind, and they're not short of a decent flanker.

Puja

Maybe a bit, but a good prem player (?) as a new signing for a euro champ cup finalist and defending prem champs just feels a bit… unambitious but maybe all they can afford. solid England A…

[Banquo]

Don't get me wrong I'd have preferred the Lorenzo Cannone rumour to be true, but given that we've got the likes of Fin Smith and Pollock who are going to demand significant pay increases in the next year or two, we do need to balance the books. I think Chick will do a decent job, and hopefully Graham will be fit next season.

Yeah I guessed likely money. So maybe not a tad odd- the op- but … whatevs

[Adam_P]

Belleau confirmed to Saints

[Puja]

Belleau confirmed to Saints

That does seem a weird place to spend your salary cap, and a weird choice from him to come to where he'll so clearly be second choice. But that may just be sour grapes from a fan of a club facing 25-26 with no fly-halves at all, let alone two internationals.

Puja

[Adam_P]

On the one hand we do have Makepeace-Cubitt as back up to Fin, with Furbank an able stand in. On the other hand, at times this season we've been scrambling round for a 10 and had to start James there for a game.

Hopefully we've not spent a huge amount on him. We really need to bolster our 2nd row with Mayanavanua off.

[FKAS]

I can't imagine Belleau is cheap but at the same time the rumours were that there was no real offers for him over in France which is a surprise given the JIFF thing. Could be Saints have got a good deal and with him being able to cover 15 as well there's some good coverage there. Fin Smith picking up an injury would be a nightmare scenario for Saints so this does help limit that and offer some rotation.

Good signing though Makepeace-Cubitt and Savala might disagree.

Saints seem to be dribbling through their announcements so I wouldn't be surprised if a couple more come in.

[Captainhaircut]

I can't imagine Belleau is cheap but at the same time the rumours were that there was no real offers for him over in France which is a surprise given the JIFF thing. Could be Saints have got a good deal and with him being able to cover 15 as well there's some good coverage there. Fin Smith picking up an injury would be a nightmare scenario for Saints so this does help limit that and offer some rotation.

Good signing though Makepeace-Cubitt and Savala might disagree.

Saints seem to be dribbling through their announcements so I wouldn't be surprised if a couple more come in.

I think Savala will end up covering more at 10 and Makepeace-Cubitt needs to be out on loan getting games.

Saints must be almost done given they are probably doing a one in, one out process.

Haffer- Fischetti
Temo- ??
Augustus- Chick
Odendaal- Belleau
Seabrook likely replaced by Glister/Witheat in the squad.

Temo going to be hard to replace. Tighthead locks aren’t easy to come by, particularly with his hands.

They’ll have to be very careful with their spend too with Smith and Pollock renewals going to be big increases.

[Banquo]

Kvesic to Warriors in the least surprising Champ news of all time

[Banquo]

I can't imagine Belleau is cheap but at the same time the rumours were that there was no real offers for him over in France which is a surprise given the JIFF thing. Could be Saints have got a good deal and with him being able to cover 15 as well there's some good coverage there. Fin Smith picking up an injury would be a nightmare scenario for Saints so this does help limit that and offer some rotation.

Good signing though Makepeace-Cubitt and Savala might disagree.

Saints seem to be dribbling through their announcements so I wouldn't be surprised if a couple more come in.

I think Savala will end up covering more at 10 and Makepeace-Cubitt needs to be out on loan getting games.

Saints must be almost done given they are probably doing a one in, one out process.

Haffer- Fischetti
Temo- ??
Augustus- Chick
Odendaal- Belleau
Seabrook likely replaced by Glister/Witheat in the squad.

Temo going to be hard to replace. Tighthead locks aren’t easy to come by, particularly with his hands.

They’ll have to be very careful with their spend too with Smith and Pollock renewals going to be big increases.

GMC will likely go to Bedford on a season long loan given change to regs.

[Mikey Brown]

Kvesic to Warriors in the least surprising Champ news of all time

I’m surprised he’s still going, for one thing. Or do you mean as a coach?

[Banquo]

Kvesic to Warriors in the least surprising Champ news of all time

I’m surprised he’s still going, for one thing. Or do you mean as a coach?

Been playing like a champ in the Champ most of the season.

[Mellsblue]

I can't imagine Belleau is cheap but at the same time the rumours were that there was no real offers for him over in France which is a surprise given the JIFF thing. Could be Saints have got a good deal and with him being able to cover 15 as well there's some good coverage there. Fin Smith picking up an injury would be a nightmare scenario for Saints so this does help limit that and offer some rotation.

Good signing though Makepeace-Cubitt and Savala might disagree.

Saints seem to be dribbling through their announcements so I wouldn't be surprised if a couple more come in.

I think Savala will end up covering more at 10 and Makepeace-Cubitt needs to be out on loan getting games.

Saints must be almost done given they are probably doing a one in, one out process.

Haffer- Fischetti
Temo- ??
Augustus- Chick
Odendaal- Belleau
Seabrook likely replaced by Glister/Witheat in the squad.

Temo going to be hard to replace. Tighthead locks aren’t easy to come by, particularly with his hands.

They’ll have to be very careful with their spend too with Smith and Pollock renewals going to be big increases.

GMC will likely go to Bedford on a season long loan given change to regs.

The British and Irish Lions fast track pathway you mean.

[FKAS]

I can't imagine Belleau is cheap but at the same time the rumours were that there was no real offers for him over in France which is a surprise given the JIFF thing. Could be Saints have got a good deal and with him being able to cover 15 as well there's some good coverage there. Fin Smith picking up an injury would be a nightmare scenario for Saints so this does help limit that and offer some rotation.

Good signing though Makepeace-Cubitt and Savala might disagree.

Saints seem to be dribbling through their announcements so I wouldn't be surprised if a couple more come in.

I think Savala will end up covering more at 10 and Makepeace-Cubitt needs to be out on loan getting games.

Saints must be almost done given they are probably doing a one in, one out process.

Haffer- Fischetti
Temo- ??
Augustus- Chick
Odendaal- Belleau
Seabrook likely replaced by Glister/Witheat in the squad.

Temo going to be hard to replace. Tighthead locks aren’t easy to come by, particularly with his hands.

They’ll have to be very careful with their spend too with Smith and Pollock renewals going to be big increases.

Can't see Belleau offering any of what Odendaal has. Well when fit anyway. Odendaal really has added some much needed physicality to the Saints midfield, keeping him fit seems to have been the main issue. I suppose Savala could play more in the centres.

[Captainhaircut]

Can't see Belleau offering any of what Odendaal has. Well when fit anyway. Odendaal really has added some much needed physicality to the Saints midfield, keeping him fit seems to have been the main issue. I suppose Savala could play more in the centres.

Freeman moving to 13 hopefully….

[FKAS]

Put this one into most likely bollocks category but some rumours that Alex Sanderson not happy at Sale. Disagreements with the owners.

[FKAS]

Geoff Parling returns to Tigers as head coach, long term deal.