[Olyy]

Will be keeping an eye on Embrose Papier vs Bristol today, could be a good potential target as a replacement for Raffi

[SSR]

A bit like our current trialist Wehr, he showed some promise but did not seem to get enough
time to really get to grips with our systems. Is Papier actually looking to move ?

[Olyy]

No, just thinking out loud really
He's looked good whenever I've seen him and is definitely in the Raffi mould of 9, rather than a mirror of Warr

[Halifaxshark]

We had Papier on loan a few years ago, he didn’t set the world on fire then.

[Olyy]

I thought he looked decent when here tbh, and has looked good whenever I've seen him for the Bulls - his loan was a long long time ago (19/20 season) so can't really read anything into performances back then

[Surbiton_Shark]

We had Papier on loan a few years ago, he didn’t set the world on fire then.

I remember that absolute stormer of a try he scored at our place....sadly ruled out for an earlier forward pass. He had some wheels on him

[Olyy]

Bordeaux's no.6 today is playing like a man possessed, can we sign someone like him?

[SSR]

Lozowski and Daly had a decent run out against Toulouse, have the transfer rumours about
them died a death?

[Olyy]

Apparently we're signing Tomas Francis

Terrible signing IMO, not seen him in France (Pro D2) but before he left he was a poor scrummager and very lazy around the pitch

Guessing we're interested because he can be registered as EQP as he's not played for Wales for a while - if that's not the case (don't think there's ever been concrete clarification about swapping nations without actually playing for the new nation - remember having the same discussion around whether Addison was EQP again in his second stint) we'd be better off spending half the money on a big lump from the Currie Cup or something

[SSR]

Where is this rumour ?
Is there something going on behind the scenes ? How old is Francis, must be closer to 35 ?
He does not come any sort of reputation apart from outcry when he was picked for Wales
( if I remember correctly ).
We must be expecting some churn at the end of this season, but still, we must be aiming higher surely.

[Olyy]

Where is this rumour ?

Daily Heil posted a big transfer rumour roundup today:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby ... gland.html

Non paywall:
https://archive.ph/z4zEY

Also says we're interested in Worcester's no.8 Khalik Kareem

[RinTin]

Midi Olympic saying we have missed out on Kpoku and he's off to Toulon.

https://www.rugbyrama.fr/2026/01/13/exc ... 159287.php

On Francis, he can at least hold a scrum up. Asher first choice, WGJ and Francis behind helping bring through youngsters. I'll accept it.

EDIT - Cock up on my part. It's until the end of the season only, so the deal could still be on for Kpoku.

[SSR]

Looks like we will be shopping at Aldi again.

[Olyy]

Midi Olympic saying we have missed out on Kpoku and he's off to Toulon.

https://www.rugbyrama.fr/2026/01/13/exc ... 159287.php

On Francis, he can at least hold a scrum up. Asher first choice, WGJ and Francis behind helping bring through youngsters. I'll accept it.

EDIT - Cock up on my part. It's until the end of the season only, so the deal could still be on for Kpoku.

Hopefully a cheaper transfer fee if he's that surplus to requirement
Wouldn't surprise me if they've shipped him off because he's said he wants to leave, they seem quite a petty club in how they've dealt with players in the past

[RinTin]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/bath-clo ... exit-door/

Can we do a swap deal and take Bayliss or Reid?

[Olyy]

Arthur Green has looked class every time I've seen him, as well - crazy how stacked they are in the backrow but still want more

Will definitely sting a lot more if he goes to another Prem side instead of France/SA/Japan

[SSR]

I seem to have lost the plot with our recruitment. We are losing quality players but signing
noone in our under strength areas ( Marchant aside ). What has happened to the 5 world
class targets that was advertised. Everyone who is rumoured gets snapped up elsewhere.
Other sides don't seem to be having any problems sourcing top players.
I am not too upset that DDP is leaving but it sits badly that he is going to Bath when it was
assumed he would go to France to be with his siblings.
If we are relying on some top quality Academy players coming through to light up the PREM
why are we not seeing them ( props aside ) ?
Are we going to have to wait until the Season end and pick up any leftovers to fill the gaps ?

[RinTin]

Gloucester have just signed Jean Kleyn for next season. Lake, Morgan and Kleyn are big names to have in.

[RinTin]

I seem to have lost the plot with our recruitment. We are losing quality players but signing
noone in our under strength areas ( Marchant aside ). What has happened to the 5 world
class targets that was advertised. Everyone who is rumoured gets snapped up elsewhere.
Other sides don't seem to be having any problems sourcing top players.
I am not too upset that DDP is leaving but it sits badly that he is going to Bath when it was
assumed he would go to France to be with his siblings.
If we are relying on some top quality Academy players coming through to light up the PREM
why are we not seeing them ( props aside ) ?
Are we going to have to wait until the Season end and pick up any leftovers to fill the gaps ?

I think the 5 world class players comment has been taken too far. He said we had the budget for 4 or 5 world class players, not that we signed them. It has since been revealed that the budget isn't enough (CCS and Martin for example, the need for more money for Kpoku etc). World class players could be Marchant, Lozowski, Daly, Kpoku and Nicky Smith for all we know as all are capped and playing top level.

Wills and Ene are coming through, Woodman is coming through, Burrow is getting a lot of exposure. It's just a shame to see quality guys leaving not being replaced. Quirke and DDP are big examples, but we are still seeing overhang from last years leavers.

[DavenportSharky]

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... r-33220076

[SSR]

Francis will be 34 in April. We have a few young props coming through, do we need Francis?

[Dave L]

I’d definitely take Tomas Francis. Asher will possibly featuring in a lot of England squads and be unavailable. An experienced, gnarled tight head with a scrummaging pedigree is exactly what we need to fill the gap.

Sadly James Harper doesn’t look like making the grade and WGJ could always be third choice/Prem Cup starter.

[RinTin]

According to AllRugby Harper is only under contract until the end of the season. 6 seasons, almost 70 games. Thank you James, best of luck.

Raymont and Bell to get a shot.

[Olyy]

Wales Online reckon Francis will go straight back into the Wales squad if he moves to the UK - from the amount of games he's played the last two seasons it looks like he's had some injuries, so age + injury history + going back into international rugby
No guarantee we'd see him more than Asher

Feels like the Tony Buckley signing tbh, looks great if you're going off their wikipedia stats

[Evo]

Seems like a straight replacement for WGJ.....if he gets his Welsh mojo back then great for us, if not then a second/third choice with James Harper....Harper is only 26 in a challenging position, not sure we should bemoan his performances as we do. Comparing to Asher is a tad unfair!

Now Raffi has moved on, we have an interesting problem to solve at 9.

And if DDP goes to Bath, I find that quite sad tbh, but we have a chance to get a "young, ambitious, motivated, fit" DDP to replace him....

Re other young talent coming through, while I'm on, Burrow will become a Prem regular, Woodman won't IMHO.

[RugbyMarvel]

Marchant for RDP was a good bit of business but means we need to either trust Davies or Curtis (which means getting them minutes now) or sign a back up FH - which there is no rumour of outside Lozowski who can cover there if needed but not at top level.

Smith in at loosehead is a good signing, despite the worrying pen statistics. Unsure re Francis, reasonably good scrummager but was never great around the park and I can’t imagine he’s got any fitter or more dynamic. I expect it might well be a year long contract to tide us over whilst we look at other options.

Raffi going is huge and I’ve been saying for a while that it was likely, as I was sure he was on a 1+1. Now he is off, we are in dire need of either a well rounded 9 or a dynamic 9. Again, if we aren’t signing someone then we need to be getting minutes under belts of Hanson and / or Thomas. I’m not against but also not hugely for Faf returning; injuries etc and cost. But he would bring leadership. Can’t see his style working that well with Ford, they both want to run games. Hes always struck me as born to play a petit general role in the Top 14.

Losing DDP is a blow but nowhere near as much of one as years ago. It’s a massive shame if he goes to Bath, although if they want to risk their cash they can. I fear we are intending on Tom being our 8 next year, unless we can pull off a wonder signing. I am concerned that we aren’t even giving Logan a run out.

So many rumours. So little coming from it. This year it’s great to see the likes of Wills come through, Bamber really step up and Burrow getting minutes under belts, however, I can just see us falling even further behind the likes of Saints, Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Tigers etc with our recruitment.

Is there an issue with how we are selling the club / our vision? Because we seem to be used to up salaries for players who then stay with their clubs. Losing the likes of Raffi etc won’t help with getting people in as they’ll fear there is a talent drain.

[Yareet]

The Boss seems happy enough

https://x.com/simonorange1/status/20111 ... ewBSjpkEOQ

[RinTin]

The Boss seems happy enough

https://x.com/simonorange1/status/20111 ... ewBSjpkEOQ

That's a big statement...

[Beardedshark]

In orange we trust

[45jumper]

Raffi is a big loss. We can't judge until recruitment is finalised for next season...but I'm not exactly thrilled so far.

[RinTin]

You all realise we are going to replace one of the most exciting, pacey half backs in the league with an aging, down on form ex international in the form of Faf De Klerk right?

He and Gus take the reigns for a season with Nye and Hanson coming through.

[SSR]

Wasn't there some intimation that next year we have to be challenging for /winning
some silverware or words to that effect.
Can't see us doing that by replacing quality with make do replacements. Jam tomorrow ...

[RinTin]

Faf was linked with us and Newcastle pre the Raffi news. By some accounts he (along with Mostert and Jesse Kriel) are being offered to Prem clubs due to foreign player rule changes in Japan.

[RinTin]

Luke James contract extension to 2029.

[dinogyro]

Is that when he'll be fit to play?

[Olyy]

Happy to see LJ renew, very useful player to have around and when he gets a run of games he's a very classy player

Injury update would be nice, though...



As an aside: I wonder what's going to happen with Sam James after this season? Believe he's out of contract, and Racing seem to be shedding any link to Lancaster's reign, wouldn't surprise me if he doesn't get a new deal - would we make a move for him? Would he look to stay in France?
Handy cover all along the backline

[Evo]

Great news re Luke, but that's a heck of a contract extension given his availability over the last few seasons...(aka Raffi)
Not sure what it says about their respective contract negotiations.......but I genuinely hope Luke gets a real run of matches as he has the ability to change games ..... in a RDP sort of way with respect to positions, FB, 12, 13 and even 11/14.

[Flumpty]

Tomas Francis confirmed

https://www.salesharks.com/2026/01/15/s ... p-francis/

[Olyy]

My mom always said if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all

[RinTin]

He's quite experienced.

[AndaleManito]

You never know, we might have got him at a decent price. He's pretty solid in the set piece though.

[PappjeShark]

Is anyone able to post a screenshot or the text of Simon O’s statement please?

I don’t have Twitter or Instagram so not sure where I can find it.

[Olyy]

Is anyone able to post a screenshot or the text of Simon O’s statement please?

I don’t have Twitter or Instagram so not sure where I can find it.

"Relax Sharks fans. I’m confident we’re going to end up with our best squad yet next season. Have some faith. "

[Flumpty]

Is anyone able to post a screenshot or the text of Simon O’s statement please?

I don’t have Twitter or Instagram so not sure where I can find it.

It's not just me that avoids Twatter and Instashite then !!! (& Tic Tac bollocks)

[DavenportSharky]

https://www.planetrugby.com/news/the-po ... p-14-rival

[Beardedshark]

Shame he couldn’t come to us early

[Olyy]

Joel Kpoku has left Pau with immediate effect

Not sure where he's going this season, but wonder if we'll make a move for him as well as Junior - our brothers numbers are way down with SJ going last season and the DuPreez' off this season

[RugbyMarvel]

Joel and Junior would certainly fill a significant physical gap. I think they’ll need to be managed very well and I’ll be more work than with a lot of players, that view purely built on how they left Sarries and movements since.

[RinTin]

Second row stocks for next year (all being well) - Bamber, Burrow, Junior Kpoku. EVR fills in. Andrews out of contract.

Andrews or Joel Kpoku? Can't really justify both. Joel english, younger and has shown he's a real talent, especially during his time at Lyon.

[RinTin]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/fissler- ... -lose-one/

Where to start!

- Lozowski close to confirmed.
- Faf likely prefering France.
- Axe banned for publicly discussing transfers and strategy.
- Raffi on £400k a year at NRB!!

Personally I would prefer Sam James back over Lozowski.