Transfer news, rumours, suggestions, frenzied speculation, and outright lies - Season 2023-24

[FKAS]

Newcastle confirming they have appointed lawyers to pursue the compensation cases pending with the RFU over the players they lost last season. Bath and Sarries haven't stumped up the compensation and Glaws are also apparently looking to use the same procedure to kick the can down the road. As expected Steve Diamond is less than amused.

I would imagine clubs are looking at invoices from Falcons and thinking they may as well wait and see if it ever even needs to get paid. Evil, but monetarily efficient.

Puja

All they're doing is accruing interest, any decent administrator/liquidator won't back down if the worst comes to pass

To right. Especially if the RFU have agreed those sums need to be paid then there's a clear proof of funds to be collected.

If the other clubs were looking to take advantage they should be trying to avoid the RFU ruling on the case and offering to pay a lower lump sum than Falcons are demanding now.

[Mellsblue]

And all this whilst there’s discussions of a PR and CVC loan to see Newcastle through next season. What a shower…

[Banquo]

And all this whilst there’s discussions of a PR and CVC loan to see Newcastle through next season. What a shower…

not encouraging is it, and what faith in the RFU's financial probity department in letting Warriors return

[FKAS]

The Fail jumping on the MacDonald bandwagon, Tigers representatives apparently meeting him in Australia last week.

Also reporting that:
"Meanwhile, flanker Joaquin Moro has been lined up for a move to Welford Road. The 24-year-old made his debut for Argentina last year and plays his club rugby for Pampas XV in Super Rugby Americas. Tigers back-row Kyle Hatherell is set to join Ealing Trailfinders so the versatile South American will ensure stocks remain strong."

I'd imagine Moro is being lined up as an option at 8 given Hatherall struggling to get up the pecking order on the flank or convince at 8 offloading him makes sense. I'd imagine Rogerson is off as well.

[Puja]

Whitcombe might have a Scots granny which he's looking at the option of using as well?

Puja

Doesn't make much difference for Scotland does it? Will Hurd barely plays for Tigers and is in the Scotland squad for the 6N.

Would have to be a granny because Whitcombe's father and one grandfather are born and bred Yorkshire whilst the other grandfather is Welsh.

Yeah, but Hurd's scrummaging is at least a strength that puts him vaguely near an international level. Whitcombe is nowhere near (and won't ever be on his current trajectory), so he may be looking at it as an opportunity to get time, develop, and be in the eyeline of people in the Scottish setup.

Not sure he'll be drowning in offers if he wants to go somewhere that will give him more gametime

Puja

Whitcombe confirmed as having found a granny born in Falkirk: https://www.planetrugby.com/news/edinbu ... elsh-sides

Puja

[FKAS]

Doesn't make much difference for Scotland does it? Will Hurd barely plays for Tigers and is in the Scotland squad for the 6N.

Would have to be a granny because Whitcombe's father and one grandfather are born and bred Yorkshire whilst the other grandfather is Welsh.

Yeah, but Hurd's scrummaging is at least a strength that puts him vaguely near an international level. Whitcombe is nowhere near (and won't ever be on his current trajectory), so he may be looking at it as an opportunity to get time, develop, and be in the eyeline of people in the Scottish setup.

Not sure he'll be drowning in offers if he wants to go somewhere that will give him more gametime

Puja

Whitcombe confirmed as having found a granny born in Falkirk: https://www.planetrugby.com/news/edinbu ... elsh-sides

Puja

Been rumoured for a while.

It's the season ticket holders chance to meet the board tomorrow there's either going to be a flurry of news to take the edge off beforehand or they are going to announce some at the actual meeting. Otherwise it could be a bloodbath. We've had some renewals news but only outgoings reported so far.

[twitchy]

Stu Townsend to quins.

[Mikey Brown]

Hmm.

Well Porter is great and Friday is obviously promising, but that doesn’t feel like much of a replacement for Care. Gjaltema just doesn’t seem to cut it, so I guess it’s an upgrade of sorts.

[FKAS]

Hmm.

Well Porter is great and Friday is obviously promising, but that doesn’t feel like much of a replacement for Care. Gjaltema just doesn’t seem to cut it, so I guess it’s an upgrade of sorts.

Care's signed up for another year hasn't he. So is Townsend just an upgrade for Gjaltema? Not sure he fits with the standard Quins style playmaking 9, he's more of an annoying terrier.

[Mikey Brown]

Hmm.

Well Porter is great and Friday is obviously promising, but that doesn’t feel like much of a replacement for Care. Gjaltema just doesn’t seem to cut it, so I guess it’s an upgrade of sorts.

Care's signed up for another year hasn't he. So is Townsend just an upgrade for Gjaltema? Not sure he fits with the standard Quins style playmaking 9, he's more of an annoying terrier.

You're right! Not sure how I missed that. There was all this talk of trying to nab Quirke as Care's replacement a while ago and was sure he'd decided to call it a day.

[Puja]

Sale re-sign both Currys, but are letting JL du Preez go off for a payday in France. Always seemed likely - Sale are going to be faced with some tough contract renewals as their young guns get older and they'll likely need to cut their cloth in places.

Puja

[ilovelamp]

Jack Mann confirmed at Glaws. Hell of a signing if we can keep him fit.

[Mikey Brown]

Is Mercer off again?

[francoisfou]

Clermont and France (12 caps) Anthony Belleau is said to have signed for Northampton.
Could this mean a move to Leicester for Fin Smith?

[francoisfou]

Is Mercer off again?

Toulon, I believe.

[FKAS]

Clermont and France (12 caps) Anthony Belleau is said to have signed for Northampton.
Could this mean a move to Leicester for Fin Smith?

Belleau is rumoured to be a one year deal and Fin Smith is supposed to be under contract until 2026. The rumour with Fin Smith and Leicester was that Tigers were looking at a short term signing and would then next summer look to acquire Fin Smith. Fin being on a contract lower than his market value and is allegedly looking for a substantial increase.

[Banquo]

Sale re-sign both Currys, but are letting JL du Preez go off for a payday in France. Always seemed likely - Sale are going to be faced with some tough contract renewals as their young guns get older and they'll likely need to cut their cloth in places.

Puja

theyve signed Vermeulen and Reuban Logan

[Banquo]

Callum Chick to Saints. Slightly odd

[francoisfou]

Leigh Halfpenny went to ProD2 Béziers last week with view to joining the club next season.
Béziers should be in the end of season playoffs for promotion to the Top14.

https://www.rugbyrama.fr/2025/05/06/tra ... 678106.php

[Danno]

Leigh Halfpenny went to ProD2 Béziers last week with view to joining the club next season.
Béziers should be in the end of season playoffs for promotion to the Top14.

https://www.rugbyrama.fr/2025/05/06/tra ... 678106.php

Won't really be missed at Quins tbh

[Adam_P]

Callum Chick to Saints. Slightly odd

Odd in what regard? We need a decent 8 to replace Augustus, and Chick stands a better chance of development and potential to get international experience at Saints than at Falcons

[fivepointer]

Chick's a good player who will do well at Saints.

[TheNomad]

Callum Chick to Saints. Slightly odd

Time flies - I remember him being an up and coming #8 with potential. He's 28 now. Good player

[Puja]

Leicester apparently have missed out on Leon McDonald due to him receiving better offers financially from Queenland Reds and Japan: https://archive.ph/zwYYl

Fuck's sake! Is it not possible that we can get a coach in place at some point before the end of the season, considering that we are currently lacking a fly-half of any kind and nobody will sign for us until they know what kind of game we're going to be playing?

Telegraph article says we're likely to fall back to Rowntree which I guess could be worse, but it's hardly inspiring to be picking someone that we turned down in favour of Gustard, and then turned down again in favour of McDonald. "Oh fine, I guess you'll have to do then" is hardly a good way to select a new leader.

Puja

[Puja]

Also, Dan Lancaster is currently having a tug-of-war for his services - Racing want him to stay, Laurent Travers wants to take him with him to Bayonne, and Glasgow want him to leverage his Scots qualifications: https://www.rugbypass.com/news/racing-9 ... 14-rivals/

Puja