[Olyy]

Two years is very surprising, but very welcome - gives us time to plan for the future re: recruitment and/or academy promotion

I'm guessing the offy will start teasing his announcement soon

[dinogyro]

The team have managed Manu really well (physically), perhaps they feel confident of doing the same for LCD?

[Yareet]

Two years is very surprising, but very welcome - gives us time to plan for the future re: recruitment and/or academy promotion

I'm guessing the offy will start teasing his announcement soon

Check out LCD's insta account. I'd say he's about to be announced

https://www.instagram.com/p/CuWmlSUNElq/?hl=en

[RinTin]

Got to be announced imminently.

[Olyy]

Really like that instagram post

[StalyShark]

Don’t know if it’s just me but an available and fit LCD and Creevy is an upgrade on Akker and Ashman.

[Beardedshark]

This is, for me , huge news. Our biggest shortcoming last year, and for a few years before that was our line out. I haven’t seen the stats but I suspect LCD and Creevy are among the best. Will make a huzge difference at 5 m line outs. Difference between 1&2. Possibly

[Bronzbronx]

Having them around our young hookers is huge too for progression maybe like having Faf with Raffi and Gus

[poyntonshark]

This is, for me , huge news. Our biggest shortcoming last year, and for a few years before that was our line out. I haven’t seen the stats but I suspect LCD and Creevy are among the best. Will make a huzge difference at 5 m line outs. Difference between 1&2. Possibly

I agree up to a point. I am sure our lineout will be better next season, but I highly doubt that our issues are as easily solved as simply changing the thrower.

[Dave L]

Slightly wonkish point but didn’t we have one of the best functioning line outs in the prem last season?

I’m sure during the Bristol away game the BT commentators mentioned how we were top of the charts for successful throw ins or some such?

Can someone more clued up than me pull the stats up? I can certainly recall groaning at quite a few lost ones towards the end of the season

[Clutch]

I wouldn’t be shocked if our stats weren’t bad. Misleading though. We do often take safer lineout ball. Plus I bet your stats near the opposition line are pretty shocking.

[Beardedshark]

I think this is the point, every game there seems to be lost 5m line outs. Which other top sides just don’t do

[Yareet]

Slightly wonkish point but didn’t we have one of the best functioning line outs in the prem last season?

I’m sure during the Bristol away game the BT commentators mentioned how we were top of the charts for successful throw ins or some such?

Can someone more clued up than me pull the stats up? I can certainly recall groaning at quite a few lost ones towards the end of the season

Isn't the difference between a successfully functioning lineout and winning the lineout? If our jumper gets a fingertip to the ball resulting in a slapdown 1m in front of the scrum half, that's a "won" lineout but it's not functioned correctly.

[45jumper]

Would be a great signing. There were a few key moments in the final that cost us - not scoring a try when Ashman got held up over the line and a few botched lineouts as well.
Ashman's got immense potential but his throwing in isn't good enough at the moment, think the move to Scotland is a good one for him. LCD and Creevy is a seriously good pairing with Taylor and Caine behind.

[RugbyMarvel]

I do think stats lie a lot around lineouts, especially for us.

We tended to lose the majority of our lost lineouts when attacking the 5m, spurning great try scoring opportunities.

Also frequently get shocking ball off the top…

Think both Creevy and LCD are better line out operators and stronger scrummagers. If we can keep them fit alongside Taylor, the likes of Caine will learn so much.

My only concern now is tighthead depth

[Bucks1861]

https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/latest- ... at-exeter/

Matt is having a week’s trail at Chiefs.

Good for him, but I’m really surprised that Exeter see him as someone who will add to their squad.

I always thought he was someone who gave everything, but just not quite at a level to make it in the Premiership.

[JohnJ of HM]

Rugby Paper also says L C-D has signed for one year not two.

[Olyy]

I get the logic in the trial, he's a big guy and if they see something in the trial they can nurture then he could be a very economical pickup
Barely played for us this season so bring him in for a couple of weeks and see where he's at at this stage in his career, sometimes a change in environment can kickstart

Also three of their locks will be away at the RWC so the early season prem cup games they'd be a little light there

I still think he's a decent squad option, but with a lower cap leading to smaller squads there's less of those spots going around these days and it's senior academy that'll be getting the chances instead

[Elgar]

He's built the way Chiefs like both their flankers. Good luck to him.

[Yareet]

He's built the way Chiefs like both their flankers. Good luck to him.

I wonder whether that will change with Simmonds moving on.

[Olyy]

Racing Metro after Ford, supposedly

Read something the other week that said they're not interested in Marcus Smith anymore, Ford must've caught their eye

[RinTin]

It's not until 24/25 season I think based on what I saw. How long is Ford's deal with us? 2 or 3 years?

[Olyy]

Yeah, sorry, meant to say not for this coming season but the following

Don't think it was mentioned when he signed but 2yrs plus optional third seems to be the standard contract length in rugby

Part of me thinks it's hogwash because part of the reason he moved to us was because he wanted to be closer to his Girlfriend(/wife?)'s business and help to grow that
Then again if Racing are offering silly money then maybe the thinking is a season or two in France means you can afford to open a second location etc.

TBH the wording in the TRP article that I saw on twitter made it sound like it was Racing chancing their arm rather than anything even vaguely concrete

[RinTin]

Money talks and rugby is a short career! I don't blame players for looking after themselves, especially given the contribution Ford has made to English rugby. Take us to the title next year George then fill your boots son.

[JohnJ of HM]

Just seen this on the Irish strand and not sure whether it's old news. We've signed Ralph McEachran an academy loose head from Irish.
Also Italian international Beatrice Rigoni to Sale Women.

[Bucks1861]

Once a favourite of this parish


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/66265444

[StalyShark]

Rugby Paper also says L C-D has signed for one year not two.

LCD said the same on a podcast this week.

[Flumpty]

Rugby Paper also says L C-D has signed for one year not two.

LCD said the same on a podcast this week.

Not a bad plan if someone has had an unfortunate run with (serious) injuries.

[Olyy]

Once a favourite of this parish


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/66265444

His agent has played a blinder there!

[Alex]

WGJ definitely has done well out of that! Suppose there's a chance he could pick up a longer deal off the back of it

[Alex]

Wonder if Max Green is training with Sale, looks like they've had a waterpolo session and he's tagged in Sam's Instagram post

https://www.bathrugby.com/club-news/eig ... ath-rugby/

[Olyy]

Interesting - I was getting him mixed up with Max Clarke, the centre, not sure I know anything about Green

Maybe they're looking for a squad 9 with Wilf retiring/they think Nye might be better served sent out on loan getting regular game time rather than hanging around the senior side training but not getting many minutes?

[Lord Elpus]

Max Green 27 year old scrum half

In other news out-of-contract Henry Slade has put his house up for sale.

[RinTin]

https://www.bathrugby.com/news/your-202 ... gby-squad/

Bath squad announced. Inc academy grads its 73 players. Ours is currently 55 (again inc academy grads).

Assume average salary of around £50,000. This would mean almost £1 million in extra salary down at Bath for those 18 players.

[Olyy]

Five "University Scholar"s in there - are they Bath Uni players who aren't part of the academy but still on the books for Prem Cup etc.?

73 seems high but a lot of sides (us included) don't list their entire academy on their team lists - like our site currently (so last season) only lists 11 academy players - I'm guessing they're the ones on full time academy contracts, and then we have X more in the academy who are amateur/semi-pro?

[RinTin]

In our 55 we have the following academy:

Onasanya
Opoku
Mceachran
Harry Thompson
Nkonge
Davies
Woodman
Riley
Morris
Wootton
Ma'asi White
Pope
Willis
Adu

[Olyy]

Ciaran Parker has signed for Cardiff, so that ends that line of thought

[Bucks1861]

https://kierancrichard.wixsite.com/webs ... ADn-creevy


Another interesting read from Kieran Crichard. This time on LC-D & AC v Ashman & van der Akker

[Lord Elpus]

I can't help thinking Creevy is next in line for the Sale RWC curse.

[Olyy]

Wilkinson, Gourlay and Rogerson at preseason with Tigers today, from what I've read

Looks like Gourlay's on trial there, named on the bench (with Wilkinson) for their pre-season vs Nottingham this weekend

[Bucks1861]

https://edinburghrugby.org/news-and-fea ... l-october/

Once of this parish, glad Cam has something.

Good luck.

[Bucks1861]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/george-f ... nce-again/


Gossip? Or does anyone know any facts?

I thought he’d started a business in the NW?

[Olyy]

Sounds like the same as before where he's a potential target but nothing more than that (at this stage?)


See Postlethwaite started for chiefs in preseason game yesterday, be interesting to see if they offer him a contract

[Shark in Exile]

Agree I think it’s the same rumour doing the rounds. Am sure a lot of players CV’s are floated around as well

[RinTin]

It's the same as before and is in relation to 24/25 season.

Provided he gives us enough notice I have no problem with him going.

[Olyy]

Gourlay officially picked up by Tigers,
Good to see him land a contract - though he's joined their academy, which seems a little odd as he's 21/22, but I guess it's a Sam Bedlow at Bristol kind of situation where technically he's still young enough to be signed on an academy deal and they'll reap the benefit of academy credits when he progresses to senior rugby as a result

[DavenportSharky]

https://www.coventryobserver.co.uk/spor ... term-loan/

[Halifaxshark]

Unsure if posting in wrong topic - apologies if so.

Just seen that Newcastle Thunder have pulled out of professional rugby league citing lack of finances, lockdown and lack of interest locally as the reasons.

Same bloke owns the falcons. Fingers crossed they will be fine for the full season!

[RinTin]

Just seen that Cam Neild has been on the move again. He has left Glasgow and is now at Edinburgh.

Hope he settles. He's had a really rough time of it since leaving us.

[RinTin]

Anyone know how Solomona is getting on at Rossendale? Seen he has run out a few times now for them.