Transfers

[The Dave]

@@@@SPAN id=intelliTXT>London Irish look poised to make a major swoop in the transfer market by signing England scrum-half Peter Richards.

Richards, currently with Gloucester, appears on the verge of agreeing a deal with Irish that would see him rejoin his first professional club.

The 28-year-old has won six England caps, including four appearances during this season's November Test series, but he is now third in the Test pecking order behind Harry Ellis and Shaun Perry.

Richards played for Irish in 1996 before moving on to Harlequins, Bristol, Wasps and latterly Gloucester, where his career has flourished under the coaching expertise of former Scotland scrum-half Bryan Redpath.

Gloucester though, also have Scotland number nine Rory Lawson on their books, and if Richards departs Kingsholm, it is thought they could move for Newport Gwent Dragons' ex-Wales scrum-half Gareth Cooper as a replacement.

Cooper, a member of the 2005 British and Irish Lions squad that toured New Zealand, boasts 32 caps but has only recently returned to action after suffering a dislocated shoulder during last season's Six Nations Championship clash against England. @@@@/SPAN>
@@@@SPAN>planetrugby@@@@/SPAN><!- /intelliTXT ->

[The Dave]

@@@@SPAN id=intelliTXT>Northampton Saints have moved to strengthen their playing squad for next season by signing Barry Everitt from London Irish.

Fly-half Everitt, a prolific goal-kicker, has amassed 1,725 points from 164 appearances for London Irish - a club record. He has signed a three-year deal with Saints.

The 30-year-old joined London Irish after playing provincial rugby for both Munster and Leinster. He was also a vital part of the team that beat Saints in the Powergen Cup final in 2002.

"I see this an opportunity to develop my game under a head coach like Paul Grayson, who I have a lot of respect for having played against him many times and I can completely appreciate his extensive knowledge of the game," said Everitt.

"This was a difficult decision for me having spent so many years with London Irish but having come to Franklin's Gardens as an opposition player, I was always aware of the great sense of loyalty and camaraderie among the supporters; a similarity that is shared with the club I am coming from and at Munster.

"However, it was not until I came here and spoke with the management and players like David Quinlan that the club really appeared to be just as I had expected. Northampton is also a club that is steeped in history, is a past Heineken Cup winner, has been a major force in Europe for many years and has the best facilities I have seen in the Premiership.

"This is quite a commitment for me as it will probably be my last long-term contract. I look forward to the challenge ahead and being part of something special as Saints move forward."

"I also want to give something back on the field and if that means helping out younger players like Stephen Myler by using my Premiership experience then I am keen to do so."

Saints head coach Paul Grayson was delighted to have secured the services of such a prolific player.

"Barry is a proven performer over a number of years and has great experience in the Premiership," said Grayson.

"His kicking game obviously stands out as exceptional, however he is a very capable footballer and distributor and there is a lot more he has to offer. I am looking forward to working with him to express his full range of talents." @@@@/SPAN>
@@@@SPAN>planetrugby@@@@/SPAN><!- /intelliTXT ->

[The Dave]

Mike Phillips rumoured to be joining the Hollywood Ospreys

[Cathal]

Ospreys' big cash deal for Phillips</font><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"></table><t></t><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width=""><t><tr><td>

Feb 18 2007
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Simon Roberts, Wales on Sunday</td></tr></t></table>
<t></t><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="400"><t><tr><td colspan="3"></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="3">MIKE PHILLIPS has shocked Welsh rugby by signing for the Ospreys.The Wales scrum-half will swap the Arms Park for the Liberty Stadium at the end of the season.The 24-year-old is out of contract at the end of this campaign but has already agreed a two-year deal with the Ospreys.Wales on Sunday understands Phillips signed a £180,000-a-year deal this week.The Ospreys have also agreed a £25,000 signing-on fee for one of the hottest properties in Welsh and European rugby.<!-
var MPUBlockLength = 718; //->Phillips has agreed to fight it out with Justin Marshall (right), the All Black legend, for the Ospreys' No 9 shirt.The Ospreys have broken the bank to capture Phillips and beaten the Blues, Leicester Tigers and Harlequins for his signature.Phillips'
decision to leave the Blues after they signed him from the Scarlets two
years ago will come as a hammer-blow to the Arms Park outfit.David Young, the Blues coach, wanted to build his side around his half-back partnership of Phillips and Nicky Robinson.The Blues offered Phillips an improved deal but were not willing to break their wage structure to keep him.The
18-times capped international has already been compared to Terry
Holmes, the former Arms Park favourite, but has still to realise his
full potential.Phillips is seen as a future British and Irish Lion but his decision to join the Ospreys must be seen as a gamble.He is expected to be part of Wales' 30-man World Cup squad and won't be available for the opening few months of the 2007 season.Marshall's current Ospreys contract has a year left to run. How he reacts to the arrival of Phillips will be fascinating.His natural inclination will be to fight for his place but the Ospreys could be getting ready to show him the door.Lyn Jones, the Ospreys chief, clearly sees Phillips and James Hook as a dream half-back partnership for his side.The pair have the potential to rival the Scarlets' Wales and Lions pair, Stephen Jones and Dwayne Peel, as the best in Europe.However, the Ospreys' decision to break the bank and poach a player from another Welsh region will raise eyebrows.The
Welsh Rugby Union will be wary of the four professional regions
entering a bidding war for the best Welsh talent. The WRU's rugby
charter, the agreement designed to safeguard the future of professional
rugby in Wales, now appears to be in tatters.How
Roger Lewis, the new WRU Group Chief Executive, reacts to Phillips'
move will be fascinating. The WRU funds each region to the tune of
£2.3m and won't want to see its money being spent on over-inflated wage
offers.Gareth Jenkins, the Wales coach, could be the most concerned by the decision of his No 2 scrum-half.He won't want Phillips sidelined in favour of Marshall at the Ospreys next season.But Phillips isn't the only Welsh scrum-half on the move in the summer.Jason Spice, the Ospreys' other scrum-half, is out of contract and has been linked with Bath and the Blues.Gareth Cooper is set to join Gloucester and Andy Williams is expected to leave

[dailywaffle]

<TABLE =std_newsartd cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 summary="Layout table">
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<TD =line>Tigers sign Erinle for 2007/08</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD =date>20 February 2007, 2:03 pm</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD =author>By Gary Sherrard</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD =multimedia></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD =abstract>Leicester Tigers have confirmed that centre Ayoola Erinle will be joining the Guinness Premiership leaders from London Wasps at the end of this season.</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD =article>The 27-year-old went to the Churchill Cup with the England A squad last season and has previous international experience with England’s Sevens and Students squads.

“It was a massive decision to leave Wasps after such a long time but I feel the time is right to take on a fresh challenge and I am delighted to agree a move to Leicester,” said Erinle. “There is immense talent in the squad and, like Wasps, Leicester have brought through young players and that is great not just for the club but also for English rugby.”

At 6ft 3in and 17st 4lb, Ayoola is a strong and powerful runner in the midfield and made his Wasps debut in 2002. During the 2004-05 season he scored 11 tries in 19 appearances and has now totalled 26 tries in 106 appearances for Wasps, including one in the Powergen Cup semi-final victory over Tigers at the Millennium Stadium last season.

He is currently working his way back to full fitness after a broken leg, an injury picked up during Leicester’s win at Wasps’ Causeway Stadium during the autumn international period in November.

Tigers head coach Pat Howard said: “Erinle has excellent finishing ability, combined with the ability to break the line. We believe him to be a player with a lot of ability who will fit into the Leicester culture very well.”

London Wasps director of rugby Ian McGeechan said: "Ayoola is a talented player who has put in some fine performances in his five seasons with the club. We wish him well in the future and for the new challenges next season."
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[overthehillprop]

Flutey has signed for Wasps.


Bristol have signed former All Black Andrew Blowers.


Carlos Spencer in talks with Agen.

[Bitter As A Lemon]

<H2 =clear>Bonnaire signs for Clermont</H2>
<H3>Wednesday 31st January 2007</H3>
<DIV =story>
<H2>Moving up: Julien Bonnaire has joined upwardly-mobile Clermont Auvergne</H2>
<DIV id=advert_1></DIV></DIV>
@@@@SPAN id=intelliTXT>French back-row Julien Bonnaire has left Bourgoin after seven years to sign for local rivals and Top 14 second-placed club Clermont Auvergne.

Bonnaire, capped 24 times by France and likely to be an integral part of the Rugby World Cup squad this year, has signed for two years.

"Clermont really is a grand club on all levels," said Bonnaire to Le Site.

"In terms of infrastructure, they are going to be one of the finest, and with a brand new stadium.

"Coach Vern Cotter has extended his contract there along with most of the players, and there is real quality there, able to achieve great things.

To leave one club for a local rival is something of a faux pas, but Bonnaire said that the decision to stay in the Clermont-Ferrand region rather than head south west was family-oriented.

"It is less than two hours from my family, which made a difference," he said.

"Castres also wanted me and tried to force the issue a little, but that only forced me to hesitate and think harder.

"There were also positives there, but after weighing up all the criteria, Clermont came out top.

"There is potential at Bourgoin. We raised the playing level there, but maybe we didn't adjust the structures enough, and that is an indispensible stage of development.

"It is very important to have a large stadium and the correct internal structures in place, and that was alcking at Bourgoin for the club to reach its peak." @@@@/SPAN>

[munsterforever]

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<td>Tigers sign Erinle for 2007/08</td></tr>
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<td>20 February 2007, 2:03 pm</td></tr>
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At 6ft 3in and 17st 4lb, Ayoola is a strong and powerful runner



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not heavy enough-centres in england now need to be at least 34 stone-will struggle

[sewa]

But thats b/4 Tigers put him on their miracle weight gain programme. They even managed toturn Plug into a second row [img]smileys/shock.gif[/img].

[munsterforever]

[img]smileys/lol.gif[/img]

[doc09]

Anyone think Jason Spice might be worth a shot as cover for Stringer while on World Cup duty? Handy player but 3 things might go against him a) Wages b) Munster talent c) Age

[Bitter As A Lemon]

There is a rumour doing the rounds to that extent....

[Cathal]

I thought Len Dineen was the source of that rumour?

Pretty sure he was linked with someone else (GP club maybe, can't remember) on Gwlad.

[munsterforever]

i cant see the point in signing spice

how many good irish scrumhalves have we let go from here-remind me[img]smileys/smiley37.gif[/img]

[Don Quayballs]

Ospreys' big cash deal for Phillips
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Simon Roberts, Wales on Sunday</TD></TR></T></T></TABLE><T></T>
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MIKE PHILLIPS has shocked Welsh rugby by signing for the Ospreys.</TD></TR></T></T></TABLE>

Perfectly suited toone another. A completetw*t joining a bunch of tossers. No integration period needed there.

[epaddy]

Bath and Cardiff in for Spice I think

I thought I saw that Spice had actually signed for GP side, may have been Bath. Personally I'm worried about SH. TOL is the back up but none of the others have been given much chance or rave reviews.

[The Dave]

<T> </T>
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<TD>Tigers sign Erinle for 2007/08</TD></TR>
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<TD>20 February 2007, 2:03 pm</TD></TR>
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At 6ft 3in and 17st 4lb, Ayoola is a strong and powerful runner



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not heavy enough-centres in england now need to be at least 34 stone-will struggle

So will this be the end of Aaron Mauger's career[img]smileys/wink.gif[/img]

[bruffian]

leicester will have a massive backline next year should everyone stay.tuilagi,rabeni,erinle,mauger,more like a pack than a backline!

[toomey]

"The 18-times capped international has already been compared to Terry Holmes, the former Arms Park favourite, but has still to realise his full potential.
Phillips is seen as a future British and Irish Lion but his decision to join the Ospreys must be seen as a gamble"
Is this the same clown who played against us?

[munsterforever]

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<td>Tigers sign Erinle for 2007/08</td></tr>
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<td>20 February 2007, 2:03 pm</td></tr>
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At 6ft 3in and 17st 4lb, Ayoola is a strong and powerful runner



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not heavy enough-centres in england now need to be at least 34 stone-will struggle

So will this be the end of Aaron Mauger's career[img]smileys/wink.gif[/img]

methinks the tigers may have some way of fattening him up[img]smileys/lol.gif[/img]

[Old Dog]

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<TD vAlign=top width=416><!- S BO -><!- S IIMA ->
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<DIV>
<DIV =cap></DIV></DIV></TD></TR></T></TABLE><!- E IIMA -><!- S SF ->Northampton are poised to sign former France International Christian Labit until the end of the season, according to French club Narbonne.


The 36-year-old number eight, who was released by Narbonne recently, is set to sign a three-month deal with the Franklin's Gardens club next week.


Labit, who won 17 caps for France, also had talks with Sale and Harlequins.


"I did not see myself playing for another French club and England is an interesting opportunity," he said. <!- E SF -></TD></TR></T></TABLE>

[mikerob]

http://sport.scotsman.com/rugby.cfm?id=295522007

Rumours about Simon Taylor to Stade Francais and Ross Rennie to
Ulster... will the last persion to leave Edinburgh please turn off the
lights...?

Taylor in signing talks with Stade Francais
DAVID FERGUSON
SCOTLAND will take to the field against Italy this afternoon with 13 of
the starting team currently playing their rugby in this country, but
how many will still be based in their home country at next season's
RBS Six Nations Championship?

It has emerged that Simon Taylor is holding talks with Stade Francais
over a move to the French league leaders, having been a guest of
the club's owner Max Guazzini for the historic 22-20 win over
Toulouse on 27 January, a game which set a new record club
attendance of 79,000 in the Stade de France.


Yesterday, The Scotsman revealed that Rob Dewey, Scotland's inside
centre, and the Borders' capped wing Simon Danielli had agreed
deals to join Ulster this summer and we can further disclose that
Ross Rennie, another of Edinburgh's most promising young players,
could also be heading to the Belfast-based provincial side.

However, in a move which will further demoralise Edinburgh
supporters and leave Frank Hadden, the national coach, sweating
over the availability of his players in future seasons, Taylor, the 27-
year-old British and Irish Lion, could leave this summer and link up
with two men he faces this afternoon, Italians Mauro Bergamasco
and Sergio Parisse, in a Stade squad which already features six
international back rows.

If Taylor felt his recent visit to Paris would go un-noticed, the running
joke within the Scotland camp this week was that he was shown on
camera when the television cameras cut to the crowd.

No deal has been signed between Taylor and Stade Francais so far,
so it is possible that Taylor could remain with Edinburgh if a
contractual arrangement cannot be reached in France - or Taylor
may simply decide to stay. But with the player out of contract in the
summer, Edinburgh will find it difficult to match the financial muscle
of a suitor such as Stade Francais.

Taylor has represented the public image of the Scotland rugby team
in recent years, but at the age of 27 it is no surprise that he - or any
player - should examine all his options.

Losing promising young players and highly-marketable stars is a real
concern for the Scottish Rugby Union. Unlike Taylor, many
internationalists are signed up until next season, but second row
Scott Murray, hooker Dougie Hall and No8 Dave Callam will consider
their options after the Rugby World Cup.

There is talk of players being unhappy at Edinburgh with a harder
regime brought in by Lynn Howells, the head coach who joined in
October. He has a reputation for focusing hard on the set-piece and
brought in Massimo Cuttitta, the former Italy captain and now
scrummaging coach, to develop Edinburgh's front five, but he has
also stated that he is striving to remove what he saw as a 'comfort
zone' at Edinburgh.

He has been backed by the new directors and some players, but
others, including internationals, have complained privately that it is
too punishing too frequently. Edinburgh will announce signings for
next season on Monday, but any arrivals could be offset by the
departure of Iain Paxton, the former Scotland under-21 coach and
Edinburgh's assistant forwards coach.

The issue of losing players is unsettling for Scottish rugby.
Speculation exists that the SRU could cut the Borders budget in May,
to create, in effect, a

[overthehillprop]

Not confirmed but just heard Kevin Maggs is off to Bristol at the end of the season.

[redster]

Not confirmed but just heard Kevin Maggs is off to Bristol at the end of the season.

That one has been confirmed about a couple of weeks ago on the BBC.

[Corker]

Yep, was told that yesterday by a Bristol club member at the Ladies match in TP

[Jackie Brown]

Yeah he's going. Dewey is his replacement. [img]smileys/biggrin.gif[/img]

[EdinburghRugby]

Wouldn't get too excited about Dewey Jackie - he's very injury prone especially the ways he plays


Not that I'm bitter or anything[img]smileys/sad.gif[/img]

[Old Dog]

Wouldn't get too excited about Dewey Jackie - he's very injury prone especially the ways he plays


Not that I'm bitter or anything[img]smileys/sad.gif[/img]

Gunner - there's still time to burn that Munster jersey of yours and buy a Todgers one instead - the accents aresimilar and both countries worship Harp.


And, here's some good news for you! [img]smileys/lol.gif[/img]



<TABLE =std_newsartd cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 summary="Layout table">
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<TD =line>Ben Gissing on the move to Edinburgh</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD =date>26 February 2007, 3:30 pm</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD =multimedia></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD =abstract>Edinburgh Rugby Ltd has strengthened the squad for next season by signing New Zealand-born lock Ben Gissing on a two-year deal. </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD =article>Currently with Italian club Calvisano, Gissing played for Leinster for four years, scoring ten tries in 73 matches. He previously played for Auckland in the NPC and represented Ireland A and the New Zealand Barbarians.


Speaking on joining Edinburgh, Ben Gissing said: “I’m excited about the challenge and looking forward to playing in the Magners League again, as well as being involved in the Heineken Cup.


“Having played at Leinster for four years, I have been to the city a few times. It’s a great place and my wife and I are looking forward to bringing up our baby there.”


Head coach Lynn Howells said: “Ben is a lineout specialist and an athlete and can cover both the second and back rows. At two metres tall and weighing 120 kgs, he brings a physical presence to the squad. When he’s faced teams I’ve coached in the past, he’s always caused me problems with his aggressiveness, lineout ability and physicality at the breakdown area.”


Executive Chairman Alex Carruthers added: “We are delighted that Ben will be joining us next season. A player of his stature and experience will add the required steel to the Edinburgh pack.


“We are continuing to finalise our squad for next season and we shall announce further signings in due course.”


Edinburgh has announced a change in its senior squad coaching team. Lynn Howells will now assume responsibility for forward coaching in addition to the overall management of the squad. Rob Moffat will continue to be responsible for coaching the backs while Massimo Cuttitta will continue to provide specialist scrummaging support on a regular basis.


Iain Paxton, who has been forwards coach since the beginning of the season will remain with the club in a redefined role concentrating on player identification, match analysis and community development.


</TD></TR></T></TABLE>

[EdinburghRugby]

Wouldn't get too excited about Dewey Jackie - he's very injury prone especially the ways he plays


Not that I'm bitter or anything[img]smileys/sad.gif[/img]

Gunner - there's still time to burn that Munster jersey of yours and buy a Todgers one instead - the accents aresimilar and both countries worship Harp.


And, here's some good news for you! [img]smileys/lol.gif[/img]



<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 summary="Layout table" ="std_newsartd"><T>
<T>
<TR>
<TD ="line">Ben Gissing on the move to Edinburgh</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD ="date">26 February 2007, 3:30 pm</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD ="multimedia"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD ="abstract">Edinburgh Rugby Ltd has strengthened the squad for next season by signing New Zealand-born lock Ben Gissing on a two-year deal. </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD ="article">Currently with Italian club Calvisano, Gissing played for Leinster for four years, scoring ten tries in 73 matches. He previously played for Auckland in the NPC and represented Ireland A and the New Zealand Barbarians.


Speaking on joining Edinburgh, Ben Gissing said: “I’m excited about the challenge and looking forward to playing in the Magners League again, as well as being involved in the Heineken Cup.


“Having played at Leinster for four years, I have been to the city a few times. It’s a great place and my wife and I are looking forward to bringing up our baby there.”


Head coach Lynn Howells said: “Ben is a lineout specialist and an athlete and can cover both the second and back rows. At two metres tall and weighing 120 kgs, he brings a physical presence to the squad. When he’s faced teams I’ve coached in the past, he’s always caused me problems with his aggressiveness, lineout ability and physicality at the breakdown area.”


Executive Chairman Alex Carruthers added: “We are delighted that Ben will be joining us next season. A player of his stature and experience will add the required steel to the Edinburgh pack.


“We are continuing to finalise our squad for next season and we shall announce further signings in due course.”


Edinburgh has announced a change in its senior squad coaching team. Lynn Howells will now assume responsibility for forward coaching in addition to the overall management of the squad. Rob Moffat will continue to be responsible for coaching the backs while Massimo Cuttitta will continue to provide specialist scrummaging support on a regular basis.


Iain Paxton, who has been forwards coach since the beginning of the season will remain with the club in a redefined role concentrating on player identification, match analysis and community development.


</TD></TR></T></T></TABLE>

Hello Old Dog Howiya ! I take it you have now adapted to Northside speak after your recent visits to Knacker Park [img]smileys/lol.gif[/img]


Just picked up on the Gissing one - that will get the yellow card count up a bit [img]smileys/redface.gif[/img]


I despair[img]smileys/sad.gif[/img]