2014/15 Rumours/Contracts/Signings part 4

[Grimlish]

That cant be real - a clip featuring Geordan Murphy and a pass from Matt Smith IN THE SAME TRY??

[sam16111986]

RB, problem is , if we want to compete in the Champions Cup and the Top 4 Premier, which I presume is our objective, we need at least 3 more with something called pace, against the Top teams.....

Betham OK, but who else?
Benjamin possible but he isnt a guaranteed starter.
Goneva is a shoe in, but his performances last season were not anywhere near 2013/4
Tuilagi, will he be fit ?
Roberts/ Catchpole, spritely but not Varndell quick..
Bai, Loamanu. Thompstone, ahem, forceful but not going to bother the top teams
Tait Morris Smith Allen Camacho( !! ) el al too slow....

Just being totally realistic, otherwise 2015/6 will just be like the last few years....

With quick backs our dominant front 5 would be 100% better...

If you consider Varndell as merely quicker and anyone who isn't as rapid as slow then pretty much every back in the league is slow.

Our backs aren't slow but they do lack vision and aren't the most skillfull. If you luck at Nemani Nadolo he's setting the world alight at the minute but his pace is nothing special. His ability to barge through a gap, find space and use his footballing skills to create chances for himself and others make him outstanding.

Now if we could find a players with the vision and skills like Geordie used to offer us that would help us far more.

[tigerburnie]

I note in the Mockery that we are getting our new coaches earlier than planned due to Crusaders not making the playoffs, bit of a bonus for us.

[L Smith]

I note in the Mockery that we are getting our new coaches earlier than planned due to Crusaders not making the playoffs, bit of a bonus for us.

Now, I'm no doom monger but having 2 coaches early because they failed to get into post season for the first time in many years is rather a mixed blessing!

[Stu_F]

And Fitzgerald will presumably now arrive early due to playing in a team not good enough to get to the playoff semis!

[KevinR]

Crusaders' season wasn't unlike ours, disrupted by injuries to key players. They really improved when Carter came back, but Read hardly played. They were one of the form teams for the final few rounds, but it was just too late.

I am more than happy with our acquisition of Mike Fitzgerald. There was a moment of spikiness in the play-off match, just after an excellent turn-over, when his body language reminded me forcibly of our illustrious former leader

[RagingBull]

Crusaders certainly scored more than us ;)

Sounds like Jono Kitto will be playing ITM rugby for BOP.

The ITM season starts in August and Finshes 11th October.

Our season starts mid October.

It would be a miricle if BOP were to get into the finals given there record.

So he will be here start of season but how long before it I don't know.

Means preseason ATM it will be:

SH
Harrison
Tresidder
Prince (?)

[sapajo]

Faletau to Bath, how the hell can they possibly afford to sign him?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/33204859

[sam16111986]

It's not confirmed that Faletau is signing for Bath it's still talk at the minute. Bath have offloaded Fearns in preparation for signing a new 8 so there should be some spare cap.

Maybe it's better that Harrison and Tresidder get plenty of game time before the season. Harrison we expect to be the primary back up to Ben and Tresidder we are hoping is the next big thing. Game time in the senior environment will only help the pair of them.

[L Smith]

It's not confirmed that Faletau is signing for Bath it's still talk at the minute. Bath have offloaded Fearns in preparation for signing a new 8 so there should be some spare cap.

Maybe it's better that Harrison and Tresidder get plenty of game time before the season. Harrison we expect to be the primary back up to Ben and Tresidder we are hoping is the next big thing. Game time in the senior environment will only help the pair of them.

It's not just Faletau's wages that would come under Bath's cap; whatever Bath pay to buy him out of his contract would also be in scope. The celery breach continues!

[Farmboy]

Wouldn't Faletau be the marque from outside the Prem?

[sam16111986]

Well Farmboy it'd be him or Priestland as the new marquee for them. Paul James has gone without being replaced so they might be actually close to the cap at present.

[fortysix]

Cap, what cap, ha ha !!!
Mr Craig will have a tame Accountant who quite legally will undoubtedly find a way to drive a coach and horses through any rules and regulations !!

[sam16111986]

Well it depends on whether Bath were over or not initially. We suspect they are. They at present have released a greater value of players to those they have signed. Consider the cap has gone up and there's a second marquee allowed.

Young, Stringer, Fearns and James out. So far Matawalu, Priestland and a Dragons SH in.

Interesting to see that Sarries seem to staying quiet and have offloaded Johnstone from the payroll.

Some sort of deal going on? Sort yourselves out and we won't investigate you publicly?

[fleabane]

Just love the idea of a breach of "celery"!