Rugby Transfers : In"s and Out"s

While it may not command the same coverage as the soccer transfer window there will always be a strong movement of rugby players across various clubs and this summer has been no different.

From an Irish point of view we have known about the most high profile transfer for a long time now as our ‘golden-boy’ Jonny Sexton leaves Leinster for Racing Metro, who have made a massive statement of intent in France for this season. The French transfer market remains the most lucrative market and the French clubs have continued the big spending this year.

 

Racing Metro have also acquired the services of Welsh pair Dan Lydiate and Jamie Roberts who will bring a very strong northern-hemisphere shape to their side. Traditional big spenders and European champions Toulon have continued to look into the southern-hemisphere signing Bryan Habana, Drew Mitchell and Ali Williams to their already star studded squad. Stade Francais who have been in decline recently have added proven internationals Morne Steyn and Digby Iaone as they attempt to recreate their previous successes. Other big names joining the Top 14 include Richie Gray to Castres and Hosea Gear to Toulouse.

 

Elsewhere the transfer markets have been relatively quiet. In the Aviva Premiership, Northampton Saints have been the most prominent with two outstanding signings in George North and Alex Corbisiero. These were two of the best players on the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia and should add a new dimension to the Saints. North will fill the void left by Chris Ashton’s departure while Corbisiero will replace Soane Tonga’uiha. People forget how close Northampton were to European success only two seasons ago and these new faces could give them that little bit extra.

 

Nick Kennedy has returned to England, maybe to try and revive his international career and a move to Harlequins may be a good match for both. Their defeat to Munster in the European Cup last year showed that they lacked a strong leader in the pack and maybe Kennedy could be their answer. He can only have learned during his time at Toulon where he was surrounded by world class players with huge international experience and I think this could be a successful move.

 

Another interesting signing in the Aviva Premiership is that of Gavin Henson to Bath. Bath joins a long list of clubs that the Welshman has now signed and I think this really could be his last chance. No matter where he goes he cannot stay out of the headlines and if this move proves unsuccessful I think it will be the end of Henson. While he doesn’t have many fans it must be said that he does have ability as a player and it would be good to see Henson make the headlines for the right reasons for the first time since 2005.

 

At home in Ireland things haven’t been overly hectic. The main news remains Jonny Sexton’s departure and Brian O’ Driscoll getting dropped for the Lions final test but sooner or later time will move on, preseason will start and talk will begin on how our provinces will fair in the new season. Most provinces looked to have put a lot of faith in their academy players which certainly could bode well for the future of Irish rugby and it will be interesting to see how these young players will do this season.

 

The main signing that I am looking forward to seeing is Andrew Conway at Munster. He finished the season very impressively with Leinster last year and he looks like he could be a great replacement for Doug Howlett, who has been forced to retire. He has youth on his side and he looks like a quick and dangerous winger, with a big presence, who is well able to finish. A back three of Felix Jones, Conway and Simon Zebo looks very threatening indeed and if Munster can get ball to these men in space, they look like a dangerous prospect. It looks like a very good fit for both player and team and as a Munster man I must say it’s a move that excites me.

 

Here are the full Ins and Outs of the four provinces so far.

CONNACHT

IN: Aly Muldowney (Exeter Chiefs), Craig Clarke (Waikato Chiefs), James So’oialo (Wellington Norths), Fionn Carr (Leinster Rugby), Craig Ronaldson (Lansdowne), Sean Henry (Munster Rugby), Jake Heenan (Auckland Blues Development Squad), James Rael (Munster Rugby)

Dave Heffernan, Danny Qualter, Robbie Henshaw, Kieran Marmion, Aaron Conneely (all academy)

OUT: Mike McCarthy (Leinster Rugby), Johnny O’Connor (retired), TJ Anderson (Ealing Trailfinders), Dave Gannon (released), Eoghan Grace (Plymouth Albion), Matthew Jarvis (Nottingham), James Loxton (released), Mark McCrea (Jersey), Dave Moore (released), Ethienne Reynecke (released), Fetu’u Vainikolo (Exeter Chiefs), Adrian Flavin (retired)

LEINSTER

IN: Jimmy Gopperth (Newcastle Falcons), Mike McCarthy (Connacht Rugby), Zane Kirchner (Blue Bulls), John Cooney, Brendan Macken, Ben Marshall, Jack McGrath, Jordi Murphy, Darren Hudson, Martin Moore, Jack O’Connell, Noel Reid (all academy).

OUT: Jonny Sexton (Racing Metro 92), Isa Nacewa (retired), Heinke van der Merwe (Stade Francais Paris). Andrew Conway (Munster Rugby)

Fionn Carr (Connacht Rugby), Damien Browne (Oyonnax), Jamie Hagan (London Irish), Mark Flanagan (released), Tom Sexton (Melbourne Rebels)

MUNSTER

IN: Andrew Conway (Leinster Rugby), Cian Bohane, Duncan Casey, James Cronin, Ronan O’Mahony, Niall Scannell (all academy)

OUT: Ronan O’Gara (retired), Doug Howlett (retired), Marcus Horan (retired), Peter Stringer (Bath Rugby), Wian du Preez (released), Danny Barnes (Newcastle Falcons), Sean Henry (Connacht Rugby), Scott Deasy (released), Christy Condon (released), Sean Scanlon (Rotherham Titans)

ULSTER

IN: James McKinney (Rotherham Titans), David McIlwaine (Bristol), Bronson Ross (Coventry)

OUT: Niall O’Connor (Jersey), Nigel Brady (Aurillac), Ali Birch (Rotherham Titans), Adam D’Arcy, Blane McIlroy.

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Article source: http://www.dunstabletoday.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/ex-dees-star-skelcey-named-in-england-u18s-squad-1-5299917

Rugby Transfers : In"s and Out"s