Transfers and Rumours Non-Tigers 2019-20

[Hot_Charlie]

We could do worse than sign Luke Wallace as back row cover until the end of the postponed season at least.

Was going to post the same thing. Particularly if Taufua goes as a short term gap-filler he’d be ideal. Bags of experience to give to the youngsters.

[kk20gb30]

Beziers take-over , latest:

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/billiona ... ense-club/

[Tiglon]

Beziers take-over , latest:

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/billiona ... ense-club/

The whole thing seems a bit suspect to me. When billionaires buy sports clubs, they or their representatives rarely play it out so publicly, ranting about all the famous players they're going to sign - instead they just buy the club and sign the players. They don't need to shout about how rich they are because their actions send that message.

[Robespierre]

Beziers take-over , latest:

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/billiona ... ense-club/

Beziers were the predominant club in France in the 70s and 80s and have been champions eleven times. However, they were relegated in about 2004 and were even relegated to Fédérale 1 for a season before being promoted back to ProD2. The financial office of the FFR have given the club and its prospective buyers from the Arab Emirates until Thursday to provide satisfactory documentation - bank guarantees etc before giving the green light. Even if they get the go-ahead, the competition from clubs like Perpignan, Biarritz, Grenoble, Colomiers, Oyonnax and the clubs relegated from the Top14 (currently Stade Français and Agen are the bottom two clubs) means that promotion - even with the star players that are being mentioned, will be far from being automatic.

[Mark62]

Beziers take-over , latest:

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/billiona ... ense-club/

Beziers were the predominant club in France in the 70s and 80s and have been champions eleven times. However, they were relegated in about 2004 and were even relegated to Fédérale 1 for a season before being promoted back to ProD2. The financial office of the FFR have given the club and its prospective buyers from the Arab Emirates until Thursday to provide satisfactory documentation - bank guarantees etc before giving the green light. Even if they get the go-ahead, the competition from clubs like Perpignan, Biarritz, Grenoble, Colomiers, Oyonnax and the clubs relegated from the Top14 (currently Stade Français and Agen are the bottom two clubs) means that promotion - even with the star players that are being mentioned, will be far from being automatic.

So there is a chance Vieanu could be playing in ProD2 next season, didn’t realise that.

[Robespierre]

Beziers take-over , latest:

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/billiona ... ense-club/

Beziers were the predominant club in France in the 70s and 80s and have been champions eleven times. However, they were relegated in about 2004 and were even relegated to Fédérale 1 for a season before being promoted back to ProD2. The financial office of the FFR have given the club and its prospective buyers from the Arab Emirates until Thursday to provide satisfactory documentation - bank guarantees etc before giving the green light. Even if they get the go-ahead, the competition from clubs like Perpignan, Biarritz, Grenoble, Colomiers, Oyonnax and the clubs relegated from the Top14 (currently Stade Français and Agen are the bottom two clubs) means that promotion - even with the star players that are being mentioned, will be far from being automatic.

So there is a chance Vieanu could be playing in ProD2 next season, didn’t realise that.

Yes, and Noel Reid who’s signed for Agen.

[Robespierre]

Beziers were the predominant club in France in the 70s and 80s and have been champions eleven times. However, they were relegated in about 2004 and were even relegated to Fédérale 1 for a season before being promoted back to ProD2. The financial office of the FFR have given the club and its prospective buyers from the Arab Emirates until Thursday to provide satisfactory documentation - bank guarantees etc before giving the green light. Even if they get the go-ahead, the competition from clubs like Perpignan, Biarritz, Grenoble, Colomiers, Oyonnax and the clubs relegated from the Top14 (currently Stade Français and Agen are the bottom two clubs) means that promotion - even with the star players that are being mentioned, will be far from being automatic.

So there is a chance Vieanu could be playing in ProD2 next season, didn’t realise that.

Yes, and Noel Reid who’s signed for Agen.

Edit! I’ve just read that there’ll be no relegation from the Top14 this season, so Stade Français have the embarrassment of finishing bottom but will nonetheless avoid relegation, and I am pleased about that!

[happywomble]

Beziers showing their financial power potentially - Rokoduguni is apparently signing for them. Hadnt realised there was no relegation from the Top 14 though so not sure how much he wants to play in the D14?

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/sport/ot ... ck-4320812

[Mark62]

So there is a chance Vieanu could be playing in ProD2 next season, didn’t realise that.

Yes, and Noel Reid who’s signed for Agen.

Edit! I’ve just read that there’ll be no relegation from the Top14 this season, so Stade Français have the embarrassment of finishing bottom but will nonetheless avoid relegation, and I am pleased about that!

Ok that does make sense. Yes agree that it would be wrong to see Stade in division 2

[JP14]

There is no relegation for the 19/20 Top14 or promotion from the ProD2 because the season was cancelled rather than postponed due to Covid-19.

[Robespierre]

Breaking news about the proposed take-over of Beziers - it's off!
The Emirates' gang have pulled out, apparently being hacked off with the current Beziers owners dragging their feet but also the financial office of the FFR having given the thumbs-down to the deal.
So it seems we're back with the current owners for the time being unless maybe the mafiosi come along with an offer that can't be refused (à la Corleone!!)

For the francophiles among you - and I'm sure you're numerous!, here's the article:

https://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/pro-d2/2 ... tory.shtml

[Scott1]

Hopefully good news about Taufua then!

[kk20gb30]

Saracens re-sign Calum Clark:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/53393090

[ay2oh]

Saracens re-sign Calum Clark:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/53393090

Pity hoping he wouldn’t be seen at Welford Rd again

[loretta]

Beziers take-over , latest:

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/billiona ... ense-club/

Google translate says

"According to our information, the DNACG issued a new opinion unfavorable to the Franco-Emirati project, which has wanted to buy Béziers for several months. Suddenly, Samir Ben Romdhane and his associates decided to abandon everything, leaving the club to the current owners, signatories of a more modest project but which could allow the club to remain in the second national division.

That's it: the Biterrois soap opera is finally over! According to our information, the UAE investors, tired of the reluctance displayed by the current owners of the ASBH and badly perceived by the economic policeman of French rugby pro, decided to throw in the towel. The Biterrois club will therefore not be taken over by the investors of Christophe Dominici and will remain in the hands of Pierre-Olivier Valaize, Cédric Bistué and Pierre-Louis Angelotti, authors of a so-called landing project, with a declining budget and payroll scaled down. More information to come ..."