We Need To Talk About London Irish

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Pretty clear Irish are a mess

 

[Quel Carreleur]

Last night club backtracked by saying it would now only pay 50% of May salaries and on the proviso that the players didn’t submit breach of contract letters the rest would be covered by the new owners. Players given 15 minutes notice of a late night meeting and told if they didn’t accept this offer there would be no pay and the club would go under.

Hard to see this ending well. RFU may make a decision as early as today.

I can't see how that wouldn't be reneging on whatever deal was made to get an extension out of the RFU

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I can't see how that wouldn't be reneging on whatever deal was made to get an extension out of the RFU

Quite.

Apparently the RFU / Premiership Rugby have set up a benevolent fund to help employees if the club goes to the wall (unclear whether this is Irish specific or would apply to any club, presumably the latter). Obviously laudable but no detail on amounts or how it’s actually being funded.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I can't see how that wouldn't be reneging on whatever deal was made to get an extension out of the RFU

Yeah, this twitter thread is saying that the extension is conditional on wages being paid today

 

[will311293]

Rumours that Bath have made offers for Pearson and Arundell.

Jesus within a couple of years, Bath's team has changed... pick ups of Pearson, Arundell, Lawrence, Barbeary and Hill is pretty insane.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Bath recruiting talented young back rowers like infinity stones. Hill, Underhill, Barbeary, Reid, Pearson and Bayliss all at the same club would be mad.

 

[Quel Carreleur]

TBH, I've no idea where Bath stand in relation to the salary cap for next season - there's just been too many moving parts over the last 12 months; and of course, Hooper has moved on - it was (apparently) his call/advice to keep some cap unspent at the beginning of each year to spend on mid-season availabilities; and we've no idea if JVG would agree that it's a good idea.

It's "known" that GJVV has been offered a contract, but unknown whether he's accepted it; I guess that if not, it could be withdrawn, but... I just dunno.
It's thought that FLW had been offered a full year contract, but is only staying for 2 months - though it was also thought back in February that he'd already committed himself to return to Aus; so I don't really believe that one.

The only known summer signings are Russell (marquee) and Du Toit, whilst Doughty, Rae, Attwood, WSpencer, DeCarpentier, White, Green, Venter, Hamer-Webb, Atkins and 80% of Fergus Lee-Warner are outgoing.
Of course, Hill, Barbeary and Lawrence will be going up onto "proper" contracts this summer; but no idea how much of an increase that would actually be (are they going up from £100k combined? or £100k each?).

As with Hill, Barbeary and Lawrence; Bath having a dedicated financer has got to make it attractive to anyone who's just had the rug pulled out from underneath them.

Of course, there's also rumour of cap dispensation being allowed to recruit players from LI - but then those same rumours were doing the rounds with Wuss and Wasps...

Of those mentioned, Arundell has a connection to Bath, being a Beechen Cliff old-boy.
Pearson and CCS have been mentioned as "wanna have" on the Bath fan forums; but that doesn't even reach the level of "speculation".

Quite honestly though, I'd expect those 3 to be "of interest" to... everybody in the league if they can be afforded.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I forgot Barbeary was still at a rugby club. Such an unfortunate set of injuries for the lad. Hopefully we see him back playing in the premiership next season.

I could see Pearson as an underhill replacement (if he’s too injured or bath want to move on). I’m guessing most clubs will want him though.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I would've thought Exeter would be eyeing Irish up closely considering how many players they're losing - they're down like 4 backrowers, 3 centres, couple of back three players
If OHC hadn't gone to Tigers I'd have said he'd be the perfect replacement for Nowell
Cinti for Nowell, Loader for Hogg, Pearson for Simmonds?

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

We’d be in the market for a lock with loto leaving last minute and ribbans leaving in the summer.

We signed Temo Mayanavanua to replace ribbans but it doesn’t seem a like for like talent wise. Not sure we’d need any more backs. We have such a good crop coming through or although in the team and young.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

We’d be in the market for a lock with loto leaving last minute and ribbans leaving in the summer.

Would you have Ratuniyarawa back?
Remember him being very popular, but then 36 is probably the far edge of a player's prime

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Chunya Munga would be a good lock signing for someone.

 

[stus768]

I forgot Barbeary was still at a rugby club. Such an unfortunate set of injuries for the lad. Hopefully we see him back playing in the premiership next season.

I could see Pearson as an underhill replacement (if he’s too injured or bath want to move on). I’m guessing most clubs will want him though.

Got to be worst club for him to have gone to in terms of injury record.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Got to be worst club for him to have gone to in terms of injury record.

On the flip side they've the most experienced medical team in the league

 

[TRF_Olyy]

June 6th it is

 

[West Country Wail]

I would've thought Exeter would be eyeing Irish up closely considering how many players they're losing - they're down like 4 backrowers, 3 centres, couple of back three players
If OHC hadn't gone to Tigers I'd have said he'd be the perfect replacement for Nowell
Cinti for Nowell, Loader for Hogg, Pearson for Simmonds?

Feyi-Waboso is our replacement for Nowell, I imagine Ethan Roots is our Simmonds replacement and Hodge and Wyatt were already pushing Hogg out of the squad. We have to live to our means and taking on more players to our already bloated ranks wouldn't make sense.

Now, fly half... there's a different discussion and one which isn't best discussed on this thread

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Now, fly half... there's a different discussion and one which isn't best discussed on this thread

I was thinking the other day that I’d love for us to sign Gooperth on a one year deal now that he’s out of contract. Get him in as starting 10 this year but, more importantly, to help develop WHW and Hawkins as 10/12s. Think his experience would be invaluable.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I was thinking the other day that I’d love for us to sign Gooperth on a one year deal now that he’s out of contract. Get him in as starting 10 this year but, more importantly, to help develop WHW and Hawkins as 10/12s. Think his experience would be invaluable.

He’s signed with Provence

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

He’s signed with Provence

Darn.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Now served with a winding up petition by HMRC over unpaid tax believed to be in the region of £1m.