Transfers Rumours

[saulan]

This definitely falls into the rumour category as I’ve only seen reference to it in one place, but apparently The Sharks (Durban) have or are in the process of signing Thomas du Toit back from Bath.

Wouldn’t be too surprised by this as in theory it would mean he is back in SA with a year ahead of the RWC and he has likely got a fair amount of roots in Durban having played their through most of his career (added to that, the Sharks habit of seemingly signing every possible overseas Springbok that thinks about coming back)

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

SA franchises are doing a good job in getting their players back lately I have felt

My understanding is a lot of the SA players start coming back when they have kids or young family as having their parents around them is big

 

[saulan]

SA franchises are doing a good job in getting their players back lately I have felt

My understanding is a lot of the SA players start coming back when they have kids or young family as having their parents around them is big

It’s really just the Bulls and Sharks to be honest. Sharks I think have overdone it a bit and signed too many Springboks, which means that when the Springboks are playing, they practically lose their starting XV, and in general a number of those Springboks have a habit of playing poorly in comparison to their Springbok form.

Stormers are thankfully out of administration but are still fairly cash strapped for now, but they’re surviving off the waves of local talent that the Western Cape produces - only international signing they got this season was Reinach.

The Lions are just always in a perpetually bad position. Bound to Ellis Park which means guaranteed bad attendance and continued mismanagement which means they act as a feeder team to the other teams, or pick up the players that struggle to get consistent game time with the other teams.

 

[Which Tyler]

From what I'm hearing (dodgy reliability) he's already rejected big money at Bordeaux (like 3-4 times as much as he's on at Bath); and is weighing up staying put, versus returning home. We wouldn't be able to pay him market rate either (Russell has that Marquee spot tied up).
When you've got kids, distance to relatives often starts feeling way more important. I've no idea if there are any other familial reasons going on.


From a Bath perspective, we were always going to lose a big name this year (probably 2, maybe 3) - and almost certain to lose either TdT or Stuart at THP - no-one can afford to pay those 2 their value from the cap without massively skewing the squad balance. Both are worth far more now than when they last signed.

 

[saulan]

Rob du Preez just announced for Bayonne from Sale Sharks for two years.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Rob du Preez just announced for Bayonne from Sale Sharks for two years.

Oof that’s a big loss

 

[Groundhog]

Munster apparently after Marnus van der Merwe.

 

[Rinkadink]

Matias Moroni to Bristol for a few weeks as injury cover.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Leicester Tigers and England lock George Martin has emerged as a target for Sale Sharks - The Telegraph.

Sale Sharks in talks with George Martin

Leicester and England lock a target for Alex Sanderson with discussions already understood to have taken place ahead of possible move

www.telegraph.co.uk

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Don't even care if he's only available 30mins a year

 

[Reiser99]

Don't even care if he's only available 30mins a year

29 of those 30 will be for England.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I have zero worry Sanderson is after everyone and leaks it all to the press

But like Freddie steward I’m very confident Martin is going to stay unless his injury is more serious than we think and would rather sale foot the bill

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Wonder if Sarries go after CCS now?

 

[BPM]

Really disappointed in Tom Willis. I don’t get it at all …

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Really disappointed in Tom Willis. I don't get it at all …

Money.

 

[BPM]

A central contract not enough for him?

 

[Rugbyfan564]

A central contract not enough for him?

Nope.

And he still gets the money for that this season despite the RFU not selecting him anymore

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Wonder if Sarries go after CCS now?

Maybe. He’s being linked with Sale mostly

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Tbf I would imagine not making the EPS means he loses the central contract money seeing as it's a replacement for match fees

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Tbf I would imagine not making the EPS means he loses the central contract money seeing as it's a replacement for match fees

According to the Telegraph he keeps it.

'Willis was one of 25 players handed an enhanced contract by the RFU in August, which were designed to help with talent retention. Willis will keep that for the remainder of the campaign whether England pick him or not'