The rugby rumour mill shows no signs of slowing down! Contracts are being dished out left right and centre, and time is running out for agents to secure big money moves for their star players. Even at boardroom level, the transfers never stop! Let’s get down to business and rate 5 of the biggest rumours from the last 7 days…
The rugby rumour mill shows no signs of slowing down! Contracts are being dished out left right and centre, and time is running out for agents to secure big money moves for their star players. Even at boardroom level, the transfers never stop! Let’s get down to business and rate 5 of the biggest rumours from the last 7 days…
To understand this one, we need a quick history lesson: current Springboks attack coach Tony Brown is a Kiwi and cut his teeth in Super Rugby. For most of his career, he has been seen as part of a double act with current Highlanders and former Japan head coach Jamie Joseph. Joseph is currently seen as the favourite to replace Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson as All Blacks coach and it is assumed by many that the first person he will call upon getting that job is his old mate Tony Brown.
So, will it happen? Well, first off, Jamie Joseph is still yet to be made All Blacks coach. Secondly, Tony Brown is currently under contract with the Springboks until the 2027 World Cup. As of the end of last year was in negotiations to extend. For all we know, that extension is already signed and waiting to be announced.
Even if Brown wanted to quit the Springboks and return home to New Zealand, it seems highly unlikely SARU would be willing to cut a favourable deal with their greatest rivals. Brown has been central to the ’Boks evolution this cycle and if he left he would surely be place on gardening leave for at least six months. Contracts exist to prevent these kinds of things from happening.
Rating: 2/10 - it will need some serious contractual wrangling to make this one happen.
This is a curious one. Within 24 hours of Scott Robertson being relieved of his duties as All Blacks coach, both the Times and the Telegraph reported that London based PREM team Harlequins were interested in recruiting him. Quins have been struggling this season since Danny Wilson left to become Wales’ forwards coach and have had to make do with a makeshift coaching ticket so far.
It would certainly be a huge coup for Quins; despite Razor’s struggles as All Blacks coach, he still has plenty of credit in the bank at club level. Furthermore, the natural assumption is Razor would want some time away from New Zealand, where he would be constantly under the spotlight. Japan would be one option, whilst the Scarlets in the URC are also seeking coaching reinforcements. However, a job in the PREM and a house in Richmond might be very appealing to him indeed!
Rating: 5/10 - as likely destination as any.
Sale Sharks remain one of the most active clubs in the transfer market with incomings and outgoings being rumoured/confirmed every week. They have recently announced the signing of Welsh tighthead prop Tomas Francis from French ProD2 side Provence, but that hasn’t stopped their fans putting pressure on the management.
They feel that they have been promised big signings, and so far the club have announced just 3 despite being publicly linked with multiple international stars. Contrast Newcastle RedBulls who have announced 8 new signings and 4 re-signings in the last 30 days alone - including Sale’s top scrum-half Raffi Quirk.
There was more frustration on Wednesday as Junior Kpoku - a known Sale transfer target - opted to sign for Toulon instead. The discontent from fans was loud enough for Sale owner Simon Orange to take to social media to address it directly.
Rating: 5/10 - more signings will come, but they may not be the big names the fans felt they were promised.
There was good news for Ospreys supporters last week as Wales fly-half Dan Edwards penned a contract extension. The announcement was accompanied by a video mainly centred around Osprey’s local rivals the Scarlets, giving their fans many hours of joy on social media. Sadly, it wasn’t long before more bad news emerged.
First, utility back Jack Walsh was linked by RugbyPass with a move to Exeter. Those who watch the Ospreys regularly will know how vital Walsh is to their game, often stepping up to help Dan Edwards in both attack and defence and playing the 2nd most minutes of any player this season. He has previously played for Exeter in the PREM and with the west country side showing signs of improvement, the opportunity may well appeal.
Second, highly rated 2nd row James Fender has been strongly linked in both the UK and France with a move to ProD2 side Grenoble. Fender is a fan favourite and has been touted for a Wales spot by many, but the chances of that would dramatically decrease by him moving to the French 2nd division. Supposedly, the contract is not signed but the TOP14 hopefuls did already try and sign him last season, showing their commitment to the deal.
Rating: 5/10 for Walsh and 7.5/10 for Fender - they are good players and wanted men.
The Welsh media continue to goad their public with the tiresome Anglo-Welsh concept that has never been further away from happening. First, it was reported that the PREM is seeking expansion, prompting some Welsh fans to clamour for the WRU to apply for spots. Then, this week, one major Welsh outlet reported that the URC had granted permission for negotiations with a London based team to join the league in place of an axed Welsh team.
In reality, it was a non-story - nothing had changed. As one commenter pointed out, stories of London Irish/Welsh/Scottish joining the Celtic League come round every couple of years. More recently, the Irish Times reported on the administrative issues preventing such a switch from happening. They outlined how the RFU have the power to block any English team from playing in a foreign league. If a team were to rebel, they would not be sanctioned by World Rugby and they would not be eligible for RFU funding.
The English press also reported on these facts in October last year and, off the back of the Welsh outlet’s report, CityAM confirmed that the RFU would indeed block Ealing or London Irish playing in the URC. The irony of this has not been lost on rugby fans, given Ealing are denied promotion to the PREM on an annual basis.
To be fair, it is true that the URC has a desire to stage more events in affluent markets such as London and it is true that Ealing and London Irish have expressed an openness to switching leagues. However, the fundamental issues are yet to be overcome.
Rating: 1/10 - unless a billionaire rugby fan with nothing to lose comes along, it’s not happening. Slow news day in Wales.