[SSR]

Was the JJ Scheepers post just a very cruel April fool joke by Surbiton_Shark ?
If so, you should be ashamed of yourself, teasing us like that.
The Lawes signing has saved your bacon.
Was the Roe scrummie rumour a similar post in poor taste ?

[RinTin]

Was the JJ Scheepers post just a very cruel April fool joke by Surbiton_Shark ?
If so, you should be ashamed of yourself, teasing us like that.
The Lawes signing has saved your bacon.
Was the Roe scrummie rumour a similar post in poor taste ?

https://www.sarugbymag.co.za/stonehouse ... er-exodus/

He's coming too it seems. Definitely confirms Andrews not being renewed if so.

[SSR]

Are we going to be the first prem team to feature a complete hybrid pack ?

[pitprop]

Fissler reporting we are on the trail of Embrose Papier, and that McElroy has gone.
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/fissler- ... ng-hooker/

[Olyy]

Would love us to sign Papier, looked fantastic whenever I've seen him play recently and would be the perfect replacement (and dare I whisper...upgrade) for Raffi


Shame about McElroy, but makes sense considering how little he's played. Looked so good at the end of last season I genuinely thought he'd be pushing for a spot in our first choice 23 this season, but wasn't to be
Hope he can land a spot elsewhere

[SSR]

Xavier Roe or Embrose Papier. I would be happy with either, but neither rumour seems very
solid. You live in hope ....

[RinTin]

Fissler reporting we are on the trail of Embrose Papier, and that McElroy has gone.
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/fissler- ... ng-hooker/

Yeh I don't really buy those reasons with Mac. Injury yes, but form? Really?

[DavenportSharky]

Apologies if someone has posted already but Ernst is stopping!
https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/all/dom ... -joins-up/

[RinTin]

That's excellent news.

I think our pack simply hasn't suited him this year. He has been taking so much on his shoulders following injuries and departures. Hopefully next season we see the best of him again in a more balanced pack with Curries, Lawes, Canakaivata etc available.

[Yareet]

Two 3-year extensions in one year is some going!

https://www.salesharks.com/2025/09/16/e ... arks-stay/

[Olyy]

Wasn't aware he was out of contract!
Great news

[RinTin]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/alex-san ... ent-drive/

Scheepers in as expected. So we now have 4 second row/ back row hybrids in EVR, Lawes, Tshinuza and Scheepers.

Am I the only one looking at the EQP numbers?? We're on a mad one, but we have recruited 7 non EQP's.

[Olyy]

Definitely feels like it's gonna be tight, couple of injuries to our EQP players and we're in trouble

A rough first choice 23 of:

Rodd, LCD, AOF
EvR, Bamber
Lawes/Curry, Curry, Canakaivata
[New non-EQP 9], Ford
Loganimasi, RMW, Marchant, Roebuck
Carpenter

Jibulu, Smith, Francis, Tshiunza, Curry/Lawes, Warr, Lozowski, TOF

Is 8 non-EQP, which is the limit - Burrow for Tshiunza and we have some wiggle room, but then an injury to a Curry brings in Vermeulen, AOF goes down and we bring in Dlamini etc.

Reed declaring for Scotland could really hurt his gametime chances if Loganimasi hits the ground running

Does EvR become EQP soon?

Going to be a balancing act for sure

[RinTin]

I agree with all the above.

Warr and Reed will miss out on a lot of minutes I think. The whole EQP situation was one of the reasons I wanted Raffi to stay - we need an English lad there.

This all seems risky. Having foreign squad rotation lads (like Scheepers or Dlamin) doesn't work.

[FarnhamShark]

Very sad to say, but for the sake of their long-term health I hope we alternate Tom and Ben so as to control their game time. These guys need protecting from themselves!

[FarnhamShark]

Anybody know how long Vermeulen's contract runs for? With all the hybrids, plus Dugdale, Logan and Gilmore, we really don't need him as a specialist 6.

[Olyy]

Anybody know how long Vermeulen's contract runs for? With all the hybrids, plus Dugdale, Logan and Gilmore, we really don't need him as a specialist 6.

End of next season - so same time as Tshiunza and Lawes as well

[Yareet]

Is Jacques EQP? He played SA 20s so may have been captured depending if they had an A team that year.

If so, we could swap in Dugdale to keep our EQP numbers

[RinTin]

Is Jacques EQP? He played SA 20s so may have been captured depending if they had an A team that year.

If so, we could swap in Dugdale to keep our EQP numbers

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... 892wn9j3go

Don't know if this has changed as I know it did with Benhard Janse Van Rensburg.

Not sure why we almost solely use him at 6 - at Chiefs he was mainly openside.

[Basilbullneck]

Vermeulen has really surprised me - he’s been a beacon of consistency during this disappointing season and does a lot of the nitty-gritty work. As for us playing him at open side, Exeter have a completely different back row structure to ours, normally with a smaller, faster 8 and two large flankers, as distinct from the traditional (and ours, apart from when we play both Curry’s)set up of a trufflehound at 7, a carrying 8, and a large, hard 6. Unless one of our squad steps up, then I certainly wouldn’t let him go until Tshiunza has proven his fitness.

[SSR]

We have bought a lot of players that cover the same spread of positions. I am a loss as to
what our starting 8 forwards will be and what will be the bench. With a couple of young
players also entering the fray, I think we are going to have a lot of rotation. Vermuelen
likely to be a 40 minute player. Too many unknowns yet, but the novelty is quite exciting.

[AndaleManito]

This is what I've got for our squad next year as it stands (though I suspect we will lose Andrews and Bedlow(s)). For many of these, first choice and second choice is just going to be rotation (e.g. Lawes vs Vermuelen or Curry vs Curry), in general the back row particularly will (should) be a mishmash of whichever best 5(8) players we can get in the 23, rather than the number on their back being particularly important.

Position First choice second choice Third choice Fourth choice
1 Rodd Smith Onasanya
2 LCD Jibulu Longstaff
3 AOF Francis Dlamini
4 Bamber Burrow Andrews Hodkinson
5 Van Rhyn Tshiunza Sheepers
6 Lawes Vermuelen
7 Curry Curry Woodman
8 Canakaivata Dugdale Logan Davies
9 ? Warr Hanson Wooton
10 Ford Curtis Davies
11 Loganimasi Reed TOF
12 RMW Louw Bedlow
13 Marchant Losowski
14 Roebuck Wills Bradshaw
15 Carpenter James

Looks like a strong squad, with now good depth in the back row. Just need another 9.

[RinTin]

As for us playing him at open side, Exeter have a completely different back row structure to ours, normally with a smaller, faster 8 and two large flankers, as distinct from the traditional (and ours, apart from when we play both Curry’s)set up of a trufflehound at 7, a carrying 8, and a large, hard 6.

A little bit of a generalisation there given his final 2 season at Exeter saw him mainly at 7 with Roots at 6 and Fisilau at 8. Roots same size as both Currys and smaller than EVR. Fisilau a big lad at 8.

Horses for courses I grant you, but his role at Chiefs was different to what it is at us. Still something of a shining light for us up front I agree.

Re our selections in the forwards, I can honestly see Axe going 6-2 bench next season regularly.

[Yareet]

This is what I've got for our squad next year as it stands (though I suspect we will lose Andrews and Bedlow(s)). For many of these, first choice and second choice is just going to be rotation (e.g. Lawes vs Vermuelen or Curry vs Curry), in general the back row particularly will (should) be a mishmash of whichever best 5(8) players we can get in the 23, rather than the number on their back being particularly important.

Position First choice second choice Third choice Fourth choice
1 Rodd Smith Onasanya
2 LCD Jibulu Longstaff
3 AOF Francis Dlamini
4 Bamber Burrow Andrews Hodkinson
5 Van Rhyn Tshiunza Sheepers
6 Lawes Vermuelen
7 Curry Curry Woodman
8 Canakaivata Dugdale Logan Davies
9 ? Warr Hanson Wooton
10 Ford Curtis Davies
11 Loganimasi Reed TOF
12 RMW Louw Bedlow
13 Marchant Losowski
14 Roebuck Wills Bradshaw
15 Carpenter James

Looks like a strong squad, with now good depth in the back row. Just need another 9.

Would you include Hogg in the 2nd row options?

[Flumpty]

And we have a new winger

https://www.salesharks.com/2026/04/15/s ... -fordjour/

[Olyy]

Seen him crop up on teams/try of the week in the championship a few times,
Well worth taking a punt on

[SSR]

Have they got another brother who is a scrummie ?

[Bronzbronx]

And we have a new winger

https://www.salesharks.com/2026/04/15/s ... -fordjour/

[AndaleManito]

This is what I've got for our squad next year as it stands (though I suspect we will lose Andrews and Bedlow(s)). For many of these, first choice and second choice is just going to be rotation (e.g. Lawes vs Vermuelen or Curry vs Curry), in general the back row particularly will (should) be a mishmash of whichever best 5(8) players we can get in the 23, rather than the number on their back being particularly important.

Position First choice second choice Third choice Fourth choice
1 Rodd Smith Onasanya
2 LCD Jibulu Longstaff
3 AOF Francis Dlamini
4 Bamber Burrow Andrews Hodkinson
5 Van Rhyn Tshiunza Sheepers
6 Lawes Vermuelen
7 Curry Curry Woodman
8 Canakaivata Dugdale Logan Davies
9 ? Warr Hanson Wooton
10 Ford Curtis Davies
11 Loganimasi Reed TOF
12 RMW Louw Bedlow
13 Marchant Losowski
14 Roebuck Wills Bradshaw
15 Carpenter James

Looks like a strong squad, with now good depth in the back row. Just need another 9.

Would you include Hogg in the 2nd row options?

I'm afraid I've no idea! haven't seen/heard much of him yet. How does he compare to Logan or Burrows in terms of his development?

aaaalso I didn't add SiMac to the list, though AFAIA he's not leaving for sure - and is clearly still playing well for us.

[SSR]

Xavier Roe on his way to Sale according to Daily Mail.

PREM Rugby transfers
Daily Mail
https://www.dailymail.co.uk › sport › article-15734971
1 hour ago — Scrum-half Xavier Roe has agreed terms to move over from New Zealand as a replacement for Raffi Quirke. Roe played for a New Zealand XV last ...

[SSR]

Dail Mail + headline ( as of approx 60mins ago ) actually states we have signed 3 players,
but presumably the other two are Scheepers and DOF. Can't read the rest of the article as
it is behind a firewall.
But great news.

[RinTin]

Christ! We're on a mad one.

Squad complete then. 12 players added.

[Bronzbronx]

Dail Mail + headline ( as of approx 60mins ago ) actually states we have signed 3 players,
but presumably the other two are Scheepers and DOF. Can't read the rest of the article as
it is behind a firewall.
But great news.

Got past the paywall with firefox reader, you are correct

"Sale's triple threat

Sale Sharks are close to completing their recruitment drive with three more players set to be announced in the North West.

Scrum-half Xavier Roe has agreed terms to move over from New Zealand as a replacement for Raffi Quirke. Roe played for a New Zealand XV last year but he has not moved up the competitive No 9 pecking order for the All Blacks, with the likes of Cam Roigard and Cortez Ratima offering formidable stumbling blocks to get past.

Coventry winger David Opoku-Fordjour has also joined Sale, where he will link up with his brother, Asher, the England prop.

As reported by Rugby Pass, the club are also set to bring in South African lock JJ Scheepers, who plays for the Pumas and Sharks in his homeland.

Alex Sanderson has invested heavily in his squad after a disappointing domestic campaign this year, with the likes of Courtney Lawes, Joe Marchant, Alex Lozowski and Nicky Smith all signed up for next season.

Scrum-half Xavier Roe has agreed terms to join Sale Sharks next season as a replacement for Raffi Quirke"

[Yareet]

This is what I've got for our squad next year as it stands (though I suspect we will lose Andrews and Bedlow(s)). For many of these, first choice and second choice is just going to be rotation (e.g. Lawes vs Vermuelen or Curry vs Curry), in general the back row particularly will (should) be a mishmash of whichever best 5(8) players we can get in the 23, rather than the number on their back being particularly important.

Position First choice second choice Third choice Fourth choice
1 Rodd Smith Onasanya
2 LCD Jibulu Longstaff
3 AOF Francis Dlamini
4 Bamber Burrow Andrews Hodkinson
5 Van Rhyn Tshiunza Sheepers
6 Lawes Vermuelen
7 Curry Curry Woodman
8 Canakaivata Dugdale Logan Davies
9 ? Warr Hanson Wooton
10 Ford Curtis Davies
11 Loganimasi Reed TOF
12 RMW Louw Bedlow
13 Marchant Losowski
14 Roebuck Wills Bradshaw
15 Carpenter James

Looks like a strong squad, with now good depth in the back row. Just need another 9.

Would you include Hogg in the 2nd row options?

I'm afraid I've no idea! haven't seen/heard much of him yet. How does he compare to Logan or Burrows in terms of his development?

aaaalso I didn't add SiMac to the list, though AFAIA he's not leaving for sure - and is clearly still playing well for us.

I’m also too far removed to know much. Seems he’s mainly played in the Prem Cup and had 10 minutes in Tolouse.

He did set up a try for the England u20s with a lovely grubber!

[AndaleManito]

Not bad for a lock!

......


Seriously happy with next years squad, Roe the final piece of the puzzle. Let's gooooo

[Yareet]

Dail Mail + headline ( as of approx 60mins ago ) actually states we have signed 3 players,
but presumably the other two are Scheepers and DOF. Can't read the rest of the article as
it is behind a firewall.
But great news.

Couple of other points in there I found interesting.

With regard to Kpoku, France are keen to cap him but "the youngster is still exploring the possibility of a return to the PREM." Lawes for a year and then Kpoku?

Quins are cited as having "fallen short in moves for the likes of Sione Tuipulotu, Levi Aumua and Santiago Chocobares." Although our failures have perhaps been more public, we're clearly not the only ones struggling

[RinTin]

Crazy that Quins have been struggling so much there. Aumua would be great to see in the flesh - the man is a tank. Letting Anyanwu go to Montpellier was a mistake.

I think Axe being so open with our efforts just made our failures all the more prominent.

[poyntonshark]

Saw a bit of Hogg for England earlier in the season. He will probably fill similar role to Burrows this season. Should start to break into senior squad, but won't start too often in Prem unless we remain stricken by injuries. At age group level he looks handy, regulalry involved in al types of phases, carries well, tackles and doesn't shy away from the graft.

[SSR]

I know Hogg is a tall lad, can't remember where he was selected to play in the U20s.
I seem to remember that he saw himself as a 6 when he was transferred from Budgies.
Another Lawes in the making?

[Olyy]

Only played at lock since arriving here:
https://all.rugby/player/patrick-hogg

[Yareet]

Some saying Lozowski. That would be good for some pace and competition for Sam J. Also can play pretty much anywhere 10-15.

Stumbled across this post. Mad that it took 5 years!

[Olyy]

Scheepers confirmed on the iffy:
https://www.salesharks.com/2026/04/15/s ... scheepers/

Interesting that it mentions a few times that it's depending on getting a visa

This signing is a bit of a head scratcher to me,
Obviously hoping he's a diamond in the rough that we've discovered, but realistically he's going to be what 4th? 5th? choice lock - odd to have a non-EQP player occupying that sort of role (unless he has an English granny tucked away somewhere)

Though I've been banging the drum about locks all season and now we've got two* coming in so shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth!
Think we're only losing one (unconfirmed but would be surprised if Andrews is still around next season)

*Read something about Lawes not being able to play second row anymore due to a back issue, so I'm counting him solely as backrow

[RinTin]

Scheepers semi pro career has him mainly in the back row (6 or 8).

He certainly has the size for an 8. Highlights video's I've seen show him having good pace and power, although not against the best opposition. That being said a lump in the second row is definitely needed.

Quote from him on the site says a lot “I would say my big strength is my speed and running with the ball. I love carrying the ball and I enjoy the physical side of the game."

[Olyy]

More head scratching for me then,

Big lump of setpiece lock is what we need and both our new locks prefer playing as rangy backrowers

[RinTin]

Tom Burrow on a serious bulk this summer then. Although 6'8 and 117kg's is nothing to shirk at.

[SSR]

We will have enough hybrid locks to fill the back 5 of the scrum. Every scrum cycle them one
place . That will fool the opposition.