Hearing (/ seeing) on Twitter that he's on his way to us. Lock forward, 34 years old out of contract with Ulster. Thoughts?
BBC have a report from Jan saying he's signed for the blues
Quote:jimbo800
BBC have a report from Jan saying he's signed for the blues
Deal's been torn up because we need to save money. He's signing for you.
I've heard a different reason, but the end result is the same 
Quote:norg2072
I've heard a different reason, but the end result is the same
The version I know is that before turning up for preseason, Cardiff let him know they'd be willing to let him go if he found another club. I'll be surprised if he's the only player that turns up elsewhere.
They'll probably give other reasons but it's an open secret that they're skint and need to slash the budget.
But yes whatever the reasons it amounts to the same thing.
Not exactly Lood De Jager, but will take it. Experienced bloke and decent lineout operator.
Not de Jäger but for this stage of recruitment, I doubt we could have done much better.
If true that's a good signing - plenty of experience and some useful grunt
Not exactly setting the world on fire BUT NK knows what he's doing with second row especially so must see him as a very useful cog in the systems we are building.
As an Irish and an Ulster fan if Franco does join I will be over the moon..
Great in the lineout, aggressive in the loose and a great team leader, if we get 2 seasons out of him alongside Seb then we will come on leaps and bounds.
Great in the lineout, aggressive in the loose and a great team leader, if we get 2 seasons out of him alongside Seb then we will come on leaps and bounds.
Ulster fans speak very highly of him and I think he can be a very good signing for us.
He did brilliantly for Ulster and I'm sure he'd still be there save for the Irish rules on renewing non-Irish players. I think he'd be a much better signing than Harrison would've been.
Theres a pretty decent highlights package on YouTube (search his name). Impressive stats from 2016:
Most lineout takes in pro12 (86)
5th most tackles in pro12 (192)
Most tackles for Ulster (192)
Most lineout takes in pro12 (86)
5th most tackles in pro12 (192)
Most tackles for Ulster (192)
Quote:Caimh
He did brilliantly for Ulster and I'm sure he'd still be there save for the Irish rules on renewing non-Irish players. I think he'd be a much better signing than Harrison would've been.
Or even Hamilton
Quote:HMRH
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/cardiff-blues-set-release-springbok-13411254
We need RFU permission?
Perché?
Coops
WTF
Franco van der Merwe: Cardiff Blues lock to move on before playing game
[www.bbc.co.uk]
[www.bbc.co.uk]
Quote:HMRH
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/cardiff-blues-set-release-springbok-13411254
We need RFU permission?
Why would that be??
Quote:HMRH
Cos the article says so!
That clears things up nicely
I'm guessing he is a WRU registered player so needs to be released before he can be registered with RFU? Or maybe even an IRFU player - what a mess Cardiff seem to be in
I've heard The Doc has spoken to him and that he wants to sign for us, so hopefully as HMRH suggests its just a re-registration formality!
Any news on Franco at the weekend? If he was not there, even low profile, does anyone know where he is training to keep ready for the new season?
Asked Nick Kennedy after the game and they're still trying to sort out the paperwork. Frustrating but that's the situation. Could be other irons in the fire if they can't get van der Merwe over the line.
Thanks Neale - pleased to hear that there are other irons in the fire if it doesn't work out.
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