It is understood that the Tigers haven’t offered a new deal to Martin, who extended his contract with the club after the World Cup, which opened the door for Saracens to make a move.
...
The move to North London next season is subject to Martin ... passing a medical.
That is a bold move from Parling or Dan Cole (whichever of them is responsible). I can only imagine that the prognosis on his future ability to play injury-free is depressing enough that we don't think he's value for money, but it's a big gamble if the move rejuvenates him and he comes back to haunt us fully fit.
Puja
Rumours are that it was a 2 + 1 deal and Tigers wanted to activate the 1 but Martin wanted more security of a new contract. Irrespective it's a complete fuck up on Tigers part letting him move to a rival.
Given how hot and cold we've been at replacing key players this really does have me worried. The Tigers squad has slowly decreased in quality since our title win.
Which Tyler wrote: ↑Tue Nov 25, 2025 12:51 pm
Gotta be worth a cheeky interest though
True. I've got half a hope (completely unsubstantiated) that we might be looking at providing a home for Kpoku to come back to England, although knowing my luck, it'd probably end up being Jonathan.
Puja
Our recruitment has been pretty iffy at times but mainly because we've signed names as knee jerk reactions, e.g. replacing Ford with Pollard. Can't see us pilfering the French third division. Joel Kpoku might be a decent option, I think he's out of contract with Pau next summer and doesn't seem to have enjoyed the same game time there he had with Lyon.
Danno wrote: ↑Tue Nov 25, 2025 7:26 pm
Can sort of understand Tigers' decision after keeping a busted Manu on the books for about 8 seasons with no payoff
Who bizarrely seems to have gone on to play 20+ games a season for Bayonne.
Danno wrote: ↑Tue Nov 25, 2025 7:26 pm
Can sort of understand Tigers' decision after keeping a busted Manu on the books for about 8 seasons with no payoff
Who bizarrely seems to have gone on to play 20+ games a season for Bayonne.
Yeah France seems to suit him. Neither Sale nor Tigers could keep him consistently fit, though he did have an annoying habit of recovering and then getting injured again on international duty.
Martin has had a similarly disrupted career to date but I'd have like to see us chance another two years with him. He'd either make it or we should have developed some of the big lads coming through as a replacement. Currently the Tigers pack has a lot of grafters but few stand out ball carriers.
Think that completes our depth at 13 (Lawrence, Freeman, Marchant) to go with our depth at 12 (Atkinson, Dingwall, Ojomoh). Possible BJVR qualifies too.
Just hooker, lock, scrum half and full back to solve.
Interesting signing for Sale as a RDP replacement. Could go well outside Ford and RMW but means they’ll probably want to sign a 10/12 to back up Ford and have a second playmaker option in the centre.
Captainhaircut wrote: ↑Wed Nov 26, 2025 1:55 pm
Marchant signing for Sale apparently.
Think that completes our depth at 13 (Lawrence, Freeman, Marchant) to go with our depth at 12 (Atkinson, Dingwall, Ojomoh). Possible BJVR qualifies too.
Just hooker, lock, scrum half and full back to solve.
Interesting signing for Sale as a RDP replacement. Could go well outside Ford and RMW but means they’ll probably want to sign a 10/12 to back up Ford and have a second playmaker option in the centre.
With Tom Curtis and Ollie Davies I'd be surprised if they acquired another 10. Marchant has underrated footballing skills so might play the link role from 13. Won't be a RDP replacement but should still be able to do the job. Davies into 15 could also be an option (one EP will approve of).
I'm expecting Sanderson to try to splurge on the pack, rumours are he's been rebuffed by both CCS and Martin so he's clearly after some physicality and carrying ability up front.
Captainhaircut wrote: ↑Wed Nov 26, 2025 1:55 pm
Marchant signing for Sale apparently.
Think that completes our depth at 13 (Lawrence, Freeman, Marchant) to go with our depth at 12 (Atkinson, Dingwall, Ojomoh). Possible BJVR qualifies too.
Just hooker, lock, scrum half and full back to solve.
Interesting signing for Sale as a RDP replacement. Could go well outside Ford and RMW but means they’ll probably want to sign a 10/12 to back up Ford and have a second playmaker option in the centre.
There’s not all that many caps among the centres you’ve named, but there’s a lot talent there that could be around for a good few years yet.
It will be very interesting to see if Marchant comes back the same player as when he left. He’s not got the power or heft of Freeman/Lawrence, though he has fantastic technique through contact, but he is the most skilful of the 3, just as quick and his aerial game would surely be a big temptation given how we’re playing at the moment.
Captainhaircut wrote: ↑Wed Nov 26, 2025 1:55 pm
Marchant signing for Sale apparently.
Think that completes our depth at 13 (Lawrence, Freeman, Marchant) to go with our depth at 12 (Atkinson, Dingwall, Ojomoh). Possible BJVR qualifies too.
Just hooker, lock, scrum half and full back to solve.
Interesting signing for Sale as a RDP replacement. Could go well outside Ford and RMW but means they’ll probably want to sign a 10/12 to back up Ford and have a second playmaker option in the centre.
With Tom Curtis and Ollie Davies I'd be surprised if they acquired another 10. Marchant has underrated footballing skills so might play the link role from 13. Won't be a RDP replacement but should still be able to do the job. Davies into 15 could also be an option (one EP will approve of).
I'm expecting Sanderson to try to splurge on the pack, rumours are he's been rebuffed by both CCS and Martin so he's clearly after some physicality and carrying ability up front.
Captainhaircut wrote: ↑Wed Nov 26, 2025 1:55 pm
Marchant signing for Sale apparently.
Think that completes our depth at 13 (Lawrence, Freeman, Marchant) to go with our depth at 12 (Atkinson, Dingwall, Ojomoh). Possible BJVR qualifies too.
Just hooker, lock, scrum half and full back to solve.
Interesting signing for Sale as a RDP replacement. Could go well outside Ford and RMW but means they’ll probably want to sign a 10/12 to back up Ford and have a second playmaker option in the centre.
With Tom Curtis and Ollie Davies I'd be surprised if they acquired another 10. Marchant has underrated footballing skills so might play the link role from 13. Won't be a RDP replacement but should still be able to do the job. Davies into 15 could also be an option (one EP will approve of).
I'm expecting Sanderson to try to splurge on the pack, rumours are he's been rebuffed by both CCS and Martin so he's clearly after some physicality and carrying ability up front.
fivepointer wrote: ↑Wed Nov 26, 2025 4:48 pm
Pleasing to hear of Marchant's return to the Prem. Certainly a player who should be interesting England but will be 30 when he comes back.
Only just … 31 for the RWC so hardly ancient.
Don't love the destination but very pleased he'll be available for England. Obviously he needs to earn his place, but he's a classy player who should slot straight back in.
Pretty poor form from Sanderson this. Shouldn’t be surprised when he says they have enough money for 4 or 5 world class players that when they enter negotiations those players ask for serious money. Certainly don’t think it’s particularly fair to name CCS specifically.
Pretty poor form from Sanderson this. Shouldn’t be surprised when he says they have enough money for 4 or 5 world class players that when they enter negotiations those players ask for serious money. Certainly don’t think it’s particularly fair to name CCS specifically.
Pretty much what I expect from Sanderson to be honest. Seems to have a high opinion of himself and tends to be in a mood when things don't go his way.
Not really sure what he expected with CCS, a young man who seems to like living in London where he's lived for about five years. Sanderson talked up wanting to recruit big name players so asking a young guy with means to leave the capital and go north it shouldn't have been a shock when he revealed he wanted a good old chunk of cash.
twitchy wrote: ↑Sat Nov 29, 2025 9:22 am
I think everyone should keep calling them newcastle unless they are contractually obliged. An interesting move from an england perspective.
Considering they saved my club from oblivion, I’m more than happy to call them Red Bulls.
Captainhaircut wrote: ↑Sat Nov 29, 2025 9:05 am
Telegraph claims Sotutu has signed for Red Bulls.
Good signing for all concerned, you'd've thought - Newcastle get an upgraded version of Mafi and he gets a club where there's no question he'll be the main man. Plus he's a statement signing that will make it easier for them to persuade others to join, cause they know they won't be the first and there'll be some quality there.
Excellent signing for them.
At this point, Newcastle need a good 35-40 new signings - you take what's available (assuming requisite quality).
Also a good idea to get 1-3 big name signings known nice and early as proof of concept, a statement of "we're serious", to give others reassurance that it's actually the start of a redemption arc, rather than being a false dawn.
I did (and still do) expect them to make a big play for any France based Englishmen who might be wanting a return ahead of the RWC - ok, so Marchant's off the table now, and JacquesW is never leaving, but the likes of Kpoku, Ribbans and Sinkler to be prime targets.
Sotutu seems like an obvious target as well - seems to really want a move to England, and is certainly of the requisite quality as a name. Add in 1-2 of the three I've suggested, and it'll make assembling the rest of a squad around them much easier.
Which Tyler wrote: ↑Sat Nov 29, 2025 11:15 am
Excellent signing for them.
At this point, Newcastle need a good 35-40 new signings - you take what's available (assuming requisite quality).
Also a good idea to get 1-3 big name signings known nice and early as proof of concept, a statement of "we're serious", to give others reassurance that it's actually the start of a redemption arc, rather than being a false dawn.
I did (and still do) expect them to make a big play for any France based Englishmen who might be wanting a return ahead of the RWC - ok, so Marchant's off the table now, and JacquesW is never leaving, but the likes of Kpoku, Ribbans and Sinkler to be prime targets.
Sotutu seems like an obvious target as well - seems to really want a move to England, and is certainly of the requisite quality as a name. Add in 1-2 of the three I've suggested, and it'll make assembling the rest of a squad around them much easier.
They will have the perennial problem of being in fucking Newcastle though (sorry Northerners). Trying to tempt someone away from the Med with its sun, food and wine in favour of chips and rain might be a tough ask
Which Tyler wrote: ↑Sat Nov 29, 2025 11:15 am
Excellent signing for them.
At this point, Newcastle need a good 35-40 new signings - you take what's available (assuming requisite quality).
Also a good idea to get 1-3 big name signings known nice and early as proof of concept, a statement of "we're serious", to give others reassurance that it's actually the start of a redemption arc, rather than being a false dawn.
I did (and still do) expect them to make a big play for any France based Englishmen who might be wanting a return ahead of the RWC - ok, so Marchant's off the table now, and JacquesW is never leaving, but the likes of Kpoku, Ribbans and Sinkler to be prime targets.
Sotutu seems like an obvious target as well - seems to really want a move to England, and is certainly of the requisite quality as a name. Add in 1-2 of the three I've suggested, and it'll make assembling the rest of a squad around them much easier.
They will have the perennial problem of being in fucking Newcastle though (sorry Northerners). Trying to tempt someone away from the Med with its sun, food and wine in favour of chips and rain might be a tough ask
Pretty much the same issue all Prem clubs have. Even those in prettier or interesting cities, there's normally a sharp uplift in cost.
Newcastle is a cracking city and there's some beautiful countryside plus the cost of living is lower. It's still a fairly niche catchment of pro rugby players though if a few big names sign up and create a buzz then that could be a draw.
I'll post this here for the moment, but there's a rumour that Stade Français are thinking of tempting Courtney Lawes (who'll be 37 in February) to sign for them when his contract with ProD2 Brive expires at the end of this season. Maybe he's been dreaming of guiding Brive back into the Top14, but Brive are currently 8th and have been blowing hot and cold this season and seem to have a slim chance of promotion, so if SF come calling with a tasty pre-retirement contract, it could be hard to resist.
Captainhaircut wrote: ↑Mon Dec 01, 2025 6:59 pm
Onyama-Christie to Newcastle doing the rounds.
Not a real Scotsman of course but that would be player number 1 for the Scottish revolution.
Onyama-Christie really wouldn't be the best use of resources. Another backrow shouldn't be high on the agenda when Christie, Gordon, Sotutu, Mafi and Lockwood should all be around next season. Tight five is on desperate need of reinforcement.
Also non-EQ players aren't going to help Falcons meet the EQ quota. They really need to be trying to tempt the likes of Moon, Joel Kpoku (Junior as well if his contract allows), Sinckler etc maybe even Brookes back across the channel. Big experienced units who'll give them a platform to work off.
