[Olyy]

Wonder if Newcastle have asked for the Doherty loan to become a permanent move

[DavenportSharky]

https://www.planetrugby.com/news/du-pre ... lions-star

[RinTin]

So in short we are down both twins (no smoke without fire and there have been plenty of rumours). We will get nice payouts for both given they are contracted for another season.

My call would be Francke Horne from the Lions. 25 y/o, captains them, phenomenal athlete, doesn't get injured and not in Boks contention. I know it's another import, but we can anchor the pack with him and fill with EQP lads elsewhere.

[Olyy]

https://www.planetrugby.com/news/du-pre ... lions-star

Know literally nothing about the guy but they call him a star and say he's in excellent form, but this season he looks to have dropped down the pecking order and has only started 2 games

Hopefully not another Nayacalevu situation

[SSR]

Can we sign Francke Horne as a centre.

[RinTin]

Can we sign Francke Horne as a centre.

He did spend a lot of time in the backs in his youth...

[ageinghoody]

So in short we are down both twins ...

You had me panicking there. I interpreted that as both pairs of twins!

[SSR]

I interpreted that as both pairs of twins!

Oh god my brain is going mad.
A set of twins is two people ?
A pair of twins is four people ?
Both pairs of twins is eight people ?
Help me someone ...

[Bucks1861]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/three-en ... ne-basham/

RugbyPass reports we are interested (with others) in Taine Basham.

[RinTin]

He would be a face in the crowd at both Saints and Bristol. With us he would come in as a starter imo given the loss of the DP's. Issue for us is the other sides are playing better rugby than us so could be more appealing.

I rate him. He has his red mist moments, but he is a barrel of a carrier. Under appreciated by Gatland in my view.

[Olyy]

I rate him, but would be an odd signing IMO - he's played a chunk at 8 but realistically is a/wants to play at openside, you'd have thought that if we were losing the Du Preezes then we'd be looking for an out and out 8

If we were casting our eye at Welsh players then I'd look at Morgan Morris at Ospreys - he battered us when we played them last season

[RinTin]

Just read the article where he openly states only wanting to play 7.... Understand your point @Olyy

[Bucks1861]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/last-dit ... to-france/


Please - NO

[poyntonshark]

Is it that likely after just making his way back to the England squad?
A good 6 nations and he could force his way onto a trip to Australia.

[RinTin]

Is it that likely after just making his way back to the England squad?
A good 6 nations and he could force his way onto a trip to Australia.

He can go to Australia regardless of whether he's in England or France. Plus it's all for next season anyway so post Lions Tour.

I think it's likely; a 2-3 year contract at more money than we can give him. He would have spoken with his former team mates Simmonds x 2 and Nowell as well who are all getting on well out in France. I think we'll be in the market for a hooker again this summer.

[poyntonshark]

Ah. OK if post Lions then much more of a chance. Wouldn't blame him to be honest.

[Olyy]

Think we'll probably need a few, we didn't replace Akker, which came back to bite us, and it remains to be seen whether TT comes back from the back injury

[Bronzbronx]

There was talk a while ago of Nathan Jibulu heading our way from Quins

[dinogyro]

Am I totally naive to think that a player might give some credit to a club that took a chance on them and rehabilitated them and coached them back to a high level?

[RinTin]

Am I totally naive to think that a player might give some credit to a club that took a chance on them and rehabilitated them and coached them back to a high level?

Yes - We did the same with Ashton, O Connor and Cips. They all left when the opportunities arose.

I think in rugby you almost have to put yourself first. Careers are short and the money isn't great - if he can get an extra £50k+ a year in his pocket abroad then I don't blame him. It's not as if he hasn't performed for us either.

[RinTin]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/dead-sol ... sh-hooker/

Well that's 1 hooker in by the looks of it.

[AndaleManito]

Seems like a good fit, have liked the little I've seen from him so far

[poyntonshark]

Am I totally naive to think that a player might give some credit to a club that took a chance on them and rehabilitated them and coached them back to a high level?

Not entirely. If Raffi were to force a move now I would be a bit pissed off. But players have to be pretty selfish largely for reasons @RinTin mentioned. We didn't drop Cips though, that was his choice "Once a Wasp always a Wasp". Actually, didn't O'Connor leave because he got the offer for another go at Super Rugby?

[Dave L]

I’d still love to know the full details of the Dimes-Chris Ashton fall out and the latters subsequent departure.

[RinTin]

Am I totally naive to think that a player might give some credit to a club that took a chance on them and rehabilitated them and coached them back to a high level?

Not entirely. If Raffi were to force a move now I would be a bit pissed off. But players have to be pretty selfish largely for reasons @RinTin mentioned. We didn't drop Cips though, that was his choice "Once a Wasp always a Wasp". Actually, didn't O'Connor leave because he got the offer for another go at Super Rugby?

I wasn't inferring we dropped anyone sorry. I mentioned those 3 because we gave them career lifelines back in the prem (to varying degrees). They said thank you, gave us no more than 40 games, then left.

[RinTin]

https://www.ruck.co.uk/england-internat ... er-tigers/

Yes i know it's from RUCK.

They 'claim' Kelly is definitely leaving, and that we are leading the chase. I'd take him 100%.

Big but...

We have 2 x Bedlow, Naya, Luke James, RDP, RMW, Addison as centre options currently. I assume Naya goes after 1 season, with Luke and Addison playing the utility roles?? The others would sort themselves out.

I do rate Shilcock a lot as well.

[RinTin]

https://www.ruck.co.uk/england-internat ... er-tigers/

Yes i know it's from RUCK.

They 'claim' Kelly is definitely leaving, and that we are leading the chase. I'd take him 100%.

Big but...

We have 2 x Bedlow, Naya, Luke James, RDP, RMW, Addison as centre options currently. I assume Naya goes after 1 season, with Luke and Addison playing the utility roles?? The others would sort themselves out.

I do rate Shilcock a lot as well.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/fissler- ... tional-go/

Bath in for Dan Frost from Exeter too apparently. That's a very handy hooker right there.

[SSR]

Kelly coming " home" sounds good but we have a track record of signing centres that are
made of glass and poor value in retrospect.
With LCD and the DP twins possibly off and the props not very robust we may have to
spend big to move forward ( or even stand still ). Add in Waisea and Hill ( possibly ) plus
Beaumont nearing his playing end, plus others looking a bit surplus/fragile , we are in for a bit
of a churn next year. I am not sure we can afford all that we need.

[Surbiton_Shark]

I’d still love to know the full details of the Dimes-Chris Ashton fall out and the latters subsequent departure.

'Alleged' spat with the wife of one of our owners post Leics away game

[Alex]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/dead-sol ... sh-hooker/

Well that's 1 hooker in by the looks of it.

What's happened to Ethan Caine?

[SSR]

He took a throw-in and hit one of the owners wives ?

[RinTin]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/dead-sol ... sh-hooker/

Well that's 1 hooker in by the looks of it.

What's happened to Ethan Caine?

Last update I'm aware of was from end of October when it was reported he had an abdominal strain. That came through about a week after we signed Mcelroy

I would be happy with Jibulu, Mcelroy and Caine if needs be. A little green, but plenty of potential.

[DavenportSharky]

Seems only 5 minutes since Akker, Langdon, Ashman….

[SSR]

Been lots of rumour recently about incomings and outgoings.
Anyone know if any have progressed from rumour and newspaper talk to something
more substantial?

[Olyy]

Nayacalevu posting anti-vaxx conspiracy theories and Russian propaganda on his Instagram,

If we don't activate his optional second year I won't be sad to see him leave

[dinogyro]

Nayacalevu posting anti-vaxx conspiracy theories and Russian propaganda on his Instagram,

If we don't activate his optional second year I won't be sad to see him leave

Maybe he wants to go to the NFL? Conditions could be right with the President-elect?

[RinTin]

https://www.thetimes.com/sport/rugby-un ... -xrfg90jhd

Ford staying for another season.

Sorry I don't have a way round the pay wall.

So next year it will still be Ford and RDP as 10's. Wonder what young Curtis will do.

Another article - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/reveal ... 4-interest

[Bucks1861]

I’m delighted that he is staying , but I love that he’s asked (as reported) to stay.

He’s a great role model and I’m sure will move into coaching. Can’t see how any aspiring No 10 wouldn’t want to have him around to act as their mentor.

[Halifaxshark]

I am glad George is staying, naturally.

I was surprised we/Tom Curtis signed a contract to stay until end of 2027, making him 26. He rarely plays at all and when he does, it’s at full back or outside centre. However he has played fly half in the premiership cup for several years now with mixed reviews. I believe RDP is contracted to next year and George is staying this year and next, with an option for a further year after that then what’s the plan with Curtis? If this carries on, he will be well into his late 20s without having any experience at all.

I have looked through the premiership rugby app at past games and I can’t see where Curtis has played fly half for Sale in a game that’s not in the prem cup for two years now and he hasn’t kicked goals in a game he’s played in that’s not the prem cup either. Is it as obvious that we don’t trust him? I may be wrong, but didn’t Alex say when we renewed him that he kept Marcus Smith out of the England age grade team or something on those lines? If so, how different have their careers gone since.

I’ve gone through the league to judge where he’s at. He’s 23 and played 37 times for Sale in 5 years, almost all of those 37 games is off the bench filling in at centre or full back, or in the prem cup. I don’t think he’s ever started a game in the premiership at fly half and he rarely comes on at fly half.

Marcus smith 1 year older but played 165 for Quins. Almost all starting at fly half.

Fin smith 1 year younger but played 79 games. Almost all starting at fly half.

Orlando Bailey same age but played 74 games. 3/4 of those games are starting at fly half.

Will Hayden-Wood same age but played 65 games. Almost all starting at fly half.

Charlie Atkinson same age but played 63 games. More than 3/4 of those games are starting at fly half.

George Barton same age but played 50 games. Almost all are starting at fly half.

James Grayson left for Japan at the same age as Tom now, but had already played 92 times. Almost all are starting at fly half.

Manu Vunipola left for Japan at the same age as Tom now, but had played 52 times. However only about 1/4 of those games are starting at fly half, but almost 3/4 of the games he comes on at fly half.

Kieran Wilkinson is however strangely similar to Tom, two years older than Tom but only playing 34 games. Almost none of those games are starting at fly half in the premiership, the vast majority come in the premiership cup competition.

My point is, we probably need to give Tom a run at fly half at some point. Renewing his contract and not giving him an opportunity is almost counter productive. I fully trust Al and the coaches, but I don’t get the plan.

George is the man, Rob is an able deputy but why renew Tom on a lengthy contact…. Just incase?

Similar to Tom, I really like Connor Doherty. Whenever he has played, he’s looked really good to me. It doesn’t feel like he ever got two games in a row for Sale, but is playing really well for Newcastle and seems to play every week. I’m shocked Tom didn’t follow Connor and go to Newcastle for the season. A season playing fly half in the premiership would have done him the world of good, and us.

[poyntonshark]

For me it's not so much why did we sign Tom Curtis, but why didn't Tom Curtis try elsewhere? He's pretty much always looked like a decent player to me, without ever tearing up any trees. He spent a couple of junior seasons getting splinters. Was it at the beginning of this season that he signed a new contract? I assumed that the club must have given him some assurances of game time, but still, Rob moves back to 10 if George is away and Tom hardly ever plays. Of course, we don't know the full story, but I don't get it.

[SSR]

I believe that the minutes of the meeting that decides such things stated " Give TC a long contract ". The rest is history.

[Yareet]

There was talk of Spencer leaving Bath, Porter joining Bath and then Raffi joining Quins

Wonder if negotiations have stalled while they wait to see if the first stage of the merry go round happens - if Spencer was thinking about going to France for a payday he might be rethinking now that he's getting starts for England - though care likely retiring there's still room at Quins for Raffi tbf

Maybe overly optimistic but Care re-signing for another year hopefully ends this speculation. Porter, Care and Friday is a strong stable of 9s and no real need for another 1st teamer.

[Halifaxshark]

Camille Chat released at Racing with immediate effect.

Manchester is nice this time of year, Camille?

[exileneal]

Will the local watering holes meet his requirements?

[Bucks1861]

Camille Chat released at Racing with immediate effect.

Manchester is nice this time of year, Camille?

Wow, when I’ve seen him play he was a fabulous player for club and country. If we could sign him

[DavenportSharky]

Released mid season. Nothing outstanding when he played in Salford. French international so would not be cheap. Manchester not quite as attractive as Paris…..

[poyntonshark]

Released mid season. Nothing outstanding when he played in Salford. French international so would not be cheap.Manchester not quite as attractive as Paris…..

Wash your mouth out immediately.

[Olyy]

Maybe he'll go to Newcastle, Dimes always did like taking....troubled souls....under his wing

[RinTin]

Montpellier love a troubled soul - if he also decided to abuse his partner (physically or mentally) I'm sure they'd have signed him immediately.

[Bucks1861]

Nothing special; umm..

Just spend 90 seconds on this.