Always a Wasp
General Category => Wasps Rugby Discussion => Topic started by: baldpaul101 on October 20, 2022, 04:16:54 PM
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Give Once a Wasp always a Wasp this thread will list the players as they are confirmed as signing for other clubs, not just rumoured
First on is Josh Bassett confirmed as signing for Quinns till the end of the season
https://www.quins.co.uk/article/josh-basset-signs-for-quins-jb2022 (https://www.quins.co.uk/article/josh-basset-signs-for-quins-jb2022)
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Looks like Biyi to Racing confirmed.
https://twitter.com/racing92/status/1583148544348897294?t=sCZa397zCd5vfvQHnGb4OQ&s=19
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Bristol making an announcement at 7 pm tonight, Jack Willis maybe or Alfie or both
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What a pile of shat. Glad for them though.
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We had a bloody good team let down by the club being poorly run and a coaching set up that was not at the required level
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7pm announcement nothing to do with wasps players, Kyle has re-signed
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Porter to Bristol
https://twitter.com/BristolBears/status/1583805379443564545?t=PJ3jX1iJdWsULOdBr6EpiA&s=19
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Ffs this is really painful, but still wish Will all the best.
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Ffs this is really painful, but still wish Will all the best.
Seconded - word for word :(
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Wonky, what happens to your sponsorship of Will?
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Will Simonds has signed for Chinoor.
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Ross, I've lost £2,200. approx. and I don't get his matchplay shirt! Last year was about £700. less, but he had improved terrifically last season. Bristle is in reasonable distance from us but we can't bring ourselves to go there. All that pension saved over the year, but - there you are. Thank God I'm not an employee. Presumably the Corporate Sponsors suffer the same fate. My choice to do it so I can't complain.
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Ross, I've lost £2,200. approx. and I don't get his matchplay shirt! Last year was about £700. less, but he had improved terrifically last season. Bristle is in reasonable distance from us but we can't bring ourselves to go there. All that pension saved over the year, but - there you are. Thank God I'm not an employee. Presumably the Corporate Sponsors suffer the same fate. My choice to do it so I can't complain.
Nonetheless. That's tough.
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Yes, but at least I haven't lost my job or our house and there are hundreds a great worse off. Breaks your heart There's a good article by Gats in the Sports section of the D.Tel today. I'm amazed that I managed to save up all that money. Unsurprisingly I haven't heard anything at all from the Offy. I look on it as Payback Time for all that rugby and Wasps has done for our family.
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Yes, but at least I haven't lost my job or our house and there are hundreds a great worse off. Breaks your heart There's a good article by Gats in the Sports section of the D.Tel today. I'm amazed that I managed to save up all that money. Unsurprisingly I haven't heard anything at all from the Offy. I look on it as Payback Time for all that rugby and Wasps has done for our family.
Very generous and gracious, Wonky. It was when you mentioned saving from your pension - that I meant as 'tough'. I can't save anything from mine and I don't have a mortgage. Pretty much everything is spoken for.
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Yes, with you on the mortgage and most everything else. We're lucky I think, aren't we.
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Hi Wonky, we must have met at some stage as this is our second season sponsoring Charlie Atkinson and we sponsored Will Rowlands for 3 seasons prior to that.
At least our sponsorship has been via my business so less of a "personal" blow, but very "frustrating" nonetheless.
We have also become good friends with Charlie's parents as well and I won't put anything personal on here, but to say that Charlie was "in bits" when it all happened is an understatement.
I have followed Wasps since 1993 (when I watched Loz, Hopley and Sheasby play in the England sevens side that won the World Cup) and became a season ticket holder when they moved to Coventry (where I have lived nearly all of my life).
We have made some great friends through Wasps and had some wonderful days (and some painful ones), but I would not swap those experiences for anything other than to be still be doing it now and again in the future.
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Reading the Times today, Stooke and Gabby out of a job, heartbreaking read.
These guys are getting employment at a fraction if their true worth.
I am sure many will be grateful for all the sponsorship in the past.
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Hello Colonel - splendid name! Yes, I'm sorry that we lost Charlie as we had so much talent and great promise for this 22/23 season, but it's good news that he has been snapped up quickly. Life must be looking really grim for some players, Elliot Stooke for one poor chap. I expect we have met .......... I had been on sticks prior to covid but now (no connection with covid) use a wheel chair, or buggy for slopes/hills/bumps so I'm a bit noticeable. I sponsored Billy V (1 year), Guy (5), Tom Willis (1) (lost out in the money stakes) and Will for 3. I shall miss Tom very much as he always gave me a huge bear hug and a kiss on the cheek whenever we met. ''Happy days'' At least we have those wonderful memories. I am sad that we weren't able to say goodbye to all our friends in Block B, rows N, M, L and K, and to wish them happiness from Gill, Chris, Jenny and Edward. It is so good to know that you can keep in touch with Charlie and his family, and maybe (just maybe) if there is ever a Wasps Resurgent some might come back. Wouldn't that be terrific. Can you pass on the thanks and best wishes of 5 unknown fans and admirers to Charlie? Thank you all Waspies where ever you maybe ...... and safe journeys always, and C O Y W.................
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John Ryan back to Munster
https://twitter.com/Munsterrugby/status/1584540589906952193?t=7lwUKzZBfkeEIx4uvbjeXg&s=19
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Wonky - AFAIK Charlie is yet to be snapped up.
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Wonky - AFAIK Charlie is yet to be snapped up.
Been called to train with England this week
https://twitter.com/EnglandRugby/status/1584516410193367042?t=phvx1haADHhVFOmH0AOWng&s=19
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Ooh that stings when it says he’s currently unattached…
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Is that because Feral is out with concussion?
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indeed, he is stated to be a training player
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I understand that Charlie got the call last week so not solely down to Farrell's HIA Protocols I think.
I believe that Charlie has had a number of approaches (not surprising really), but I guess he'll need to make a decision that gives him a bit of "security" (as he's only just 21) and also gives him the chance to keep in the frame for England now he's getting these opportunities.
Such a shame it probably won't be with Wasps (certainly in the short term) as I think we had the makings of a really good team given the quality of some of the younger players, a good smattering of experience and some strong Academy prospects to come through as well!
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CW .... I Couldn't agree more. We had/have the makings (given lack of injuries - ho ho) of a superb team. I hope we get to see at least some of them back together again. It depends on finding a rugby-loving owner with cash to spare, but they're a bit thin on the ground unfortunately. God (presumably) knows what the future holds.
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I wonder if Jacob would look at some time back in the Southern Hemisphere again, following his spell at Auckland a few years ago. Could go down there for a season and give some time to find a club in England with cap space next season. Just a thought.
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Brad to Perpignan being reported.
As an example of the dire situation the players find themselves in, Launch is currently being offered just 60k for the rest of the season elsewhere.
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WW - I have emailed a private message re Will as Charlie has said that he'll pass on your thanks and regards.
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Brad to Perpignan being reported.
As an example of the dire situation the players find themselves in, Launch is currently being offered just 60k for the rest of the season elsewhere.
Confirmed
https://twitter.com/usap_officiel/status/1585244172617146369?t=kEKcuLvGOV1e7ixNnOHWzw&s=19
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Brad to Perpignan being reported.
Confirmed until the end of the season: https://twitter.com/usap_officiel/status/1585244172617146369?s=20&t=mZ1JDpBNViNF8FH2_HeMdw
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Possibly my favourite player. Taking a tiny, tiny crumb of comfort from the end of season aspect but I imagine even that is misguided.
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Colonel Wasp ..... Thank you so VERY VERY much!!!!!!!!!! That is really kind of you, and Charlie, and will be so appreciated by my family too. Could you give Charlie our thanks too? If either of them is in touch with Tom (Willis) could they pass on our very good wishes to him too as I sponsored him too pre-Will? Again, that is so kind of you. Many thanks! Gill.
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I didn’t even get as far as GCSE French, but Perpignan’s video seems to say that we won the Premiership in 2020?
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Hislop to Saracens
https://twitter.com/Saracens/status/1585254920659390468?t=IjN_SnzYnkjRKp_jMyYXbg&s=19
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Cam Dodson has gone to Aurillac in the Pro D2: https://www.stade-aurillacois.fr/cameron-dodson-2eme-ligne-des-wasps-signe-comme-joker-medical/
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Lucky Perpignan; superb player. Anyone know where Tom Willis is, or is he still recovering apres appendicitis?
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Wonky - the Times were reporting that an unnamed rival team offered TW an academy contract! Absolutely disgusting. He’ll get a new club. Too good not to.
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Can't find the broken heart emoji but happy players are getting jobs. Can't believe Tom Willis hasn't been picked up already
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I imagine his appendicitus (and potential appendectomy?) might be limiting Tom at the minute.
I've not heard even a rumour about Umaga which is quite surprising.
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I imagine his appendicitus (and potential appendectomy?) might be limiting Tom at the minute.
I've not heard even a rumour about Umaga which is quite surprising.
I do wonder if he will have gone back to the RFU about his ban?
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I imagine his appendicitus (and potential appendectomy?) might be limiting Tom at the minute.
I've not heard even a rumour about Umaga which is quite surprising.
Others surprise me more. Robson, West, Oghre, Stooke, Odogwu, Spink.
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Hi Wonky - Sorry I have been out this afternoon, but have messaged Charlie and also Jack as well on your behalf so I'm sure that you good wishes will get through.
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If I was Ealing Trailfinders I would be getting the Willis brothers, West and as many Wasps players as possible. The salary cap is different in the championship, guarantee promotion and have an excellent team when promoted.
Also would get a lot of Wasps supporters
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If I was Ealing Trailfinders I would be getting the Willis brothers, West and as many Wasps players as possible. The salary cap is different in the championship, guarantee promotion and have an excellent team when promoted.
Also would get a lot of Wasps supporters
The cap is different, unless they are planning to get promoted, as if they do they must meet the Premiership Salary Cap in their promotion year. That was why Sarries had to be compliant during their year in the Championship.
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Free entry for rest of season.
https://www.ealingtrailfinders.com/news/5luwloc8cro0 (https://www.ealingtrailfinders.com/news/5luwloc8cro0)
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That was why Sarries had to be compliant during their year in the Championship.
Like they were in the Premiership?
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Koch and Odogwu to Stade Francais
https://twitter.com/SFParisRugby/status/1585546779034099715?t=Z5GAOgBt9DMC7PgxppBi8Q&s=19
https://twitter.com/SFParisRugby/status/1585546111669903360?t=zbNg1aqK2PawL6XlC386Ag&s=19
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Koch and Odogwu to Stade Francais
https://twitter.com/SFParisRugby/status/1585546779034099715?t=Z5GAOgBt9DMC7PgxppBi8Q&s=19
https://twitter.com/SFParisRugby/status/1585546111669903360?t=zbNg1aqK2PawL6XlC386Ag&s=19
Medical jokers. Good luck for becoming permanent.
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I knew this thread was going to be a hard read but seeing “our” talent scattered around all these grateful recipients is terrible.
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Switches me off really. The more I read, the more I get angry when they end up at prem clubs. Not so bad with French clubs, hurts but hurts less.
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I wonder if Paolo might be thinking Italy? In his situation I certainly would.
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That was why Sarries had to be compliant during their year in the Championship.
Like they were in the Premiership?
I make no comment about whether they were or not………😂
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I wonder if Paolo might be thinking Italy? In his situation I certainly would.
Will be playing/training alongside Perisse
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I wonder if Paolo might be thinking Italy? In his situation I certainly would.
Will be playing/training alongside Perisse
Parisse at Toulon.
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I wonder if Paolo might be thinking Italy? In his situation I certainly would.
Will be playing/training alongside Perisse
Parisse at Toulon.
Oops.
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It's all very sad and tears me up every time I read about one of our players (they'll never be ex- to me). However, when someone gets a job, i gives me a bit of a lift.
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It's all very sad and tears me up every time I read about one of our players (they'll never be ex- to me). However, when someone gets a job, i gives me a bit of a lift.
+1
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I just wonder the mindset of the players now.
Are they just taking the first thing they can get and potentially being under their value or can they potentially wait for the best deal before then looking for a new deal next season.
I imagine Jack and Launchbury etc can wait a while but for the Porters and Hislops might not be able to be fussy at all.
On the flip side, clubs might just not be able to offer them anything much
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I just wonder the mindset of the players now.
Are they just taking the first thing they can get and potentially being under their value or can they potentially wait for the best deal before then looking for a new deal next season.
I imagine Jack and Launchbury etc can wait a while but for the Porters and Hislops might not be able to be fussy at all.
On the flip side, clubs might just not be able to offer them anything much
Imagine they take what they can get for this season then once the wheeling and dealing for next season starts look for something bigger and better then, which of course will have a knock on effect on other players too.
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I expect the financial circumstances of the individual players will have a lot to do with it.
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Frost to Exeter
https://twitter.com/ExeterChiefs/status/1585636194171645955?t=3J07-pGNvOcie9_Pa-VjCg&s=19
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Good luck, Frosty.
Rob Baxter explains how Exeter Chiefs can afford to add Wasps forward and hints at more signings
https://www.devonlive.com/sport/rugby/rugby-news/rob-baxter-explains-how-exeter-7754181 (https://www.devonlive.com/sport/rugby/rugby-news/rob-baxter-explains-how-exeter-7754181)
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He's found five quid down the back of the sofa .... no, sorry, .... one million
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Didn't know where to put this.
Jack Willis: 'grateful' for England role amid 'upsetting' demise of club side Wasps.
Interview with Chris Jones of the Beeb.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/63418510 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/63418510)
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I imagine his appendicitus (and potential appendectomy?) might be limiting Tom at the minute.
I've not heard even a rumour about Umaga which is quite surprising.
Others surprise me more. Robson, West, Oghre, Stooke, Odogwu, Spink.
I cried at the weekend when I read the RP- there seemed to be many rumours about the other front rowers but nothing about West.
I’m a soppy so and so I know- my husband was looking at me funny (he supports Tigers, I didn’t expect him to understand!!)
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I too had been wondering about Tom West. Presumably Tom Willis is still recuperating from his appendectomy.
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West will have no issue getting something - one of the best scrummaging LH’s in the league.
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Kiran McDonald to Munster
https://twitter.com/Munsterrugby/status/1585931872152043521?t=YK93VxM4hVSWyGq9p0zRpA&s=19
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Luke Mehson on the bench for London scottish this weekend. Will be linking up with cam anderson who's been a mainstay at 15 for us this year
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Josh starting for Queens.
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Well that’s going to feel odd. With the smaller league there will only be a couple of games per weekend not televised so we’re going to see plenty of our players in different colours. Seeing out the end of my BT contract and still can’t bring myself to watch at the minute though.
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Porter on the bench for Bristol.
Bacon lines up for Ampthill as well as Tunney and Bell playing for their seconds, although haven’t heard anything official on moves for them, guess they’re just happy to keep playing rugby
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Well that’s going to feel odd. With the smaller league there will only be a couple of games per weekend not televised so we’re going to see plenty of our players in different colours. Seeing out the end of my BT contract and still can’t bring myself to watch at the minute though.
I was a watcher of every game - but I really can't be bothered now. I only watched Exeter last w/e as I wanted to see the EA's lose....oh well....
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Friday midday is a bit flat now...
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Well that’s going to feel odd. With the smaller league there will only be a couple of games per weekend not televised so we’re going to see plenty of our players in different colours. Seeing out the end of my BT contract and still can’t bring myself to watch at the minute though.
I was a watcher of every game - but I really can't be bothered now. I only watched Exeter last w/e as I wanted to see the EA's lose....oh well....
100%. It’s really drained me of interest for the game. Can’t decide if it’s because as well as the lack of direct Wasps involvement there is nothing that affects us in the other games or whether it’s just a downer on the way it’s all panned out re no wider support. I used to watch a fair bit of non prem rugby (French etc) but even that holds no appeal at the moment.
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Same here. I'm really not sure. It was a treat to watch the NZ NPS games before our demise - but not sure I'd bother with that now. For me, it's still the general shock allied to the lack of involvement/effect of other games and frankly, the lack of support demonstrated from other clubs.
I think that's been compounded by the number of so called fans of clubs with massive benefactors suggesting we were only going under as we were "badly run" Given up comments in the Guardian on rugby.
I'd guess it may take until after Christmas to see, but I'd already lost interest in internationals because of really having had enough of the Jones stuff and the lack of enjoyment within the team. So I may watch some of the 6Ns, hoping teams beat England....Seems all rather sad....
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This whole situation has put me off Premiership rugby and England rugby. I have absolutely no interest in following another Premiership club. I think even if Wasps do come back, my interest will only be to Wasps - I'd only spend money at other clubs if it happened that I was watching Wasps at an away game.
However, I haven't lost interest in rugby as a sport. I still have interest in grassroots; supporting and hopefully start playing again for my local club as well as my brother's club.
If I do support/follow another professional side, I may venture into another league and support a team there (if it was the URC, it would probably be Leinster due to family connections to Dublin, but I'm also considering the Top 14). It won't feel the same though.
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Yeah, England's lost is Wales' gain for me in term of interest. I have not watched the prem at all in any way. Not a second, nor bothered with the papers' reports.That severs the connection to the internationals, which I may watch in future but Jones... etc. Even when he is gone, the England team will be drawn from clubs I don't ever see.
I will continue to watch France internationals as ever, that is it up here, and then the RC.
BT lasts till it expires 16 months from now. Then U swap to Prem sports for the Cardiff games for the wife. If I watch any live rugby this year it will be in Wales.
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Having watched games at Irish, Bath and Quins in the last 3 weeks I can’t wait for us to start again. Championship or lower level.
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Fekitoa still a penalty machine
https://www.sportsjoe.ie/rugby/malakai-fekitoa-tackle-munster-ulster-275285
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Fekitoa still a penalty machine
https://www.sportsjoe.ie/rugby/malakai-fekitoa-tackle-munster-ulster-275285
He's bloody lucky that was only a yellow. While the Ulster player is dipping, Fekitoa's movement is all upwards. Terrible technique.
Honestly, I think Fekitoa was probably a worse signing than Lima.
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Sadly Atkinson to Tigers is confirmed:
https://twitter.com/LeicesterTigers/status/1587066861224460288?s=20&t=kD8fCL1QVM2NZL80DJ1Qdw
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https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/charlie-atkinson-leicester-tigers-sign-7765925
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So sad to see Charlie go (especially given where he has ended up), but totally understand that he has to make the best move for his career and wish him all the very best for the future.
We have been his sponsors for last season and this (so may be a bit biased) :) but I think he's probably the most mature, respectful and thoughtful 21 year old I have ever met as well as being a fabulous rugby talent.
Like many on here I just can't face watching rugby at the moment without wasps, but Charlie's Dad has promised to take me to watch him (somewhere away from Welford Road) when the time is right, which to me embodies the spirit of rugby.
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Charlie going is a tough one. He's got so much potential and was the epitome of the brilliant future squad we were building. To think that if we do manage to survive we'll likely be playing against him makes me very sad indeed.
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Tweet from BB:
Leicester Tigers have appointed Matt Everard as senior academy coach.
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Oh ****. Nevert didn liker Tigers much. @@@@@@
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Tweet from BB:
Leicester Tigers have appointed Matt Everard as senior academy coach.
A double ouch. Charlie hurts, but mainly as it's a long-term deal and not short-term injury cover for Pollard. This also stings given how highly the coaches talk of Matty Everard and that he was supposedly part of the plans the current bid had.
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Tweet from BB:
Leicester Tigers have appointed Matt Everard as senior academy coach.
It’s a good move for him. He originally came through at Leicester as a player but wasn’t retained after his u20 days when we nabbed him.
As with Charlie, a long term deal and stability, without having to move house would be very appealing right now I imagine
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Presumably it's a case of 'money talks' but if you have a family and/or other responsibilities you can't blame them.... but I'm disappointed in Mattie.
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As much as I don't blame players/staff that move to other clubs (we all have bills to pay and careers that we want to progress) I will feel bitter about these announcements. Every time I see an announcement, I can't help but think "nice to see X club benefit from both ours and Worcester's situation".
Tigers have now had a promising young English fly half in Charlie, from us, probably for next to nothing. Bath got Ted Hill and Ollie Lawrence from Worcester. Quins get a solid player in Bertie. Jack, Joe etc. won't be short of offers.
But hey, as long as boys and girls at the top table are kept happy, who's loss is it really that Wasps and Worcester fall by the wayside? (Please read as sarcasm!)
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As much as I don't blame players/staff that move to other clubs (we all have bills to pay and careers that we want to progress) I will feel bitter about these announcements. Every time I see an announcement, I can't help but think "nice to see X club benefit from both ours and Worcester's situation".
Tigers have now had a promising young English fly half in Charlie, from us, probably for next to nothing. Bath got Ted Hill and Ollie Lawrence from Worcester. Quins get a solid player in Bertie. Jack, Joe etc. won't be short of offers.
But hey, as long as boys and girls at the top table are kept happy, who's loss is it really that Wasps and Worcester fall by the wayside? (Please read as sarcasm!)
It is why I can see no way of supporting any of them or their league including TV coverage. I might mellow when we are firmly installed in the Championship but doubt it.
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Interesting snippet put out by Ruck (?!) that Jack will sign a short term deal with Saints till the end of the season. He’s stipulated that as he wants to return to play for Wasps in the Champ!! Surely he can convince Tom as well.
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Has Tom said he IS going anywhere? I'm just hoping that he is staying and that that is why Jack is coming back eventually. as they don't like being apart, I think.
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Gutted about Charlie, was making big improvements. Its going to be hard to watch him play for Tigers. I want Charlie to do well but not enough to see Tigers win anything
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Has Tom said he IS going anywhere? I'm just hoping that he is staying and that that is why Jack is coming back eventually. as they don't like being apart, I think.
Quoted as saying they don't want to play against each other. Tom was rumoured to Ulster.
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Thank you Neils. Is the parachute jump by Matt Everard going to affect the progress of the administration thingy at all? Would he need to be replaced?
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Thank you Neils. Is the parachute jump by Matt Everard going to affect the progress of the administration thingy at all? Would he need to be replaced?
Why should it? He was made redundant along with everybody else, so is free to work where he pleases, and as a coach, he is not up against the salary cap restraints that are preventing players from finding other clubs at an appropriate salary. There were reports that the consortium would have liked Lee as DoR and Everard at Head Coach, but we don't even know if there was any truth to them. Whatever hypothetical discussions may or may not have taken place, if the right, firm offer has been put to him by someone else in the meantime, then he would be foolish not to take it. I know what I'd do if I found myself in a similar situation with my employers.
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Thank you Neils. Is the parachute jump by Matt Everard going to affect the progress of the administration thingy at all? Would he need to be replaced?
Why should it? He was made redundant along with everybody else, so is free to work where he pleases, and as a coach, he is not up against the salary cap restraints that are preventing players from finding other clubs at an appropriate salary. There were reports that the consortium would have liked Lee as DoR and Everard at Head Coach, but we don't even know if there was any truth to them. Whatever hypothetical discussions may or may not have taken place, if the right, firm offer has been put to him by someone else in the meantime, then he would be foolish not to take it. I know what I'd do if I found myself in a similar situation with my employers.
Indeed a bird in the hand, etc etc.
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Stalking on Instagram:
Tom West is looking for a room to rent in NW London from December/January
And Jacob’s girlfriend is selling all her houseplants - a trip to NZ maybe?
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Stalking on Instagram:
Tom West is looking for a room to rent in NW London from December/January
And Jacob’s girlfriend is selling all her houseplants - a trip to NZ maybe?
Jacob was in talks with Toulon but it appears to have been blitzed by Biggar being freed by Saints. Reported 18 month deal for Biggar.
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Minozzi has joined Benetton until the end of the season, but with the option to extend for two years.
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Nemo back to the Bulls until June 2024.
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These are still stinging.
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Indeed :'(
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The reality is that all the (now) ex-players need to earn a living between now and next season and need to keep in shape and in some sort of form. That almost certainly means playing elsewhere if they can.
What is encouraging is most players who've secured something are doing so until the end of this season. That means Wasps can make them an offer for next season once definite plans can be made. Some players will take it and some may get better offers for their career in the next recruitment cycle.
Let's hope we get enough good players to give us a solid foundation for the future.
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Agree Mellie. I’m mentally keeping a tally on those gone long term and those on short term. Happy to be corrected but seems to be:
LT : Carr, Atkinson, Minozzi, Alo, McDonald.
ST: Porter, Koch, Odogwu, Hislop,
Not sure: Shields, Bassett, Frost
Not suggesting we’ll get the ST players back.
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Considering the number of premiership players without a club at the end of last season, the inevitable merry-go-round that will happen as some players are let go to make way for those ex Wasps and Wuss players that get picked up long term plus hopefully getting some of the First Team and Academy guys back. I think it won't be too difficult to build a team that is able to compete at the top of the Championship. Getting all the finances sorted to start recruitment ASAP will be really important.
If we can keep a core of the old Wasps players together they could build something very special.
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Agree Mellie. I’m mentally keeping a tally on those gone long term and those on short term. Happy to be corrected but seems to be:
LT : Carr, Atkinson, Minozzi, Alo, McDonald.
ST: Porter, Koch, Odogwu, Hislop,
Not sure: Shields, Bassett, Frost
Not suggesting we’ll get the ST players back.
Kiran is on a three month deal: https://www.munsterrugby.ie/2022/10/28/kiran-mcdonald-joins-munster-on-short-term-deal/
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And Biyi's deal at Racing is until the end of the season:
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/15-former-wasps-stars-now-25405423
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Shields, Koch and Odogwu are also all medical jokers
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Plus Willis J ...... isn't he short term too? No news on T. Willis or Stooke, presumably due to injury?
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Plus Willis J ...... isn't he short term too? No news on T. Willis or Stooke, presumably due to injury?
Jack hasn't been confirmed as going anywhere yet.
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Thank you DGP. Thought I'd heard rumours Hope it is only rumours.
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From Bobby Bridge.
Where 15 former Wasps stars are now playing - and the 28 searching for new clubs
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/15-former-wasps-stars-now-25405423 (https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/15-former-wasps-stars-now-25405423)
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https://www.instagram.com/p/CkbB4Kjqwwp/
Alfie starting at 10 for 'Cheeky Ladies RFC'
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https://www.instagram.com/p/CkbB4Kjqwwp/
Alfie starting at 10 for 'Cheeky Ladies RFC'
First laugh for a while 😀😀😀
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In the Telegraph
Exclusive: Wasps head coach Lee Blackett to join Scarlets
Scarlets want Blackett until the end of the season with a view to a longer-term contract, but he could return to Wasps next term
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2022/11/01/exclusive-wasps-head-coach-lee-blackett-expected-join-scarlets/
"Lee Blackett has become the latest Wasp to find refuge, with the stricken club's head coach close to agreeing a deal to join Scarlets in Wales.
Wasps have been in freefall since entering administration on Oct 17, with 167 players and staff made redundant as a result. They will ply their trade in the Championship next season if a takeover deal can be completed as they look to climb their way back to the Premiership.
Telegraph Sport understands their highly rated head coach is on the verge of linking up with Scarlets as assistant to former Wales and British & Irish Lions scrum-half Dwayne Peel. Blackett is part of the Barbarians coaching team to take on Northampton Saints on Nov 26, but Scarlets want him to join them until the end of the season with a view to a longer-term contract.
If the deal is completed Blackett will take charge of Scarlets’ attack where he will work with experienced Wales internationals Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, Leigh Halfpenny, Rhys Patchell, and Gareth Davies.
However, it is possible Blackett could return to Wasps next season as they aim to return to the top tier of English rugby at the first time of asking.
Blackett had been at Wasps for seven years, first as assistant to Dai Young before stepping up to take the top job. The former Rotherham coach led Wasps to the Premiership final in 2020 where they narrowly lost to Exeter Chiefs. He is considered one of the most innovative attacking coaches in the English game, and his potential departure would be a big loss to the club.
Wasps fans watch their 40-36 defeat to Northampton, the club's final game before going into administration
Wasps fans watch their 40-36 defeat to Northampton, the club's final game before going into administration CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
Over the past few weeks Wasps players have been snapped up by several clubs across Europe. Former England blindside Brad Shields has joined Top 14 outfit Perpignan with South African World Cup-winning prop Vincent Koch signing for Stade Francais. Outside-half Charlie Atkinson has moved to Premiership champions Leicester Tigers while Italy full-back Matteo Minozzi is returning to Benetton.
With the English game strapped for cash and the salary cap set at £5 million there are very few opportunities for those affected by the financial collapse of Wasps and Worcester to stay in the Premiership"
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Hmmm. Curate’s egg.
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Best wishes to Lee. Hopefully he will be coaching Wasps again next season.
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Might almost tempt me to go to Parc Y Scarlets!
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Do we think our bid will keep the club fully professional next year?
Only Ealing operate this way in the championship I believe and not sure we’ll have the money to be paying Jack and Dobby 300k as well as everyone else we hope will come back
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From Bobby Bridge.
Stephen Vaughan joins Yorkshire County Cricket Club
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/former-wasps-ceo-stephen-vaughan-25414522 (https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/former-wasps-ceo-stephen-vaughan-25414522)
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Didn’t realise he bowled a bit of slow left arm spin.
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Ryan Mills is rumoured to be heading to Sale.
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Theo V to Doncaster
https://twitter.com/DoncasterKnight/status/1587858840095051776?t=DorPQpBnz0l7FPjMA5od1g&s=19
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Ryan Mills is rumoured to be heading to Sale.
Someone will get a great player after Wasps rebuilt him a few times, he was finally coming on stream this season.
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I am not sure if there is anybody left to do it, but I guess someone is keeping in touch with all staff and noting who is signing long term deals elsewhere, and who might be open to coming back next season. It's going to be a hard job building a new squad.
In some ways, I am hoping that many academy players get a shot.
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It’s a good question. Vaughan is now at YCCC. I guess the takeover party is doing it possibly with whoever they have identified as they’re preferred coach?
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I'm not sure I get that Alfie joke? It's been a long few weeks!
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I'm not sure I get that Alfie joke? It's been a long few weeks!
Not sure I do either! It looks like he didn’t end up playing in the end from their Instagram story.
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Looks like Alfie being chased by Bath and Sarries for next season. Will play for Toulouse this season
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Looks like Alfie being chased by Bath and Sarries for next season. Will play for Toulouse this season
Article in the Daily Telegraph:
Doesn't actually say much more than Westy - just lots more words!
Bath are leading the race to sign Alfie Barbeary ahead of the 2022-23 season, with Saracens also keen to recruit the former Wasps back-row.
Barbeary has been unattached since Wasps were placed into administration last month. One of the Wasps' academy's most exciting talents in recent years, he initially began his career as a hooker before converting to the back row and impressing with his powerful running game, scoring 10 tries in 26 Gallagher Premiership matches to date.
Telegraph Sport understands that Bath are now Barbeary's most likely destination next season, despite Saracens' interest.
Barbeary has previously visited Bath's training ground at Farleigh House and could potentially join a talented group of young back-row players there next season, including the England flanker Sam Underhill and Scotland's Josh Bayliss.
The 22-year-old is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury suffered playing for Wasps against Bath at the end of September, which will keep him out until mid-December.
Given the limited salary cap space available at present for Premiership clubs to bring in players unless on low-cost deals or by using credits to replace injured players, Barbeary could see out the remainder of the 2021-22 season playing in France. Toulouse are understood to be the frontrunners for his signature in the Top 14.
The Rugby Football Union announced last month that Wasps and Worcester players who took up contracts overseas would remain eligible for England selection after both clubs went into administration, in an exceptional circumstance given players based abroad are usually not eligible for selection.
Barbeary was last called up by England head coach Eddie Jones ahead of the 2022 Six Nations but is yet to play for the senior side, having previously represented England under-20s and captained England under-18s.
Former Wasps players who have taken up contracts in France since the club went into administration include Vincent Koch - who did not make an appearance for Wasps after joining from Saracens - Paolo Odogwu, Brad Shields, Biyi Alo and Cam Dodson.
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Slight tangent: Jeff Toomaga-Allen (now at Ulster) on the bench for Samoa v Italy.
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Love reading this: RUCK sources indicate although a move to Saints is likely, Willis would only sign until the end of the season with the view to rejoining Wasps in the Championship next season.
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Alfie Barbeary set to turn down Saracens for Premiership rival - should imagine he doesn't want to sit on the bench waiting for something to happen to Billy
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Hardwick, Tunney and Bacon all sign for Ampthill, very good moves for them
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Ash back to Moseley as defence and scrum coach
Ben Morris joining them as well.
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Alfie Barbeary set to turn down Saracens for Premiership rival - should imagine he doesn't want to sit on the bench waiting for something to happen to Billy
Planning on Bath then is he?
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Odendaal on verge of Japan move. Launch considering short term move abroad.And then Exeter picking up Feyi-Waboso, Bell and Fisilau.
So, one of the most vocal advocates in our relegation etc has picked up Frost and three huge prospects at a time when cap restraints make them like gold dust. Pleased for the players but the whole thing stinks. Vested interest doesn’t even cover it.
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Odendaal on verge of Japan move. Launch considering short term move abroad.And then Exeter picking up Feyi-Waboso, Bell and Fisilau.
So, one of the most vocal advocates in our relegation etc has picked up Frost and three huge prospects at a time when cap restraints make them like gold dust. Pleased for the players but the whole thing stinks. Vested interest doesn’t even cover it.
+1
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Odendaal on verge of Japan move. Launch considering short term move abroad.And then Exeter picking up Feyi-Waboso, Bell and Fisilau.
So, one of the most vocal advocates in our relegation etc has picked up Frost and three huge prospects at a time when cap restraints make them like gold dust. Pleased for the players but the whole thing stinks. Vested interest doesn’t even cover it.
our punishment was justifiable irrespective of what other clubs said on the subject.
But, given how so many of our former players succeeded in getting deals at other prem clubs, immediately after the salary cap reduction that left many players struggling for opportunities. That's something that definitely makes me question how much other clubs knew prior to our downfall. And therefore, potentially you do have a point.
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Seeing the young lads go hurts somewhat more than the current starters in some way. We had some great talent that the academy had worked had to nurture and now others will reap the benefits without us getting to see them grow together.
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Odendaal on verge of Japan move. Launch considering short term move abroad.And then Exeter picking up Feyi-Waboso, Bell and Fisilau.
So, one of the most vocal advocates in our relegation etc has picked up Frost and three huge prospects at a time when cap restraints make them like gold dust. Pleased for the players but the whole thing stinks. Vested interest doesn’t even cover it.
Agreed 100%
There's been a lot going on that hasn't been publicised. I hope we find out the full story one day.
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I hope we find out the full story one day.
Slim to no chance of that. At least not until it's far to late to be of any consequence for Wasps or for those with their noses deepest in the trough.
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It's a distinct feeling of a carve-up. You can have A, B and C, you can take D and E, I'll get F, G and H, etc, etc. but maybe we can swop B and C for E .....................................
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It's a distinct feeling of a carve-up. You can have A, B and C, you can take D and E, I'll get F, G and H, etc, etc. but maybe we can swop B and C for E .....................................
But is that such a bad thing if it means the players aren't unemployed? It's exactly what they are doing in the US with the two recently disbanded sides.
We've swooped for enough players from relegated clubs in our time.
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It's a distinct feeling of a carve-up. You can have A, B and C, you can take D and E, I'll get F, G and H, etc, etc. but maybe we can swop B and C for E .....................................
But is that such a bad thing if it means the players aren't unemployed? It's exactly what they are doing in the US with the two recently disbanded sides.
We've swooped for enough players from relegated clubs in our time.
No-one wants to see the players unemployed. I think what rankles is the voracity of certain individuals to talk about what should happen to us (when just saying nothing was an option) and then benefit from what they were advocating.
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Statement Today from Exeter Chiefs.
As a result of the Rugby Football Union and Premiership Rugby Limited's decision to continue playing behind closed doors during the Covid-19 pandemic, Exeter Rugby Club were forced to borrow substantial government backed loans to pay our players and staff.
The funding from government was not in the form of grants, but loans which carry interest. These are now failing to be repaid and the income from our normal trading is not sufficient to pay them and all other expenses.
Accordingly, the Rugby Club Board decided to sell one of our non-rugby assets for which members approval is needed and which is being sought at an Extraordinary General Meeting at Sandy Park on Wednesday, November 30.
This should be more than sufficient to see the club pay the loans and be financially secure for the future.
No further comment will be made by the Rugby Club.
Money getting a bit tight down in the South West? Is it possible that the biter is getting bit?
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Statement Today from Exeter Chiefs.
As a result of the Rugby Football Union and Premiership Rugby Limited's decision to continue playing behind closed doors during the Covid-19 pandemic, Exeter Rugby Club were forced to borrow substantial government backed loans to pay our players and staff.
The funding from government was not in the form of grants, but loans which carry interest. These are now failing to be repaid and the income from our normal trading is not sufficient to pay them and all other expenses.
Accordingly, the Rugby Club Board decided to sell one of our non-rugby assets for which members approval is needed and which is being sought at an Extraordinary General Meeting at Sandy Park on Wednesday, November 30.
This should be more than sufficient to see the club pay the loans and be financially secure for the future.
No further comment will be made by the Rugby Club.
Money getting a bit tight down in the South West? Is it possible that the biter is getting bit?
Whilst not anywhere near our situation (yet), stones and glass houses come to mind...
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Thanks Shugs! Of course no-one would wish any of our players to be unemployed. It's the attitude of some of the bosses of other clubs that gets me; yeah yeah - it's business but it feels like the old (?) days of auction rings rings when the real deals where done in the pub afterwards. Just my feelings.
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Well if Exe went tits up then Rob Baxter would have his beloved 10 team league. How ironic..
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I would laugh like a dog with two dicks. And then some.
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I would laugh like a dog with two dicks. And then some.
That image alone is both creeping me out and laughing out loud all at the same time!
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Be interesting to know what the non rugby asset was. The loans puzzled me. They were to replace lost income. Incone that wasn’t going to be recovered. But the loans had to be repaid. Not really much help. As for Baxter and Exeter as you say Ross it would be a supreme irony if they were the one to go to make 10.
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Bassett (Dave, not Josh) to Edinburgh https://twitter.com/EdinburghRugby/status/1588486777177792514?s=20&t=yxWu2Vyfeq9_d6Dvzs9XJQ
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Be interesting to know what the non rugby asset was. The loans puzzled me. They were to replace lost income. Incone that wasn’t going to be recovered. But the loans had to be repaid. Not really much help. As for Baxter and Exeter as you say Ross it would be a supreme irony if they were the one to go to make 10.
It's probably all or part of the hotel.
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Maybe the dish isn't being eaten cold but it certainly is lukewarm. And definitely snigger-worthy.
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RossM,
Don't think it's the hotel. From what I remember trawling through Exeter Cheats' accounts,
the club gave Rowe a £14 million interest-free loan to enable him to build the hotel. So presumably it belongs to him, not the Cheats.
As I say, that's what I recall but, being of unsound mind and rickety, the above could be a load of used food.
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Isn't there an old farm that they use for maybe academy housing, with a big field next it? Could well be that.
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Ryan Mills is rumoured to be heading to Sale.
Confirmed
https://twitter.com/SaleSharksRugby/status/1588486214268571653?t=5roErhtMtm-FKxzk3Jg-9g&s=19
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Good luck, Millsy. But of course, that means that Sale have the two most injury prone centres in the league.
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Chiefs SN suggests hotel...
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I would laugh like a dog with two dicks. And then some.
That image alone is both creeping me out and laughing out loud all at the same time!
Glad to be of service. Have an upvote
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Shame the SW Debtors (figures given by BBC are large) got beaten tonight.
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Sarcasm!
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Definite signs of financial distress. All of a sudden when the internationals come along they look threadbare.
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Definite signs of financial distress. All of a sudden when the internationals come along they look threadbare.
Good
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I should feel some sympathy for Ex fans and players if they are in trouble.
But Baxter's bulls**t means I have none at all. I can't think of anyone's club I want to go bust more, and that includes Saracens...
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I should feel some sympathy for Ex fans and players if they are in trouble.
But Baxter's bulls**t means I have none at all. I can't think of anyone's club I want to go bust more, and that includes Saracens...
Same here. Just had a quick whizz through the game and just can’t understand how week in, week out, Chief's are allowed to take out players beyond the ruck all the time when other teams get pinged for it. Sometimes it’s not even vaguely subtle. Maybe it’s not just the PRL and RFU smoking Big Chief Spouting Bu*****t Baxter’s peace pipe, but Spreadbury’s lot too.
Great to see them lose again, but what struck me was the league table looking so small and absurd. Saints in 4th with only 12 league games left this season, and the Cheats running away with it 10 points clear having won 7 from 7. It’s barely a viable competition anymore, rather a borefest of who’s going to lose to the Cheats in the final, which will also be if they want to increase games with a Prem cup competition. I tried to sign up to Premiersports in the week but it looks like its become Via Sports and couldn’t access the link. I’m keen to watch some rugby with a bit of variety in it, rather than a one horse race with a big, sulky baby from the South West running round trying to nobble the field so he’s got a better chance next time.
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Must admit to disliking intensely the awful EAs, but Execeter run them close second. It's 75% of the supporters who annoy me. 25% are very nice but the rest we found rude and arrogant, this from 2 visits and that Final at HQ. In the latter they crossed the roads on purpose to verbally abuse us tho' in the stadium they satisfied themselves by remaining in their seats, particularly the two sitting next to me. I should find a shred of sympathy for them but I can't.
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I should feel some sympathy for Ex fans and players if they are in trouble.
But Baxter's bulls**t means I have none at all. I can't think of anyone's club I want to go bust more, and that includes Saracens...
Same here. Just had a quick whizz through the game and just can’t understand how week in, week out, Chief's are allowed to take out players beyond the ruck all the time when other teams get pinged for it. Sometimes it’s not even vaguely subtle. Maybe it’s not just the PRL and RFU smoking Big Chief Spouting Bu*****t Baxter’s peace pipe, but Spreadbury’s lot too.
Couldn't agree more. I got to see a bit of the French club rugby last weekend and it was as if the officials were applying the Laws at the breakdown and so people didn't fly in. Indeed - they even applied the Law re rucks it seemed - so once the second player was there - no hands...The Prem seems to allow not only "flying in" but "players on feet to compete with hands when the ruck has formed.
It's not only wrong, slowing ball, and rewarding cheating, but damn dangerous.
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Andy wasp/ Mike - completely agree. I’ve had a look at the tv schedules on BT for the last 3-4 weeks. Constant Exeter/Sarries/Sale/Tigers. Then as you say when you look at the table it’s getting farcical. It absolutely convinces me that a 12 team league is the minimum. And I’d prefer 14. The Prem is just too small/predictable and repetitive at the moment - the game will suffer.
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Andy wasp/ Mike - completely agree. I’ve had a look at the tv schedules on BT for the last 3-4 weeks. Constant Exeter/Sarries/Sale/Tigers. Then as you say when you look at the table it’s getting farcical. It absolutely convinces me that a 12 team league is the minimum. And I’d prefer 14. The Prem is just too small/predictable and repetitive at the moment - the game will suffer.
So totally +1
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Is this not what the RFU want?
Less clubs, so that England players are playing with their international team mates at club level more often?
Less power to the clubs so the RFU has more say on the international players.
Less games so the players can be available for more England training camps
If the clubs can't afford to run, the RFU can then pick and choose who they help and how
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If they are that deluded that that will be the outcome they need look no further that Tigers today currently playing an Italian select side. The reduction in income would kill the clubs and the lack of interest the game.
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Again, dead clubs is probably what the rfu want. They had the chance to take power in the mid 90s, and spooned it. They want it again.
Slimebags like Nigel are in the way of that, but there are not enough of them to make a league.
The slimebag rich owners want a Euro league and increased cap because it is the only league they can ever have. And the other nations don't.
The big owners are going to find that money can't buy you everything, and the rfu, despute their incompetence, are going to find it could all fall into their lap.
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Son-in-law is a car salesman, and he was telling me that he had someone in this week looking at a new car, and he was wearing Wasps gear.
SiL asked if he was as upset about Wasps as his father in law (me), and his partner said, "well yes - he was made redundent".
Turns out it was Ellot Millar-Mills, and he told SiL that he is likely to end up in France.
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TRP suggests Launch going to Japan for start of their season in December until next summer.
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Pleased for Launchers that he's hopefully got something sorted as I'd heard that from a reliable source last week as well.
It's a bit of an upheaval for his family though even if "short term".
I still feel desperately upset for all of the players and staff with what they are having to go through although pleased that some of them are starting to find some alternatives now.
It would have been hard to see such a wasps Legend as Joe in another Premiership team's colours (not that I'm watching any of those games at the moment anyway)!
Hopefully Jack will get some game time this afternoon so will try and catch that maybe.
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What is encouraging is that both Launchbury and Willis are mentioned in the respective articles as signing short term deals so as to be available for Wasps next season - if that is at all possible.
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Plus 1 Shugs. I'm just praying too that the Wasp team might be able to re-assemble for the next season, altho' some might decide they prefer their ''new'' team I hope that won't happen but there's that risk for many reasons. A lot is resting on the Legend's shoulders ... funding, re-homing, team, wages, - so very much.
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Plus 1 Shugs. I'm just praying too that the Wasp team might be able to re-assemble for the next season, altho' some might decide they prefer their ''new'' team I hope that won't happen but there's that risk for many reasons. A lot is resting on the Legend's shoulders ... funding, re-homing, team, wages, - so very much.
Very very much!
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Not sure a championship team can shell out around 750k a season to keep Launchers and Jack.
Willis is going to hit his peak so cannot be playing championship level if he wants to play for England. Joe is probably done with England now so absolutely has to cash in as much as possible over the next three years or so, surely only Japan or France can offer that for him unless an English club lose a similarly high paid player in that position, of which there aren’t many.
Exeter were rumoured to be in for him a while ago, but that might only come with a Johnny Gray exit, even with money freed up from Simmonds being off.
Sale maybe depending on the Du Preez brothers and Quins are definitely still short of quality at lock.
You’d think any club out there would also be on for Stooke with the quality he showed upon signing for us.
Hope Cardall might still have some interest from Gloucester
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I still don't think there will be a Championship team, and if there is it wont include any of the stars.
Reports in France are that Jack is going to Toulouse.
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Care to expand Peej?
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I still don't think there will be a Championship team, and if there is it wont include any of the stars.
Reports in France are that Jack is going to Toulouse.
I know the RFU say we are down, but what about the 'Covid' appeal? Will we still be relegated after that is concluded?
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I still don't think there will be a Championship team, and if there is it wont include any of the stars.
Reports in France are that Jack is going to Toulouse.
I know the RFU say we are down, but what about the 'Covid' appeal? Will we still be relegated after that is concluded?
I think the COVID appeal has legs for both Wasps and for Worcester, but that doesn't mean I think the powers that be will look on it particularly favourably.
Much will depend on the fate of the remaining 11 between now and the end of the season. With cracks seemingly beginning to appear in the finances of one of those clubs that most would consider to be on a pretty sound financial footing (relatively speaking), and another 7 months until the end of the season, then it seems likely that others could go the same way, which would eventually render the prospect of automatic relegation unworkable, at which point, the RFU/PRL may see fit to turn to the COVID clause as justification for maintaining the status quo and allowing clubs in administration to continue in the Premiership, likely with a points deduction.
If Wasps are indeed relegated, then I still see it as no better than 50/50 whether we are in a position to take our place in the Championship. The Legends' offer is encouraging, but raises just as many questions as it answers. Time will tell.
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But if the appeal is successful, or the relegation is commuted due to others being in the same boat, there is now nothing left to remain in the Premiership. The club is in administration with no players, no support staff etc. etc. Not sure that is any different a starting point to the Championship, other than the ownership of the P-Share and its associated TV money.
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But if the appeal is successful, or the relegation is commuted due to others being in the same boat, there is now nothing left to remain in the Premiership. The club is in administration with no players, no support staff etc. etc. Not sure that is any different a starting point to the Championship, other than the ownership of the P-Share and its associated TV money.
And that's at least something. Especially if we're one of 3 or 4 in the same boat.
I struggle to see a future for Wasps in the Championship and continuing to play at the CBS. Locals with an interest in Championship rugby are already catered for. Those who have continued to travel from the SE will be less inclined for Championship rugby rather than Premiership, and that leaves a handful of die hards rattling around in one stand of a 32K arena with zero atmosphere and surely operating at a loss on matchdays. So if not the CBS then where? The EPIC would be crucial if we are to have any hope of getting even a few the old squad back which makes a return to the SE unlikely (with or without a viable, available ground). Without at least a small core of that squad to take us forward then it won't really feel like the same club at all.
So do you turn your back on the EPIC and up sticks from the Midlands entirely? if so, where to?
Keep plugging away at the CBS and hope to retain (or more accurately re-recruit) as many of the old squad as possible?
Could we find a more suitable venue for the Championship that would still allow Henley to serve as a training base while not directly competing with Cov RFC for support?
And all of this would likely play out with no P Share, renting whatever ground we end up at with no other revenue streams coming in.
Maybe the Legends group has a solution to all of this, but there's a huge amount of work to be done.
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Care to expand Peej?
I don't see how the club is viable without a stadium playing in the second tier. I don't see how we could afford the squad we had, or attract the talent we need, to bounce straight back up as a damaged brand, and if we can't go back up players who have short careers won't spend what's left of them with us.
And I don't see how the covid appeal works when we were losing 170k a week for 6 years.
Look, I'd love to be proven wrong. But I don't see much cause for optimism at the minute.
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I think the Covid appeal would, in a court of law, introduce enough reasonable doubt so that we would not be relegated. What happens after that, I know not.
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I think the Covid appeal would, in a court of law, introduce enough reasonable doubt so that we would not be relegated. What happens after that, I know not.
The thing is - is there anyone left to take it to court?
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Tom Willis to Bordeaux
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Care to expand Peej?
I don't see how the club is viable without a stadium playing in the second tier. I don't see how we could afford the squad we had, or attract the talent we need, to bounce straight back up as a damaged brand, and if we can't go back up players who have short careers won't spend what's left of them with us.
And I don't see how the covid appeal works when we were losing 170k a week for 6 years.
Look, I'd love to be proven wrong. But I don't see much cause for optimism at the minute.
I don’t think anyone in their wildest dreams thinks we’ll have anything remotely like the squad we have at the moment. It all depends on who is behind the bid to save. If there is enough cash it could work. If not it’s a struggle.
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I think that the powers that be will reject the covid appeal as other clubs may try to take advantage of it and restructure their businesses.
On that basis our goose is cooked. The action taken against us seems to be pour encourager les autres. If we are casualties of the RFU trying to maintain and expand its power base then that is a price they are willing to have someone else pay.
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I think the Covid appeal would, in a court of law, introduce enough reasonable doubt so that we would not be relegated. What happens after that, I know not.
The thing is - is there anyone left to take it to court?
It would have to be the Administrator or any new owners. I can’t see the Administrator spending the money and I wouldn’t be surprised if the RFU made not taking a court case a condition of being allowed to play in the Championship next season. Making any court case a serious gamble.
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But that’s not currently in the rules and we know the rules are sacred and unmovable.
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Tom Willis to Bordeaux
Sad news but I wish Tom all the best. Bordeaux and French rugby will only improve his game.
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Good luck Tom, and come back as soon as you can.
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I can see Tom Willis really upping his game there in the Zack Mercer mould. Similar players and both seemingly a long way from the World Cup so why not play out in France for as long as you can getting that experience and hopefully some money.
Have seen the rumours that Marchant is also heading out there to Stade and I say good for him.
Has improved year on year, gained experience in NZ, done everything that’s been asked of him by Eddie, got bigger, quicker, more consistent, stayed injury free, incredible in the air, won the league with Quins and been one of the best 13s around as well as playing on the wing and still can’t get a consistent look in with England - I think whilst Eddie is around players have got to look after number 1 and then reevaluate with whoever comes in next.
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Is there a way to watch the Top 14 (legally) in the UK?
Ta.
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I might well be watching Top 14 too - as will a few others probably.
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Is there a way to watch the Top 14 (legally) in the UK?
Ta.
Premier TV now (since 1 November) called Viaplay covers both URC and Top 14. URC they show every game live. Top 14 usually one or two live with full match play in one or two more delayed (and with adverts halfway through a half) plus a highlights show.
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Both Stooke and Hougaard will be in the Barbarians FC squad for the game v Bath. The Rec Sunday 20 November, kick-off 14:00.
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Is there a way to watch the Top 14 (legally) in the UK?
Ta.
Premier TV now (since 1 November) called Viaplay covers both URC and Top 14. URC they show every game live. Top 14 usually one or two live with full match play in one or two more delayed (and with adverts halfway through a half) plus a highlights show.
Great stuff, thanks. Will look into it.
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Thank you Neil and Ross; much appreciated. Glad to hear about Stooke; he's such a good player. Glad he has a home for now, and hopefully it means his leg is/has improved. Good news!
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I don’t think anyone in their wildest dreams thinks we’ll have anything remotely like the squad we have at the moment.
We'll need at least 30 odd players more than we have at the moment whoever they are!
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Very true. At best I think if it does happen we might have 4-5 from the current squad. The likes of Harris/Curran/Wolstenholme etc. Then, as you say, a shoestring recruitment drive is on. Albeit there are a lot of players looking for an offer right now - with probably more to come.
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Rugbyrama saying Dan Robson to Pau.
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Any Wasps Phoenix outfit will need to have enough cash to spend on a squad decent enough to get back in the prem (plus the cash to re buy the P share, assuming it gets removed).
That said, there's a LOT of decent players looking for work, so there could be some decent championship quality players available relatively cheaply.
I would love to see a core of current Wasps players coming back from short term deals elsewhere next season but they have to be able to earn a living, it is their job after all & they have families to feed & bills to pay! I just can't see there being the money to make it feasible.
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Launch to Toyota Verblitz is being reported by Fissler
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And Jack to Toulouse.
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Read a few things on Jack turning down multiple Premiership offers to sign for Toulouse.
To be honest, Toulouse is that absolute dream isn’t it? What a place to go and play, even if it’s just until the end of this season!
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Ali Crossdale off to join Brad at Perpignan.
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Archie McArthur to Glos academy.
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Archie McArthur to Glos academy.
Great news for him.
Hopefully some more of these academy guys will get picked up.
Really tough for them, they have no credit in the bank anymore, no history with any academy coaches, or time invested in them, every club most likely already has a similar player of their own they’ve already been working on since they were about 15 in all the key positions,
Plus they no longer count for home grown player credits anymore for anyone.
Bacon, Tunney and Hardwick already signed at Ampthill.
Fyn Brown looks like he’s getting game time at Moseley although they haven’t announced him officially.
You would think him, as well as the U20 lads like Bell, Maasi-White, Fisilau, Cripps and Dawkins would get a shot somewhere although backrow and back three are always fiercely contested at academy level.
Feyi-Waboso would be wanted back in Wales but his move to us was due to his medical degree originally so that may take priority,
I would hope Hartley would be seen as a real steal for somewhere out there
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Isn't Fisilau going to Chiefs?
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if someone like Jack Willis goes to Toulouse you have to wonder how much he would want to return to play for a Championship side next season....
Its also interesting that on a wider front players are willing to forgo their England careers to earn more money abroad. The reduced Salary cap & the terrible finances of the prem seem to be pushing the english game the way of the SH teams with players giving up international careers to provide for their families.
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Which will give the opportunity for the RFU to start giving out central contracts and deciding which games PRL games England players will be eligible for, another huge step backwards for the game at club and grass roots level.
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Arguable it is a step back for clubs who are on the verge of bankruptcy.
If the rfu had contracted Joe, Jack, Tom, Dobby and paid their salaries we would have saved a million, and we only needed a couple of million in the short term for hmrc.
Better than Sarries running the game, surely?
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Isn't Fisilau going to Chiefs?
Fisilau, Bell and Feyi-Waboso confirmed
https://twitter.com/ExeterChiefs/status/1590408949312151552?t=AxApjV2VoCEPNGEF1HykCQ&s=19
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Isn't Fisilau going to Chiefs?
Fisilau, Bell and Feyi-Waboso confirmed
https://twitter.com/ExeterChiefs/status/1590408949312151552?t=AxApjV2VoCEPNGEF1HykCQ&s=19
Great news for those three, definite talents.
The article is the most sense Baxter has talked in months.
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Would be quite something to watch Bordeaux vs Tolouse with the Willis' playing each other.....
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Has there been an official confirmation for Jack to Toulouse?
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Not as far as I know
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Has there been an official confirmation for Jack to Toulouse?
Not as far as I am aware. Nor of Tom to Bordeaux.
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Itwas comforting to see one of our ''old boys'' - namely Sting - has apparently also found a job. Saw him/it/?her during the interval of the Wales/Scotland Wheelchair match kicking the ball, sweeping the floor and generally pootling about. Different strip but definitely a wasp Very odd.
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Charlie on the bench for Tigers
-
Charlie on the bench for Tigers
:'(
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I have to say while I understand peoples sadness at seeing Wasps players running out in other colours I am happy that they at least have jobs & are getting game time.
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Agreed baldpaul. But I do hope we see them back in Black and Gold next season. From something I read on here I gather Jack and Tom have never been keen on playing against each other on opposing teams. How true that is I don't know.
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Bomber starts for Sarries this week, and Frosty and Feyi-Waboso on the bench for Exe.
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Alfie to Bath according to Chris Foy.
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Bomber starts for Sarries this week, and Frosty and Feyi-Waboso on the bench for Exe.
So?
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Bomber starts for Sarries this week, and Frosty and Feyi-Waboso on the bench for Exe.
So?
It's called news, Neils. After all the thread subject is 'Ex Wasps signing for new clubs'. You may not like it but it's life and important for those who have managed to land a living.
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Bomber starts for Sarries this week, and Frosty and Feyi-Waboso on the bench for Exe.
So?
It's called news, Neils. After all the thread subject is 'Ex Wasps signing for new clubs'. You may not like it but it's life and important for those who have managed to land a living.
Hmmm
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Apologies, Neils. Feeling particularly low this evening. Hence the appearance of Mr Hyde.
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Apologies, Neils. Feeling particularly low this evening. Hence the appearance of Mr Hyde.
:)
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Launch to Toyota Verblitz is being reported by Fissler
Then Quins next summer
https://twitter.com/FoyChris/status/1591382800304902147?t=IFLPZaNDv8C-dhgpFB-HVg&s=19
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Now that’s some irony.
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Ma'asi White to Sale
Hartley to the EAs
Jack to Toulouse after Eddie duty - maybe go now!
Tom to Bordeaux but Bordeaux keen on both brothers
Dan to Pau likely
Alfie to Bath
Joe next season to Queens
All according to Fissler
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Ma'asi White to Sale
Hartley to the EAs
Good moves for them if they come off.
Both really have potential to be top premiership performers, especially Hartley, and as much as I’m trying, I can’t begrudge him wanting to explore an opportunity at Sarries if it arises.
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Jacob Umaga is rumoured to be going to Benetton.
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Confirmed, I think. Signed through until June 2024.
Good luck to him!
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Very pleased - congratulations Jacob.
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Jacob Umaga joins former Wasps teammates at new club
Bobby Bridge confirms:
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/jacob-umaga-benetton-rugby-wasps-25508830 (https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/jacob-umaga-benetton-rugby-wasps-25508830)
Good luck, Jacob.
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Jacob Umaga joins former Wasps teammates at new club
Bobby Bridge confirms:
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/jacob-umaga-benetton-rugby-wasps-25508830 (https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/jacob-umaga-benetton-rugby-wasps-25508830)
Good luck, Jacob.
I would think that the chances of the 'Legends' being able to assemble a competitive (at Premiership level) club are looking somewhat slim at best. Being able to assemble a competitive club at Championship level will be hard enough with the dwindling time they have available. Most clubs will have started stitching up any loose ends for next season already. Those of our lads that want a deal will be tied down by contract, likely for a few seasons (and for some due to age, maybe until they retire).
We will be left to choose those that other clubs do not want, likely persistent injury risk players, or those that do not quite have it. We could be all the way back to being a local town club.
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I think you’re right NWW. But it all comes down to cash. By my reckoning those that have not got another club so far are West, Harris, Martinez, Oghre, Cruse, Millar-Mills, Cardall, Stooke, Spink, Odendaal, Kibirige, Curran, Hayden-Wood, Hougaard, Nearchou, Van Vuuren and Wolstenholme. That group plus a few others would easily win the championship. It’s all down to whether we have the cash.
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Quite a few of the players who have signed so far have done so for this season only, or as injury cover, so they could be back.
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Quite a few of the players who have signed so far have done so for this season only, or as injury cover, so they could be back.
My assumption was more that the guys would take what was on offer in a sellers market, and then look to negotiate "proper" deals when the usual contract expiry / negotiation window beings.
I think hoping anyone will be back (if there is something to come back to) is optimistic.
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Looks like Alfie is definitely of to Bath.
Bath Rugby beat French Top 14 sides to signing former Wasps star Alfie Barbeary
Report in SomersetLive.
https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/sport/other-sport/bath-rugby-beat-french-top-7819007 (https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/sport/other-sport/bath-rugby-beat-french-top-7819007)
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I think you’re right NWW. But it all comes down to cash. By my reckoning those that have not got another club so far are West, Harris, Martinez, Oghre, Cruse, Millar-Mills, Cardall, Stooke, Spink, Odendaal, Kibirige, Curran, Hayden-Wood, Hougaard, Nearchou, Van Vuuren and Wolstenholme. That group plus a few others would easily win the championship. It’s all down to whether we have the cash.
I was under the impression that some of those had already gone or on the brink of a deal; Odendaal, Hougard, Cardall, Stooke?
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Odendaal was rumoured to Sale but not confirmed. Hougaard I imagine has other stuff to fall back on.
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Dobby confirmed to Pau for the rest of the season
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Dobby confirmed to Pau for the rest of the season
Glad he's got something organised
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Interview Part 2 -
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/dan-robson-pau-wasps-rugby-25520465
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Well done Dan.
Seems sensible for the players to move to France/Italy to clear their heads and start to enjoy their rugby again.
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Jack to Toulouse confirmed in the Times.
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Good to see Dobby get a job, downside is he won’t be playing at Quins on Thursday night.
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Rokodrava from the academy signs for Ealing .
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A few we hadn’t heard about in here.
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/rugby-transfers-wasps-rumours-rugby-25520728
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Tom Willis to Bordeaux confirmed
-
Ma’asi White confirmed at Sale, as is Asher Opoku on deals until 2025 - great news for another two of the young lads
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Can you tell us a bit about these lads? White is already named in our 23 for the Prem Cup v Quins tomorrow night
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Can you tell us a bit about these lads? White is already named in our 23 for the Prem Cup v Quins tomorrow night
Ricky (White) - not sure how he spells the name he is actually known by - is an English born Pacific Islander type. Design a PI #13 the way you would like, and he is that. Big, fast, intimidating. He has a lot to learn, he is young, but as keen as mustard. If I was his oppo, I wouldn't want to be. His oppo I mean. Like all PI peoples, a really nice guy to talk to as well.
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Can you tell us a bit about these lads? White is already named in our 23 for the Prem Cup v Quins tomorrow night
Ricky (White) - not sure how he spells the name he is actually known by - is an English born Pacific Islander type. Design a PI #13 the way you would like, and he is that. Big, fast, intimidating. He has a lot to learn, he is young, but as keen as mustard. If I was his oppo, I wouldn't want to be. His oppo I mean. Like all PI peoples, a really nice guy to talk to as well.
White spent a lot of time smashing through midfields in his U18 days with Charlie Atkinson putting him through holes. Played a season last year at Moseley developing his skills at adult level and was due to be on loan in the championship this year.
Very raw and agree he has a lot to learn but great potential.
Asher Opoku is a TH not seen him play but just out of school last year and has come through our ranks, powerful TH and think he has a bit of a turn of pace too, thought highly of
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Thanks for the info
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BBC 5 Live just confirmed Joe to Japan
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No official confirmation but as Hartley is starting in Sarries PRC team this weekend that's probably official
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Launch has confirmed his move on social media.
Good luck to him!
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Not so long ago I was looking forward to Charlie lining up alongside Olly Hartley as they are best mates going way back (and I think were living together in Leamington).
Now they are lining up against each other tomorrow!
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Back
Joe Launchbury turns down Racing 92 to join Harlequins
England lock will join Premiership club next season after a stint in Japan with Toyota Verblitz for upcoming Japan Rugby League One season
By
Ben Coles,
RUGBY REPORTER
18 November 2022 • 5:30pm
Joe Launchbury turns down Racing 92 to join Harlequins
England lock Joe Launchbury has signed for Harlequins and will link up with the Gallagher Premiership side next season, Telegraph Sport understands, having been without a club since Wasps went into administration.
Launchbury, 31, made 177 appearances during an 11-year spell with Wasps while also captaining the club.
He will now take up a contract in Japan with Toyota Verblitz for the upcoming Japan Rugby League One season, which begins in December, before returning to England to join Harlequins ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.
Recruiting Launchbury will be a major boost for Harlequins in the second row with Hugh Tizard having left for Saracens and Matt Symons retiring, with the club previously signing Irne Herbst and Charlie Matthews for this season.
Telegraph Sport understands that Launchbury opted to remain in England long-term after considering an approach to join Top 14 side Racing 92 for the 2023-24 season. That potential move would have reunited Launchbury with the coach who gave the second-row his Test debut in Stuart Lancaster, who is set to join Racing from Leinster this summer.
More immediately Launchbury will become the first England international to join Toyota Verblitz in their 71-year history, joining a squad which includes Springbok internationals Pieter-Steph du Toit and Willie le Roux. The side finished last season narrowly outside of the playoffs in fifth place.
Launchbury said of his move to join Toyota Verblitz: "Since going to Japan for the World Cup in 2019 I have always wanted to come back. So, to have the chance to sign for a great club like Toyota is something I am very excited about.
"My family and I are looking forward to experiencing Japan again and I am personally looking forward to testing myself in the league and helping Toyota Verblitz have a good year."
The club's general manager, Akitomo Goto, said: "The whole team is really looking forward to welcoming Joe Launchbury and his family."
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Alfie to Bath confirmed
https://twitter.com/BathRugby/status/1594345008894803968?t=IOHD8Dj4rmPQGLbjzdNaRQ&s=19
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Gabe Oghre to Tigers.
Short term - presume to the end of the season.
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Whilst really pleased for Joe & his family that he has a future with Quinns, the video of him in a quins shirt actually made me feel sick.
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Tom Cruse to Edinburgh on a short term deal
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Who’s left?
Harris
Martinez - currently with Argentina
West - London based club rumour after seeking rental property there after Xmas
Nearchou
Millar-Mills - France rumour
Cardall - Australia rumour
Stooke
Curran
Woolstenholme - USA rumour
Hougaard
Hayden-Wood - France rumour
Odendaal - Sale/Japan rumour
Spink - Western Force rumour
Kibirige
Think the lads have done very well so far in finding jobs in the short and some in the long term.
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Western Force announced their squad yesterday without Spink being listed.
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Nearchou is Ampthill.
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I'm surprised that Stooky doesn't appear to have awoken any interest. He was on fire before his injury. I suppose clubs are worried about his fitness.
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Stooke played in the Ba-Bas team at Bath recently.
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Stooke played in the Ba-Bas team at Bath recently.
And against Quins, along with Hougaard and Gabi.
I think Hougaard and Kibirige may struggle to find clubs, I can imagine Hougaard would be expensive, plus he has many other business activities and Zach has really struggled for form in recent years.
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Tom Cruse to Edinburgh on a short term deal.
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https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/rugby-union/its-a-privilege-to-be-given-this-opportunity-edinburgh-sign-experienced-hooker-on-short-term-deal-3928606
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Whilst really pleased for Joe & his family that he has a future with Quinns, the video of him in a quins shirt actually made me feel sick.
That’s the one that has really hurt, my anger towards the board is at boiling point
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Agreed Westy. Must admit I’m keeping a mental log of “short term” versus “long term”. In the vain hope that the former might form the core of next years squad (not withstanding all the hurdles to overcome before that’s even possible). The likes of Launchbury short or long term was never going to be viable sadly.
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I think we need to take the pragmatic view here.
Our ex players are professional sportsmen. We, as fans of the now defunct club, definitely have emotional views on where would like them to play or not to play. They have families and mortgages to pay, plus probably upheavals from the West Midlands.
They need income from whatever club they will now play for.
We do not know what the future is for a 'phoenix' to rise from the ashes. We cling onto hope, however small that may be.
Expect the worst and be delighted if it does not happen.
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+ 1 (apart from the final line ;))
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+ 1 (apart from the final line ;))
Dyslexic fingers Ross - now edited!
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Thanks, H :)
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Willis confirmed to Tolouse
-
Nice to see they can still smile :) :) :)
https://twitter.com/i/status/1596855095903518720 (https://twitter.com/i/status/1596855095903518720)
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Probably the thought of being paid! Esp over Christmas.
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https://twitter.com/SaintsRugby/status/1596855095903518720?t=IFiAGjICFB80-CZ59fan1A&s=08
A few in the barbarians team on Saturday, great to see them. Zach got an Allez...Allez...Allez for this try.
Quite a few Wasps supporters at the match, great welcome from Saints supporters.
-
https://twitter.com/SaintsRugby/status/1596855095903518720?t=IFiAGjICFB80-CZ59fan1A&s=08
A few in the barbarians team on Saturday, great to see them. Zach got an Allez...Allez...Allez for this try.
Quite a few Wasps supporters at the match, great welcome from Saints supporters.
He had a Wasps sock on one foot and looked like a red and black sock on the other, so something in the offing for him perhaps? Toulon?? (Not that one rolled down sock is much of a basis for a rumour!)
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https://twitter.com/SaintsRugby/status/1596855095903518720?t=IFiAGjICFB80-CZ59fan1A&s=08
A few in the barbarians team on Saturday, great to see them. Zach got an Allez...Allez...Allez for this try.
Quite a few Wasps supporters at the match, great welcome from Saints supporters.
Nice smattering of black and gold at Leicester Sunday too, Charlie got a specific cheer when he came on for a few minutes near the end.
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https://twitter.com/SaintsRugby/status/1596855095903518720?t=IFiAGjICFB80-CZ59fan1A&s=08
A few in the barbarians team on Saturday, great to see them. Zach got an Allez...Allez...Allez for this try.
Quite a few Wasps supporters at the match, great welcome from Saints supporters.
He had a Wasps sock on one foot and looked like a red and black sock on the other, so something in the offing for him perhaps? Toulon?? (Not that one rolled down sock is much of a basis for a rumour!)
Was Danny wearing the Wasps socks that Pudsey sent him last week?
-
https://twitter.com/SaintsRugby/status/1596855095903518720?t=IFiAGjICFB80-CZ59fan1A&s=08
A few in the barbarians team on Saturday, great to see them. Zach got an Allez...Allez...Allez for this try.
Quite a few Wasps supporters at the match, great welcome from Saints supporters.
He had a Wasps sock on one foot and looked like a red and black sock on the other, so something in the offing for him perhaps? Toulon?? (Not that one rolled down sock is much of a basis for a rumour!)
Was Danny wearing the Wasps socks that Pudsey sent him last week?
Yes - mostly all yellow by the looks
-
https://twitter.com/SaintsRugby/status/1596855095903518720?t=IFiAGjICFB80-CZ59fan1A&s=08
A few in the barbarians team on Saturday, great to see them. Zach got an Allez...Allez...Allez for this try.
Quite a few Wasps supporters at the match, great welcome from Saints supporters.
He had a Wasps sock on one foot and looked like a red and black sock on the other, so something in the offing for him perhaps? Toulon?? (Not that one rolled down sock is much of a basis for a rumour!)
Was Danny wearing the Wasps socks that Pudsey sent him last week?
Yes - mostly all yellow by the looks
Apparently we’re now signing him as our marquee player in the championship for next year according to Ruck.co.Uk and Geech is involved somewhere.
Good to see we have all that in place already!!!
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https://twitter.com/SaintsRugby/status/1596855095903518720?t=IFiAGjICFB80-CZ59fan1A&s=08
A few in the barbarians team on Saturday, great to see them. Zach got an Allez...Allez...Allez for this try.
Quite a few Wasps supporters at the match, great welcome from Saints supporters.
He had a Wasps sock on one foot and looked like a red and black sock on the other, so something in the offing for him perhaps? Toulon?? (Not that one rolled down sock is much of a basis for a rumour!)
Was Danny wearing the Wasps socks that Pudsey sent him last week?
Yes - mostly all yellow by the looks
Apparently we’re now signing him as our marquee player in the championship for next year according to Ruck.co.Uk and Geech is involved somewhere.
Good to see we have all that in place already!!!
Strange and almost bollocks. Championship doesn't have marquees ( or even tents). Geech I think has settled in later life into a newspaper columnist.
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https://westernforce.rugby/news/force-secure-skilful-spink-20221128
Sam off down under for 2 years.
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https://westernforce.rugby/news/force-secure-skilful-spink-20221128
Sam off down under for 2 years.
Away kit looks familiar...
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What an opportunity for him.
Always a little tricky playing for the Force but he’ll get a bit more space to play with there and will get to test himself against some of the best in the world there.
A great experience and nicely in the shop window to come back to the UK if he wants to.
Cardall to Aus was also rumoured a while ago, so wonder if there’s anything in that too?
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Ed Robinson to Cov as backs coach
https://twitter.com/CoventryRugby/status/1597636628302139394?t=HniFqBfaXmLKG1uQ-qc_VA&s=19
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Ed Robinson to Cov as backs coach
https://twitter.com/CoventryRugby/status/1597636628302139394?t=HniFqBfaXmLKG1uQ-qc_VA&s=19
Surprising move.
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Fissler saying Houghard to EAs
-
Gabe Oghre to Tigers.
Short term - presume to the end of the season.
Bobby reporting till January then joining Tom Willis at Bordeaux
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Ohgre signing announced by Bordeaux
-
Just a round up of ex Wasps in or going to France:
Stade Francais: Vincent Koch & Paolo Odogwu
Perpignan: Ali Crossdale & Brad Shields
Pau: Dan Robson
Racing 92: Biyi Alo (and Christian Wade!)
Toulouse: Jack Willis
Bordeaux: Tom Willis & Gabe Oghre (from Jan)
Stade Aurillacois Cantal Auvergne: Cam Dodson
RC Massy Essonne: Will Haydon-Wood
Looks like I need to get a sub to watch Top 14.
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Extreme pedantry but I’m not sure Koch is an ex Wasp!
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confirmed Hougaard to Sarries on short term deal
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/63820199 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/63820199)
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Just a round up of ex Wasps in or going to France:
Stade Francais: Vincent Koch & Paolo Odogwu
Perpignan: Ali Crossdale & Brad Shields
Pau: Dan Robson
Racing 92: Biyi Alo (and Christian Wade!)
Toulouse: Jack Willis
Bordeaux: Tom Willis & Gabe Oghre (from Jan)
Stade Aurillacois Cantal Auvergne: Cam Dodson
RC Massy Essonne: Will Haydon-Wood
Looks like I need to get a sub to watch Top 14.
I mentioned on another thread the old freesports now viaplay extra reshow most of their live subscription top 14 games from the weekend on a monday for free.
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Extreme pedantry but I’m not sure Koch is an ex Wasp!
He actually managed a shorter Wasps playing career than Steve Thompson, which is going some!
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Extreme pedantry but I’m not sure Koch is an ex Wasp!
Did he collect a paycheck?
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Extreme pedantry but I’m not sure Koch is an ex Wasp!
He was named in a matchday 23.......once, although pulled out beforehand.
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Cruise on the bench for Edinburgh tonight
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Cruse on in 2nd half.
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Will Rowlands to Racing 92 next season
-
Stooke to Bristol short term.
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🏉 𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗜 de Jack Willis ! 💪. Le 3ème ligne anglais marque son 1er essai en Rouge et Noir!
Toulouse 34 Perpignan 13.
Well done, Jack. Still hurts though :(
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Somewhat off topic, but having increased my watching of Top 14 rugby recently, I am sure that Elliot would have been better off going to a top French team rather than Saracens. Unless the real estate on offer was exceptional.
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Watched Moseley beat Plymouth Albion today. Ben Morris was playing at 7. Ignoring the yellow card he picked up for a tip-tackle, he played very well.
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Somewhat off topic, but having increased my watching of Top 14 rugby recently, I am sure that Elliot would have been better off going to a top French team rather than Saracens. Unless the real estate on offer was exceptional.
It'd be worth him going there now for sure. Back then, think keeping his England place was more important.
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Mehson scored a try for Scottish on Saturday against caldy for their first league win of the year (playing 14 with cam Anderson ex of this parish at 15).
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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-11524167/Jack-Willis-opens-beloved-Wasps-going-bankrupt-joining-Toulouse.html
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John Ryan is joining Chiefs for 2023. Waikato, not Exeter... https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/irelands-john-ryan-signs-with-the-gallagher-chiefs
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If anyone is in the West country on Saturday, then why not pop into Sandy Park and cheer on Nemo and The Bulls when they take on Exe in the Champions Cup on Saturday, KO 1300.
Tweet from Nemo: https://twitter.com/i/status/1603043038212902912 (https://twitter.com/i/status/1603043038212902912)
OAWAAW
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If anyone's still got BT Sport, Bordeaux Begles v Sharks is on tonight.
Tom Willis on the bench for Bordeaux.
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Racing pick Biyi and Wadey tomorrow.
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Paolo at 13 for Stade Francais tonight, away at Lions in the Challenge Cup
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& Atkinson starting for Tigers against Clermont
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Cruse on bench for Edinburgh
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Cruse on after less than 5 minutes
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According to TRP Tom West has joined Ealing for this season and next.
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According to TRP Tom West has joined Ealing for this season and next.
Tom West is too good to play at Championship level.
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According to TRP Tom West has joined Ealing for this season and next.
Tom West is too good to play at Championship level.
Depending what the salary is he may be happy to have a less abrasive few seasons after a lot of concussions and injuries recently. Ealing can offer a lot after all.
Jonah Holmes was lured away from Wales to go there this season in a deal big enough to rule himself out of further Wales caps (although he was a way down the pecking order)
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Jonah Holmes was lured away from Wales to go there this season in a deal big enough to rule himself out of further Wales caps (although he was a way down the pecking order)
Not correct: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/truth-jonah-holmes-wales-grand-25134083 (https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/truth-jonah-holmes-wales-grand-25134083)
One interesting thing I've noticed this year is that 2 full squads of players and coaches have been distributed across the rugby world. Famous ones we know about but there are many more and the impact on the championship and below is significant and very much to the good. Don't expect new Wasps to have an easy time and the thought of Tom West going to Trailfinders for "less abrasive" seasons is laughable.
Incidentally, there are a few statements in the middle of that Walesonline piece that may edify people a little about the Championship.
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Jack pulled from the Toulouse team with injury. Pah.
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Jonah Holmes was lured away from Wales to go there this season in a deal big enough to rule himself out of further Wales caps (although he was a way down the pecking order)
Don't expect new Wasps to have an easy time and the thought of Tom West going to Trailfinders for "less abrasive" seasons is laughable.
I am not downplaying the quality in the championship at all but my opinion that the levels of physicality Tom West would face there would be far less compared to what his body would be put through in training, in the Prem and in Europe, I really don’t think is a ‘laughable’ suggestion.
Maybe we might just need to find some middle ground here. I have no doubt some time in the championship would be beneficial to West physically in the same way players taking sabbaticals in Japan for example have said it has improved their longevity in the game.
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Weren't there some comments from the Sarries players who stayed in the championship about the competition not preparing them for England in tge way the prem would have. Billy iirc.
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Weren't there some comments from the Sarries players who stayed in the championship about the competition not preparing them for England in tge way the prem would have. Billy iirc.
Sounds like the kind of disparaging remark a Salarycens player would make.
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According to TRP Tom West has joined Ealing for this season and next.
Tom West is too good to play at Championship level.
He’s already played in the Championship for two seasons. He was essentially shaped in the Championship. Not all that long ago. And Ealing are pretty good. It’s an absolute myth that the Championship is rubbish.
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Weren't there some comments from the Sarries players who stayed in the championship about the competition not preparing them for England in tge way the prem would have. Billy iirc.
Wasn't part of the issue the fact they hardly played in the Championship.
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All players of West's caliber will want to be playing at the highest level possible because:
1. They want to be paid as much as they can, remember this is their living, they have bills to pay!
2. They want to be selected for their national teams & that won't happen if the play in the Championship, unless they are already a fixture in the national team concerned
To suggests that any player would want to play in the champ " for a rest" is, IMO, ridiculous. The fact West has signed for Ealing is, I expect, more to do with them paying him more than he was being offered elsewhere or perhaps he didn't want to go to France/Japan for personal reasons?
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Wasps will be in a very odd position when offering contracts. Agreed, if a player has a lucrative contract with a top level club, and is getting game time, I can't see them 'returning', unless other factors work in our favour. They might have a contract only for the rest of this season. They might have roots in the Midlands and want to move for that reason. There might even be some sentimentality (you never know).
Having said that, if one looked at the squad as it was, clinically, how many of those would the new coaches not want anyway?
There may well be some players without alternative contracts you would want back (like the academy players). Some may have been close to first team selection for next year anyway.
Would the 2023/24 squad be, therefore, a mix of young talent, championship talent and some wiser heads who would have moved 'down' from Premiership to Championship to extend their careers?
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Not really the correct thread. Finn Russell signs for Bath for £1 million quid and they let Billy Searle go who would have been paid a huge amount less. Wouldn't be a bad signing for us, if he's prepared to re-join in the Championship?
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Not really the correct thread. Finn Russell signs for Bath for £1 million quid and they let Billy Searle go who would have been paid a huge amount less. Wouldn't be a bad signing for us, if he's prepared to re-join in the Championship?
But, hasn't he spent a lot of time injured? I am not sure we can afford to take risks like that.
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Injuries aside, has he improved since he played with us? I seem to recall that he wasn't a total success.
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Got a text yesterday from an old Welsh mate of mine. Reads "Was at Rodney Parade Sat. An old Waspie rolled up. Looked good and you had to wonder at his paucity of caps. Dreigiau 21 Pau 27 Dan Robson the git!"
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IMO Billy Searle would actually be the kind of signing Wasps should be looking for. Prem experience but probably never going to be prem level. Would probably be happy earning a wage in the Championship.
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IMO Billy Searle would actually be the kind of signing Wasps should be looking for. Prem experience but probably never going to be prem level. Would probably be happy earning a wage in the Championship.
I thought he would be ideal. But he is a bit prone to injury.
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Searle was Schrodinger's 10....both massively underrated and massively overrated at the sane time.
Very decent player in my book.
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Kieran Curran signed for Bedford Blues until the end of the season.
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Of course it still hurts but I read that Tom has been doing very well in France.
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Lucky old Bordeaux
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Of course it still hurts but I read that Tom has been doing very well in France.
I'm happy for Tom, it hurts its not with us but rather he do well in france than another team in the Prem
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Dan Robson had a good game for Pau last night. 3 try assists in a 22-22 draw with Bayonne.
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Paolo scores a try as Stade win 48-10 at Racing in the Paris derby.
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Cardall to Aus was also rumoured a while ago, so wonder if there’s anything in that too?
Tim was at the MCG for day 1 of the Boxing Day Test.
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Elliott is back after 7 months of rehab, at Bristol:
https://twitter.com/elliottstooke/status/1607823692515377152
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Launch played on Christmas day, and broke his hand.
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Elliott is back after 7 months of rehab, at Bristol:
https://twitter.com/elliottstooke/status/1607823692515377152
Great to see him back, no Will Porter in this one but Bassett was very good.
Also a great line from Lol at one point.
Mullins asked him how he would have dealt with Andrei Estherhuizen in his day.
Lol replied “Joe Worsley”.
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Lol replied “Joe Worsley”.
Love it!
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Fisilau starts at 8 for Exeter against Sarries - they’re definitely a little short in this department but they could have also shuffled others to not play him - obviously has made a good impression
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Tweet from Bobby Bridge:
Greg Fisilau, 19, joined Exeter Chiefs after Wasps’ demise earlier this year. Tomorrow he makes his first Premiership start, away against Saracens. Billy Vunipola is his opposite number! Very exciting, dynamic young rugby player with a big future.
Goodness me. I'm not sure if I ever saw him play.
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Tom starts for Bordeaux and Cruse for Edinburgh both tonight.
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Kibridge to Western Force for 12 Months according to TRP
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Porter interesting Queens for next season (TRP)
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TRP article - My Life In Rugby - Joe Simpson is worth a read. "I would have played for Wasps for free" sums him up totally.
Can't post but should be free later in the week.
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I know it’s going to be difficult financially, but it would be good to have a couple of players from the like Joe just to make instil the Wasps esprit de corps in the next club iteration.
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I know it’s going to be difficult financially, but it would be good to have a couple of players from the like Joe just to make instil the Wasps esprit de corps in the next club iteration.
Agree but in the article Joe says he has no interest in coaching - sadly.
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Must admit from the rugby I’ve watched since we went bust our players in other teams have looked great. Maybe it’s because I’m focused on them? Maybe there is an extra hunger about them? But they are standing out. Makes me wonder why we weren’t tearing it up. 🤔
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Millar-Mills to Bath short term.
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I know it’s going to be difficult financially, but it would be good to have a couple of players from the like Joe just to make instil the Wasps esprit de corps in the next club iteration.
Agree but in the article Joe says he has no interest in coaching - sadly.
Thinking about it a bit more, if I could choose one player to provide that vital link it would be Joe Launchbury.
Of course it won’t happen and I wouldn’t want him to jeopardise any England or other aspirations, but does anyone else epitomise Wasps more than him?
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Launch has signed for Quins for next season.
Dan Robson is someone who hasn't signed elsewhere for next season (as far as i'm aware) and embodies what Wasps are all about.
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Oghre back on the market - his stint at Tigers is over.
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Jacob did a stint for Treviso today getting all his conversions but with a couple of brain farts from hand. Matteo looks slower but has been banned for a few weeks.
Just turned over and caught that the EAs only have ONE non international in the team today. How???
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Because they’re cheats. Looking at the line ups there is at least 4 internationals on the bench as well. And lo and behold - they’re walking away with the league!
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Brad starting and Ali on the bench for Perpignan.
Watching Racing and Wade not appeared for a couple of weeks - was his contract just until end of year or for season.
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Just caved in and put this on to watch Fisilau and Frost. Sarries have had three ridiculous decisions go their way, Monye is in Sarries eulogising mode, Farrell has hurled abuse at his own scrum half and neck rolled someone out of a breakdown (unpunished) and Exeter look extremely, extremely poor - no wonder Rent-a-Mouth doesn’t want relegation. Have now switched back off!
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Frost doesn't look happy. At least he smiled when he was with us.
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Oghre back on the market - his stint at Tigers is over.
He's joining Bordeaux until the end of the season.
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Oghre back on the market - his stint at Tigers is over.
He's joining Bordeaux until the end of the season.
Due to various Leicester injuries he was performing at centre for his stint v Sale!
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Sam Wolstenholme has joined Leicester as cover for the next few months
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Because they’re cheats. Looking at the line ups there is at least 4 internationals on the bench as well. And lo and behold - they’re walking away with the league!
Saw a clip on Facebook the other day showing the top 10 earners in rugby union for 2022 and Saracens had two in there Owen and Mario, the article was quoting there salary in SA Rand but roughly equated to £1.7 million between them. Now that’s a very big chunk of their cap on two players
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Because they’re cheats. Looking at the line ups there is at least 4 internationals on the bench as well. And lo and behold - they’re walking away with the league!
Saw a clip on Facebook the other day showing the top 10 earners in rugby union for 2022 and Saracens had two in there Owen and Mario, the article was quoting there salary in SA Rand but roughly equated to £1.7 million between them. Now that’s a very big chunk of their cap on two players
Similar to Bristol with Semi and Piatau
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Because they’re cheats. Looking at the line ups there is at least 4 internationals on the bench as well. And lo and behold - they’re walking away with the league!
Saw a clip on Facebook the other day showing the top 10 earners in rugby union for 2022 and Saracens had two in there Owen and Mario, the article was quoting there salary in SA Rand but roughly equated to £1.7 million between them. Now that’s a very big chunk of their cap on two players
Their squad per Wiki suggests there are 24 international players (i.e. with more than one cap) But if £1.7m is spent on those two, wtf are they paying for Loz, Daly, Malins, Goode, Maitland, Taylor, Tompkins, Davies, plus 2 SA's, just to mention the international backs.....
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Presumably Owen and Mauro are "Marquee" so outside of the cap?
.....or would that be the Vunipola brothers?
.....or Jamie George and Alex Goode?
I presume they are still allowed 2 "Marquee's" as they would be historical and before the "cuts"?
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Presumably Owen and Mauro are "Marquee" so outside of the cap?
.....or would that be the Vunipola brothers?
.....or Jamie George and Alex Goode?
I presume they are still allowed 2 "Marquee's" as they would be historical and before the "cuts"?
I don't know who would be the marquee player but I don't think you've ever been allowed to name two EQPs in your marquee slots. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it used to be one EQP and one non-EQP. Now, I think it's one EQP and one non-EQP who's coming from outside the Prem (i.e. never played in the Prem prior to signing for a Prem club). So, you will always have had to count either Farrell's or Itoje's salary towards the cap (depending on which player is named as the marquee).
Quick look on the Saracen's website (yes, I feel dirty now), they have a squad of 41. With a salary cap of £5m and excluding the £1.7m from Farrell and Itoje gives an average of £84,615 per player for the remaining 39. Daly left Wasps for more than what he was being paid at Wasps, so that makes him on at least £500k and you'd imagine the other senior international members on roughly similar. Assuming they are sticking to the cap (they can't be surely), then the junior members of the squad will be getting paid peanuts.
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There are credits for EQP and players through the academy I believe, just to complicate the accounting.
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I also don't think Daly is on £500k+
He was rumoured to be around £300k with us. Dallaglio always said it wasn't less that Wasps were offering. Mind you, the overall point is valid, although I don't think they have two marquees - I thought it was only down to 1 this season (but was2x last season as part of the transition period?
But call it £800k for Itoje with Farrell as the Marquee. That's £4.2m + EPS and Academy Credits. Academy is maxed at £600k and EPS is £80k per squad player. There's 5 at the moment I think (2x Vunipola, Itoje, George and Faz?) so that's another £400k making it £5.2m + 1x marque.
£5.2m split across the remaining 40 players = £130k per player.
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I also don't think Daly is on £500k+
He was rumoured to be around £300k with us. Dallaglio always said it wasn't less that Wasps were offering. Mind you, the overall point is valid, although I don't think they have two marquees - I thought it was only down to 1 this season (but was2x last season as part of the transition period?
But call it £800k for Itoje with Farrell as the Marquee. That's £4.2m + EPS and Academy Credits. Academy is maxed at £600k and EPS is £80k per squad player. There's 5 at the moment I think (2x Vunipola, Itoje, George and Faz?) so that's another £400k making it £5.2m + 1x marque.
£5.2m split across the remaining 40 players = £130k per player.
Clubs could hold on to 2 No Marquees IF they renewed contracts before the date the change was enacted, Most clubs did this if they had the funds.
Dai stated that Daly left for considerably more money.
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I also don't think Daly is on £500k+
He was rumoured to be around £300k with us. Dallaglio always said it wasn't less that Wasps were offering. Mind you, the overall point is valid, although I don't think they have two marquees - I thought it was only down to 1 this season (but was2x last season as part of the transition period?
But call it £800k for Itoje with Farrell as the Marquee. That's £4.2m + EPS and Academy Credits. Academy is maxed at £600k and EPS is £80k per squad player. There's 5 at the moment I think (2x Vunipola, Itoje, George and Faz?) so that's another £400k making it £5.2m + 1x marque.
£5.2m split across the remaining 40 players = £130k per player.
Clubs could hold on to 2 No Marquees IF they renewed contracts before the date the change was enacted, Most clubs did this if they had the funds.
Dai stated that Daly left for considerably more money.
I understood Daly left for more than he was on but less than Wasps were offering.
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I also don't think Daly is on £500k+
He was rumoured to be around £300k with us. Dallaglio always said it wasn't less that Wasps were offering. Mind you, the overall point is valid, although I don't think they have two marquees - I thought it was only down to 1 this season (but was2x last season as part of the transition period?
But call it £800k for Itoje with Farrell as the Marquee. That's £4.2m + EPS and Academy Credits. Academy is maxed at £600k and EPS is £80k per squad player. There's 5 at the moment I think (2x Vunipola, Itoje, George and Faz?) so that's another £400k making it £5.2m + 1x marque.
£5.2m split across the remaining 40 players = £130k per player.
Clubs could hold on to 2 No Marquees IF they renewed contracts before the date the change was enacted, Most clubs did this if they had the funds.
Dai stated that Daly left for considerably more money.
I understood Daly left for more than he was on but less than Wasps were offering.
Dai said they couldn't match the offer made to him financially (maybe it included coffee shops?)
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Assume you can take Itoje and Farrell out. You’ve still got to accommodate Vunipola x 2, Daly, Malins, Tompkins, Lozowski, Maitland, Goode, Van Zyl, Tizard, Earl, George, Isiekwe, Lewington and Wray. If you average those out at say £240k each that gets you to £3.6m leaving £1.4m to be split between the remaining 26 players from the 41 man squad giving them £54k each. Bear in mind in that 26 you’ll find names such as Mawi, McFarland, Taylor, Clarey, Christie, Dan, Woolstencroft, Bello, Morris and Segun and it’s a difficult one to fathom. Leaving aside internationals by my calcs their squad has 8? Lions in it.
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Have they changed the rules on marquees?
It 7sed to be 1x home grown player plus 1x hired from outside the premiership (to stop anyone using the marquee place to fund a bidding war between premiership clubs)
Unless that's changed Saracens can't have both Maro and Owen outside the cap. Either way it's laughable to think their squad is legal (yet again) but the journalists with their noses in the Sarries trough are all too busy writing puff articles to do their job and actually ask some hard questions about the cap
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Have they changed the rules on marquees?
It 7sed to be 1x home grown player plus 1x hired from outside the premiership (to stop anyone using the marquee place to fund a bidding war between premiership clubs)
Unless that's changed Saracens can't have both Maro and Owen outside the cap. Either way it's laughable to think their squad is legal (yet again) but the journalists with their noses in the Sarries trough are all too busy writing puff articles to do their job and actually ask some hard questions about the cap
Wouldn't it nice if The Cheats are living up to their name (again) and got relegated and the RFU/PRL have their 10 team league.
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Along with Tim Cardall, Billy Kucera and Harry Craven have headed to Australia, I assume for rugby purposes - No word on clubs or level yet.
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Along with Tim Cardall, Billy Kucera and Harry Craven have headed to Australia, I assume for rugby purposes - No word on clubs or level yet.
Although it must have been hugely stressful, I hope that most of our squad are able to look back at this period having enjoyed the opportunities that have come out of a bad situation; Jacob playing in Italy sounds like it's doing wonders for his confidence, Josh has been scoring for fun for Quins, Jack seems to making the most of playing in a star-studded squad, some of our youngsters heading off to play some Summer/Autumn rugby out in Australia sounds like a lot of fun etc...
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I think this means Stookie is off to Montpelier ???
https://twitter.com/MHR_officiel/status/1610646081678761984 (https://twitter.com/MHR_officiel/status/1610646081678761984)
Good luck, Elliott.
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Lucky Club.
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I think Stooke is actually one of the few players to have improved his marketability by his time at Wasps. He was wasted at Bath playing in a side that just didn't seem to know what it was doing.
Good luck to him in France
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Medical Joker by the looks.
I note we still get the "London " Wasps treatment.
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I think this means Stookie is off to Montpelier ???
https://twitter.com/MHR_officiel/status/1610646081678761984 (https://twitter.com/MHR_officiel/status/1610646081678761984)
Good luck, Elliott.
That was a short trip to Bristol
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Interview with Stookie on planetrugby:
Elliott Stooke is one of rugby’s good guys.
https://www.planetrugby.com/news/elliott-stooke-exclusive-from-injury-horror-that-left-him-with-50-pieces-of-metal-in-his-ankle-to-a-new-life-in-montpellier (https://www.planetrugby.com/news/elliott-stooke-exclusive-from-injury-horror-that-left-him-with-50-pieces-of-metal-in-his-ankle-to-a-new-life-in-montpellier)
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I think this means Stookie is off to Montpelier ???
https://twitter.com/MHR_officiel/status/1610646081678761984 (https://twitter.com/MHR_officiel/status/1610646081678761984)
Good luck, Elliott.
No recent pictures, its all of him in a Bath or England strip. Weird given he was very good in Wasps' colours
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Paolo in the thick of it
https://twitter.com/SFParisRugby/status/1612408622172213249?t=aL8dC_d0lldp3phafh3efw&s=19
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Paolo in the thick of it
https://twitter.com/SFParisRugby/status/1612408622172213249?t=aL8dC_d0lldp3phafh3efw&s=19
What happened after? I mean, that should have been a red card for the tackle and a penalty try.
I guess the ref bottled it and gave a penalty, no try, and maybe a yellow card?
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Yellow card and penalty try by the looks of it.... In the 3rd minute of the game
Stade won 26-7, so keeping at 15v15 probably kept it almost competitive
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Yellow card and penalty try by the looks of it.... In the 3rd minute of the game
Stade won 26-7, so keeping at 15v15 probably kept it almost competitive
In other words, ignored the 'tackle' (attempted beheading). The ref isn't related to Dickson is he?
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Odendaal to join Saints for next season.
He’ll be very decent in that backline but there’s good competition for places.
Is Proctor off?
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Here's a big one:
Tom Willis to Saracens next season, via Twitter https://twitter.com/willgkelleher/status/1612804517061328897
Aaaargh. Anyone but them.
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Here's a big one:
Tom Willis to Saracens next season, via Twitter https://twitter.com/willgkelleher/status/1612804517061328897
Aaaargh. Anyone but them.
I'm probably being extremely unreasonable here, but I can't help but feel disappointed and let down that he may have chosen to move there.
On the face of it, ignoring the (justified) noise surrounding S******s, I could understand the appeal to play for a club that has a lot of top quality players where there is high probability that you will be, as a minimum, competing in finals for trophies. If this was me, sure it'd be great winning the Champions Cup or the Premiership but how fulfilled would I feel knowing that no other club can come anywhere close to you? It wouldn't feel very competitive to me.
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Anyone but The Cheats. Willis is a nice guy - surely he won’t fit in.
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Anyone but The Cheats. Willis is a nice guy - surely he won’t fit in.
Oh come on. He is a Pro sportsman. He needs to earn money, and they are offering him just that. Are Wasps? No. Will Wasps ever, in his career, be able to afford him? No. Those days are gone. Be happy for the lad.
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I’m happy for the players who’ve picked up contracts. Just galls me that Saracens will benefit.
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Paolo in the thick of it
https://twitter.com/SFParisRugby/status/1612408622172213249?t=aL8dC_d0lldp3phafh3efw&s=19
What happened after? I mean, that should have been a red card for the tackle and a penalty try.
I guess the ref bottled it and gave a penalty, no try, and maybe a yellow card?
My mention of the thick of it was more he Is getting his hands on the ball and almost scoring more trys than getting involved in anything dirty.
The hit should have been a red if it wasn't.
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Sadly we have to remember that its his job and there aren't many other prem clubs looking for a starting 8.
Bath - Barbeary
Bristol - Bradbury
Exeter - Simmonds
Gloucester - Mercer
Quins - Dombrandt
Tigers - Wiese
Irish - Pearson/Fa'aso'o
Falcons - Fearns/Welch/Chick
Saints - Augustus/Ludlham
Sharks - Du Preez/Curry
Saracens - Billy V/Earl
So realistically most clubs are well stocked... same issue for Jack. Realistically, i'd say maybe 3/4 of those clubs might need an 8 after world cup.
Exeter - to replace Simmonds in the long run
Tigers - In case Wiese leaves
Irish - Build up stock/in case Fa'aso'o doesn't work out
Saracens - When Billy Leaves post WC
I'd imagine that Falcons couldn't afford Tom or Jack.
So realistically Tom to Sarries makes a lot of sense. Irish would have been my preferred but said the same of Hartley but nothing we can do. A backrow of McFarland, Earl and T Willis for me is a pretty perfect backrow, especially with Itoje and Isiekwe adding weight in the row. Combine that with George, Ricconi and whoever they replace Mako with? pretty strong.
Tom reminds me very much of the skillset of Morgan (Glaws), always carries well, good hands, bit of gas and clever rugby player.
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https://rugby365.com/tournaments/pro14/players-rebound-after-collapse-of-wasps/
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Not quite the same as all the above, but Kinga has been added to Gatland's Wales coaching team
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If Tom Willis can get a contract at what is currently the best club in England,that have a incredible reputation for looking after their players (yes, sometimes not legally) which will give him the best chance of getting England selection & winning silverware then I cannot be anything other than very happy for him. Its his livelihood we are talking about FFS!
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Not sure anyone has disputed that in any way at all. Being pleased for Willis but frustrated that a team like Saracens get the benefit of him are not mutually exclusive.
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Not sure anyone has disputed that in any way at all. Being pleased for Willis but frustrated that a team like Saracens get the benefit of him are not mutually exclusive.
I would qualify that though...being pleased for Willis is contingent on this being within the Salary Cap rules. If not, he is colluding, and after the last time I don't think players can plead ignorance anymore. I struggle to see how the Cheats can have so many internationals on their books and be within the cap.
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They knew exactly what they were doing, and 15 yrs ago would even discuss it in the clinic.
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I don't think its up to players to police the salary cap, even if they have suspicions that it is being broken, that's for the those who set the cap and manage the league to enforce.
My problem is with the on-field culture and if Tom starts with all that hooping and hollering and getting in the faces of players who have made a mistake he will go down a very long way in my estimations.
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How can you say to any individual straw that it was complicit in breaking the camel's back? How was it to know how heavy all the other straws were?
Well, I hope you get what I mean. Each player only knows for certain what they are getting from the deal.
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I may be alone on here but I have sympathy for Sarries players where the salary cap is concerned.
They were offered contracts. They are not lawyers, &, given Sarries always said they didn't allow agents (we now know why that was!!), how were they to know what they were being offered was breaking the rules? If they asked the club "are you sure this is OK?" Nigel Wray wasn't going to tell them the truth was her? Who else were they going to ask?
They didn't know what every other player was getting so can't have known whether the club were busting the cap or not.
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I may be alone on here but I have sympathy for Sarries players where the salary cap is concerned.
They were offered contracts. They are not lawyers, &, given Sarries always said they didn't allow agents (we now know why that was!!), how were they to know what they were being offered was breaking the rules? If they asked the club "are you sure this is OK?" Nigel Wray wasn't going to tell them the truth was her? Who else were they going to ask?
They didn't know what every other player was getting so can't have known whether the club were busting the cap or not.
If the supporters of all other clubs could see clearly that something was wrong then, I would have thought, the players could have as well.
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I am happy that Tom is able to continue his professional career, especially as it looks like he's going to be coming home to England to do that. However, that's where my goodwill ends.
I don't have any sympathy with Saracens players - their on-field behavior is far from what we want to see on a rugby field, there is a player (who I think is also captain) who's regularly in the firing line with his tackling and will seriously injure someone one day (worse than Charlie). We can pat them on the back all we want about how well they look after their players but this cannot be replicated across the league - some of it will be salary cap, some of it will be not having pockets deep enough. What we now have is a Premiership that, on the whole, is not competitive because we have one club who are able to run, what is close to, an international side most weeks. The only other club that can get close to that is Tigers. I almost will for the Premiership to completely collapse so that the likes of Saracens/Exeter (with Baxter's big mouth) are left to themselves.
I don't have proof but it wouldn't surprise me if there was one or two senior players who were more clued in but I'd argue that the majority of the squad won't be involved in whatever Saracens get up to behind closed doors.
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Baldpaul - do you not think for example when Itoje was paid a large amount to turn up at a function and then advised he wouldn’t need to attend he wouldn’t think something a bit amiss was going on?
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Tom confirmed
https://twitter.com/Saracens/status/1613596889772851200?t=-BeG3oWzpWsFwDiV630u9Q&s=19
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Anyone but The Cheats. Willis is a nice guy - surely he won’t fit in.
Oh come on. He is a Pro sportsman. He needs to earn money, and they are offering him just that. Are Wasps? No. Will Wasps ever, in his career, be able to afford him? No. Those days are gone. Be happy for the lad.
+1
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I can certainly see a scenario where Wray tells the players that investing in their businesses is totally above board and has been agreed with the salary cap manager.
In fact, I believe there was agreement from the salary cap manager that Wray had indeed asked permission to do just that and was informed that it was ok.
Therefore I can see that players would be convinced that everything is fine.
The fact that the salary cap manager said that he only agreed to something similar once, and Wray then felt he had carte blanche to do whatever he wants is a slightly different matter.
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Using some of the logic applied here, you could argue that any Wasps player who signed for the club, or re-signed, in the last few seasons should have known the club was in serious financial sh1t & therefore shouldn't have been surprised when they were made redundant.
The reality of course was that the club told the players there was nothing to worry about & the players believed it. As did the vast majority of people on here, me included.
If Sarries players asked their club if their contracts were ok & were told they were, were they really to know it wasn't?
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Using some of the logic applied here, you could argue that any Wasps player who signed for the club, or re-signed, in the last few seasons should have known the club was in serious financial sh1t & therefore shouldn't have been surprised when they were made redundant.
The reality of course was that the club told the players there was nothing to worry about & the players believed it. As did the vast majority of people on here, me included.
If Sarries players asked their club if their contracts were ok & were told they were, were they really to know it wasn't?
However, all those players have managers, and although, I understand, Sarries would only negotiate with the palyers, there is no way those players would not have kept their managers informed. Even the most dense mamagers should have realised that what was being offered was suspicious.
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My point is..the Cheats have been exposed as cheating once, strongly suspected once and yet they still fill their squad with more British Lions than Scotland do under a reduced salary cap. The players know what Sarracens are before they sign. They cheat, and players go into that environment knowingly.
The comparison with Wasps doesn't work. Wasps were in financial difficulty, but most clubs are, so it is a risk either way and traditionally sports clubs at this level (mainly football clubs admittedly) find a rescue package from somewhere. So, yes it is a risk, but no significantly different from signing for most clubs.
If the players are so gullible that they can't see that the Cheats are still cheating, then I'm a Nigerian Prince looking to give them £40m (for a small cost to cover my admin obviously). I have no sympathy with any player joining that club, they know what they are getting into.
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My point is..the Cheats have been exposed as cheating once, strongly suspected once and yet they still fill their squad with more British Lions than Scotland do under a reduced salary cap. The players know what Sarracens are before they sign. They cheat, and players go into that environment knowingly.
The comparison with Wasps doesn't work. Wasps were in financial difficulty, but most clubs are, so it is a risk either way and traditionally sports clubs at this level (mainly football clubs admittedly) find a rescue package from somewhere. So, yes it is a risk, but no significantly different from signing for most clubs.
If the players are so gullible that they can't see that the Cheats are still cheating, then I'm a Nigerian Prince looking to give them £40m (for a small cost to cover my admin obviously). I have no sympathy with any player joining that club, they know what they are getting into.
As you are on this site frequently I would suggest Mr Prince that I could assist you in that funding!
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Ultimately, the authorities have deemed (rightly or wrongly) that Saracens are now completely clean and that any previous issues were mostly clerical.
I can see an argument where that should be enough for a player.
(Please note that I still hate Saracens)
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(Please note that I still hate Saracens)
I totally agree with this.
BUT, as far as the salary cap is concerned, I don't hold it against the players. They want to earn as much as they can, as quickly as they can, & I cannot blame them for that.
IMO the management, including the coaches should have been banned, like Deano was for bloodgate.
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If Tom Willis can get a contract at what is currently the best club in England,that have a incredible reputation for looking after their players (yes, sometimes not legally) which will give him the best chance of getting England selection & winning silverware then I cannot be anything other than very happy for him. Its his livelihood we are talking about FFS!
You are perfectly entitled to be happy for him, of course . Nobody is telling you otherwise. Sarries for me are a cancer and will remain so until being properly punished and I wish anyone who joins them ill because I believe rugby would be better off without them in their current incarnation. I have turned down money in my career on points of principle, others in similar situations my see putting family income first as more important. This is why so many MPs are happy to accept cash for questions and other financial rewards.Their careers are potentially short and rewards smaller than for a top rugby player. Such is life, people have differing values, all to be expected and fair. As long as we are allowed to agree and disagree it is fair enough.
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Unfortunately, as I've said before, history is written by the victors and right now, Saracens look like they'll be on that side
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I am not so sure.
They struggle to get 10k despite the trophies and proper stadium. Nobody really wants to be associated with them,and BT aside, who have to big them up and forget to avoid devaluing the product, they don't generate the column inches of warmth love they did when PR bought them the rugby journalist establishment.
Nigel the spiv will die someday, and although he has 'walked away', Lucy Wray's presence suggests they are still operating as they were. Look what happened to Warriors post Duckworth. By contrast this is an unloved unwatched club operating in a rugby desert that is considered by many fans to have won nothing. Their ideal scenario, a Euro league, offers them their best chance of wider rugby acceptance except it won't happen because the French and Irish don't need it and the Welsh don't want it.
It is analogous to Barca et al's attempts.
Workd rugby want cross hemisphere events and unified calendars. A big Euro plus SA league is inimical to that end. Without a Euro league Sarries will be tainted and losing cash hand over fist until Nigel dies and someone takes the money away.
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Maybe they will eventually. But nobody in the game thinks they own any titles yet as the victories were achieved whilst proven to be cheating.
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Is that view of Saracens really that widespread?
It's obviously rife amongst us, but outside I just don't see it particularly often.
It's like it's already being forgotten
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I think among club rugby fans it is.
Once you remove yourself from BT and speak to fans the view is they have no credibility.
Among the 'watch the 6n only crowd', well that is different. But their opinion us not rugby opinion, really.
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I think among club rugby fans it is.
Once you remove yourself from BT and speak to fans the view is they have no credibility.
Among the 'watch the 6n only crowd', well that is different. But their opinion us not rugby opinion, really.
Totally.
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I think among club rugby fans it is.
Once you remove yourself from BT and speak to fans the view is they have no credibility.
Among the 'watch the 6n only crowd', well that is different. But their opinion us not rugby opinion, really.
Agreed - those who know, know. Those who don't know, don't.
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Plus 1
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It is interesting when Prem Rugby put up stuff on social media about Sarries & their expectations for titles etc. Almost always the first post is one reminding everyone that they won them by cheating.
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this may have already been mentioned but has been hidden by a load of sarries invective, Gabby Oghre has signed for Bordeaux.
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this may have already been mentioned but has been hidden by a load of sarries invective, Gabby Oghre has signed for Bordeaux.
Yep somewhere way back.
He had signed for them from the New Year but got a medical interlude with the Cheetahs.
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Will Porter signed for Queens next season. With Bristol currently of course.
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And Neil Fowkes to Ealing:
https://www.ealingtrailfinders.com/news/welcome-neil-fowkes
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Ealing building for the Prem.
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Rodrigo Martinez has joined Los Pampas, one of two Argentine sides in the Super Rugby Americas tournament, which starts in mid-February.
https://www.americasrugbynews.com/2023/01/17/pampas-add-pumas-prop-rodrigo-martinez-for-super-rugby-americas/
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A few to add since the site was down.
Tom West to Tigers till end of season
Tom Cruse to Saints on a short term deal
Will Porter to Quins next year
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By my calculations the only players without deals confirmed for this season are Tim Cardall, Ben Harris, Zach Kibirige and Zac Nearchou. Cardall has been in Melbourne recently and Zach is rumoured to be joining the Western Force. Ben seems to be rehabbing from injury.
In terms of next season, as far as I can make out, Charlie Atkinson, Alfie Barbeary, Nizaam Carr, Joe Launchbury, Burger Odendaal, Will Porter, Sam Spink, Jacob Umaga and Tom Willis all have deals. Matteo Minozzi and Ali Crossdale have options to extend their deals at Benetton and Perpignan respectively and the French press are reporting that Dan Robson has agreed a deal to remain at Pau, but this is currently unconfirmed.
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Zac Nearchou playing for Ampthill in the Championship.
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Isn't Zach Kibirige playing for Western Force?
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Zac Nearchou playing for Ampthill in the Championship.
Thanks, I missed this news.
Isn't Zach Kibirige playing for Western Force?
He may well be, but neither he nor Western Force have confirmed it.
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Bassett to Tigers for next season
https://twitter.com/LeicesterTigers/status/1618326713821175812?t=73kzMzpS6AfRGbdXONxXxA&s=19
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Tigers seem to be picking up a lot of Ex-Wasps players
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Tigers seem to be picking up a lot of Ex-Wasps players
And 3 from Worcester announced in Hatherall, Shilcock and Theobald-Thomas. Presumably a buyers market at the moment.
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They?ve had Oghre in AND out. Atkinson, Bassett, West so far I think. It?s painful watching them sign for others once, never mind twice!
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Cardall confirmed to Melbourne Rebels
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Greg Fisilau gets a start at 8 for Exeter v Gloucester tomorrow.
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Tom West on the bench for Tigers.
Ryan Mills starts for Sale
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Not sure if its been mentioned here yet, Elliot Millar-Mills announced by Chinnor.
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Jack to replace Tom at Bordeaux?
https://twitter.com/pauleddison/status/1619990829938122753?t=kPTycXm71q82uKqBtuifhA&s=19
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Callum Sirker leaving Cornish Pirates to pursue a legal career (with some rugby on the side) in Sydney, Aus:
https://t.co/e9ydCAfHrn
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https://twitter.com/SectionPaloise/status/1620388074361339907
Dan Robson extension ast Pau confirmed
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https://twitter.com/SectionPaloise/status/1620388074361339907
Dan Robson extension ast Pau confirmed
Excellent news for Dan. Until 2025 so they like him!
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Count 3 ex Wasps academy guys in the England u20s.
McArthur
Fisiau
Ma'Asi White
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I'll put this here as I don't think it really warrants a new thread, but good piece from Nemo about Wasps folding and his move to Pretoria:
https://bullsrugby.co.za/i-lost-my-job-as-a-pro-rugby-player-i-was-in-a-dark-space/
"A few months ago I lost my job.
The club I was playing for, Wasps in England, went bankrupt and I was made redundant.
Like so many South Africans who have been through the same, I was devastated. I didn?t know where to turn or what to do next.
Just like that, overnight, I went from living my dream to a nightmare.
Anybody who has ever lost their job knows the feeling, and I wouldn?t wish it upon any other rugby player to ever have to go through that. It was the lowest point of my career and the first time something like this had happened to me and my family.
You wake up in the morning with this dark cloud hanging over you, and this frustration. I was calling agents trying to figure out what is going on and what my next move could be.
The problem was that it happened at the start of the season and all the other English Premiership clubs had already spent their budgets on players. So suddenly you?re facing a situation where it feels like all the doors are closed. It?s the beginning of the season and you are ready to go and give your best, and then there?s just no opportunity.
As the main breadwinner in the family, you immediately start asking questions about how you?re going to provide for your family and just earn a living. You feel that pressure of needing to make something happen soon. It wasn?t pressure from my family. They are my anchor and they shared the burden with me. But when you?re the main breadwinner, you just instinctively take on the pressure. In a way they helped me to keep it together and not completely fall apart, because I didn?t want them to see that I was feeling it and worry even more. I kept telling myself that if I lose it now and give up, they would all suffer and I couldn?t allow that. But you take that pressure to bed with you every night, and I was in a dark space.
And that?s when Jake White phoned.
I?d been fortunate in my previous time with the Vodacom Bulls to build up a great relationship with Jake as my coach and Edgar Rathbone as the CEO of the Vodacom Bulls.
When they saw the news about Wasps going under, they reached out to me. They said the following to me, and I still get quite emotional about it: ?Pretoria is your home. You?re always welcome here?.
It was a lifeline for me, and I am forever grateful to them for it.
I think it showed how grateful I was that I had one of my best performances in my first match back with the Vodacom Bulls against the Ospreys in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, and for which I was voted Man of the Match.
After all the struggles we?d been through as a family, I just felt this incredible relief to be privileged enough to be playing again. To have a job again. I had this sense of wanting to repay Jake and Edgar for their faith in me. I still do. I want to help this team win titles and be the best player I can be.
To anybody who is also struggling out there, I know what you?re feeling. You might think that as rugby players we?re somehow immune to the twists and turns of life or protected from it. We?re not. I can lose my job just like any ordinary South African. And I did.
I can also be let down by people. There will be a dark day for all of us in this life ? guaranteed. No matter who you are.
But this experience has taught me that the people you can always rely on are your family and close friends. And that when your back is against the fall and it feels like your world is falling apart around you, keep fighting. Never give up for those you love and for those who need you to be strong for them.
And now, whether it?s a simple gym session or a big match, I go into it with the same mental attitude to give it my all because I know how different it can be.
I know how it can change overnight."
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Count 3 ex Wasps academy guys in the England u20s.
McArthur
Fisiau
Ma'Asi White
Asher Opoku on the bench is ours too, now at Sale
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Sam Spink & Zack Kibirige both starting for Western Force at the weekend
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Sam Spink & Zack Kibirige both starting for Western Force at the weekend
Zach scored
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/reds-smash-western-force-in-super-rugby-warm-up/
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TRP suggests Tim Cardall will join Newcastle Falcons upon expiry of his Melbourne contract.
Great move for Tim.
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Jack Willis & Dan Robson both scored in wins over the weekend
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Jack started at 8 for Toulouse.
Unsure as to why, but he must have made a decent fist of it to get a try!
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Jack Willis & Dan Robson both scored in wins over the weekend
Dan Robson try at 3.45
https://twitter.com/SectionPaloise/status/1622553976922046468?t=Ta7bfNIAyZi9VrO2LfaIWA&s=19
Jack try at 0.40
https://youtu.be/5kKUqX905M4
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It?s quite ood seeing Jack with 8 on his back.
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Jack back in the England squad this week.
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Dan Robson try at 3.45
https://twitter.com/SectionPaloise/status/1622553976922046468?t=Ta7bfNIAyZi9VrO2LfaIWA&s=19
A very Dan Robson kind of try!
So glad he & his wife seem to be enjoying himself and have turned the massive negative of Wasps going under to take a chance & do something they would not have dreamed of before.
Elizabeth Jaggs-Robson is a Wasps supporter through & through, her father played for the club, so she will have felt the loss very personally!
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Dan Robson try at 3.45
https://twitter.com/SectionPaloise/status/1622553976922046468?t=Ta7bfNIAyZi9VrO2LfaIWA&s=19
A very Dan Robson kind of try!
So glad he & his wife seem to be enjoying himself and have turned the massive negative of Wasps going under to take a chance & do something they would not have dreamed of before.
Elizabeth Jaggs-Robson is a Wasps supporter through & through, her father played for the club, so she will have felt the loss very personally!
Having seen the try and some brief highlights on his contract renewal post, he looks like he?s having some fun at Pau.
In essence he is quite a ?French style? SH so I hope the fans have taken to him!
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A friend of mine from Newport was at the Dragons Pau game and was pleasantly surprised to see Dobby play. He couldn't believe how few caps he had got. When I told him that Dan had never had a start for England and in fact had played more minutes at other positions than 9, he nearly choked on his beer.
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Odogwu staying in Paris next season
https://twitter.com/Sf_actu/status/1623010304689942530?t=Vgy01uEbOOPRoWTUBxXXtg&s=19
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Great news.
I just thinking that given the way Italy started the 6N I wonder if he?s considering his international options?
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Odogwu staying in Paris next season
https://twitter.com/Sf_actu/status/1623010304689942530?t=Vgy01uEbOOPRoWTUBxXXtg&s=19
Wondered if Marchant arriving would mean there wouldn?t be space for him but this is great news.
Will see if there is still room for Harry Glover too, another ex-wasp
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Ma asi-White & Fisilau in the u20s squad for the weekend.
Both had great games last week in a very entertaining match, Fisilau making PoM.
Worth watching these games if you can
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Ma asi-White & Fisilau in the u20s squad for the weekend.
Both had great games last week in a very entertaining match, Fisilau making PoM.
Worth watching these games if you can
Link for coverage: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/rugby-union/62996231
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Ma asi-White & Fisilau in the u20s squad for the weekend.
Both had great games last week in a very entertaining match, Fisilau making PoM.
Worth watching these games if you can
Link for coverage: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/rugby-union/62996231
Haven?t watched it yet but McArthur also started at LH and Asher Opoku on the bench at TH.
Turrissi was also starting for Italy at lock.
With Bell, Dawkins, Hardwick involved last year too, the production line was really moving - oh what could have been!
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Fislau had another good game. Some of his jackling is straight out of Jacks playbook and he?s a bit of an animal around the field, got good hands too.
Ma asi-White was also good and looks like he?s bulking out a bit.
It?s always hard to tell with this age group but the future looks good.
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Fislau had another good game. Some of his jackling is straight out of Jacks playbook and he?s a bit of an animal around the field, got good hands too.
Ma asi-White was also good and looks like he?s bulking out a bit.
It?s always hard to tell with this age group but the future looks good.
But not for us
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TRP saying Lee to Bristol in place of Lam
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Saw that. Interesting - could be a good fit.
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TRP saying Lee to Bristol in place of Lam
Did I miss something? Didn't Lam sign a 7-year contract last season?
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TRP saying Lee to Bristol in place of Lam
Did I miss something? Didn't Lam sign a 7-year contract last season?
Maybe but rumours suggest he will be held responsible for underachieving.
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Being one of the richest clubs in the league but winning only 3 games from 12 & being below Bath at the bottom of the table can ruin the longest contract!
Interesting that 2 of the richest clubs are sitting at the bottom of the prem.....
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You do kind of wish their rich owners would lose interest and pi$$ off!
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You do kind of wish their rich owners would lose interest and pi$$ off!
PRL's worst nightmare.
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You do kind of wish their rich owners would lose interest and pi$$ off!
PRL's worst nightmare.
:)
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Lovely
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Bomber Hislop to Edinbugh next season:
https://twitter.com/EdinburghRugby/status/1625117799143145472
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Bomber Hislop to Edinbugh next season:
https://twitter.com/EdinburghRugby/status/1625117799143145472
That's an interesting one. He is not at the level of Shoey or Nel and there are some good youngsters on the brink.
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But with a Rugby World Cup as well as a Six Nations how often will Schoeman be around next season? Nel plays the other side of the scrum and is likely to be retiring soon.
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But with a Rugby World Cup as well as a Six Nations how often will Schoeman be around next season? Nel plays the other side of the scrum and is likely to be retiring soon.
Yes we have rumours that Nel could be off/retire but he is still being picked by Townsend so might get an extension. Schoeman will be gone a lot though.
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Fekitoa leaving Munster after one season - no surprises.
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Not to another Club, but Pudsey retweeted Ben Morris's tweet saying he is now a mortgage advisor
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He still stays on my fridge door. Well, a group photo does ..... for a while.
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I wonder how many ex-Wasps players from last season would be available (or wiliing) to re-join the Club for next season.
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Guy Thompson tweeted that he'd dig out his boots.
Think his tongue may have been in his cheek, but still...
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I wonder how many ex-Wasps players from last season would be available (or willing) to re-join the Club for next season.
Unless they were desperate for a job, I can't see why they would.
This is not the Wasps they were made redundant from, different players, coaches, management, S&C etc etc.
Why would you want to come back to a team of strangers?
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I wonder how many ex-Wasps players from last season would be available (or willing) to re-join the Club for next season.
Unless they were desperate for a job, I can't see why they would.
This is not the Wasps they were made redundant from, different players, coaches, management, S&C etc etc.
Why would you want to come back to a team of strangers?
A paying job?
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A paying job?
I did say unless they were desperate for a job :)
On that note lovely to see Joe Simpson joining his local club
https://www.oldpriorians.com/news/joe-simpson-joins-oprfc-2761285.html (https://www.oldpriorians.com/news/joe-simpson-joins-oprfc-2761285.html)
Love the quote form the club secretary: "Even though Joe has torn it up in the Premiership, in Europe and for England, critics have always questioned if he could cut it in the Middlesex Merit Tables in mid-February and if I know anything about the Simpson family, it's that they never back down from a challenge."
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Why would you want to come back to a team of strangers?
Didn't every player who has since joined another club find themselves in a team of strangers?
If the new owners are intent on establishing some level of continuity with the "new" Wasps in terms of personnel and try to re-recruit wherever there is an opportunity, be it players, coaches, back room staff, then I could see why it might be attractive.
I'm not deluding myself, many we already know are spoken for next season and beyond, and many more may not want to drop to the Championship whether or not Wasps' budget would stretch that far, but it is not inconceivable that the new club will be built around a core of returning employees.
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Guy Thompson tweeted that he'd dig out his boots.
Think his tongue may have been in his cheek, but still...
I'd love to see him in full flight again. Great player and servant and just the sort of connect with the past that've I've talked about before.
He'd only be 37 or 38 :)
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I'm not deluding myself,
Sorry, but without wanting to be rude, I think you are.
Yes, a few players may come back if they can't get better contracts elsewhere but I cannot see a core of ex Wasps players or coaches coming back.
I would love to be proved wrong, but I think the new Wasps will be exactly that, New.
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I'm still wondering if those rumours about Cipriani carry any weight.
If Simmo hadn't retired from pro rugby, he'd be a great option too.
Other than that, I suspect the closest week 3 get to ex-wasps players will be academy players who haven't picked up a senior contract yet
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With the number discarded at the end of last season, plus our and WW players on short contracts added to those who will be discarded at the end of this season (who will probably already know) I suspect the team will be a sprinkling of senior and younger players (perhaps academy youngsters still in the area). I do recall the Training Centre was kept running for some players to keep fit until they got sorted.
Note last weeks Kenny Logan interview where he said he had large numbers of agents contacting him and players showing interest. It certainly won't be the same but it could be interesting!
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I think it is possible we?ll see a few of the old squad back. Possibles could be Ben Morris? Zac Nearchou? Elliott Millar-Mills? Cam Dodson? Kieran Curran? Sam Wolstenholme? Will Hayden-Wood? Sam Spink? Possible/optimistic.
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I think it is possible we?ll see a few of the old squad back. Possibles could be Ben Morris? Zac Nearchou? Elliott Millar-Mills? Cam Dodson? Kieran Curran? Sam Wolstenholme? Will Hayden-Wood? Sam Spink? Possible/optimistic.
Any that have not yet found another contract, and would still have been in contract with Wasps next season, in effect come free.
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Comment on DW about a coach - Rob Howley. I must admit I had forgotten about him. Good coach and wants rehabilitation. Good choice for the waifs and strays club.
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Comment on DW about a coach - Rob Howley. I must admit I had forgotten about him. Good coach and wants rehabilitation. Good choice for the waifs and strays club.
That was my suggestion on the DW thread. I've got another idea too.
Since Jack Willis will become ineligible to be picked for England next season if he continues with Toulouse (and by all accounts they both want him to continue playing there), why don't Wasps offer him a contract where he is loaned to Toulouse while Wasps are in the Championship (much like Sarries did by loaning out England players while they were there) and charge Toulouse his salary. Since he'd be contracted to Wasps he'd be eligible for England and if/when we get promoted he'd be able to play for us.
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Olly Hartley on the bench for Sarries,
Tom West first start (I think) for Tigers
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Comment on DW about a coach - Rob Howley. I must admit I had forgotten about him. Good coach and wants rehabilitation. Good choice for the waifs and strays club.
That was my suggestion on the DW thread. I've got another idea too.
Since Jack Willis will become ineligible to be picked for England next season if he continues with Toulouse (and by all accounts they both want him to continue playing there), why don't Wasps offer him a contract where he is loaned to Toulouse while Wasps are in the Championship (much like Sarries did by loaning out England players while they were there) and charge Toulouse his salary. Since he'd be contracted to Wasps he'd be eligible for England and if/when we get promoted he'd be able to play for us.
Interesting idea, but no doubt won't be allowed as it was different for the EAs because reasons.
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Olly Hartley on the bench for Sarries,
Tom West first start (I think) for Tigers
West, Gopps start for Tigers. Atkinson on the bench.
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Cardall apparently signed for Newcastle for next season
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I'm watching the Tigers/EAs match at the moment because of ex-Wasps playing. Gops has first start for 4 months, plus Westie so I'm viewing first rugby on tv for a long time. Score? Reminiscent of the Valentine's Day Massacre right now.
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I'm watching the Tigers/EAs match at the moment because of ex-Wasps playing. Gops has first start for 4 months, plus Westie so I'm viewing first rugby on tv for a long time. Score? Reminiscent of the Valentine's Day Massacre right now.
Hartley and Hislop on EA bench with Atkinsin on Cheetahs bench.
Strange number of empty seats visible.
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Hislop came on but not Hartley - or I didn't notice that change.
Yes, odd to see empty seats at the stadium. Half-term?
I now chose which team to support depending on the number of Wasps playing.
-
Lock-forward Kiran McDonald will join Newcastle Falcons this summer on a two-year deal.
-
They?ve made a couple of shrewd signings. McDonald looked good for us.
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Kibirige and Spink start for the Force this weekend against the Rebels, no sign of Cardall this week though.
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After a dodgey preseason the Western Force beat the Rebels.
Spink and Kibirige looked lively, Spink with a couple of great runs and a beautiful offload in the first half. Unfortunately went off with a hamstring injury at half time, hopefully not the same troublesome hamstring that has given him issues in the past.
Cardall played for the Rebels A team this weekend.
-
Olly Hartley with the start at 12 for Sarries today too
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TRP suggests Jack will stay at Toulouse - excellent for him.
Lee to Edinburgh as Head Coach
Alfie close to playing but Bath cautious after so many injuries.
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TRP suggests Jack will stay at Toulouse - excellent for him.
Lee to Edinburgh as Head Coach
Alfie close to playing but Bath cautious after so many injuries.
Wasn't it last week it was being reported that Lee was going to be head coach at Bristol?
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TRP suggests Jack will stay at Toulouse - excellent for him.
Lee to Edinburgh as Head Coach
Alfie close to playing but Bath cautious after so many injuries.
Wasn't it last week it was being reported that Lee was going to be head coach at Bristol?
Yep if Lam was emptied. Edinburgh are losing their Head Coach definitely.
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Cardall to Falcons confirmed
https://twitter.com/FalconsRugby/status/1630160871396655106?t=lOHhXIpQ-O-p62Bntm6iOA&s=19
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TRP suggests Jack will stay at Toulouse - excellent for him.
Lee to Edinburgh as Head Coach
Alfie close to playing but Bath cautious after so many injuries.
Wasn't it last week it was being reported that Lee was going to be head coach at Bristol?
Yep if Lam was emptied. Edinburgh are losing their Head Coach definitely.
Rumoured to be taking young Robinson with him.
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Stooke started for Montpellier at the weekend
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Stooke started for Montpellier at the weekend
He's been pretty much ever-present for them since moving there. Much like he was for Wasps!
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Finally watched Olly Hartley?s mom performance last weekend for Sarries, absolute class!
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He's been pretty much ever-present for them since moving there. Much like he was for Wasps!
Thanks, didn't know how much he had played since moving there
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He made an excellent Captain on the occasions when he had to take over. Fitted in like a hand in a glove. Lucky Montpellier.
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TV3 starting on bench this weekend. As Theo says it is his first game back from injury.
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Alfie on the bench for Bath
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Which TV is number 3 please?
-
Theo Vuka?inović
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Millar-Mills on bench for Edinburgh tomorrow
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TV3 starting on bench this weekend. As Theo says it is his first game back from injury.
Went to Bedford a couple of Weeks ago for cup game v DKnights .wondered why he was sitting in seat in front of me.
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Must have spoilt your view
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Must have spoilt your view
😀
Entertaining game 42 all. 12 tries ,maybe two scrum resets whole game , similar number of time off for medics . Plus easy to get food and drink .Will be quite happy if Wasps get there to play . Don?t know state of their finances but was impressed with the set up.
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If anyone is watching the Formula 1 Qualifying and thought Logan Sargeant's fitness coach looks familiar, it's Ben Jacobs.
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Barbeary on for Bath v Tigers??..,and off injured 9 minutes later.
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Mario Picharde about to play for Spain against Portugal in the Rugby Europe Championship semi final
Watch live: https://www.rugbyeurope.eu/rugby-europe-championship-2023/men-s-championship-2023/portugal-vs-spain/
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Barbeary on for Bath v Tigers??..,and off injured 9 minutes later.
I think the lad should find another career. Perpetual injure risk.
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Plus 1
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Barbeary on for Bath v Tigers??..,and off injured 9 minutes later.
I think the lad should find another career. Perpetual injure risk.
He may have no choice unfortunately. Sounds like the hamstring again. Something badly wrong there.
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Barbeary on for Bath v Tigers??..,and off injured 9 minutes later.
I think the lad should find another career. Perpetual injure risk.
He may have no choice unfortunately. Sounds like the hamstring again. Something badly wrong there.
Most hamstring injuries are proximal - ie where the tendon inserts into the pelvis.
Alfie was clutching the outer side of his knee. Probably a lateral ligament injury.
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Yes, I think they?ve said not hamstring now which is good in a bizarre way. Sounds quite serious though. I wonder if he?s just injury prone or whether it?s linked to his style of play. Or is he just unlucky.
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BB tweeted "Today was just his 27th Prem app nearly 4 seasons on from debut." Must be incredibly disheartening for Alfie.
-
Should maybe have ignored Eddie and stayed a hooker.
Need to watch if that word starts a new spate of Ukrainian Ladies
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Barbeary on for Bath v Tigers??..,and off injured 9 minutes later.
I think the lad should find another career. Perpetual injure risk.
He may have no choice unfortunately. Sounds like the hamstring again. Something badly wrong there.
Most hamstring injuries are proximal - ie where the tendon inserts into the pelvis.
Alfie was clutching the outer side of his knee. Probably a lateral ligament injury.
https://twitter.com/Rugby_Injuries/status/1632375201567473664?t=8Kf490MT4CMdrIEv9NOYLA&s=19
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Hislop red card for Sarries v Sale.
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Hislop red card for Sarries v Sale.
It was more one of those than anything malicious - but they were their dislikeable "best".
On another site - a poster said "....well Saracens were missing eight English test players" They must come cheap....as they were playing BV, Nick I, Tompkins, Maitland and others.....
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Hislop red card for Sarries v Sale.
It was more one of those than anything malicious - but they were their dislikeable "best".
On another site - a poster said "....well Saracens were missing eight English test players" They must come cheap....as they were playing BV, Nick I, Tompkins, Maitland and others.....
Given how many Exeter are having to shed it does make a mockery when you look at their squad.
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It?s laughable. Back division was Vunipola, Davies, Lewington, Tompkins, Lozowski, Maitland and Goode. They were pinged 2-3 times for backchat - they are such a nice bunch.
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It?s laughable. Back division was Vunipola, Davies, Lewington, Tompkins, Lozowski, Maitland and Goode. They were pinged 2-3 times for backchat - they are such a nice bunch.
Plus for continuing to "huddle" against requests to stop. A kind of "We are the Estate Agents so we can do what we want" - Ref says no!! Ha ha.
-
Tomkins is a Welsh international.
-
Anyone know if Wade is still with Racing 92? Never appears in the team these days.
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Strange, if wondered where he?d gone. Was getting picked and playing well and then I think picked up a knock but not sure now.
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Wade's still listed on the R92 website as a winger: https://www.racing92.fr/joueur/christian-wade/26757
In the R92 forum he's on the injured list, so presume it's still the knock he picked up towards the end of the Leinster game.
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Wade's still listed on the R92 website as a winger: https://www.racing92.fr/joueur/christian-wade/26757
In the R92 forum he's on the injured list, so presume it's still the knock he picked up towards the end of the Leinster game.
Thanks for that. Just delay watched Sunday evening's match and late on he was mention as injured too.
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Just to note that Biyi is still there too: https://www.racing92.fr/joueur/biyi-alo/27982
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Corbin Thunder signed for Falcons
-
Fekitoa is off to Benetton.
https://twitter.com/BenettonRugby/status/1633528005166534656?t=0tP1zy0gM72mj9sama2OzQ&s=19
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Ruben Logan to Saints
https://twitter.com/btsportrugby/status/1634277364887633920?t=ofkJlnsuhWstuEMDkvkUWA&s=19
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If anyone is watching the Formula 1 Qualifying and thought Logan Sargeant's fitness coach looks familiar, it's Ben Jacobs.
A blast from the (not so distant) past. Jacobs was such a good player for us.
Watching some of the dross being served up by some clubs makes what happened to us hurt even more (not that we were immune to dross of course, especially the last few seasons)
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It's going to be painful watching the likes of Thunder & Logan, what could have been. Wishing both all the best. Maybe Kenny will be able to lure Reuben back one day.
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Plus 1
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Ruben Logan to Saints
https://twitter.com/btsportrugby/status/1634277364887633920?t=ofkJlnsuhWstuEMDkvkUWA&s=19
Will Glister too
https://twitter.com/midsrugbyacad/status/1634501951302901762?t=yeB-_RyvHIr_J_uqde3AnA&s=19
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Ruben Logan to Saints
https://twitter.com/btsportrugby/status/1634277364887633920?t=ofkJlnsuhWstuEMDkvkUWA&s=19
Big blow for those Waspies wishing the Academy players might stick around to be picked up by Wasps 2.
Reuben is a real talent who will hopefully develop into a quality senior player. Best wishes to him.
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Ruben Logan to Saints
https://twitter.com/btsportrugby/status/1634277364887633920?t=ofkJlnsuhWstuEMDkvkUWA&s=19
Big blow for those Waspies wishing the Academy players might stick around to be picked up by Wasps 2.
Reuben is a real talent who will hopefully develop into a quality senior player. Best wishes to him.
This one potentially raises a number of questions.
I guess the chance of a premiership contract is better than one in the championship and therefore trumps anything that Wasps could potentially offer.,
His dad has more info about what is happening at Wasps than anyone else so you do wonder what is happening.....
Both lads have gone to saints which is good for them, I guess the big questions will come if any of the academy lads sign for a championship team.
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Its a no brainer for a talented and ambitious young man. An unknown period in Championship, assuming that's even on offer, or Premiership rugby club from the off.
They might get more game time at Championship club but they aren't going to get top level exposure. Anyway, they're probably going to get loaned out to Premiership clubs so there could be a chance we still see them if things go well.
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Could it not be more a youngster and father realising that with a new team upcoming it would be easier for the youngster to go and advance his game elsewhere rather than stay with his father a director. Much like a Dai and Tom original situation.
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Unrelated, but I noticed Bertie and Frost were scorers for Quins and Chiefs respectively over the weekend.
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Frost looks to be a good signing for Chiefs. They're obviously going to have to back to their original position of developing local talent rather than signing the big guns, which hasn't brought much success anyway. As a Cornish lad it sends some good signals to the local communities, especially as Pirate's don't look like they're going to build their own stadium very soon so won't be able to have Premiership ambitions and will remain a feeder club for Chiefs.
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They might get more game time at Championship club but they aren't going to get top level exposure. Anyway, they're probably going to get loaned out
I would imagine Premiership Loanees could be a very useful source of quality players looking for game time for New Wasps
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Frost looks to be a good signing for Chiefs. They're obviously going to have to back to their original position of developing local talent rather than signing the big guns, which hasn't brought much success anyway. As a Cornish lad it sends some good signals to the local communities, especially as Pirate's don't look like they're going to build their own stadium very soon so won't be able to have Premiership ambitions and will remain a feeder club for Chiefs.
I don't think Dan Frost is from Cornwall, we signed him from Pirates, but he was at the Bath academy before then.
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Frost looks to be a good signing for Chiefs. They're obviously going to have to back to their original position of developing local talent rather than signing the big guns, which hasn't brought much success anyway. As a Cornish lad it sends some good signals to the local communities, especially as Pirate's don't look like they're going to build their own stadium very soon so won't be able to have Premiership ambitions and will remain a feeder club for Chiefs.
I don't think Dan Frost is from Cornwall, we signed him from Pirates, but he was at the Bath academy before then.
All I know is that Frost was born in Taunton.
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They might get more game time at Championship club but they aren't going to get top level exposure. Anyway, they're probably going to get loaned out
I would imagine Premiership Loanees could be a very useful source of quality players looking for game time for New Wasps
An extremely fair point!
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They might get more game time at Championship club but they aren't going to get top level exposure. Anyway, they're probably going to get loaned out
I would imagine Premiership Loanees could be a very useful source of quality players looking for game time for New Wasps
An extremely fair point!
Saints send majority of their loanees to Bedford, more likely to be playing against New Wasps.
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French rumours that Jack to extend stay at Toulouse. Excellent news for him as obviously appreciated and suggests family has settled.
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Don't blame him.
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Perhaps he has had a hint that the English only rule is to be scrapped?
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Perhaps he has had a hint that the English only rule is to be scrapped?
Perhaps he just likes the lifestyle and the near promise of winning silverware with a stellar team.
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Perhaps he has had a hint that the English only rule is to be scrapped?
Perhaps he just likes the lifestyle and the near promise of winning silverware with a stellar team.
There is always that of course😁
-
Does anyone know what has happened the Abi the chef?
He was regularly mentioned as being one of the most important people at the training centre by many players...
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Funny seeing Benny Jacobs on the F1 grid pre-race. Not a bad post-playing gig for him!
-
Brad Shields back to Hurricanes in NZ?
https://twitter.com/chrisjonespress/status/1638099578170818561?t=jdQ8vt2bYwdIP1DYxfmhUg&s=19
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Jack optimistic on his post-World Cup England chances
The Guardian.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/mar/21/rugby-union-jack-willis-england-world-cup-six-nations-steve-borthwick (https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/mar/21/rugby-union-jack-willis-england-world-cup-six-nations-steve-borthwick)
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Does anyone know what has happened the Abi the chef?
He was regularly mentioned as being one of the most important people at the training centre by many players...
Not sure what he is doing but he popped up in one of Pudsey's pictures a few weeks back on Twitter, he had his own company Food4Pro so perhaps running that full time?
https://twitter.com/WaspsKitMan/status/1629247108367671296/photo/3
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Thanks Andermt,
Sadly neither of his twitter accounts seem to be very active & everywhere I can find him he is still named as Wasps performance chef, so hard to tell what he's up to.
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Brad Shields back to Hurricanes in NZ?
https://twitter.com/chrisjonespress/status/1638099578170818561?t=jdQ8vt2bYwdIP1DYxfmhUg&s=19
Confirmed, I think (although I can't find the source). Also in Perpignan news, Ali Crossdale is activating a contract extension option and staying over there. Good on him.
-
Umaga and Watson playing well for Benetton on free to view Viaplay Xtra.
Varsity match on free after too.
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Umaga and Watson playing well for Benetton on free to view Viaplay Xtra.
Watson got a try. Jacob 4/4 conversions. Minozzi at FB for Benetton.
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Umaga and Watson playing well for Benetton on free to view Viaplay Xtra.
Watson got a try. Jacob 4/4 conversions. Minozzi at FB for Benetton.
Jacob was excellent in a very entertaining game.
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From Bobby Bridge.
Stephen Vaughan joins Yorkshire County Cricket Club
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/former-wasps-ceo-stephen-vaughan-25414522 (https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/former-wasps-ceo-stephen-vaughan-25414522)
The Telegraph are reporting Yorkshire CC are months away from administration.
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Sam Spink started for Western Force today back from injury and Kibirige scored again.
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Wade's still listed on the R92 website as a winger: https://www.racing92.fr/joueur/christian-wade/26757
In the R92 forum he's on the injured list, so presume it's still the knock he picked up towards the end of the Leinster game.
Thanks for that. Just delay watched Sunday evening's match and late on he was mention as injured too.
He's back for R92
https://twitter.com/Top14PasOff/status/1640076271899090947?t=h1alesgqD5SKJe0NsuOimw&s=19
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Wade's still listed on the R92 website as a winger: https://www.racing92.fr/joueur/christian-wade/26757
In the R92 forum he's on the injured list, so presume it's still the knock he picked up towards the end of the Leinster game.
Thanks for that. Just delay watched Sunday evening's match and late on he was mention as injured too.
He's back for R92
https://twitter.com/Top14PasOff/status/1640076271899090947?t=h1alesgqD5SKJe0NsuOimw&s=19
Saw that and got the match taping for viewing tomorrow night.
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Brad Shields back to Hurricanes in NZ?
https://twitter.com/chrisjonespress/status/1638099578170818561?t=jdQ8vt2bYwdIP1DYxfmhUg&s=19
Confirmed, I think (although I can't find the source). Also in Perpignan news, Ali Crossdale is activating a contract extension option and staying over there. Good on him.
Confirmed by Hurricanes now
https://twitter.com/Hurricanesrugby/status/1640181833500622850?t=6SGmXp7t8dDGJtYroSRKCA&s=19
Apparently also now requalifies for ABs due to new rules!
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Wade scored his 5th try of the season to get an away win. Try on about 19 minutes.
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Apparently Christian Wade has been linked with a move to Bath for next season?
-
Making him eligible for England, if it's true.
Danny Cips called for him to be conisdered on twitter the other day: he genuinely offers a point of difference.
Only question: Bath? Without casting aspersions, they seem to be spending an awful lot...
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Making him eligible for England, if it's true.
Danny Cips called for him to be conisdered on twitter the other day: he genuinely offers a point of difference.
Only question: Bath? Without casting aspersions, they seem to be spending an awful lot...
My thoughts too.
-
You would expect Bath to have a massive clear out of players who, while good on paper, just haven't performed. That would free up some cash for new blood.
-
Atkinson & Wolstenholme on the bench for Tigers.
I'd missed that Wolstenholme had signed for them TBH
-
Atkinson & Wolstenholme on the bench for Tigers.
I'd missed that Wolstenholme had signed for them TBH
Certain Mr. Gopperth starting for them too, along with Tom West also on the bench.
-
Atkinson & Wolstenholme on the bench for Tigers.
I'd missed that Wolstenholme had signed for them TBH
And now signed for Bristol next season.
https://twitter.com/BristolBears/status/1641462783819620352?t=0Q83pDKM-UGMt8Kjz7YTyg&s=19
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Atkinson & Wolstenholme on the bench for Tigers.
I'd missed that Wolstenholme had signed for them TBH
And now signed for Bristol next season.
https://twitter.com/BristolBears/status/1641462783819620352?t=0Q83pDKM-UGMt8Kjz7YTyg&s=19
And Oghre
https://twitter.com/BristolBears/status/1641457755054649349?t=y2eWwL_MUP6mm1XDH31mjA&s=19
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Its good to see some more of the younger players getting proper deals for next season rather than as short term injury jokers. I guess it was always likely to happen as current season budgets were already accounted for.
-
Doesn?t get any easier does it. When you look at the talent we had which is now liberally sprinkled across the rugby world you wonder how we weren?t pulling up trees.
-
So far Markus two tries and Jacob slotting the conversions
-
Watson two tries, Umaga four conversions and a penalty.
Sopoaga two conversions and five penalties.
-
Odogwu was pretty solid in that SF Lyon game, Sopoaga had his kicking boots but still a little temperamental elsewhere.
Spink pretty good for the Force against the Canes, Kibirige was another two tries.
-
Stooke a monster for Montpellier and Frost excellent for Exeter. Great game
-
Stooke a monster for Montpellier and Frost excellent for Exeter. Great game
Shame it was ruined by another unnecessary (IMO) red card. The tackled player was dropping and Mercer had no chance to adjust.
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Stooke a monster for Montpellier and Frost excellent for Exeter. Great game
Shame it was ruined by another unnecessary (IMO) red card. The tackled player was dropping and Mercer had no chance to adjust.
+1. So many similarities to the red that was subsequently downgraded in the last England game.
-
Will Haydon-Wood to Exeter
https://twitter.com/ExeterChiefs/status/1642907684096598016?t=PplzfMy372HmkdiZOk-lLg&s=19
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Launchers set to play for the World XV v EJ's BaaBaas in May https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-11943093/Bristol-Bears-Charles-Piutau-feature-World-XV-against-Eddie-Jones-Barbarians.html
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Interesting how Hansen thinks of him as world class, but EJ ignored him for years.
I'd love to see his MOTM to Cap ratio compared to some other second rows...
-
Good Dan Frost article
https://www.planetrugby.com/news/exclusive-former-wasps-dan-frost-buzzing-in-new-life-as-an-exeter-chiefs-champions-cup-premiership
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?I think it?s fair to say we were keen to make sure the social kitty didn?t fall into the hands of the official receivers,"
Nice one, Frosty. Clearly took to Wasps, even in the short time he was with us.
Good luck for the weekend.
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Whilst I am pleased for the players, this thread has the feel of an underpriced auction for the family silver.
I thought it would hurt a little less as time has elapsed, but it hasn't.
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Whilst I am pleased for the players, this thread has the feel of an underpriced auction for the family silver.
I thought it would hurt a little less as time has elapsed, but it hasn't.
I agree, westwales. I too am pleased for the players but I doubt if it will ever stop hurting. I am still bitter..............what might have been😭😭😭😭
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I don't mind so much Dan going to France, for example.
I absolutely hate Tom Willis going to Sarries, who will no doubt claim that he was very average but they were able to turn him into a great player.
The worst though is someone like Greg Fisilau going to Exeter. A really fine player already, the potential is enormous.
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I don't mind so much Dan going to France, for example.
I absolutely hate Tom Willis going to Sarries, who will no doubt claim that he was very average but they were able to turn him into a great player.
The worst though is someone like Greg Fisilau going to Exeter. A really fine player already, the potential is enormous.
Fully agree with that.
Plus there are four ex Wasps on the Cheetahs bench tonight. What could have been.
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Plus 1, Backdoc. Our cottage is littered with memorabilia and the fridge door covered in photos. It'll probably remain like that till I pop my clogs.
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Plus there are four ex Wasps on the Cheetahs bench tonight. What could have been.
Josh has signed for Tigers next season.
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Plus there are four ex Wasps on the Cheetahs bench tonight. What could have been.
Josh has signed for Tigers next season.
True but some of the four may have departed with a new coach coming in
-
I absolutely hate Tom Willis going to Sarries, who will no doubt claim that he was very average but they were able to turn him into a great player.
They can claim that - but they only signed him because of him saving some of his best games against Sarries.....
-
For me what makes it worse is the fact that this is the only news we get.
If we had something, ANYTHING, to hold on to for the future of Wasps it wouldn't be quite so bad.
But all we have is a slow disintegration of all our hopes and dreams for the future of the team we've followed for decades.
-
Wade staying at Racing.
-
Wade staying at Racing.
Heard the same, but not seen anything official. Looks like Biyi is leaving though, per Midi Olympique. I keep forgetting Will Rowlands is joining them next season too: https://all.rugby/transfers/racing-92
-
From the same site, a comprehensive list of all those who have found new clubs :
https://all.rugby/transfers/wasps
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From the same site, a comprehensive list of all those who have found new clubs :
https://all.rugby/transfers/wasps
that would appear to show only where they went initially after Wasps collapsed, not where they have moved to since.
-
Jack's 2+1 year deal confirmed
https://twitter.com/StadeToulousain/status/1646065146672869376?t=DKFlq5J6iCkj_aqey7r2qQ&s=19
-
Jack's 2+1 year deal confirmed
https://twitter.com/StadeToulousain/status/1646065146672869376?t=DKFlq5J6iCkj_aqey7r2qQ&s=19
Good news and pleased for the lad.
-
Jack's 2+1 year deal confirmed
https://twitter.com/StadeToulousain/status/1646065146672869376?t=DKFlq5J6iCkj_aqey7r2qQ&s=19
Good news and pleased for the lad.
Now known as Jacques😁
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Jacques le chacal
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https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12321/12855692/jack-willis-england-future-in-doubt-after-signing-three-year-deal-at-toulouse
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Excellent.
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https://www.rugbypass.com/plus/dan-robson-interview/
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https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12321/12855692/jack-willis-england-future-in-doubt-after-signing-three-year-deal-at-toulouse
Being reported that England exception for JW won?t be extended. If he isn?t picked ,by the end of his contract he could qualify for France?
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https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12321/12855692/jack-willis-england-future-in-doubt-after-signing-three-year-deal-at-toulouse
Being reported that England exception for JW won?t be extended. If he isn?t picked ,by the end of his contract he could qualify for France?
Think the 3 year switch is only allowed if born in or parents / grandparents born in the country wishing to transfer to.
I would guess he will do his 2 years in Toulouse to be financially sound while seeing if RFU stance changes, if it doesn't then come back after 2 to try to get his place back for next world cup, if it does change and playing abroad and for England allowed then he will do his 3rd year option at least. Either way he deserves success both on and off the field.
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Will Jack be eligible for the World Cup after signing this contract for next season?
I'm surprised more players don't do two years abroad just after the world cup and return with 2 years to get their England place back.
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Will Jack be eligible for the World Cup after signing this contract for next season?
I'm surprised more players don't do two years abroad just after the world cup and return with 2 years to get their England place back.
Yes exceptions are in place until after this world cup for England
Guess the risk is you don't get it back, likes of Tom Pearson etc may take their opportunity in those 2 years.
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I guess the hope is that the 2+ years in a new / different environment alongside World Class players (using Jack at Toulouse as an example) will improve the player to the extent that he (or she, considered in the wider picture) is able to bring that new level to the national side.
Younger guys like Pearson, CCS etc will put pressure on, but look at the clamour for Mercer to be brought in pre-RWC given his displays in the Top 14 for Montpellier.
You could argue a case that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and that Mercer (for example) is more visible on Top 14 highlight reels than if we saw him week in / week out in the Prem.
I'm firmly in the camp of letting players play wherever, and picking them anyway. Pick your best players, regardless of their club, a la football. Leads to an exodus of "top talent" from the Prem? Opens up opportunities for more youngsters to break through and stake claims.
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Seems like Jack has found his feet well in Toulouse, I've just seen a cracking video on LinkedIn with him speaking French to announce his resigning.
It of course makes sense to learn the language of the country you live and work in but its still great to see after a relatively short time frame.
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Kibirige looks like he has all his confidence back, just scored a beauty for Western Force much like the ones he was getting before his injury.
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Kibirige looks like he has all his confidence back, just scored a beauty for Western Force much like the ones he was getting before his injury.
https://twitter.com/wwos/status/1647197156313542659?t=VyW6dQ-UBXwLhB0VDlvwmg&s=19
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Spink getting a lot of minutes for the Force too. Though they are being spanked most weeks.
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Yes it was always going to be tough for the Force but Spink has been very solid in his games around a small hamstring injury in the first round.
Kibirige is given a lot more space than in the Prem so looks like he?s enjoying himself. Has always been good at the chip and chase. Was a classy try
Cardall hasn?t got a game yet for the Rebels but has been turning out for their 2nds
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I am so pleased for Zach. He was one of my favourites. He just looked miserable latterly with us.
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Plus 1, Ross.
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I don't think Zach's form was helped by his stint at full back last season.
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I don't think Zach's form was helped by his stint at full back last season.
Interesting to see Bassett starting at FB for Quins last weekend - something I don?t think we ever tried.
Also Hartley again doing well in the centres for Sarries - I wonder if we would have seen him appear this season for us in the premiership or whether we would have kept him at Ampthill and for cup games again.
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Nice to see Launch & his missus have had their third child, not sure about the name though "Quinn".... could have been worse, they could have gone for "Saracen" :)
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Nice to see Launch & his missus have had their third child, not sure about the name though "Quinn".... could have been worse, they could have gone for "Saracen" :)
Or Foxton😁
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I don't think Zach's form was helped by his stint at full back last season.
Interesting to see Bassett starting at FB for Quins last weekend - something I don?t think we ever tried.
Also Hartley again doing well in the centres for Sarries - I wonder if we would have seen him appear this season for us in the premiership or whether we would have kept him at Ampthill and for cup games again.
I think almost everyone in our backline bar Bertie played at 15 over the past couple of seasons! I can't remember him ever covering there, though.
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Zach out injured this week!
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We (scottish) hammered richmond 49-3 in our relegation battle yesterday with a back line where 12-15 have all played for wasps at some point (simonds, Anderson, mehson and ingall).
No idea what their contract status is but a wasps phoenix club could do a lot worse than looking to resign Anderson and mehson who have been our best 2 backs by a mile this season - and far too good to be pottering around at the bottom of the table with us.
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We (scottish) hammered richmond 49-3 in our relegation battle yesterday with a back line where 12-15 have all played for wasps at some point (simonds, Anderson, mehson and ingall).
No idea what their contract status is but a wasps phoenix club could do a lot worse than looking to resign Anderson and mehson who have been our best 2 backs by a mile this season - and far too good to be pottering around at the bottom of the table with us.
Agreed on this. Was watching (!) on twitter as too ill to attend. Just need one more week of steady play!
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Hope you are better very soon.
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Watched most of Bordeaux (featuring Gabby and Tom W) v Lyon (featuring Lima) last night. Was 9-6 when I had to turn it off, and the Bordeaux scored a couple of late tries!
Tom W was noticably rumbunctious in the third quarter, a number of bullocking runs.
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Tom W(est) joining Tom W(illis) at EAs.
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Tim Cardall due to run out for the Rebels tomorrow.
Jack Willis to start for Toulouse at Leinster.
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You missed Matteo, Marcus playing and Jacob on the bench for Treviso's Semi (with Brookes on the bench for the winners)
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and Dan frost starting for Exeter
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And Fifita for Scarlets plus Vailanu for the Warriors.
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And Lee Blackett is backs coach for Scarlets.
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Biyi Alo to Ealing
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Double for Kibirige today, mention on commentary about possibly going to Saracens.
Spink very prominent too.
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Like the Western Force kit!
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Double for Kibirige today, mention on commentary about possibly going to Saracens.
Spink very prominent too.
Kibirige became just the ninth player to score tries in 6 successive Super Rugby matches. Only Chris Latham has scored in seven consecutive matches.
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Double for Kibirige today, mention on commentary about possibly going to Saracens.
Spink very prominent too.
Kibirige became just the ninth player to score tries in 6 successive Super Rugby matches. Only Chris Latham has scored in seven consecutive matches.
Imagine how many he would get in a team than won more regularly, ironically he didn't play in there 2 wins amongst those six games he has played and scored successively!
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Just watched the friendly game between Saints and Leicester on YouTube and saw Will Glister scoring for Saints.
He?ll be back to school on Monday for his A levels
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Lee and Richard Blaze possibly heading to Bath. Lee as attack coach.
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Lee and Richard Blaze possibly heading to Bath. Lee as attack coach.
Wonder how that will mesh with Dave Walder having been appointed as an attack coach. Mind you, they can afford any number of coaches.
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Lee and Richard Blaze possibly heading to Bath. Lee as attack coach.
Wonder how that will mesh with Dave Walder having been appointed as an attack coach. Mind you, they can afford any number of coaches.
Quite easily. Walder has gone to Bristol...
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John Mitchell set to become England Women?s head coach.
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Lee and Richard Blaze possibly heading to Bath. Lee as attack coach.
Wonder how that will mesh with Dave Walder having been appointed as an attack coach. Mind you, they can afford any number of coaches.
Quite easily. Walder has gone to Bristol...
Oops
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Confirmed by Bath
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Bath may become a very entertaining side, decent set of forwards, exciting backs, a maverick 10... If they can sort out the mindset they could easily be top 4 material next season.
Sounds like Wasps not that long ago.
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Mitch in the frame to succeed Simon Middleton as coach to the England ladies team.
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Bath may become a very entertaining side, decent set of forwards, exciting backs, a maverick 10... If they can sort out the mindset they could easily be top 4 material next season.
Sounds like Wasps not that long ago.
There?s just something wrong there for me. The squad has always looked good but never translated it to the pitch. I think they sign too many players just on the way down the hill rather than up it.
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The Ruck reckons Biyi to Trailfinders?
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The Ruck reckons Biyi to Trailfinders?
Saw that elsewhere but can't remember where. Also Jordy Reid to them. Building.
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The Ruck reckons Biyi to Trailfinders?
Saw that elsewhere but can't remember where. Also Jordy Reid to them. Building.
And RFU still wont let them up if they win the league next year. Must be so odd being an Ealing fan - knowing youll tonk everyone bar maybe 1/2 teams at the top by 50+ points every single week but can never progress beyond that level.
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Yeah, but who won the Championship this season - not Ealing.
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Yeah, but who won the Championship this season - not Ealing.
Yep of course. Still think it would be incredibly dull being an Ealing fan regardless - where 80% of your games arent even competitive
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We've been going to Trailfinders since the demise, and, yes, it can be a bit boring. However they are very Wasps like in that they constantly shoot themselves in the foot. It's good to see former Wasps playing well (Hapson and Holmes particularly).
What is great about the matches are the crowds - very friendly, the lack of the TMO, the refs not constantly resetting the scrums and the sausage and chips they sell! Also if you go to the bar and buy a coffee, what you get is real coffee, and a lot cheaper than it was at the Ricoh/CBS.
We went over to Jersey to see the match that decided the chamionship, and no doubt Jersey deserved to win, but well worth it - as good as any trip to France or Italy. Also good to see two ex-Wasps doing so well, as coaches, at Jersey (Harvey Biljon and Rob Webber)
WHilst over there we came across many old Wasps supporters, including the Allez man John Gladson.
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We've been going to Trailfinders since the demise, and, yes, it can be a bit boring.
I made my first visit there for Scottish's game this season (where I've been going since Wasps went to Coventry). Was quite boring for me too with teh 50-nil scoreline in Ealings favour :D
Was quite funny to watch England getting thrashed by France in the Ealing bar afterwards though!
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JTA released by Ulster
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Tom Willis included in the Top 14 Team of the Month
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Gopps leaving Leicester - player/coach role with us perhaps? 2 birds 1 stone.
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Gopps leaving Leicester - player/coach role with us perhaps? 2 birds 1 stone.
That would be ideal for me as it also fixes one thing I'd like to see, a strong senior player link with the recent past.
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Gopps leaving Leicester - player/coach role with us perhaps? 2 birds 1 stone.
Interesting, I guess everyone's assumption was the reason he left Wasps was down to the 2 year playing contract and potential coaching role.
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Gopps leaving Leicester - player/coach role with us perhaps? 2 birds 1 stone.
Interesting, I guess everyone's assumption was the reason he left Wasps was down to the 2 year playing contract and potential coaching role.
Different coaching staff there now to those conversations I would assume.
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Gopps leaving Leicester - player/coach role with us perhaps? 2 birds 1 stone.
Interesting, I guess everyone's assumption was the reason he left Wasps was down to the 2 year playing contract and potential coaching role.
Potentially a year deal with an option for an extension that tigers didnt activate? Don't think tigers fans were particularly miffed to see him go as he hasnt been great for them. Time catches up with everyone I suppose - even someone as ageless as Jimmy!
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JTA released by Ulster
Think it was only a one year deal but very surprised they?re not keeping him with how short they?ll be at TH next year and with Moore injured.
Big Jeff has again been a fan favourite and has played very well recently - lots of minutes since Moore?s injury too.
Hope he?s got a couple of years lined up in France next to top the pension up. Great bloke
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Gopps leaving Leicester - player/coach role with us perhaps? 2 birds 1 stone.
Interesting, I guess everyone's assumption was the reason he left Wasps was down to the 2 year playing contract and potential coaching role.
Potentially a year deal with an option for an extension that tigers didnt activate? Don't think tigers fans were particularly miffed to see him go as he hasnt been great for them. Time catches up with everyone I suppose - even someone as ageless as Jimmy!
Maybe the young whipper snapper Mike Brown usurped him!
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This tweet shows Sam Spink's progress at Western Force and like Jack why players should be allowed to travel to develop.
https://twitter.com/westernforce/status/1654273248949858309?t=FK5mhUZmkAYI073mAKHRGg&s=19
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This tweet shows Sam Spink's progress at Western Force and like Jack why players should be allowed to travel to develop.
https://twitter.com/westernforce/status/1654273248949858309?t=FK5mhUZmkAYI073mAKHRGg&s=19 (https://twitter.com/westernforce/status/1654273248949858309?t=FK5mhUZmkAYI073mAKHRGg&s=19)
I doubt anyone disagrees that players will improve by playing home or abroad, and that playing in different leagues with different styles rounds their game.
While it's the RFU that enforces the rule about not playing for England if you play abroad, it's always been the clubs that have pushed it.
I doubt the RFU cares where the players play, but the clubs don't want to see their assets leave and they have the RFU over a barrel
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This tweet shows Sam Spink's progress at Western Force and like Jack why players should be allowed to travel to develop.
https://twitter.com/westernforce/status/1654273248949858309?t=FK5mhUZmkAYI073mAKHRGg&s=19 (https://twitter.com/westernforce/status/1654273248949858309?t=FK5mhUZmkAYI073mAKHRGg&s=19)
I doubt anyone disagrees that players will improve by playing home or abroad, and that playing in different leagues with different styles rounds their game.
While it's the RFU that enforces the rule about not playing for England if you play abroad, it's always been the clubs that have pushed it.
I doubt the RFU cares where the players play, but the clubs don't want to see their assets leave and they have the RFU over a barrel
It?s almost restraint of trade. In any other walk of life these sorts of rules by employers, and the RFU is also an employer, to keep wages down would attract opprobrium if not the attention of the competition authorities.
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I agree. I've long said that the scenario of denying players opportunities based on where they currently play needs testing under employment law. A clever barrister (and most of them are) could make a good argument of indirect discrimination.
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I'm no lawyer, but I would expect that being invited to play for England has no legal protection
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Was doing some googling this morning (mid early morning, early wake up due to hangover!) and was having a think about what Wasps as a new entity could look at in terms of pulling a team together quickly.
I started to review the players currently on the market/leaving prem teams as we speak. Considering that we are most likely going to spend mid/top end of champ and Ealing averaged ?1.3m per year on squad with a top end players earning ?75k.
So I will make an assumption that we will spend somewhere around 850-900K ish? Assuming we have no large sponsor and assuming we have a 30 man squad (plus some loan players) doesn't give a huge wiggle room on who we can sign etc and would mean a 30k average per player.
So looking through who has been released, my assumption is our squad will be built of mainly youngsters and loanees, with a few older heads.
Players i'd be interested in include:
Darren Atkins, Max Green, Tom Doughty, Gabriel Hammer-Webb, Will Spencer, Frankie Read, Jordan Venter (Bath)
Sam Lewis, Henry Purdy, John Hawkins, Sam Jefferies, Peter Carter, Jac Lloyd, Tom Wilstead, Aaron Thompson (Bristol)
Jack Maunder (Exeter)
Rhys Litterick, Conor Oresanya (Quins)
Riley Williams, Horsea Saumaki, Kini Murimurivalu, Chester Owen, George Loose (Leicester)
Charlie Smith, James Blackett, Chidera Obanna, Ewan Greenlaw, Jeremy Civil (Newcastle)
Frankie Sleightholme, Archie Kean, Ethan Grayson, Josh Weru, Joseph Gaffan, Callum Burns (Saints)
Ben Carlisle, Sam Hill, Elliot Gourlay, Kieran Wilkinson (Sale)
Louie Kirkham, Oran Murphy, Oliver Stirling, Isaac Miller, Hugo O'Sullivan, Isaac Curtis-Harris (Irish)
Then i was also considering that 3 out 4 welsh regions have announced up to 50 players leaving already. List attached here: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/full-list-almost-50-players-26807120
The likes of Ben Fry or James Ratti would make interesting options.
Realistically we will rely on loan players until finances are resolved, however with the quality of training facilities we have, i'd hope clubs would like the idea of their players coming to play for us. Especially the players who haven't quite broken through yet like Ma'asi White/Opoku-Fordjour (Sale), Alfie Bell (Exeter), Will Glister (Saints) and a few more.
Obviously we won't get all and will have to be select due to finances but at least there's a good start to go off. Hopefully we may get a few from other teams that might be interested too but will be interesting to see how we get on.
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Suspect quite a few of the signings will also be from championship or national one clubs.
Most players in the league are on shorter term deals, and there's normally plenty of movement between clubs at the end of the year - though that depends on how late wasps decide to leave it.
One of the things wasps will need is a bit of 'dog', your experienced championship players who have never quite made it to premiership level but have the required experience in the league. Some will be semi pro or amateur so won't break the bank.
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Was doing some googling this morning (mid early morning, early wake up due to hangover!) and was having a think about what Wasps as a new entity could look at in terms of pulling a team together quickly.
I started to review the players currently on the market/leaving prem teams as we speak. Considering that we are most likely going to spend mid/top end of champ and Ealing averaged ?1.3m per year on squad with a top end players earning ?75k.
So I will make an assumption that we will spend somewhere around 850-900K ish? Assuming we have no large sponsor and assuming we have a 30 man squad (plus some loan players) doesn't give a huge wiggle room on who we can sign etc and would mean a 30k average per player.
So looking through who has been released, my assumption is our squad will be built of mainly youngsters and loanees, with a few older heads.
Players i'd be interested in include:
Darren Atkins, Max Green, Tom Doughty, Gabriel Hammer-Webb, Will Spencer, Frankie Read, Jordan Venter (Bath)
Sam Lewis, Henry Purdy, John Hawkins, Sam Jefferies, Peter Carter, Jac Lloyd, Tom Wilstead, Aaron Thompson (Bristol)
Jack Maunder (Exeter)
Rhys Litterick, Conor Oresanya (Quins)
Riley Williams, Horsea Saumaki, Kini Murimurivalu, Chester Owen, George Loose (Leicester)
Charlie Smith, James Blackett, Chidera Obanna, Ewan Greenlaw, Jeremy Civil (Newcastle)
Frankie Sleightholme, Archie Kean, Ethan Grayson, Josh Weru, Joseph Gaffan, Callum Burns (Saints)
Ben Carlisle, Sam Hill, Elliot Gourlay, Kieran Wilkinson (Sale)
Louie Kirkham, Oran Murphy, Oliver Stirling, Isaac Miller, Hugo O'Sullivan, Isaac Curtis-Harris (Irish)
Then i was also considering that 3 out 4 welsh regions have announced up to 50 players leaving already. List attached here: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/full-list-almost-50-players-26807120
The likes of Ben Fry or James Ratti would make interesting options.
Realistically we will rely on loan players until finances are resolved, however with the quality of training facilities we have, i'd hope clubs would like the idea of their players coming to play for us. Especially the players who haven't quite broken through yet like Ma'asi White/Opoku-Fordjour (Sale), Alfie Bell (Exeter), Will Glister (Saints) and a few more.
Obviously we won't get all and will have to be select due to finances but at least there's a good start to go off. Hopefully we may get a few from other teams that might be interested too but will be interesting to see how we get on.
A frightening amount of players, who have come through the ranks at their clubs and cannot now be retained due to the requirement for smaller squads or reducing the wage bill.
We have lost two clubs this season but easily another clubs worth of premiership quality players have been released so far.
Makes me wonder whether pursuing a career as a professional rugby player now is such a desirable goal for an 18 year old coming through.
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I'm no lawyer, but I would expect that being invited to play for England has no legal protection
But if it is legally employment, and certainly it passes some of the tests, then the protected areas of discrimination, including indirect discrimination apply. Having studied some aspects of employment and commercial law, I have seen many surprising rulings including when attending tribunals on behalf of employers. Would love this area to be tested in law. No
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I'm no lawyer, but I would expect that being invited to play for England has no legal protection
But if it is legally employment, and certainly it passes some of the tests, then the protected areas of discrimination, including indirect discrimination apply. Having studied some aspects of employment and commercial law, I have seen many surprising rulings including when attending tribunals on behalf of employers. Would love this area to be tested in law. No
If things really went that far, I suspect we'd find that it's illegal to only allow players of a certain nationality to play for a national team
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I'd have thought it would be a pretty easy one to get around even if a court found in favour of the players, considering selection for England is entirely subjective and down to the head coach. They could still just unofficially select only players playing in England (where the majority play) and who can prove otherwise that's not the 'best selection' considering its down to the head coach and 95% of rugby fans would disagree with who he selects regardless
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Tthat puts a lot of pressure on the coach. If the is changed we could expect more top players to head to France but if the rule quietly applied the coach will be coming under a lot of pressure at press conferences every time a team is announced and the howls will be heard down here when England lose.
I suspect that the UK courts will stay out of it but if we'd still been in the single market the EU competition authorities might have stepped in for players going to France like they did with the Bosman ruling.
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Jacob has posted on his Social Media "new club - tick, new Country - Tick, History made - Tick - Grazie Benetton rugby"
Wonder if that means he won't be there next season?
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Abby Dow signs for Ealing
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Quiet this evening from Kibirige as the Force beat the Drua, Spink very good though.
Commentary said that Spink is signed up next year for the force too. They?ve signed Nic White for next year too so could still be worth a watch then.
As mentioned above, Kibirige was rumoured to be off to Sarries next year but a Sarries mate of mine hasn?t heard those rumours.
Cardall on the bench for the Rebels again this weekend
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Kibirige was rumoured to be off to Sarries next year
Rumours of a deal being struct for Sarries to sign Anthony Watson so, if true, can't see them needing Kibirige....
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Kibirige was rumoured to be off to Sarries next year
Rumours of a deal being struct for Sarries to sign Anthony Watson so, if true, can't see them needing Kibirige....
Surely they can fit both into their version of salary cap? SO why not?
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Kibirige was rumoured to be off to Sarries next year
Rumours of a deal being struct for Sarries to sign Anthony Watson so, if true, can't see them needing Kibirige....
Surely they can fit both into their version of salary cap? SO why not?
Already signed Tom Parton as well, which is a pretty good signing although maybe not quite a direct Malins replacement in terms of class or wage
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Just been told that Elliot Miller-Mills has signed for Northampton Saints.
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Paolo named in Italian WC Training Squad.
Good luck and you know it makes sense.
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Well done that man, and good luck. And well done Italy.
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Great for The Dog.
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Being half Italian Im pretty happy about that
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Gopps rumoured to be going to Provence Rugby. I wonder what the local golf course is like?
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Sam Spink the stand out player for Western Force again today, end of their season now though, I wonder where next for him after a great Super Rugby season.
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Sam Spink the stand out player for Western Force again today, end of their season now though, I wonder where next for him after a great Super Rugby season.
Sam signed for 2 years.
Believe Zach was only signed up for 1 though.
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Yes Spink definitely there for two years and agree he has been very classy this season, especially over the last 4 or 5 rounds.
Worried for him getting injured in round 1 with his hamstring again but this has got to be his most injury free run ever.
He?s been really talked up by the commentators I?ve seen, especially Tim Horan and Drew Mitchell who?s trying to get the ?Spink Panther? nickname to stick.
Glad he?s doing well down there and wish him well for the second year - hope he continues to impress and can get the best deal possible the year after
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Almost certainly a bit premature but... how long would Spink need to play over in Australia before he's eligible for a Wallabies call up?
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Almost certainly a bit premature but... how long would Spink need to play over in Australia before he's eligible for a Wallabies call up?
Isn?t it 5 years now? A little while away?
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Brad played his part in keeping Perpignan up in the play off.
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Bordeaux (Tim W & Gabby) came from behind to see off Lyon (Sopoaga) in the play off to face La Rochelle in the semi.
Racing (Wade, although haven't seen him playing for them for a while, is he injured?) beat Stade (Paulo, Biyi) to face Toulouse in the other semi.
Could still see a Willis vs Wills final....:)
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Bordeaux (Tim W & Gabby) came from behind to see off Lyon (Sopoaga) in the play off to face La Rochelle in the semi.
Racing (Wade, although haven't seen him playing for them for a while, is he injured?) beat Stade (Paulo, Biyi) to face Toulouse in the other semi.
Could still see a Willis vs Wills final....:)
I think Biyi is a Racing as well isn't he?
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Bordeaux (Tim W & Gabby) came from behind to see off Lyon (Sopoaga) in the play off to face La Rochelle in the semi.
Racing (Wade, although haven't seen him playing for them for a while, is he injured?) beat Stade (Paulo, Biyi) to face Toulouse in the other semi.
Could still see a Willis vs Wills final....:)
I think Biyi is a Racing as well isn't he?
Correct - was rumoured to be going to Ealing next season but don't think that's been confirmed anywhere.
Paolo confirmed as leaving Stade, as well as Koch (does he count as an ex-Wasp?). Both were signed as medical jokers so not massively surprising.
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Jimmy Gopps confirmed to Provence in D2
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Aix always worth a visit but now a new autumn spring reason.
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RUCK reporting that the England selection exemption for Wasps & Warriors players that moved overseas following them going out of business will be extended to London Irish players & will be in place for next year as well.
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RUCK also reporting that Sarries will be snapping up Hoskins, Loader & Joseph from LI..... all within that reduced salary cap of course..... 8)
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RUCK also reporting that Sarries will be snapping up Hoskins, Loader & Joseph from LI..... all within that reduced salary cap of course..... 8)
They have dispensation as they run it.
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Andrea Masi leaving Benetton by mutual consent,
rumoured to be going to Toulon as Backs Coach.
https://benettonrugby.it/risolto-consensualmente-il-contratto-di-andrea-masi/
https://www.rugbyrama.fr/2023/06/12/transferts-top-14-toulon-officialise-larrivee-dandrea-masi-en-tant-quentraineur-des-trois-quarts-11257436.php
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Gloucester rumoured to be after Dobby? although he signed on to Pau until 2025
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Gloucester rumoured to be after Dobby? although he signed on to Pau until 2025
That's ironic!
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Gloucester rumoured to be after Dobby? although he signed on to Pau until 2025
Hope not as one of the chosen possible outings.
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Gloucester rumoured to be after Dobby? although he signed on to Pau until 2025
Hope not as one of the chosen possible outings.
If you read their Twitter accounts, Dobby and his good lady are very much enjoying life in SW France.
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Not such a recent Wasp, but Andrea Masi has become backs coach at Toulon, leaving Benetton
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Cameron Anderson has signed for Quins from LS.
As a LS fan, pretty gutted but he was far too good to be playing semi-pro championship rugby
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Cameron Anderson has signed for Quins from LS.
As a LS fan, pretty gutted but he was far too good to be playing semi-pro championship rugby
Agree with those sentiments.
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Kieran Curran has signed for Bedford.
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Paulo Odogwu to Benneton
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Paulo to Benetton
https://benettonrugby.it/paolo-odogwu-e-un-nuovo-leone-biancoverde/#
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Paulo to Benetton
https://benettonrugby.it/paolo-odogwu-e-un-nuovo-leone-biancoverde/#
Good move for him
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Paolo, who has declared for Italy ahead of the World Cup, has signed for Benetton Treviso until 2024, with the option of an additional season.
Odogwu joins four other ex-Wasps players at the club: Jacob Umaga, Marcus Watson, Matteo Minozzi and Malakai Fekitoa.
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https://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/frost-signs-new-deal-with-the-chiefs
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Paolo, who has declared for Italy ahead of the World Cup, has signed for Benetton Treviso until 2024, with the option of an additional season.
Odogwu joins four other ex-Wasps players at the club: Jacob Umaga, Marcus Watson, Matteo Minozzi and Malakai Fekitoa.
Is Jacob still there?
-
I don't know otherwise.
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Is Jacob still there?
Not seen anything official but the social media of Jacob & Paulo & their clothing company would indicate they will both be there next season.
As an aside Jacob has also just got engaged. Congrats
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Jacob was signed until June 2024 where he joined Benetton
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Biyi > Ealing.
-
Biyi > Ealing.
This one was announced in France a substantial while ago.
Ealing building a team to win the Championship by Christmas.
-
Biyi > Ealing.
This one was announced in France a substantial while ago.
Ealing building a team to win the Championship by Christmas.
and they're doing much the same with their ladies team - it's fast becoming the old Wasps ladies team.
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Mr Trailfinders spending big on playing staff and not so much for his 800 or so fans. At his age is their any succession planning?
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Mr Trailfinders spending big on playing staff and not so much for his 800 or so fans. At his age is their any succession planning?
True if his children have no interest in rugby and aren't happy at seeing their inheritance disappear.
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Biyi > Ealing.
This one was announced in France a substantial while ago.
Ealing building a team to win the Championship by Christmas.
Must have missed that :) Saw R92 had released the big lad, but not where he was off to.
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Mr Trailfinders spending big on playing staff and not so much for his 800 or so fans. At his age is their any succession planning?
Feels a bit Duckworth-y... perhaps...
-
Big shake up at Racing.
Christian extends his contract.
Will Rowlands in.
Stuart Lancaster in.
Paul Stridgeon in.
............
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Big shake up at Racing.
Christian extends his contract.
Will Rowlands in.
Stuart Lancaster in.
Paul Stridgeon in.
............
They've also signed Henry Arundell. Got some pace in the backs.
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It's a bit reminiscent of the days when clubs were importing all the South Africans they could get their hands on. For 'S.A.s' read 'English' (mainly).
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Big shake up at Racing.
Christian extends his contract.
Will Rowlands in.
Stuart Lancaster in.
Paul Stridgeon in.
............
They've also signed Henry Arundell. Got some pace in the backs.
The big signing is Siya Kolisi. Interesting they've not gone for a high-profile 10 to replace Finn Russel, instead bringing in the South Africa Tristan Tedder from Perpignan.
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Also, Zach Kibirige > Biarritz
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Sam Spink won the player of the year award at Western Force.
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Sam Spink won the player of the year award at Western Force.
Blimey. Well done Sam.
-
Billy Searle to Toulouse as RWC cover
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Rodrigo Martinez signs for Drgaons
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Rodrigo Martinez signs for Drgaons
After his move to LIrish collapsed? what a horrendous 18 months or so with his injury as well. Hope he can get some stability now!
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JTA signs for Queensland Reds
-
Well done Reds. Good luck to you Jeff.
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JTA signs for Queensland Reds
Also playing for the Barbarians against Samoa, that should be fun!
-
Theo V a guest on Northampton bench tomorrow plus a few other familiar faces
https://www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/news/cruse-to-lead-saints-in-season-opener-at-bedford
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Saints also featuring: Elliott Millar Mills & Reuben Logan. Also, Will Glister, wasn't he in Wasps academy?
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Goperth playing for Provence tonight and just scored a try.
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Thank you Sliminator. That is brilliant news!
-
They have scored 44 points in both of their matches in ProD2. 10 points and sitting at the top of the league.
Their squad looks pretty decent. Could well make the Top14 for next season.
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Just checked in on the Provence website to see how Jimmy did this week, not on the score sheet. And they had a much closer match against Nevers 37-34. But I see they had over 6000 on a Thursday night to watch 2nd tier rugby! (I think it would have been televised too).
The RFU and PRL needs to take notice. Growing the pie needs to be the priority.
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Currently watching Billy Searle scoring for Toulouse.
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Currently watching Billy Searle scoring for Toulouse.
Is he a 'medical joker' as Ntamak is injured?
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Currently watching Billy Searle scoring for Toulouse.
Is he a 'medical joker' as Ntamak is injured?
Don't thinks so as Ntamak would be with France.
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I think Searle was brought in as world cup cover before the injury
I see from the results that Pau were 10 all at half time, Dobby came on at 47 mins and they won 40-10...
-
Billy Searle was in the Top 14 team of the week.
-
Billy Searle was in the Top 14 team of the week.
He was very good.
-
Tibo starts for France against the ABs on Friday. Congrats to him - go well.
-
Tibo starts for France against the ABs on Friday. Congrats to him - go well.
In a similar vein, Paolo is on the bench for the Azzuri against Namibia. So pleased for him.
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Tibo starts for France against the ABs on Friday. Congrats to him - go well.
In a similar vein, Paolo is on the bench for the Azzuri against Namibia. So pleased for him.
+1
-
Plus another one.
-
Alfie fit again:-
https://www.bathrugby.com/content/injury-update-ahead-of-double-fixture-weekend (https://www.bathrugby.com/content/injury-update-ahead-of-double-fixture-weekend)
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Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Reuben Logan, and Will Glister all named in England U20 EPS (with Andy Titterrell coaching) https://www.englandrugby.com/news/article/england-u20-mens-elite-playing-squad-announced-2023-24
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Ben Vellacott starting as captain Edinburgh v Bath tomorrow
-
Alfie fit again
Hope he makes it out of the warm up!
-
I know it?s not quite in the spirit of this thread as he?d already left, but it was good to see Will Rowlands having another good game and taking on the captaincy. Irrespective of the bankruptcy his move has been justified.
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.. it was good to see Will Rowlands having another good game and taking on the captaincy.
Absolutely, and Worzle chatting with Alex King and Gats after the game too.
-
Wish we'd have seen that Sopoaga
-
For those who no longer care about the Prem and won't have noticed, the following ex-wasps are playing this weekend:
Sarries - Olly Hartley, Tom West, Tom Willis
Chiefs - Feyi-Waboso, Greg Fisilau, Will Haydon-Wood
Quins - Will Porter, Joe Launch
Bath - Alfie Barbeary
Tigers - Josh Bassett, Charlie Atkinson
Good luck chaps!
-
Seconded, big time.
-
I meant to ask how Charlie was doing, glad to see him getting an opportunity.
He wouldn't have been selected but I reckon England would be much better off with Joe's cool head and leadership and that's not just or even my Wasps bias. There doesn't seem to be anyone in that squad who is calm under pressure.
Anyway best luck to them and all those playing in other countries.
-
Interesting that 3 teams have ex wasps starting at 8 this weekend.
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Alfie got the 1st try at Baths, the cheats have shipped nearly 50 by HT!
-
Interesting that 3 teams have ex wasps starting at 8 this weekend.
It's a shame one of those teams isn't England.
-
Alfie got the 1st try at Baths, the cheats have shipped nearly 50 by HT!
Got to be specific when saying cheats - EAs, Cheetahs, Barf, Tomahawk guys etc.
-
Ben leading Edinburgh to a first away win in a year. Jacob getting a last minute penalty to win at Cardiff plus man of the match.
Slightly disconcerting with Dragons in black and yellow with Wasps like hooped socks.
Good afternoon of rugby.
-
Frosty scored for Exeter, but they still lost, with excellent performances by Launch and Porter for Quins [and Greg Fisilau for Chiefs].
-
Exeter crush Sale, with tries for 3 Wasps players - Fisilau, Frost and Feyi-Waboso
-
Just watching Edinburgh v Bulls and after the match Ben V chatting to Nizaam.
-
Looking back at the last Wasps team to play, I was wondering where they all ended up. It got me thinking that not all are ?starters? at the clubs they have washed up at.
I?ve gone with the original starting line up but also included the last minute changes, and actually just over half are regular starters at top level clubs.
15 ? Umaga ? starter for Benneton
14 ? Odogwu ? Starter for Benneton & Italian international
13 ? Odendaal ? At Saints but hasn?t played for them yet
12 ? Ryan Mills ? Played a few times for Sharks but not a regular & doesn?t appear to be there this season
11 ? Basset ? Starter for Tigers, but when Watson is fit, will he drop down? Was a starter for Quins but they had Green & Lynagh long term injured
10 ? Atkinson ? seems to be behind Shillcock now at Tigers
9 ? Robson ? Regular at Pau
8 ? Tom Willis (did not start) ? regular at Bordeaux & now Sarries, but will probably have to be behind Billy this season ? Morris - Retired
7 ? Jack Willis ? Starter at Toulouse
6 ? Carr ? regular at the Bulls
5 ? Kiran McDonald ? Starter at Falcons
4 ? Launchbury ? Starter at Quins
3 ? Koch (did not start) - Ryan ? Koch regular at SF, Ryan at Munster
2 ? Oghre ? hasn?t seemed to have settled yet. Started for Bristol but that was only so Thacker could play 7
1 ? Hislop ? regular for Edinburgh
Frost ? Regular starter at Chiefs
Martinez ? where did he end up?
Biyi ? Is he starting for Trail Finders?
Cardall ? Regular at Falcons
Curran ? Starter at Bedford Blues
Porter - Starter at Quins but assume he will be behind Danny Care
Haydon-Wood ? regular at Chiefs
Feyi-Waboso ? Starter at Chiefs
Of the 25 players listed:
1 retired
1 unknown
14 starting at top level clubs, includes URC & Top 14
4 regulars at top level clubs
1 starting for Champ club
4 Not featuring regularly anywhere
-
Martinez have seen in URC think it is the Dragons or other Welsh club.
-
Hartley with the EAs
-
Ben Morris still playing at Moseley not retired, scored his first try since 2017 the other week.
-
Also a pleasure watching Treviso these days with Jacob, Paolo, Fekitoa, Watson and Minozzi all potential picks
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Also a pleasure watching Treviso these days with Jacob, Paolo, Fekitoa, Watson and Minozzi all potential picks
Edinburgh v Benetton Treviso Friday evening, tempting to book a nice weekend in Edinburgh with a stop off on the way into the city.
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Also a pleasure watching Treviso these days with Jacob, Paolo, Fekitoa, Watson and Minozzi all potential picks
Edinburgh v Benetton Treviso Friday evening, tempting to book a nice weekend in Edinburgh with a stop off on the way into the city.
We were going but have been landed with son's dogs to look after. Now looking at away match at the end of the URC season. Treviso in June has a nice feel about it.
-
JdeJ coming up to retirement...
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/other/all-good-things-come-to-an-end-springboks-centre-announces-his-retirement/ar-AA1khnMX
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Ben Morris still playing at Moseley not retired, scored his first try since 2017 the other week.
very glad to hear that. Solid player who never let anyone down.
-
Elliott Stooke back to Bath from Montpellier.
-
Also a pleasure watching Treviso these days with Jacob, Paolo, Fekitoa, Watson and Minozzi all potential picks
Edinburgh v Benetton Treviso Friday evening, tempting to book a nice weekend in Edinburgh with a stop off on the way into the city.
Anyone know where I can watch this without signing up to a subscription channel? I don?t mind paying a one-off fee.
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Also a pleasure watching Treviso these days with Jacob, Paolo, Fekitoa, Watson and Minozzi all potential picks
Edinburgh v Benetton Treviso Friday evening, tempting to book a nice weekend in Edinburgh with a stop off on the way into the city.
Anyone know where I can watch this without signing up to a subscription channel? I don?t mind paying a one-off fee.
Not sure how it works or even if available in the UK but URC TV is an option.
Three ex Wasps playing for Treviso plus Vellacott on Edinburgh's bench.
-
Also a pleasure watching Treviso these days with Jacob, Paolo, Fekitoa, Watson and Minozzi all potential picks
Edinburgh v Benetton Treviso Friday evening, tempting to book a nice weekend in Edinburgh with a stop off on the way into the city.
Anyone know where I can watch this without signing up to a subscription channel? I don?t mind paying a one-off fee.
Not sure how it works or even if available in the UK but URC TV is an option.
Three ex Wasps playing for Treviso plus Vellacott on Edinburgh's bench.
Thanks. The ex Wasps players are partly why I want to watch but also because I'm getting withdrawal symptoms.
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Officially URC TV is streamed by VIAPLAY in the UK, and is available on SKy and Prime. It is, however ?9.99/month.
There is an alternative which is free and quasi-legal.
https://vk.com/video/@rugbyonsofa
(Information is from a friend who works for the UK arm of a major anti-virus company)
VK is a Russian streaming site that has agreements with many of the continental, and further afield, tv sports broadcasters to allow them to stream their broadcasts. Officially it is for the Russian Federation, but Russian law allows unrestricted streaming outside of Russia. However not sure that the UK courts would agree!
The streams are virus free, but often they superimpose Russian commentry over the English/French/Italian commentry. They usually appear on the site just before the matches kick-off, and are in HD, if bandwidth, and original signal, allows.
Because of the technicalities of converting to streams they are usually between 5 and 10 mins behind real-time.
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VK.Com may be quasi legal but as it is a very active Russian site which means it has Kremlin approval and I would regard it as immoral. They do not charge for their stream so it is in effect pirated. Remember there is no such thing as a free lunch.
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I have used that VK site in the past but then switched to PRTV when it started.
I wouldn't touch it now for the reasons Ross gives.
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I have used that VK site in the past but then switched to PRTV when it started.
I wouldn't touch it now for the reasons Ross gives.
+1
Hence viaplay subscription
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Well that was another masterclass by Jacob - could do virtually no wrong ( missed one kick which this season is rare).
Malakai was like a wrecking ball and Paolo had great defence but few chances to run. Edinburgh should have won it (two disallowed tries) but had some silly mistakes. Looked bloody cold so glad we had family dogs to look after.
On Viaplay- I think their quality of picture is better than BT last season. Also good to get different commentators- even if one was a Weegie.
-
How did the ref do?
-
How did the ref do?
She was generally quite good.
-
The impressive young Sale tight head, Asher Opoku-Fordjour who looked very good when he came on in last nights game is a Wasps Academy & Kenilworth RFC product.
-
Well that was another masterclass by Jacob - could do virtually no wrong ( missed one kick which this season is rare).
Malakai was like a wrecking ball and Paolo had great defence but few chances to run. Edinburgh should have won it (two disallowed tries) but had some silly mistakes. Looked bloody cold so glad we had family dogs to look after.
On Viaplay- I think their quality of picture is better than BT last season. Also good to get different commentators- even if one was a Weegie.
Can watch them all again on S4C tonight against the Ospreys, S4C available through BBC iplayer too.
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Battle of the young Wasps 8s this afternoon - Barbeary vs Fisilau. Both playing really well. Also Elliot Stooke putting in his usual shift.
-
Battle of the young Wasps 8s this afternoon - Barbeary vs Fisilau. Both playing really well. Also Elliot Stooke putting in his usual shift.
I see from the Beeb that Alfie scored twice in Bath's 41 - 24 victory over Exeter.
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Battle of the young Wasps 8s this afternoon - Barbeary vs Fisilau. Both playing really well. Also Elliot Stooke putting in his usual shift.
I see from the Beeb that Alfie scored twice in Bath's 41 - 24 victory over Exeter.
One of them here
https://twitter.com/rugbyontnt/status/1730989699907424568?t=DpVAVkkjL7GSAkF0U501iA&s=19
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Battle of the young Wasps 8s this afternoon - Barbeary vs Fisilau. Both playing really well. Also Elliot Stooke putting in his usual shift.
I see from the Beeb that Alfie scored twice in Bath's 41 - 24 victory over Exeter.
One of them here
https://twitter.com/rugbyontnt/status/1730989699907424568?t=DpVAVkkjL7GSAkF0U501iA&s=19
Exeter defence was pitiful.
-
Two former Wasps help Edinburgh beat Ulster in Belfast. Tries for Vellacott and Hislop.
-
Battle of the young Wasps 8s this afternoon - Barbeary vs Fisilau. Both playing really well. Also Elliot Stooke putting in his usual shift.
I see from the Beeb that Alfie scored twice in Bath's 41 - 24 victory over Exeter.
One of them here
https://twitter.com/rugbyontnt/status/1730989699907424568?t=DpVAVkkjL7GSAkF0U501iA&s=19
Did he learn that from Nathan Hughes?
Also, someone tell him it's December now so he can shave of that Movember 'tashe.
-
I watched (briefly) the Sa??ies/Northampton match. Tom West started, but no sign of Tom Willis - not even on the bench. Hope he isn't injured. A marked absence going om here but at least the bank manager is happy. I wonder if he'd disappear to France if the chance came? What a waste. Is Charlie Atkinson being underused too?
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I watched (briefly) the Sa??ies/Northampton match. Tom West started, but no sign of Tom Willis - not even on the bench. Hope he isn't injured. A marked absence going om here but at least the bank manager is happy. I wonder if he'd disappear to France if the chance came? What a waste. Is Charlie Atkinson being underused too?
Tom Willis played (and scored) in most of the previous rounds, just a lot of competition in that back row.
Charlie not getting much game time at Tigers as Shilcock come in and done well pretty much taking the 10/15 cover spot from him behind Handre, hopefully he is learning a lot from a world cup winner as still young.
-
Thank you Chunky. That's good to know.
-
The impressive young Sale tight head, Asher Opoku-Fordjour who looked very good when he came on in last nights game is a Wasps Academy & Kenilworth RFC product.
He out did Marler in a scrum and was praised by him afterwards. I thought Asher looked a real prospect and he's only 19.
-
This thread just goes to show what a bloody good team we would have had by now.
-
Exactly what Mr W and I said yesterday. Arrrrggghhh .......................
-
Thank you Chunky. That's good to know.
We spoke to soon, out for 3 months now.
-
Thank you Chunky. That's good to know.
We spoke to soon, out for 3 months now.
Saw that! Bad for the lad.
-
olly Hartley has just had a good game for the cheats with 2 tries against Connacht. Tom West came off the bench. Tom Willis is out for 3 months after a knee op
-
And Jacob continuing his thing with Benneton.
-
A welsh friend has been telling me how impressed he has been by Doggy. Makes him think of Scott Gibbs.
-
Shame that Joe will not come face to face with Thibaut or Jack tomorrow. Thibaut recently injured and Jack has just returned to training.
-
Fisilau certainly doing well for Exe
-
MotM.
-
Nice to see Fisilau drive Dan Frost over the line for Exeter's first try. Two ex Wasps in tandem.
-
I can see Greg leap-frogging Tom Willis and Alfie for a regular England slot. He seems more robust, and he has an incredible engine.
It is great to see the faith Baxter has in him - he is the starting 8 at 20.
A big hand to Dan Frost as well who is almost undroppable despite some occasionally wayward throws.
-
I can see Greg leap-frogging Tom Willis and Alfie for a regular England slot.
Sadly I can see all three stuck behind Billy V, until he gets injured, and even then it'll probably be one of the Curry's playing out of position.
-
And they will get bored waiting and leave.
-
And they will get bored waiting and leave.
These are professional players, used to the vagaries of selection. I would expect none of them would have an issue if the player in front was playing brilliant rugby, they would just work harder to get selection. But Billy has looked a liability at England level. IMO England would have been in the world cup final if Lewis Ludlum had come on in the semi instead of Billy.
So you may well be right,
I hope Borthwick will thin out some of the dead wood from his squad for the 6 nations but I have my doubts....
-
I simply don't trust Borthwick on selection.
Billy being one of the more egregious cases in point.
I think Borthwick will ruin Smith as well.
But you could argue that Borthwick is just continuity Jones without the twatish statements and clever nonsense like 'finishers'.
-
Whilst not necessarily disagreeing WWW, I will give him the benefit of the doubt. He did after all pension Ben Youngs off earlier than I expected.
TBH, its not his selection which worries me, he selects a team based on how he wants to play. He needs to change his game plan to a more expansive, risky & entertaining style then pick a team accordingly. If he doesn't he may as well keep picking Sale/Tigers/Sarries players.
-
Whilst not necessarily disagreeing WWW, I will give him the benefit of the doubt. He did after all pension Ben Youngs off earlier than I expected.
TBH, its not his selection which worries me, he selects a team based on how he wants to play. He needs to change his game plan to a more expansive, risky & entertaining style then pick a team accordingly. If he doesn't he may as well keep picking Sale/Tigers/Sarries players.
He will need to bin Farrell completly before he gets my support. We should be building now for RWC 2027. It would not concern me if we lost all our 6N games for the next two years, if the outcome delivers a squad that has a convincing chance of winning it. He has a lot to learn from SCW.
-
Jacob doing well with Benetton today three conversions and a try and it isbonly half time. Malakai and Paolo also playing.
-
Jacob doing well with Benetton today three conversions and a try and it isbonly half time. Malakai and Paolo also playing.
Paolo try and Jacob perfect 5 from 5.
Also Wade gets a try in a rare match for him.
-
Whilst not necessarily disagreeing WWW, I will give him the benefit of the doubt. He did after all pension Ben Youngs off earlier than I expected.
TBH, its not his selection which worries me, he selects a team based on how he wants to play. He needs to change his game plan to a more expansive, risky & entertaining style then pick a team accordingly. If he doesn't he may as well keep picking Sale/Tigers/Sarries players.
I agree the absolute worry is style. Imagine England in the big groups where we would definitely have gone in, say, Scotland's place. Imagine out at the group stages playing that brand of rugby.
-
Charlie Atkinson to Gloucester
https://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/content/charlie-atkinson-joins-the-cherry-whites
-
Charlie Atkinson to Gloucester
https://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/content/charlie-atkinson-joins-the-cherry-whites
It?s unusual to move mid-season but Shilcock appears to have overtaken him in the pecking order. Hopefully Gloucester will better suit him.
-
Charlie Atkinson to Gloucester
https://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/content/charlie-atkinson-joins-the-cherry-whites
It?s unusual to move mid-season but Shilcock appears to have overtaken him in the pecking order. Hopefully Gloucester will better suit him.
I wondered if it was Charlie when I saw Glaws' list of subs yesterday
-
Charlie Atkinson to Gloucester
https://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/content/charlie-atkinson-joins-the-cherry-whites
It?s unusual to move mid-season but Shilcock appears to have overtaken him in the pecking order. Hopefully Gloucester will better suit him.
I wondered if it was Charlie when I saw Glaws' list of subs yesterday
It wasn't, they already have 2 Atkinson's!
-
I was very surprised when Charlie went to Tigs. However, he needed a job. I never thought he'd fit on there and so it has proved.
-
Good on you, Charlie. Every success.
-
Ex Wasps doing well in the Top 14.
I see that Wadey was on the scoresheet in Racing's 66-10 thumping of Oyonnax.
-
Danny Cipriani on the festive Strictly Come Dancing special for those who fancy it.
-
Definitely not MotM. 3rd (I think).
-
3 ex Wasps Academy players, at the time we went bust, featured in this article about new England prospects, although only 2 are actually acknowledged as such.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/index.html (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/index.html)
What a team we could have built, if only!
-
I still cannot watch an entire match. We look for the ex-Wasps who are playing but the thing that really gets to me is seeing the happy (or not!!) supporters in their club colours and woolly hats mixing together, laughing, shouting, waving flags, enjoying the experience ....... all those experiences that we have no more, and might well not have again. I have to change TV channels at that point. Andc reach for a box of tissues.
-
Odogwu ruptured achilles.
-
Odogwu ruptured achilles.
Been there. Done that. Damn painful. Even with modern techniques, his season is done.
Without modern techniques (happened 50 years ago for me, in the middle of nowhere in North Yorkshire), I never truly recovered, played only a few games after that. Still hurts today sometimes.
-
NWW,
Where in NY? My father ran a pub in Pickering in the late ?60 & ?70s and I went to school there before I joined the Army in ?72 and I know the area reasonably well.
-
NWW,
Where in NY? My father ran a pub in Pickering in the late ?60 & ?70s and I went to school there before I joined the Army in ?72 and I know the area reasonably well.
I might have gotten the region wrong, but the North Yorkshire Moors, some miles North West of Kettlewell. At least, that was the village the kind (and very strong) walker who found me carried me to. July or August of 1976.
-
That's the Dales. Always been a big rugby union area, Ilkley and Otley being 2 of the better known teams. One of my early RU heroes (even though I'm older than him) was Peter Winterbottom and he comes from that area.
-
And Wharfedale RUFC. Our local team (next door village), many many years in National One, now top end of National Two North. Just about the only live rugby I?m watching nowadays, can?t face the premiership at the minute.
-
Jack back for Toulouse today playing 8
-
Jack back for Toulouse today playing 8
In a markedly weakened team tonight. Be an interesting watch on Viaplay.
-
Treviso resting Jacob but Paolo missing with a ruptured achilles. Happened in free play just before he scored last week. Strong enough to override the pain to plant the ball.
Malakai was his usual today with big tackles and a few runs.
-
Cameron Anderson premiership debut for Quins in big game at Twickenham.
-
Cameron Anderson premiership debut for Quins in big game at Twickenham.
Good for him been playing well for Scottish.
-
Not sure if anyone else spotted this, but in the Quins Gloz game, when Joe Marler was being treated for his elbow injury there was a woman involved wearing a Wasps woolly hat. Not sure if she was medical staff, but nice to see none the less.
-
Not sure if anyone else spotted this, but in the Quins Gloz game, when Joe Marler was being treated for his elbow injury there was a woman involved wearing a Wasps woolly hat. Not sure if she was medical staff, but nice to see none the less.
Possibly Bryony Cleall, she is forwards transition coach at Quins as well as still playing?
-
Possibly Bryony Cleall, she is forwards transition coach at Quins as well as still playing?
Possibly. I will have to look back over the game & check!
Not sure why she would be wearing a Wasps hat given she was only there for about half a season....
-
Possibly Bryony Cleall, she is forwards transition coach at Quins as well as still playing?
Not sure why she would be wearing a Wasps hat given she was only there for about half a season....
Perhaps she's an advocate of the "Once a Wasp, always a Wasp" philosophy
-
Burger Odendall started for Saints for the first time at the weekend. Looked OK in a fairly exciting back line.
-
Jacob signed up for 2 more years at Benetton.
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Jacob signed up for 2 more years at Benetton.
Excellent news - could play for Italy during this period.
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Jacob signed up for 2 more years at Benetton.
Excellent news - could play for Italy during this period.
No but could become eligible for Samoa in July 2024 as more than 3 years since last cap and has heritage.
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Watching Pau v La Rochelle to watch Dan (on the bench) and always get catch in my throat looking at the black and yellow supporters of La Rochelle.
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Just watched Exeter v Saints
What a player Feyi-Waboso is already. A few errors, but hugely influential.
Fisilau pretty good too.
Great game
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Now watching Will Rowland for Racing and waiting for The Wade off the bench. Later we have a session with Jack W.
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Pleased for the number of ex-Wasps players who are thriving out there. We're still missing Wasps, but quite enjoying our mini live-rugby fixes. Off to Rome in a few weeks for the England game.
We're targeting Racing92 vs Pau in the league in early June to try and get out to. Keeping an eye on Benneton fixtures as well, as would be nice to see Paolo, Jacob, Minozzi and Fekitoa play but Paolo is unlikely to be seen anytime soon with his injury.
We've just booked to go watch Saracens vs Chiefs. Feels a bit dirty, but likely to be a good match. Had a bit of a quirk trying to book 6 of us across two sets Family tickets as it kept splitting us up. Popped an E-Mail in to ask if there's a way to get us sat together and wife had a lovely call from their Head of Commercial to assist, as well as give advice on where to Park, what's going on before/after for kids and families and to ask what my wife thought they could do better to try and encourage more families to visit. Was a nice, sincere touch even if it's not a club we're particularly fond of.
Also targeting Bath vs Saracens/Saints at the back end of the season. The Saints game has the potential to be incredible. But, if things continue there's a chance one of them fields a weakened team. Tricky one as we'll likely have to commit to one (or both games) early.
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Seeing that article on the Championship clubs and RFU proposals made me think of Josh for some reason. What?s he up to now?
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Seeing that article on the Championship clubs and RFU proposals made me think of Josh for some reason. What?s he up to now?
If you mean Josh Bassett, playing for Tigers today.
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Seeing that article on the Championship clubs and RFU proposals made me think of Josh for some reason. What?s he up to now?
If you mean Josh Bassett, playing for Tigers today.
I did and thanks.
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Jacob another 11 points from the bench last night in the complete demolition of Newcastle in Newcastle.
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It wasn't the St Valentine's Day massacre, but Bordeaux crushed Saracens today.
I think [am hoping] McCall will struggle with his ageing stars on dodgy contracts. It makes it difficult to discard them.
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Bordeaux was a joy to watch ..... like silk, it was so smooth. At the end of the match Fazlet's and Brief Cases's faces were also a joy to watch, if you weren't a Sarrie. I quite enjoyed that game.
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Bordeaux was a joy to watch ..... like silk, it was so smooth. At the end of the match Fazlet's and Brief Cases's faces were also a joy to watch, if you weren't a Sarrie. I quite enjoyed that game.
+1
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Dobby doing well at Pau as well, seems to be quite a regular starter and a typical run from him for a try as well at the weekend.
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Alfie Barbeary seems to be turning into a penalty machine - yellow card right at the beginning of the match and a red at the end. I used to hold him in high esteem, until he decided to play at 8. Now he seems to make bad decisions and has become a bit of a plonker. Shame.
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Alfie Barbeary seems to be turning into a penalty machine - yellow card right at the beginning of the match and a red at the end. I used to hold him in high esteem, until he decided to play at 8. Now he seems to make bad decisions and has become a bit of a plonker. Shame.
Yellow at the start should have been red.
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Alfie Barbeary seems to be turning into a penalty machine - yellow card right at the beginning of the match and a red at the end. I used to hold him in high esteem, until he decided to play at 8. Now he seems to make bad decisions and has become a bit of a plonker. Shame.
FWIW: Red was due to a second yellow at the end of the game. He also scored a try. Didn't watch, so cannot comment on the actual cards themselves.
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Alfie Barbeary seems to be turning into a penalty machine - yellow card right at the beginning of the match and a red at the end. I used to hold him in high esteem, until he decided to play at 8. Now he seems to make bad decisions and has become a bit of a plonker. Shame.
That feels like a strange assertion - especially as he largely played back-row for us and had a big impact on games he played in. Seems like most pundits and Bath fans disagree with you and he's continued to have a largely positive influence on the games he's been part of.
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I'm sure Bath would disagree with me. Having seen him playing for several years I'm disappointed that he doesn't seemed to have learned self-control in the way he plays. He ..... oh, how can I put it .... is still going at things like a bull at a gate without any thought for the consequences; at 23 he should know better.
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Having seen him playing for several years I'm disappointed that he doesn't seemed to have learned self-control in the way he plays. He ..... oh, how can I put it .... is still going at things like a bull at a gate without any thought for the consequences; at 23 he should know better.
Seems like you feel he's been getting away with things for a while now?
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Been cited for both yellows as potential reds!
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Been cited for both yellows as potential reds!
So he should be but never heard of this before!
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Everyone makes mistakes when they are young, but you don't expect them to go on making the same boo-boos when they are older, esp. when they are athletes (thereby having a shorter professional life than non-athletes). I'd have just thought that he'd learn from experience 'cos he's not daft.
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Everyone makes mistakes when they are young, but you don't expect them to go on making the same boo-boos when they are older, esp. when they are athletes (thereby having a shorter professional life than non-athletes). I'd have just thought that he'd learn from experience 'cos he's not daft.
What mistakes does he keep making?
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Yellow and red card ones! Maybe I'm just expecting too much of him.
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Been cited for both yellows as potential reds!
So he should be but never heard of this before!
Maybe his defence for the second one will be that they should have got the first one right and sent him off so he wouldn't have been there to commit the second!
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Been cited for both yellows as potential reds!
So he should be but never heard of this before!
Maybe his defence for the second one will be that they should have got the first one right and sent him off so he wouldn't have been there to commit the second!
I can think of someone currently playing for a north London club and is tipped to go to France who would get away with that defence. His defence for the first one would be that he was distracted as he was thinking about the old lady he?d helped to cross the road that morning.
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What mistakes does he keep making?
Yellow and red card ones!
Well according to the stats Sundays cards were his first of either colour for the season, so hardly mistakes that he keeps making....
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What mistakes does he keep making?
Yellow and red card ones!
Well according to the stats Sundays cards were his first of either colour for the season, so hardly mistakes that he keeps making....
That's because he has been injured for some time.
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The stats show Alfie has played 50 matches & has 4 yellow cards.
One straight red while playing for England u20 that really was stupid.
For a player that is all about contact & physicality, he's always going to get a few tackles wrong.
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Christian Wade was warming up with the rest of the R92 squad & looked in god nick. Would love to see him playing in the prem again.
Thomas Young looked really good after some time out injured for Cardiff. Two tries & hasn't lost any of his speed!
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Wade played last week and scored. His playing time has been decimated by the arrival of Arundell.
He was travelling reserve at the weekend.
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The stats show Alfie has played 50 matches & has 4 yellow cards.
One straight red while playing for England u20 that really was stupid.
For a player that is all about contact & physicality, he's always going to get a few tackles wrong.
;D well, quite.
There didn?t seem to be much of a basis to the opinion other than he had two cards in one game.
To then declare that he?s an immature twerp, who?s demeanour changed when he moved from Hooker to Back Row and doesn?t seem to be able to learn from the (largely non existant) Yellow and Red cards he keeps (not) getting felt a stretch.
Mind you, it?d be boring if we all agreed with each other and I suppose we all have our off days.
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We just ended up keeping BT when our contract came up because its offer was as good as any other, and it included TNT: this has meant rather more rugby on offer to us than we'd been expecting, so we've been keeping a bit of an eye on ex-Waspies like Alfie over the last few weeks. (Some really good good matches, by the way - just a shame we've no skin in the game any more!)
I've got to say, I'm tending towards Wonky's view here: there's something for me that's not quite right about Alfie's approach. OK, he was clearly unwell the week before last - came on late, had an impact for 5 mins then vanished until throwing up on camera at the end - so nothing to see there, really. But on Saturday, he just wasn't always very bright. For a man who exploded onto the scene by dint of the fact that no-one knew what on earth he was going to do next - bash it up, throw a dummy, kick for touch, step 3 tacklers - he seems to have become quite one-dimensional. All he does do now is head for contact. Billy V 2.0, as it were. OK, he makes yards usually - but, as has been predicted since his Bloxham days, his opponents are wise to this now, and at least as big (and, by the looks of him) a lot fitter as well, so nothing much results usually. His try came when he added a step into what he was doing.
Since the Eddie days, he seems to have been channelled into this pattern of play, which is rather a lot less than he initially promised. I'm not sure he's the right player for only being an enforcer: he's actually a bit clumsy because he has to try too hard. Hence the two transgressions at the weekend, both of which quite possibly merited a red card on their own. Now one thing he's not is an intentionally dirty player - but things surely aren't right if he is not correcting this week by week. Having seen a fair bit of him recently, I am beginning to wonder if it's a bit of a theme - and maybe, hence Wonky's observation.
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Thank you so much, asteriskszegol. You explained so well exactly what I think but explained very poorly. My thoughts precisely. I have always admired Alfie but have never been happy with him as an 8; it just didn't seem to suit him and I thought his all-round play suffered. Which (given his obvious talents and abilities) was a shame.
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For those who think Alfie is becoming a one dimensional player, I suggest you look at his try from the weekend. Shortly beforehand, he ran into Kolisi and was stopped. On this occasional he skipped laterally and beat three defenders, including Kolisi, then launched himself at the line and stretched out to score.
I doubt if any other back row in England would have scored that.
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Yes, agree completely, in fact - a really good try. However, it was just about the only time I can remember in the game that he mixed it up and used a step - something that Tom Willis used to be adept at. Most of the rest of the time it was just bish-bash-bosh-red card!
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Tom Willis ........ now you're cookin' on gas!
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Tom Willis ........ now you're cookin' on gas!
He should have stayed at Bordeaux.
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Completely agree Neils ....... I know he's injured at the moment, but given the chance he should get back tg Bordeaux as quickly as possible.
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Theo V to Rugby Football Club Los Angeles
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Completely agree Neils ....... I know he's injured at the moment, but given the chance he should get back tg Bordeaux as quickly as possible.
UBB are going very well at the moment - just ask The Cheats ;D ;D ;D Oh, hang on, Tom should know firsthand!!!!!!
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Theo V to Rugby Football Club Los Angeles
That's the re-build team isn't it?
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Hepburn in the Jocks 6N squad.
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Hepburn in the Jocks 6N squad.
Excellent choice
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Alfie gets 3 weeks off.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/68019533 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/68019533)
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Alfie gets 3 weeks off.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/68019533 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/68019533)
Too light.
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The ''charidee card'' wasn't played. Perhaps kept in reserve.
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Harry Mallinder joining Louis Rees Zammit, according to Ruck.
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Harry Mallinder joining Louis Rees Zammit, according to Ruck.
Him and a few Irish players on the list here's kickers, plus George Smith of Coventry Rugby.
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1748028064687391134?t=n2oz5_mjjkopwGfEHOGCfg&s=19
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Yes, agree completely, in fact - a really good try. However, it was just about the only time I can remember in the game that he mixed it up and used a step - something that Tom Willis used to be adept at. Most of the rest of the time it was just bish-bash-bosh-red card!
Alfie headed the players beaten stats from that game with his bish, bash, bosh and with 15 or so mins off the pitch.
A good chance he?s being tasked with running hard and straight to try and suck defenders in to create space for Finn and co to work their magic.
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Jack Willis .... Toulouse
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Elliot Millar-Mills called up by Scotland.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/68066065 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/68066065)
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Elliot Millar-Mills called up by Scotland.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/68066065 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/68066065)
Ah, the famously Scottish Elliot Millar-Mills whose sister Harriet has 60 England caps ;D
To be fair, their Mum is Scottish (according to Wikipedia).
Are there any other instances of siblings representing different national sides?
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Ah, the famously Scottish Elliot Millar-Mills whose sister Harriet has 60 England caps
But their sister Bridgit played rugby for Scotland, so not much of an issue I would have thought. Famously they were both used in a Guinness ad...
As for other siblings, fill your boots https://www.ruck.co.uk/5-pairs-of-rugby-siblings-who-represent-different-nations/
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So easily could have been McMillar-McMills, that would have tested the commentators.
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As for other siblings, fill your boots https://www.ruck.co.uk/5-pairs-of-rugby-siblings-who-represent-different-nations/
Yeah, assumed there would be loads but couldn't think and type at the same time. Some very obvious ones in there!
Cheers.
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So easily could have been McMillar-McMills, that would have tested the commentators.
Hard enough when he came on for Wasps to join Rob Miller and Ryan Mills in the 15. Think it only ever happened once.
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Charlie Atkinson starts for Glaws this weekend at 10
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Charlie Atkinson starts for Glaws this weekend at 10
Try on debut
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Charlie Atkinson starts for Glaws this weekend at 10
Try on debut
I see a few yellow cards being handed out like party poppers. Sale making a second half comeback.
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Went to watch Saracens vs Chiefs this weekend to see a few of our ex-players do their thing, although wasn't a great game for ex-Wasps - Frosty was on the bench, Fisilau struggled to build into the game at time (and there were a lot of handling errors from both sides - some cold hands), Hartley barely saw the ball but the odd occasion he did get his hands on it made ground.
Hadn't been to the StoneX since 2013/14 and despite a general apathy for Saracens, the Match Day experience was excellent. We parked in an 'official' (tickets brought from Saracens) car park about 20 mins walk from the Stadium which worked well for us heading back via the M25 as it meant we were on the right side to get onto the M1 very quickly. All staff super-friendly and welcoming. Had tickets in the South Stand (smallish, semi-permanent stand behind one set of posts). View was great, close to toilets/bar/warm drinks for the kids.
If they had a more enjoyable playing style, they'd be a good potential home for us but just couldn't watch a team that puts boot to ball so frequently (In the interests of fairness perhaps they are much more positive these days and i've not seen enough of them - they definitely went through a better style 1-2 seasons ago but this felt like Saracens of old).
The highlights felt like a different game to the one we'd watched.
Looking at the stats from the Prem Rugby app Chiefs were top in most of the positive ones (Metres gained, carries, passes, clean breaks, turnovers), Saracens made more tackles and conceded more penalties. They just suffocated Chiefs at times and scores came through pressure rather than creativity. The Hodge break for the Chiefs try was sublime and whilst I don't mind watching driving mauls, or one-out to score under the posts I would definitely miss watching first-phase strike play, or free-flowing attacks from turnovers.
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One club I never visited after the cap shenanigans when we were around, certainly would not do it now we are not.
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Brad named captain for the 'Canes this year.
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www,
I only went once, but it was the day of the Valentine Day's massacre!
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www,
I only went once, but it was the day of the Valentine Day's massacre!
You lucky bugger! The only time I visited the place was when they beat us easily in a Play Off Semi Final.
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St Bruno, I was a Sarries guest at the St Valentine's Day massacre. We scored 3 tries in the first 10 mins or so and everyone around me was in a state of shock. The clubhouse was quiet at half-time and like a morgue after the game.
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I got a free family ticket from Sarries to any league match the season following a summer training camp they delivered at my local club as a thank you for helping out their coaching team. Naturally I chose the Wasps game.
It was early 2000s, no idea which year, but I do know we won. We nearly always did in those days though!
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Paolo signs on for three more years.
Excellent news.
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Both Jack and Dan scored in France yesterday.
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Matteo Minnozi retires
https://benettonrugby.it/risolto-consensualmente-il-contratto-di-matteo-minozzi/
Sad times.
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Here's the Google translation of that article:
Benetton Rugby announces that it has mutually terminated the contract that bound the player Matteo Minozzi to the green and white club until 30 June 2025. The full-back, who arrived in Treviso in November 2022, has made 6 appearances for the Lions.
Matteo Minozzi said: "My adventure at Benetton Rugby comes to an end, a club that I would like to thank for extending a hand to me in my time of need as I was coming from some injuries and the failure of Wasps. Sadly, this year and a half has not gone the way we both sides wanted it to go. I've never been able to get back in shape or be the player I was and that led me to only make six appearances in this shirt. So, as the months went by, I realized that it was time to start planning my future after rugby. We discussed this with the company and by mutual agreement we decided to terminate our relationship. I will open a multi-sports center that has padel as its focus: another great passion of mine. In thanking all those who have been close to me over the years, I wish the club all the best and look forward to seeing you in my new centre that I will inaugurate in the spring."
"When a player says he prefers to stop playing and start thinking about a future away from rugby, it's something that clearly always strikes you. At the same time, it must make you reflect on how important it is to create your own post-career despite continuing to play. In addition to being a great player, although in the last period he has not been able to reach the standards required by us and by himself, Matteo has managed to think about the future and this must be a lesson for everyone and therefore he deserves our congratulations. On behalf of the whole club, we wish Minozzi the best of luck and that this activity can guarantee him a wonderful future," said Antonio Pavanello, general manager of the Lions.
I know the eye injury really affected him, and it also caused a great deal of concern to the medical staff at Wasps. Such a pity he never recovered to near the brilliance he showed during the six nations when he was one of the players of the tournament. Hope his new venture goes well.
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RIL on Twitter / X reporting that Sarries are after Sam Spink for next season.
Sam's in Australia playing (pretty well) for Western Force in Super Rugby.
Edit: that said, I see they got hammered at home on Saturday. Sam played the full 80' though.
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'Ruck' has got Wadey returning to England, and playing for Glaws.
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I don't think Wade will get much game time now SL is in charge and I see Racing are dropping down the Top 14 under his stewardship, still it will be better when OF rocks up, NOT
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I don't think Wade will get much game time now SL is in charge
Think thats more to do with the rest of the squad being very good & their first wingers not being injured. He didnt play much last year once they were fit & that had nothing to do with SL
To add, happy to be proved wrong, but wasn't Lancaster the last England coach to pick Christian Wade in an England squad?
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Yes correct but that was the last time, never a chance when the con man coach took over.
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Lancaster and Jones should never have been near England, nor Johnson.
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Lancaster and Jones should never have been near England, nor Johnson.
Or Borthwick!!
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Who do you suggest then?
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Who do you suggest then?
Farrell Snr doesn't seem to be doing a bad job.
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We could sell you Gregor who from very little can fashion an all conquering team ( well at least Engerland). Expensive though.
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Farrell Snr doesn't seem to be doing a bad job.
Interesting that when he was in the England set up, everyone wanted him gone... Nothing as fickle as sports fans.
who from very little can fashion an all conquering team
IMO Scotland has the best side its had for generations, I'd hardly say it was "very little". As for all conquering... beating England doesn't require that much at the moment given they gave Scotland all their opportunities to score. But as they say, "as long as we beat England!"
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What happened to humour!
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Farrell- with his one world cup 1/4 in two attempts- can stay well away from England. Ireland bottled that quarter. England had Burgess at centre thanks to Farrell.
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What happened to humour!
Well I found Scotland's performance on Saturday very humorous :D
Cheered me up no end!
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What happened to humour!
Well I found Scotland's performance on Saturday very humorous :D
Cheered me up no end!
Excellent - anything that lightens you up is positive.
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Wade to Gloucester confirmed
https://twitter.com/gloucesterrugby/status/1767990260024356911?t=Ixv-kwmi34LBHCxhamiD4w&s=19
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Well done Glaws. Welcome back Wadey/ Hope everything goes really really well for you all. ;D
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From the BBC.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/68558784 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/68558784)
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Where does Wade currently sit in the all time top try scorers table?
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Where does Wade currently sit in the all time top try scorers table?
I think he is 5th:
1 Chris Ashton ? 101
2 Tom Varndell ? 92
3 Mark Cueto ? 90
4 Danny Care ? 85
5 Christian Wade ? 82
6 Jonny May ? 76
7 Steve Hanley ? 75
8 Matt Banahan ? 71
9 Mike Brown ? 70
10 Paul Sackey ? 69
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How successful Wade will be at Kingsholm will depend on how Skivs wants to play the game.
Last season at Racing with Finn Russell at 10 he played in 9 games & scored 7 tries
This season in a team playing more conservative rugby he has also played in 9 games but only scored 2 tries.
Maybe with Atkinson at 10 next season Gloucester can get him the ball in some space?
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Josh Bassett starting for Tigers in their prem cup final
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How successful Wade will be at Kingsholm will depend on how Skivs wants to play the game.
Last season at Racing with Finn Russell at 10 he played in 9 games & scored 7 tries
This season in a team playing more conservative rugby he has also played in 9 games but only scored 2 tries.
Maybe with Atkinson at 10 next season Gloucester can get him the ball in some space?
Gareth Anscombe at 10
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How successful Wade will be at Kingsholm will depend on how Skivs wants to play the game.
Last season at Racing with Finn Russell at 10 he played in 9 games & scored 7 tries
This season in a team playing more conservative rugby he has also played in 9 games but only scored 2 tries.
Maybe with Atkinson at 10 next season Gloucester can get him the ball in some space?
Gareth Anscombe at 10
GA also plays full back.
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How successful Wade will be at Kingsholm will depend on how Skivs wants to play the game.
Last season at Racing with Finn Russell at 10 he played in 9 games & scored 7 tries
This season in a team playing more conservative rugby he has also played in 9 games but only scored 2 tries.
Maybe with Atkinson at 10 next season Gloucester can get him the ball in some space?
Gareth Anscombe at 10
GA also plays full back.
So does CA !
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So does Thomas Ramos ::) ::)
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So does Thomas Ramos ::) ::)
Who is superior to all of those.
Usually!
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So does Thomas Ramos ::) ::)
Didn't realise he had signed at Gloucester too ::) ::)
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Dai Young has been appointed as Cardiff & Vale College Rugby Academy's new head of rugby
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/68581972
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Absolutely ............... NO COMMENT.
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Chinnor are currently at the top of their division, just below the Championship. They are coached by 2 ex-Waspies (Craig Hampson and Tom Cruse) together with Nick Easter.
If they get promoted next season it could be interesting because Craig Hampson is also scrum half at Ealing who currently head the Championship, with nowhere to go (well perhaps the URC ;D)
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Chinnor and RAMS (Old Readingensians) to those whose played for a Thames Valley club in the past, have some serious wonga propping them up. One of them will surely get promoted at the end of this season.
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Billy going to Montpellier. 2 year deal.
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Billy going to Montpellier. 2 year deal.
Billy who?
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Billy who?
That was my initial reaction, had to go & find the story to confirm it was Billy V.
I don't really think of him as an Ex-Wasp, funny how some players fall into that category isn't it?
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Tom Cruse retired
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Tom Cruse retired
Always remember that try at Bath and the celebration!
https://www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/news/tom-cruse-calls-time-on-professional-rugby-career
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Tom Cruse retired
Always remember that try at Bath and the celebration!
https://www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/news/tom-cruse-calls-time-on-professional-rugby-career
Had to go and find it!
https://twitter.com/rugbyontnt/status/1347637132748316677?t=136ug_tjBQc_4JQsnzmAYw&s=19
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Soon after Tom joined Wasps we had a ''friendly'' with (I think) Wuss at a small practice ground, and when the names of the Wasps players were called out the amazed opposition support all shouted in one voice ..... ''Tom WHO???????'', and were answered in (again in one voice) ..... ''Not THAT one!!!!''.
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He's forward's coach as Chinnor. So possibly looking forward to full-time coaching them in next season's Championship (assuming they stay top of National 1)
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I'm probably wrong (I usually am) but has anyone else seen Paolo doing quite well in an advert for ''Food Hub''?
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Is that the one with "Steve" - if so that's not Paolo - just has the same hairstyle
(I assume it's not the other Food Hub advert from the end of last year that got banned for objectifying women)
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Thank you Roger. Much appreciated!
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Best wishes to Tom Cruse on his retirement. Top guy and great player.
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Best wishes to Tom Cruse on his retirement. Top guy and great player.
+ 1 Agreed
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RogerE .... just seen the Food Hub ads again. Yes, you're spot on. The noses are completely different! Well done you.
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Just a heads up for Sunday. 4 ex Wasps on the teamsheets for Toulouse v Racing - Jack, Thibault, Will and Christian.
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Nizaam Carr on for the Bulls
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Just seen Benny Jacobs working for Williams F1 team on Sky!
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Sam Spink to Sarries next season confirmed.
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I foresee a gradual decline for Saracens over the next 4-5 years.
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I foresee a gradual decline for Saracens over the next 4-5 years.
Can but hope.
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I foresee a gradual decline for Saracens over the next 4-5 years.
After their recent tankings by Northampton and Bordeaux-Begles, I'm pretty certain it's well under way already.
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After their recent tankings by Northampton and Bordeaux-Begles, I'm pretty certain it's well under way already.
But then only a few weeks ago the destroyed Quins. I expect them to be in the mix for play offs, sadly.
However, undoubtedly they will find it harder to compete at the top level when cheating is more difficult.
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Jacob Umaga interview:
https://www.rugbypass.com/plus/jacob-umaga-i-would-absolutely-love-to-play-for-samoa/
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Thanks for posting
-
Brad Shields still an absolute machine and leader for the Hurricanes on now.
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Will Porter two tries so far for Quins in Champions Cup quarter final at Bordeaux.
-
Porter really coming of age here.
-
Porter really coming of age here.
He was brilliant, typical Quins performance so glad I had the Win, more than 72.5 points in the game and a yellow card bet!
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This is the Porter just released by Quins.
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This is the Porter just released by Quins.
Is he?
Do you mean Guy Porter leaving from Tigers?
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Can't think that Quins are letting Will Porter go anywhere at all. He and Launch are way up high in the Quins Popularity Stakes.
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Can't think that Quins are letting Will Porter go anywhere at all. He and Launch are way up high in the Quins Popularity Stakes.
My mistake - blame it on Rail Replacement buses into London.
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That's a rare thing - don't remember a Neils booboo ever before. Wow. Defo blame it on the (lack of) Transport.
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Contract extension for Jimmy Gopperth at Provence
https://twitter.com/ProvenceRugby/status/1780551718754804173?t=twdsHWG4DrjEMjrtCjZrmA&s=19
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As reported by rugby pass:
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/jimmy-gopperth-signs-new-deal-with-promotion-chasing-provence-aged-40/
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Brilliant. Superman.
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Methuselah.