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With all 12 Gallagher Premiership clubs now back in pre-season training, the countdown to the 2019/20 season has officially begun.
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Thanks to the World Cup taking place in September and October, each club’s recruitment for the upcoming season has been affected, with a number of teams opting to bolster positions that they are likely to lose talent at for significant periods of the campaign.
We have rounded up all the ins and outs at the 12 Premiership clubs for the upcoming season where 10 of the sides will bid to close to the substantial gap that Saracens and Exeter Chiefs have created at the top of the table.
BATH
Ins: Lewis Boyce (Harlequins), Ollie Fox (Yorkshire Carnegie), Christian Judge (Cornish Pirates), Josh McNally (London Irish), Will Stuart (Wasps), Mike Williams (Leicester Tigers).
Outs: Dave Attwood (Bristol Bears), Luke Charteris (retired, joins coaching staff), Victor Delmas (Biarritz), Kahn Fotuali’i (Montpellier), Paul Grant (Ealing Trailfinders), Max Lahiff (Clermont), Anthony Perenise (Rouen), Jacques van Rooyen (NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes), Michael van Vuuren, Cooper Vuna (Newcastle Falcons), Jack Wilson (Hong Kong FC), James Wilson (Mitsubishi Dynaboars).
? The Clash is back ?
? @bathrugby ? @WaspsRugby
?? Twickenham Stadium
?? 1?8?.0?4?.2?0?Who's planning to make their way to the home of @EnglandRugby?
Read more here ?? https://t.co/VbElGCPbHq pic.twitter.com/1Uu8ka4Yje
— Bath Rugby (@BathRugby) July 10, 2019
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Ins: Dave Attwood (Bath), Toby Fricker (Ebbw Vale), Nathan Hughes (Wasps), Nicky Thomas (Scarlets).
Outs: Reiss Cullen (Doncaster Knights), Ehize Ehizode (Dings Crusaders), Sione Faletau, Nick Fenton-Wells (retired), Nick Haining (Edinburgh), Jack Lam, Joe Latta (Suntory Sungoliath), Tusi Pisi (Toyota Industries Shuttles), George Smith (retired), Jack Tovey (Ealing Trailfinders).
EXETER CHIEFS
Ins: Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors), Tom Price (Scarlets), Stan South (Harlequins), Will Witty (Newcastle Falcons).
Outs: Ollie Atkins (Rouen), Santiago Cordero (Bordeaux), Paul Davis (Ealing Trailfinders), James Freeman, Tom Lawday (Harlequins), Mitch Lees (Brive), Moray Low (retired), Jack Owlett (Wasps), Toby Salmon (Newcastle Falcons), Harry Strong (Nottingham), Wilhelm van der Sluys (Lions).
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GLOUCESTER
Ins: Jamal Ford-Robinson (Northampton Saints), Chris Harris (Newcastle Falcons), Joe Simpson (Wasps).
Outs: Callum Allen, Dom Coetzer, Gareth Denman (Coventry), Gareth Evans (Ospreys), Ewan Fenley (Ealing Trailfinders), Paddy McAllister (Connacht), Joe Mullis (Cinderford), Henry Purdy, Will Safe, Tom Savage (Suntory Sungoliath), Cameron Terry (Ealing Trailfinders), Kyle Traynor (retired), Ben Vellacott (Wasps).
HARLEQUINS
Ins: Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Michele Campagnaro (Wasps), Tevita Cavubati (Newcastle Falcons), Will Evans (Leicester Tigers), Toby Freeman (Cornish Pirates), Santiago Garcia Botta (Jaguares), Vereniki Goneva (Newcastle Falcons), Brett Herron (Jersey), Travis Ismaiel (Bulls), Simon Kerrod (Worcester Warriors), Martin Landajo (Jaguares), Tom Lawday (Exeter Chiefs), Stephan Lewies (Lions), Luke Northmore (Cardiff Met), Glen Young (Newcastle Falcons).
Outs: Alofa Alofa (Bayonne), Lewis Boyce (Bath), Demetri Catrakilis (Southern Kings), Henry Cheeseman, Ben Glynn, James Horwill (retired), Josh Ibuanokpe (Saracens), Dave Lewis (retired), Mat Luamanu (Bayonne), Josh McNulty, George Merrick (Clermont), Stan South (Exeter Chiefs), Tim Visser (retired), Charlie Walker (Zebre), Luke Wallace (Coventry), Dave Ward (Ampthill), Calum Waters (England 7s).
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LEICESTER TIGERS
Ins: Charlie Clare (Bedford Blues), Jordan Coghlan (Nottingham), Calum Green (Newcastle Falcons), Tomas Lavanini (Jaguares), Nephi Leatigaga (Biarritz), Hanro Liebenberg (Bulls), Johnny McPhillips (Ulster), Noel Reid (Leinster), Jordan Taufua (Crusaders), Jaco Taute (Munster), Joe Thomas (Ospreys), EW Viljoen (Stormers).
Outs: Will Evans (Harlequins), David Feao, Michael Fitzgerald (Kamaishi Seawaves), Joe Ford, Graham Kitchener (Worcester Warriors), Campese Ma’afu, Harry Mahoney (Birmingham Moseley), Valentino Mapapalangi (Rouen), Ross McMillan, Brendan O’Connor (Hawke’s Bay), Gareth Owen (Newcastle Falcons), Leonardo Sarto, Matt Smith (retired), Mathew Tait (retired), Charlie Thacker, Matt Toomua (Melbourne Rebels), Fred Tuilagi, James Voss (Coventry).
LONDON IRISH
Ins: Ruan Botha (Sharks, short-term), Adam Coleman (Melbourne Rebels), Allan Dell (Edinburgh), Will Goodrick-Clarke (Richmond), Paddy Jackson (Perpignan), Sekope Kepu (Waratahs), Waisake Naholo (Highlanders), Sean O’Brien (Leinster), Nick Phipps (Waratahs), Curtis Rona (Waratahs).
Outs: Tommy Bell (Ealing Trailfinders), Mike Coman (retired), Sebastian de Chaves (Newcastle Falcons), Ciaran Hearn, Luke McLean (retired), Josh McNally (Bath), Napolioni Nalaga, Topsy Ojo (retired), Filo Paulo, Manasa Saulo, Jake Schatz, Greig Tonks, Ofisa Treviranus (Chinnor), Sam Twomey.
“I understand that this becomes a story but ultimately we want to make sure we focus on the right things.” https://t.co/FSglNxUhmb
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 10, 2019
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
Ins: Lewis Bean (Birmingham Moseley), Reuben Bird-Tulloch (Saracens), Owen Franks (Crusaders), Karl Garside (Ampthill), Ryan Olowofela (England 7s), Matt Proctor (Hurricanes), Henry Taylor (Saracens).
Outs: Dom Barrow, Luther Burrell (Warrington Wolves), James Craig (retired), Charlie Davies (retired), Tom Emery, Jamal Ford-Robinson (Gloucester), James Haskell (retired), Andrew Kellaway, Ken Pisi, Nafi Tuitavake, Matt Worley (Bedford Blues).
SALE SHARKS
Ins: Jake Cooper-Woolley (Wasps), Lood de Jager (Bulls), Dan du Preez (Sharks, short-term), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sharks, short-term), Robert du Preez (Sharks), Simon Hammersley (Newcastle Falcons), Coenie Oosthuizen (Sharks), Akker van der Merwe (Sharks), Mark Wilson (season loan).
Outs: Tom Bristow, James Flynn, Johnny Leota (Sale FC), James O’Connor (Reds), Paolo Odogwu (Wasps), Andrei Ostrikov (Grenoble), Alexandru Tarus (Zebre).
SARACENS
Ins: Rhys Carre (Cardiff Blues), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Alex Day (Cornish Pirates), Josh Ibuanokpe (Harlequins), Jack Singleton (Worcester Warriors), Sam Wainwright (RGC 1404).
Outs: Reuben Bird-Tulloch (Northampton Saints), Marcelo Bosch (retired), Schalk Burger, Alex Gliksten (Bedford Blues), Tom Griffiths (Dragons), Tadgh McElroy, Oli Morris (Worcester Warriors), Alfie Scopes (Loughborough), David Strettle (retired), Henry Taylor (Northampton Saints), Hayden Thompson-Stringer (Brive), Christopher Tolofua (Toulon), Sione Vailanu (Wasps), Billy Walker (Nottingham).
WASPS
Ins: Biyi Alo (Coventry), Malakai Fekitoa (Toulon), Zach Kibirige (Newcastle Falcons), Matteo Minozzi (Zebre), Paolo Odogwu (Sale Sharks), Jack Owlett (Exeter Chiefs), Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (Hurricanes), Sione Vailanu (Saracens), Ben Vellacott (Gloucester), Sam Wolstenholme (Yorkshire Carnegie).
Outs: Joe Atkinson (Bedford Blues), Michele Campagnaro (Harlequins), Jake Cooper-Woolley (Sale Sharks), Ambrose Curtis (Vannes), Elliot Daly (Saracens), Craig Hampson (Ealing Trailfinders), Antonio Harris (Jersey), Nathan Hughes (Bristol Bears), David Langley (Coventry), Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz), Gabiriele Lovobalabu (Oyonnax), Matt Mullan, Kearnan Myall (Oxford University), Joe Simpson (Gloucester), Will Stuart (Bath), George Thornton (Glasgow Warriors).
WORCESTER WARRIORS
Ins: Conor Carey (Connacht), Ed Fidow (Provence), Jono Kitto (Northland), Caleb Montgomery (Ulster), Oli Morris (Saracens), Matt Moulds (Blues), Melani Nanai (Blues), Richard Palframan (London Scottish).
Outs: Josh Adams (Cardiff Blues), Jonny Arr (Birmginham Moseley), Luke Baldwin (Dragons), Darren Barry (Newcastle Falcons), Jack Cosgrove (Dragons), Alafoti Fa’osiliva, Bryce Heem (Toulon), Simon Kerrod (Harlequins), Carl Kirwan (Chinnor), Gareth Milasinovich (Ulster), Wynand Olivier (retired), Pierce Phillips (Agen), Dewald Potgieter (retired), Nick Rigby, Jack Singleton (Saracens), Ben Te’o, Morgan Tonks (Birmingham Moseley), Zac Xiourouppa.
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Comments on RugbyPass
I’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
19 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
19 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
12 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
19 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
12 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
12 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
19 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
12 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
2 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to comments