[Evo]

Purely speculative...
Is Marchant staying in France?
Has Slade resigned at the chiefs?
Is Kelly staying at the Tigers?
Is the Ulster inside centre moving to France or not?
Is Lozoski going back to Barrie's or not?
And how many countless southern hemisphere possibles...

[RinTin]

My Laumape hope aside I think it will be someone EQP.

My money is on Lennox Anwanyu from Quins, or maybe Piers O Connor from Bristol.

[Olyy]

Marchant's a weird one - put out a video saying he wasn't leaving France, after strong rumours he was, but very much looked like he was forced to by the club. Sarries going for Spink suggests he's not moving there (which is what the rumours were)
Slade renewed a week or so ago, I believe
Not heard any rumbling of Kelly leaving Tigers
No further rumours around McCloskey other than he's (supposedly) leaving Ulster
Lozowski switching to flyhalf fulltime (which is why Sarries are rumoured to be going for Spink)

Think O'Connor re-signed for Bristol recently
Really rate Anywanwu but not sure he'd look to leave Quins with Esterhuizen leaving space for more game time

I think Mason Grady seems most likely, despite WoL saying he was going to stay in Wales

[Bucks1861]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/scotland ... er-tigers/

[ledzepsfr]

RIL reporting that it's highly likely Manu will be off at the end of the season

Don't think it's surprising. If he were still being selected by SB to play then he may have signed a 1 year extension, but he's now out of the international picture in reality.

Does this mean we are joining the mad centre scramble with Quins and Leicester? Both currently going for Izzy Perese, with Sarries securing Spink.

Who says Sarries have secured Spink? Here in WA Spink says he has not decided his future yet and playing against Lions is a factor to consider.

[poyntonshark]

Have Sarries confirmed Spink? Not seen anything. Still not sure leaving Wales would be a great move for Grady, undoubtedly good for us, with a fledgling International career. But then I don't think he has started at all in 6N so may be attracted away.

[SSR]

RugbyPass have reported Spink to Saracens a number of times including in the article
about Perese being hunted by Quins and Leicester ....

Tigers boss Dan McKeller knows him well from his time on the Wallabies coaching staff. He has already missed out on one of his main targets at outside centre after the Premiership champions won the race to land former Wasps man Sam Spink.

On a side note I did a double-take on the picture - I thought it was JR.

[Olyy]

On McCloskey he apparently has a year left on his Ulster deal but they've basically said he can have an early release if he finds a big move - would imagine, in that case, that it's going to be France (or Japan) that'll tempt him

I know he was discussed earlier in the thread, and that everyone was on the same page (i.e. it's very very risky) but Addison is back playing for Ulster after his latest injury and was superb. Though I'm not sure when the last time he played anywhere other than 15 is, though, so not sure we'd be looking to recruit in that position (unless L.James is going to move to the centres on his return)

[Bucks1861]

The continued absence of Like James (or any news) is a concern. It makes you afraid for his future prospects.

[HerefordShark]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... placement/

Hell of a signing if it comes off.

[RinTin]

Jesus! Well that has come from nowhere. I'd take him for a year absolutely.

I remember seeing that Toulon weren't going to extend him past this year, but he never crossed my mind really. I thought maybe someone like Vatubua if Pau released him instead.

[SSR]

Wow! Is this as well as Mason Grady ( you can always hope )

[SSR]

If it is true, it rather confirms Conor Doherty's future plans ( sadly ).
It also makes me wonder about Rob DP at outside centre.

[Shark Drunk]

Sale Sharks to sign Fiji captain Waisea Nayacalevu as Manu Tuilagi replacement, understood to have been offered one-year deal – with an option of a further season at the club

[RinTin]

Sale Sharks to sign Fiji captain Waisea Nayacalevu as Manu Tuilagi replacement, understood to have been offered one-year deal – with an option of a further season at the club

Where's that from? Telegraph is just saying talks have happened, and that they have offered.

[Olyy]

Wow, really out of left field

[The Back Row]

If it is true, it rather confirms Conor Doherty's future plans ( sadly ).
It also makes me wonder about Rob DP at outside centre.

His performances on the field for the last 3 years have made me wonder about RDP at outside centre

[SSR]

On a serious note, will Rob stay if he is only competing for the 10 spot?
If he goes will the twins remain?

[The Back Row]

I NEVER thought I would say this, but assuming GF cost is significantly higher than RDP, I'd take RDP at 10 every time.

GF has shown glimpses, but goes down with Manu for me as a costly luxury. Not nearly VFM when you consider the overall cap, but peak performance is great - just almost never on show.

and if we could have a rule where only one of the bigger DP brothers is on the feild at any one time, that would be great.

[FarnhamShark]

If he does sign, who would we expect to be his Centre partner? Presumably Luke James will be seen as a full back (assuming Veainu leaves), and Sam Bedlow is a bit too similar. Ma'asi-White?

[Clutch]

Surely Masai white is closer in playing style? It will be Bedlow at the start you would assume

[DavenportSharky]

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/9d16 ... 441d8c7d7e

Did we know that Jonny Hill is staying ??

[Flumpty]

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/9d16 ... 441d8c7d7e

Did we know that Jonny Hill is staying ??

Jonny Hill staying sounds good to me. Good luck to Manu Tuilagi moving on to pastures new (if he goes)

[Olyy]

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/9d16 ... 441d8c7d7e

Did we know that Jonny Hill is staying ??

Nope, news to me! Also didn't realise he would be leaving with a year left on his contract so makes sense that they wouldn't want to pay a transfer fee without knowing how he'll be when he comes back from injury

Hill staying definitely eases the second row problems - tough enough to replace Cobus let alone two top level locks at one

[StalyShark]

New signing, Saturday 16th 9 am. A definite islander theme…

[RinTin]

Manu reportedly undergoing a medical at Bayonne today ahead of signing a 2 year deal there.

Beautiful part of the world, but surprised he doesn't seem to be going to a larger team.

[DavenportSharky]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby ... rance.html

[Bucks1861]

Manu confirmed


https://www.rugbypass.com/news/sale-sta ... i-bayonne/

[ledzepsfr]

Manu confirmed


https://www.rugbypass.com/news/sale-sta ... i-bayonne/

Rugby pass quicker to report than BBC.
Breaking News 05:01
https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/68605277

[RinTin]

Tigers have confirmed Izzy Perese signing. Means they’ll likely be losing a centre from their squad. Guess Matt Scott? Or Guy Porter perhaps?

With Axe mentioning another centre has been signed it could be one of them, especially with the suspicion James could be off.

I rate Porter. Fills 13 well meaning RMW and Bedlow as 12’s and Waisia and Porter as 13’s.

[Olyy]

I saw that both Scott and Porter are leaving - Scott to Scot(t)land and Porter to Aus, though with the mess Aussie Super Rugby is in atm that might just be a guess

[StalyShark]

Dan Kelly?

[Olyy]

He only signed a new contract last year - be interested to know what he thinks of Sale after we binned him from the academy

I reckon he'll go to Ireland after his current Tigers contract is up with an eye of swapping nationalities to play for them

[Olyy]

Nic Dolly rumoured to be leaving Tigers

Had a real torrid time with injuries - would we look his way if Creevy is leaving?
Fit and on form he's a very good player, it's just getting him there that seems to be the issue

EQP and academy credit would make the deal sweeter on our end

[Flumpty]

Nic Dolly rumoured to be leaving Tigers

Had a real torrid time with injuries - would we look his way if Creevy is leaving?
Fit and on form he's a very good player, it's just getting him there that seems to be the issue

EQP and academy credit would make the deal sweeter on our end

He'd need a decent haircut first

[Olyy]

Nic Dolly rumoured to be leaving Tigers

Had a real torrid time with injuries - would we look his way if Creevy is leaving?
Fit and on form he's a very good player, it's just getting him there that seems to be the issue

EQP and academy credit would make the deal sweeter on our end

He'd need a decent haircut first

Raffi used to cut Hill's mullet in the England camp....so he'd probably need to look elsewhere for a decent trim

[Stoke Shark]

We’ve been on the hunt in SA for a hooker as I understand it

[SSR]

Any further gossip on who the "other" centre may be ?

[Lord Elpus]

I heard on the grapevine we were after Lukanyo Am to replace Manu.

[SSR]

Is it April 1st?

[LJK]

What happened to that rumour that Will Addison was coming back (as the further recruited Centre) ? I spoke to someone who apparently seems to know what is going on and they mentioned it again last week.

[StalyShark]

WGJ back:

https://www.salesharks.com/2024/04/03/f ... n-returns/

[Flumpty]

WGJ back:

https://www.salesharks.com/2024/04/03/f ... n-returns/

Always enjoyed watching him play for us

[Olyy]

Happy with that, as good a late season callup as you could hope for

[RinTin]

https://saracens.com/sam-spink-signs-for-saracens/

Spink to Sarries confirmed as suspected.

[Olyy]

Cam Neild has signed a 2 year deal at Falcons

Happy for him

[Aidanb]

As a Falcons fan

what is this player like

[Alex]

Cams a good player, will put his all on the line and a good tackler.

He was unfortunate that we've got a really well stocked back row

[Aidanb]

Thanks Alex

[Flumpty]

Cam Neild has signed a 2 year deal at Falcons

Happy for him

Steve Diamond is obviously a big fan of his.

He'll be a great addition to the Budgies pack.