Quote:Margin_Walker
Wouldn't be fussed about Simpson personally. Lose track of contract situations, but guessing one of our 9s will be on the way out (perhaps McKibbin who'll be 34 by the time the season starts). Leaving Meehan, Steele and Brand as the 9s in the senior squad.
If we got another in, I'd want a real game breaker. I know Simpson was rumoured briefly last year, but his form has really dropped off. He wouldn't be what we need imo.
Quote:Florida
Let the speculating commence!
Jackson
Mafi
Rona
Dell
Simpson
Attwood
Quote:SixNineOne
A good point about re-signing existing players.
I'm a fan of Simpson. He's super quick which would add another dimension to our ponderous play. It's hard to judge his form given his lack of game time and Wasps' current travails. I agree that Piet van Zyl might be even better - anyone know where he is and whether he's likely to be available?
Quote:SixNineOne
A good point about re-signing existing players.
I'm a fan of Simpson. He's super quick which would add another dimension to our ponderous play. It's hard to judge his form given his lack of game time and Wasps' current travails. I agree that Piet van Zyl might be even better - anyone know where he is and whether he's likely to be available?
Quote:Bazzo
There does seem like a lot of non EQP players there. Like none.
Quote:Bill the chip
What a load of horse ... bazzo! Were you at the meeting ?? On more than one occasion Brian Facer said he would answer ANY q’s you might have . He also said that feel free to come up after meeting for a chat.. or in the 18months we have ahead of us
After the game he spoke to our group off 5 for at least 15mins answering all Qs put to him!!!
The 10 players coming in was a statement of intent as to where we need to be and the level we are now signing. He isn’t confirming them , until at least the jersey game .. when hopefully the league standings wil be clearer.
The thing they have done different this year .. is NOT wait to see what players are left after everyone else has had their pick, but gone out with a shopping list and bigger cheque book to get top end players... because as he stated in the champs we don’t have to wait for the window to talk to them ... like prem teams do!
Quote:Premiership rugby players imported under the European Court of Justice "Kolpak ruling" are guaranteed their non-foreign status only until the end of the season amid RFU uncertainty over a no-deal Brexit.
Quote:Bill the chip
because as he stated in the champs we don’t have to wait for the window to talk to them ... like prem teams do!
Quote:jimbo800
Probably all Wasps players. Can’t help but feel they’ll have more on the way. Three announced as leaving with Mullan released from contract
Quote:TSW22Quote:jimbo800
Probably all Wasps players. Can’t help but feel they’ll have more on the way. Three announced as leaving with Mullan released from contract
Queue Le Roux chat about not being good enough for Irish at full back...
Quote:Bill
He also stated that brexit was causing troubles because of certain tax issues with some players.. so we really need that one put to bed ASAP
Quote:Bill the chip
Apparently , one of the countries we have been looking at players are known as “ artisans” not sportsmen ! Thus this allows them big tax deductions .... which are being heavily clouded by brexit!
Quote:FloridaQuote:Bill the chip
Apparently , one of the countries we have been looking at players are known as “ artisans” not sportsmen ! Thus this allows them big tax deductions .... which are being heavily clouded by brexit!
I would assume the artisans is a French term, which would include Mafi and Jackson. The 1st tier internationals is also very interesting, especially in regards to being able to approach premiership players early. That would be the likes of Daly, JJ, T'eo, Attwood and Le Roux (struggling to think of other premiership internationals out of
contract, but not suggesting we're signing all or any of those). Very very interesting times in the next few weeks.
Quote:rex96
In the championship you don’t have to wait for a time of the year to approach players I believe ?
Quote:Bill the chip
Hmrh it’s the Irish ones that are the problem apparently, it is to do with how they pay taxes or get rebates as I understand it... and brexit is causeing issues..... I have to say that Brian would not confirm or deny we had any Irish players coming to us, but to watch this space!.
One other interesting ( but understandable ) point he raised was.... it costs us 15-25% more to sign players in our position..... so let’s say the talk of mafi coming to us may not be to far fetched........ just saying
Quote:shimmieandshake
Full back too, but I'm fully backing Parton once fit. The lad is class.
Quote:shimmieandshake
Thanks, Smudge. I was under the impression Rona's more of a winger?
Quote:shimmieandshake
Full back too, but I'm fully backing Parton once fit. The lad is class.
Quote:shimmieandshake
Thanks, Smudge. I was under the impression Rona's more of a winger?
Quote:Florida
TRP has us going for
Adam Coleman
Nick Phipps
Curtis Rona
Quote:SirBurger
Coleman would be great. The first decent second row Australia have had in years and he has captaincy experience with the Rebels. Phipps I am a bit more mixed on as he's not really the sniping scrum half that I think we could really do with to complement what we already have.
Quote:SirBurger
Coleman would be great. The first decent second row Australia have had in years and he has captaincy experience with the Rebels. Phipps I am a bit more mixed on as he's not really the sniping scrum half that I think we could really do with to complement what we already have.
Quote:Bazzo
So of the 10 signings that Facer said were coming (assuming rumours are correct) that’s...
Dell
Mafi
Jackson
Rona
Phipps
Coleman
That’s 4 to go. Also assuming that recent joiners like big Albert are not included. Still gutted if McNally leaves.
C
Quote:jimbo800
I’m predicting a big clear out. Not so much an intentional cull like Welsh, but a necessary cut back of the dead wood. There are some of the old batch of recruits who haven’t quite lives up to the hype. Schatz has done little to nothing, not sure he every featured in the prem. McLean, Saulo (the Fijian prop) can leave yesterday for all I care, he’s been fit but even in our rotation system the coaches don’t want him playing. Nalaga as well.
The ones I’m not sure of are
Lovejoy
Bell
Hobbs (id keep but unsure of contract situation)
Gilsenan
Twomey
Ojo (is he retiring)
Fowlie
Cowan (id keep)
Coman (one year deal to prove himself again)
Paulo, too one dimensional for prem I think
Our record with hookers is poor. In the prem we have Cruse, woolsencroft, gleave went to glaws and Curtis got a long term deal at sale once he was released by us.
I see a few of the younger lads get more game time as the season wraps up. I’d send a few down under to New Zealand for some expertience for a few months. It’ll stand to them.
As for the team right now. We’re heading into the second half of the season, we need to pick our strongest line up and use them consistently. We get no traction from continually changing the team. Especially the backline.
Quote:Bazzo
So of the 10 signings that Facer said were coming (assuming rumours are correct) that’s...
Dell
Mafi
Jackson
Rona
Phipps
Coleman
That’s 4 to go. Also assuming that recent joiners like big Albert are not included. Still gutted if McNally leaves.
Quote:Smudge21
Would personally add Hoskins to that list
Quote:SirBurgerQuote:Bazzo
So of the 10 signings that Facer said were coming (assuming rumours are correct) that’s...
Dell
Mafi
Jackson
Rona
Phipps
Coleman
That’s 4 to go. Also assuming that recent joiners like big Albert are not included. Still gutted if McNally leaves.
Personally think in addition to those we need at least one hooker, one more second row, one more versatile back row forward, a centre and two back three players, which would take us to 12 rather than 10.
Quote:Smudge21Quote:SirBurgerQuote:Bazzo
So of the 10 signings that Facer said were coming (assuming rumours are correct) that’s...
Dell
Mafi
Jackson
Rona
Phipps
Coleman
That’s 4 to go. Also assuming that recent joiners like big Albert are not included. Still gutted if McNally leaves.
Personally think in addition to those we need at least one hooker, one more second row, one more versatile back row forward, a centre and two back three players, which would take us to 12 rather than 10.
Agreed, reckon we might sign another player similar to the mcnally/mafi role who can cover both lock and back row. We could do a lot worse than signing a couple of the wingers we have encountered this season as there have been some talented ones who would be a lot cheaper. No point spending ludicrous amounts of money on back 3 players imo
Quote:norg2072
Rugbypass also has us interested in Rhys Priestland
Quote:Margin_WalkerQuote:norg2072
Rugbypass also has us interested in Rhys Priestland
That would be odd. I know we were in for him a few years ago before he went to Bath. Would only really make sense now if Jackson wasn't happening.