Cardiff Blues
Transfers 2015/16
Ray Lee-Lo
By cardiffsteve
March 9 2015
So far....
Confirmed in:
Tom James. Wing. Exeter
Ray Lee-Lo. Centre. Hurricanes
Blaine Scully. Wing. Leicester
Confirmed Out:
Adam Jones. Harlequins
Filo Paulo. Treviso
Lucas Amorosino. Argentina
Joaquin Tuculet. Argentina
Matthew Rees. Released (rumoured to be joining Merthyr)
Simon Humberstone. Doncaster
Marc Breeze. Released
Dafydd Hewitt. Retired
Rumoured in:
Cam Dolan. No.8. Northampton (Twitter rumour)
Ben Flower. ?. Wigan RL (Forum rumour)
Rumoured out:
Alex Cuthbert. Who knows where. (I think this has been well covered....)
Chris Dicomidis. London Welsh. (Forum rumour)
Taufau'ao Filise. Merthyr (Forum rumour)
Lou Reed. Newport gwent Dragons. (Clear attempts to move him on earlier in the season. NGD on record as interested)
Tavis Knoyle. Unknown. (As above, clear attempts to find him a new club early in the season. Might have changed)
Craig Mitchell. Enforced retirement? (Unfortunately has only managed to start 6 games in the past 3 seasons. Clearly has ongoing, serious injury issues)
Scott Andrews. Out of contract
Lewis Jones. As above.
Manoa Vosawai. Possible signing of Dolan casts a little doubt on his future.
Possibly others out of contract.
Feel free to add scurrilous rumours.
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Discussion started by theArmsPark.co.uk , 09/03/2015 14:42
theArmsPark.co.uk
09/03/2015 14:42
09/03/2015 14:42
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JR a done deal I have heard
Scrum half Tomos Williams first team contract
Hope some of the ponty playes will be released
Scrum half Tomos Williams first team contract
Hope some of the ponty playes will be released
tant
09/03/2015 17:38
09/03/2015 17:38
Blaine Scilly would be a great signing good in the air and a real fighter. I'd be surprised if Travis was let go, he was struggling for a long time but since Christmas has been pretty good I think. Same with Lou Reed if he does go to Newport we will be desperately in need of a second row.
Cardifflose
09/03/2015 19:31
09/03/2015 19:31
Tomos Francis prop
Roberts is all but agreed......but he is now thinking of studying again in Oxford so who knows!
Delve is an interesting one we clearly need another 8 Manoa is class but an impact player at best, has been offered to us the Turks and Bristol Welsh by his agent.
Also an as yet unnamed SH back, is the Lee-Lo deal still on? Also a lot of the above clear out especially Tavis was Hammetts doing, had DM and PJ been in charge from the offset George Watkins would still be here
I love this time of year
Roberts is all but agreed......but he is now thinking of studying again in Oxford so who knows!
Delve is an interesting one we clearly need another 8 Manoa is class but an impact player at best, has been offered to us the Turks and Bristol Welsh by his agent.
Also an as yet unnamed SH back, is the Lee-Lo deal still on? Also a lot of the above clear out especially Tavis was Hammetts doing, had DM and PJ been in charge from the offset George Watkins would still be here
I love this time of year
Cardifflose
09/03/2015 19:32
09/03/2015 19:32
We will need to keep a few Ponty players for the new A league when that is launched 16/17
Quote:Cardifflose
Tomos Francis prop
Roberts is all but agreed......but he is now thinking of studying again in Oxford so who knows!
Delve is an interesting one we clearly need another 8 Manoa is class but an impact player at best, has been offered to us the Turks and Bristol Welsh by his agent.
Also an as yet unnamed SH back, is the Lee-Lo deal still on? Also a lot of the above clear out especially Tavis was Hammetts doing, had DM and PJ been in charge from the offset George Watkins would still be here
I love this time of year
This time of year goes on all year now.
I was tempted to add Francis but assumed it wasnt a serious rumour.
Quote:Cardifflose
We will need to keep a few Ponty players for the new A league when that is launched 16/17
Hope we're playing A fixtures sooner than that. Its needed.
Cardifflose
09/03/2015 20:28
09/03/2015 20:28
Many have the same view sooner it's up and running the better, but RWC year it just wouldn't be possible, be intresing to see what happens to the younger gen of Ponty fans when there team become fully amateur that season mind will be dreadful rugby to watch, the academy's and "a"s will be the breeding ground only 10 years too late mind
Delve is 32 already.He has been playing since 2013 in Japan where he only appears to have played 10 times.We need to carefully consider how we spend our money.Fitness etc
Quote:blueshuw
Delve is 32 already.He has been playing since 2013 in Japan where he only appears to have played 10 times.We need to carefully consider how we spend our money.Fitness etc
Dont have a problem with his age. Ideal mentor figure.
But yeah, we do want to make sure we dont have another Mitchell situation, where the poor guy just cant stay fit.
We were in for Delve in 2010 when he would have been a fine signing.I would be concerned we already have on older number 8 in Vosawai-assuming he is staying.His role seems to be mainly from the bench.
cardifflose
10/03/2015 07:30
10/03/2015 07:30
I thought he was older than 32 and still would have been happy with the signing, they don't play alot of games in Japan so is his only playing 10 down to injuries/game management/games changed due to weather (they do that a lot as well) or has there only been 10 games?
cardifflose
10/03/2015 07:33
10/03/2015 07:33
don't worry as i pressed send my seach on another window gave me my answer, basically all of the above, but him, Manoa and DM rates Ieuan Jones highly, not bad for our number 8's
Mitchell won't retire, you will see a lot more players becoming fit and ready now training has changed and its not just Team Wales players being looked after
Mitchell won't retire, you will see a lot more players becoming fit and ready now training has changed and its not just Team Wales players being looked after
He will be 33 by the start of next season.It seems to me that budget factors mean we struggle to attract good players in their prime years-say 26-30.Personally I would prefer to concentrate below rather than above this age group if we are serious about building for the future.Robin Copeland was signed at 24, although he moved on after 2 years I think he improved and was mainly a success.
I also think that Xavier Rush, although a fabulous player for the team, was a declining force at around that age, prior to his retirement through injury.
Rush would have been 32 the HEC semi year and 33 the Amlin winning year.
Nick Easter's 36.
Players are different.
Way I see it, James Sheeky is now 20, and will be 22 by the time Vosawai and (perhaps) Delve move on. Having spent a couple of years working with experienced No.8s.
I get what you say about 26-30year olds.... but who are the available 26-30 year old Welsh 8s?
Nick Easter's 36.
Players are different.
Way I see it, James Sheeky is now 20, and will be 22 by the time Vosawai and (perhaps) Delve move on. Having spent a couple of years working with experienced No.8s.
I get what you say about 26-30year olds.... but who are the available 26-30 year old Welsh 8s?
Yes, good point, if we are looking for Welsh number 8.Don't know the current position with Ieuan Jones.
I take your point about Easter who is still at the top of his game.
I would argue that Rush magnificent performance in the Amlin was not followed up much when we re-signed from Ulster.
It's just personal opinion-Jones, Rees, Jenkins, Hoeta, Vosewa are enough over 30 forwards for me.
I would argue that Rush magnificent performance in the Amlin was not followed up much when we re-signed from Ulster.
It's just personal opinion-Jones, Rees, Jenkins, Hoeta, Vosewa are enough over 30 forwards for me.
Also, good to see Belcher and Seb Davies get full deals. 18 year old front five forwards who go well in LV Cup have to be good prospects.
Yup
11/03/2015 15:15
11/03/2015 15:15
Absolutely, shame Davies has been injured, would have been interesting to see what impact he would have made in Wales U20s this season!!
Seems to be a good crop of forwards coming through, Dillon Lewis, Sheekey, Joe Jones. Hope some of them can step up over the coming seasons
Seems to be a good crop of forwards coming through, Dillon Lewis, Sheekey, Joe Jones. Hope some of them can step up over the coming seasons
Academy products Liam Belcher and Seb Davies have signed senior contracts with Cardiff Blues
PhillyBlu
11/03/2015 20:34
11/03/2015 20:34
Hmm I think Ieuan Jones will be staying at the Ospreys. Tandy likes the guy a lot! And he's a lot safer in contact than Morgan Allen. Morgan Allen's meant to be off to Scarlets. Looking ahead to next season, I think it's paramount that we sort 12 out. Allen should be playing there week in week out. He's built like a 12, and if he continues to fill out, will be an excellent one! However there's another huge lump in the academy, Harry Davies. He's classed as a "wing" currently, but at 6 foot 4 and bigger built than Allen he'll move to centre by the time he plays for the Blues.
Bluesboy65
11/03/2015 21:45
11/03/2015 21:45
Even more Ponty players then, plus the Ponty coaching set up for next year - is there something Pieman is not telling us!
Quote:Bluesboy65
Even more Ponty players then, plus the Ponty coaching set up for next year - is there something Pieman is not telling us!
Academy players. One from Whitchurch.
Im expecting a bunch of Ponty players to be let go too. Can easily see 15+ players leaving.
Cardifflose
11/03/2015 23:20
11/03/2015 23:20
In what way is someone brought through our academy "another Ponty player"?
PhillyBlu
12/03/2015 23:24
12/03/2015 23:24
Oh god! What will you be saying once Garyn Smith and Jarrod Evans come through? Blydi Ponty players again!! I look forward to seeing Garyn Smith pull on the number 13 shirt. Gonna be like seeing a young BoD.
Well the blurred picture up on twitter looks to have Leicester shirts in the background so I'm guessing this is Blaine Scully.
Quote:binman
Well the blurred picture up on twitter looks to have Leicester shirts in the background so I'm guessing this is Blaine Scully.
I thought the same.
Cardifflose
23/03/2015 22:01
23/03/2015 22:01
My guess would be Scully, but unsure why we haven't announced our new second row yet!
Quote:Cardifflose
My guess would be Scully, but unsure why we haven't announced our new second row yet!
Snyman?
Quote:cardiff_steveQuote:Cardifflose
My guess would be Scully, but unsure why we haven't announced our new second row yet!
Snyman?
Thought that was still a rumour?
Scully signing on Blues website now
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:03:24:07:09:19 by capsgon.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:03:24:07:09:19 by capsgon.
Cardifflose
24/03/2015 07:21
24/03/2015 07:21
Quote:binmanQuote:cardiff_steveQuote:Cardifflose
My guess would be Scully, but unsure why we haven't announced our new second row yet!
Snyman?
Thought that was still a rumour?
Is it?
and of course I may not mean Snyman
You're getting a good 'un in Scully. Gutted to see him leave Tigers, but the USA connection makes a lot of sense. Look after him well - great guy, fine player who'll bring a lot.
_____________________________________________
The lowest depth to which people can sink before God is defined by the word 'journalist'.
Soren Kierkegaard
_____________________________________________
The lowest depth to which people can sink before God is defined by the word 'journalist'.
Soren Kierkegaard
StudentBlues
24/03/2015 09:59
24/03/2015 09:59
Havent heard much about this Scully? Any body know what we can expect?
Quote:StudentBlues
Havent heard much about this Scully? Any body know what we can expect?
From speaking to a few Leicester fans, exactly what we need!
Apparently he's the best guy they have/had for chasing down the high ball and is great in aerial challenges, two things we really haven't had for a while.
I'm really excited about this signing, from what I've heard he brings a ferocious 'never say die attitude', can play wing or fullback and is solid in defense.
Leicester fans seem genuinely upset at losing him too, which is a great thing for us. Could be a fan favourite here.
Updated the article to include the latest bits and pieces. Including Tomas Francis.
Joni89
25/03/2015 09:41
25/03/2015 09:41
Jamie Roberts is rumoured to be off to Harlequins!
Interesting if true as I didn't think their style of play would fit with Roberts direct style but on the other hand it might be a positive move to develop a more expansive game for him.
Interesting if true as I didn't think their style of play would fit with Roberts direct style but on the other hand it might be a positive move to develop a more expansive game for him.
I'd think it was more to do with the opportunities London offers him to continue his medical studies in some way. Bear in mind also that the salary cap in England now allows up to £2m to be spent on 'marquee' players.
Quins would seem a natural fit.
Quins would seem a natural fit.
The Rugby Paper last sunday claimed that we've completed TWO unnamed signings. Presumably Scully was one and the other... Snyman?
Updated with the latest.
Not been any news on contract extensions for Rees, Andrews or Lewis Jones yet. Probably others out of contract.
Not been any news on contract extensions for Rees, Andrews or Lewis Jones yet. Probably others out of contract.
Cardifflose
26/03/2015 17:32
26/03/2015 17:32
Expect all to go, Tavis is starting to find his feet so he will be number 2, and they really rate this kid in the under 20's and 7's.
Could see Andrews maybe getting another 2 year deal if Francis move didn't come off
Could see Andrews maybe getting another 2 year deal if Francis move didn't come off
Quote:Cardifflose
Expect all to go, Tavis is starting to find his feet so he will be number 2, and they really rate this kid in the under 20's and 7's.
Could see Andrews maybe getting another 2 year deal if Francis move didn't come off
Really? All of them?
You probably need 4 scrum halves these days so i sort of expected jones to stay. He cant cost that much.
Rees leaving - we'd have to find a replacement. Unless they really do rate Belcher highly.
Andrews... well, even if we dont sign Francis we'll need other tightheads.
Cardifflose
26/03/2015 17:55
26/03/2015 17:55
Yeah I can see them going, think we will bring a lot of not so big names as well over the summer that can do a job, plus the new man at the top will have is eye on few player I am sure.
Jamie Roberts thing seems to be changing day to day get the impression he really doesn't know what to do!
Jamie Roberts thing seems to be changing day to day get the impression he really doesn't know what to do!
Quote:cardiff_steve
Updated with the latest.
Not been any news on contract extensions for Rees, Andrews or Lewis Jones yet. Probably others out of contract.
Filise, Breeze & Humberstone.
I don't see any of this three (Filise has been great for us, but will be 38 in May and has clearly been past it for a couple of years) getting new deals.
Of the 3 you list only Andrews is worth a contract. His scrummaging is poor but he should last night what he adds elsewhere. Tomos Williams is already a superior player than Lewis Jones.
We need 2 locks and first choice hooker & first choice TH. With only 2 OS's places left (unless we get a timeserver) I'm going for Snyman & Francis as the Welsh options.
after season blues have had,think there should be a complete overhaul,lets get some welsh youngsters in,instead of overseas players ,just after an easy shilling.there were a few stand out players in wales 20s 6 nations,and also why not try and get those 2 boys who withdrew from 20s Bartle and Sheedy back in blues fold
Quote:blue and white
after season blues have had,think there should be a complete overhaul,lets get some welsh youngsters in,instead of overseas players ,just after an easy shilling.there were a few stand out players in wales 20s 6 nations,and also why not try and get those 2 boys who withdrew from 20s Bartle and Sheedy back in blues fold
You always hear this but in reality, there arent many teams around that play fewer overseas players than us. On the weekend we had one in the starting XV and one on the bench. It isnt overseas players that are the problem. The problem is more to do with @#$%& Welsh players and @#$%& Welsh coaches.
That said, I think a number of players from the academy will start featuring next season.
Quote:wales606
Rumour Sean Holley is on his way :L
I think thats just a couple of tweets taken out of context. Although I wouldnt be surprised if the after dinner speaker media @#$%& has told us he's interested.
Im guessing it'll be Mark Anscombe.
I would hope that its not Sean Holley, because he is a snide article( as my grandfather would say) and that is the last thing that we need, although someone like Anscombe or Howarth would be ok as long as they can start at the start of july. We need a D.O.R. to start then as he should have the time to run a ruthless rule over our squad and ditch the dead wood. He must get as many of our promising youngsters contracted to us like Dillon Lewis and Ellis Jenkins( he should be already; he probably is but I am not too sure-sorry if I've missed it). We do need to do this, otherwise we will lose them and regret it afterwards like Rhys Gill and Cory Hill. Maybe, we should consider the approach of the dragons in using young talent, because their young squad had something to prove over our elderly and been there done it lot. I suppose I'm suggesting a new culture in that you can buy players but you cant buy a team. These are only suggestions and they may or may not be accepted, but I'm only the piano player. However I, like many long term Cardiff supporters am not prepared to take much more of the sort of@#$%&that has been on display for the last several seasons. I've got to the stage where if Cardiff Blues are on television, I record it and then look at the result before I watch it and delete it if they lose without watching.
tantt
15/04/2015 14:43
15/04/2015 14:43
I can't see Sean Holley as next coach, if we're getting a coach from Bristol then I'd much rather Danby Wilson, especially if we're hoping to bring through some of the promising youngsters.
Mark Anscombe is currently staying in Cardiff with Gareth so seems to be the front runner.
I'm more concerned about who'll be our new defence coach, if we can sort our defence out we could be half way decent.
Mark Anscombe is currently staying in Cardiff with Gareth so seems to be the front runner.
I'm more concerned about who'll be our new defence coach, if we can sort our defence out we could be half way decent.
Anscombe knows the competition and has done well in it. He's also - presumably - been following the team quite closely since his son joined and will already have ideas on what needs to happen.
Plus we were apparently after him previously. He's an obvious choice.
The big issue however.... how will this affect the whole Patchell/Anscombe dilemma. Much as I dont want to stir that pot again.
Plus we were apparently after him previously. He's an obvious choice.
The big issue however.... how will this affect the whole Patchell/Anscombe dilemma. Much as I dont want to stir that pot again.
I'm with you in hoping Anscombe; I'm of the opinion that r/e Patchell that Patchell/Anscombe dilemna is not the way to approach it, as I believe that Gatland should be looking for a long term replacement for Halfpenny and to me as a simple soul Patchell is the man. If he goes for it, then sign him up on an extension, because he could make the number 15 jersey his own-definately at the Blues, because if Tuculet goes(and I think he will) then Cardiff will be looking for a replacement and that could be Patch.
Well we all knew it was coming but it's official now....Tuculet just announced his departure on twitter...I hate argentina and their damn selection policy!
cardifflose
16/04/2015 07:28
16/04/2015 07:28
Great player for us sorry he is going, but what would you do? Play in the Super 15 or stay in the Poo-12 with a shockingly poor side?
Quote:cardifflose
Great player for us sorry he is going, but what would you do? Play in the Super 15 or stay in the Poo-12 with a shockingly poor side?
Oh don't blame the guy in the slightest, the timing is just unfortunate. He seemed to genuinely enjoy the club this season despite the poor form. If it weren't for the new selection policy I would have liked our chances of retaining him
cardifflose
16/04/2015 09:52
16/04/2015 09:52
Think your spot on, he wpuld have stayed, intresting to see what happens with Lucas
Quote:cardifflose
Think your spot on, he wpuld have stayed, intresting to see what happens with Lucas
If he doesnt go to Super rugby, the new regs will make him very valuable as he cant be called up for internationals. He'll be able to make a fortune in France.
Classy players. Just a shame we've not seen more of them.
Meanwhile, going by the latest it seems Tomas Francis will opt for wales but see out his contract with exeter.
Yup
16/04/2015 11:27
16/04/2015 11:27
How does Francis "becoming Welsh" affect his stay at Exeter with their limit on non English players and funding?
Quote:robin58
All ghone very quiet what is happenning any whispers
new coaches ???
No but the longer this season goes on, the more convinced I am that there need to be 20-30 in the "out" section.
List of those that shoulds be shown the exit door
Marc Breeze
Gareth Davies
Chris Dicomidis
Jevon Groves
Simon Humberstone
Owen Jenkins
Lewis Jones
Chris Knight
Adam Thomas
Will Thomas
Geraint Walsh
Rhys Williams
Tom Williams
Arguably add Rees, Reed to the list.
Taufa'ao Filise retires
Plus any others
Marc Breeze
Gareth Davies
Chris Dicomidis
Jevon Groves
Simon Humberstone
Owen Jenkins
Lewis Jones
Chris Knight
Adam Thomas
Will Thomas
Geraint Walsh
Rhys Williams
Tom Williams
Arguably add Rees, Reed to the list.
Taufa'ao Filise retires
Plus any others
we have a prop on trial with us at the moment apparently. Not sure about much else, but likely to be nWq.
Admin of theArmsPark.co.uk,
Make Noise and You Will Be Heard!
Admin of theArmsPark.co.uk,
Make Noise and You Will Be Heard!
Quote:So he can't be in contract with anyone else. That's not massively encouraging. Another journeyman to add to our squad of journeymen.theArmsPark.co.uk Admin
we have a prop on trial with us at the moment apparently. Not sure about much else, but likely to be nWq.
Quote:southcoast5Quote:So he can't be in contract with anyone else. That's not massively encouraging. Another journeyman to add to our squad of journeymen.theArmsPark.co.uk Admin
we have a prop on trial with us at the moment apparently. Not sure about much else, but likely to be nWq.
A journeyman who can actually do his job properly would be a step up. If someone with potential is looking fo a contract, why not give him a trial? Better that than just dismissing him.
But I'll wait and see who he is before condemning or praising him.
And not necessarily NWQ, he might be a welsh qualified kiwi or aussie, turks recently signed a similar player after a trial.
[/quote]A journeyman who can actually do his job properly would be a step up.[/quote]
You beat me to it
You beat me to it
Is it millard that decides if this trialist gets a contract ? Millard more a backs expert isn't he ?
we know our real need is for tight forwards partic tight head and lock. We've just failed to sign a world class centre (who would have been a bit of a luxury given the number of games he'd play). Maybe this guy will be a better journeyman than the rest of the journeymen we have but my point really is that we should be setting our sights much higher.
Johnboywalton
02/05/2015 23:00
02/05/2015 23:00
Agree not singing Jamie is a positive - spend cash where it's needed!
cardiblue
09/05/2015 09:23
09/05/2015 09:23
joe snyman wont be joining us hes off to france ...he was guest at award ceremony last night and said as much
Just watched Lee-Lo play 30 mins against the sharks, really looking forward to this guy coming, look very good running with the ball and good defense.
Plus with Nonu and Smith at center for the Canes he's been limited to very little game time this season so he should be fresh when he gets to us.
Plus with Nonu and Smith at center for the Canes he's been limited to very little game time this season so he should be fresh when he gets to us.
