Aviva Premiership Transfer Round-up and Review 2015/16

Premiership season kicks off next Friday night
Reigning champions Saracens make only four additions over the summer
Newly promoted Worcester add 18 players to their senior squad as they attempt to avoid the drop

With the Premiership kicking off in just over a week, we here at RUCK thought it timely to get updated with all the ingoings and outgoings by the 12 clubs during the summer.

Saracens were the least busy with just four new faces while newly-promoted Worcester have recruited an incredible 18 new players to their senior squad as they attempt bravely to beat the drop.

Tell us below who you think has done the best business!

Bath

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Players in

Nikola Matawalu from Glasgow Warriors
Rhys Priestland from Scarlets
Tom Dunn promoted from Academy
Charlie Ewels promoted from Academy
Tom Homer from London Irish
Jonathan Evans from Newport Gwent Dragons
Jeff Williams from England Sevens

Players out

Paul James to Ospreys
Gavin Henson to Bristol Rugby
Olly Woodburn to Exeter Chiefs
Micky Young to Newcastle Falcons
Dave Sisi to London Irish (season-loan)
Will Skuse to London Welsh
Richard Lane to Jersey
Peter Stringer to Sale Sharks
Carl Fearns to Lyon
Ben Williams retired

Transfer Review
Bath have added exciting Fiji scrum-half Nikola Matawalu to their squad and they will be thrilled with his performances during the Rugby World Cup as he has demonstrated on the grandest stage his precise passing and dynamic running. Wales’ fly-half Rhys Priestland may also prove to be an excellent addition with the number 10 giving George Ford real competition for the number 10 shirt.
Rating: Progressive 7/10

Exeter Chiefs

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Players in

Geoff Parling from Leicester Tigers
Olly Woodburn from Bath Rugby
Michele Campagnaro from Benetton Treviso
Ollie Atkins from Edinburgh Rugby
Shaun Malton from Nottingham
Will Hooley from Northampton Saints
Harry Williams from Jersey
Julian Salvi from Leicester Tigers
Josh Jones from St Helens
Jonny Hill from Gloucester Rugby
James Short from London Irish

Players out

Tom James to Cardiff Blues
Greg Bateman to Leicester Tigers
Dean Mumm to NSW Waratahs
Kieran Davies to Nottingham
Fetu’u Vainikolo to Oyonnax
Joel Conlon to Saracens
Ceri Sweeney to Pontypridd RFC
James Scaysbrook retired
Will Carrick-Smith to London Scottish

Transfer Review
The additions of England and Lions lock Geoff Parling as well as Italy’s star centre Michele Campagnaro will significantly strengthen Exeter’s squad ahead of the upcoming Premiership season as they look to build upon their fifth-place finish last term. The signing of 22-year-old Josh Jones from St Helens will also be an interesting move as the back-row becomes the latest cross-code star.
Rating: Well thought out 8/10

Gloucester

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Players in

Tom Marshall from Chiefs
Henry Purdy promoted from Academy
Jeremy Thrush from Hurricanes
Bill Meakes promoted from Academy
Paul Doran-Jones from Harlequins
Paddy McAllister from Aurillac
Nicky Thomas from Ospreys
Willi Heinz from Crusaders
Tom Lindsay from Wasps
Tom Hicks promoted from Academy
Matt Protheroe from Hartpury College R.F.C.
Callum Braley promoted from Academy
Steph Reynolds promoted from Academy

Players out

Dan Robson to Wasps
Aled Thomas to Scarlets
Aleki Lutui to Ampthill
Tom Palmer to Benetton Treviso
Rory Bartle to London Scottish
Jonny Hill to Exeter Chiefs
Shaun Knight to Newport Gwent Dragons
Shane Monahan to Munster
Sila Puafisi to Glasgow Warriors

Transfer Review
Gloucester has failed to attract any big name signings but will have been pleased to have held onto many of their major stars such as Jonny May and Greig Laidlaw following a disappointing ninth-place finish last term. The addition of 6ft 6in lock Jeremy Thrush, who has won 11 caps for the All Blacks is probably their best and most exciting signing.
Rating: Underwhelming 4/10

Harlequins

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Players in

James Horwill from Queensland Reds
Matt Shields from Darlington Mowden Park
Adam Jones from Cardiff Blues
Tim Visser from Edinburgh Rugby
Owen Evans from Newport Gwent Dragons
Tim Swiel from Sharks
Winston Stanley from Highlanders
Jamie Roberts from Racing 92
Mat Luamanu from Benetton Treviso

Players out

Paul Doran-Jones to Gloucester Rugby
Joe Trayfoot to London Irish
George Robson to Oyonnax
Ugo Monye retired
Asaeli Tikoirotuma to London Irish
Darryl Marfo to London Welsh
Tom Williams retired
Tom Casson to Yorkshire Carnegie
Jordan Burns to Bedford Blues
Jordan Turner-Hall retired

Transfer Review
Quins significant moves saw them recruit mature heads in Jame Roberts and Tim Visser. Roberts, who is a Wales and British Lions international will add steel to their midfield while Scotlands’s speedster Visser, who scored 345 points in 130 games for Edinburgh, will guarantee them tries. This will be crucial after Quins were only able to touch down 45 last season with the bottom of the pile London Welsh being the only club to cross the whitewash less. The two are without a doubt fantastic additions and should help them end up higher than their eighth-place finish last season.
Rating: Fantastic 9/10

Leicester Tigers

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Players in

Opeti Fonua from London Welsh
Mike Williams from Worcester Warriors
Brendon O’Connor from Blues
Peter Betham from NSW Waratahs
Michael Fitzgerald from Chiefs
Lachlan McCaffrey from London Welsh
Jono Kitto from Chiefs
Greg Bateman from Exeter Chiefs
Dominic Barrow from Newcastle Falcons
George Catchpole promoted from Academy
Aniseko Sio promoted from Academy

Players out

Jamie Gibson to Northampton Saints
Geoff Parling to Exeter Chiefs
Neil Briggs to Sale Sharks
Pablo Matera to Pampas XV
Louis Deacon retired
Blaine Scully to Cardiff Blues
Tom Price to Scarlets
Brad Thorn retired
Javiah Pohe to US Carcassonne
Scott Hamilton to Coventry RFC
Robert Barbieri to Benetton Treviso
Greg Peterson to Glasgow Warriors
Julian Salvi to Exeter Chiefs
Tom Bristow to Wasps
Jack Whetton to US Nevers
David Mele to Toulouse
Rhys Williams to Moseley
Anthony Allen retired
Terrence Hepetema to Bay of Plenty

Transfer Review
Leicester haven’t followed up their third place finish last season with many significant additions but have lost 19 senior players, which includes England international Geoff Parling, over the summer with only 11 new faces joining their senior squad. Tigers fans should though be excited by the signing of pacey winger Peter Betham, who scored 11 tries in 33 games for the Waratahs during his time with the Super Rugby side.
Rating: Up and down 6/10

London Irish

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Players in

Ben Franks from Hurricanes
Sean Maitland from Glasgow Warrior
Brendan McKibbin from NSW Waratahs
Joe Trayfoot from Harlequins
Dominic Waldouck from Northampton Saints
Dave Sisi from Bath Rugby (season-loan)
Matt Symons from Chiefs
Tom Cruse from Rotherham Titans
Eoin Sheriff from Saracens
Asaeli Tikoirotuma from Harlequins
Gerard Ellis promoted from Acad
Richard Palframan promoted from Academy
Tom Fowlie promoted from Academy
Tom Smallbone promoted from Academy
Rob McCusker from Scarlets

Players out

Tomas O’Leary to Munster
Tom Homer to Bath Rugby
Kieran Low to Glasgow Warriors
Eamonn Sheridan to Oyonnax
Sean Cox retired
Myles Dorrian to Bedford Blues
Guy Armitage to London Welsh
Harry Allen to London Welsh
Daniel Leo to London Welsh
Jamie Hagan to Melbourne Rebels
James Short to Exeter Chiefs
Michael Mayhew to Waikato
Matt Parr released

Transfer Review
The Exiles were spectacularly unspectacular last season, scoring just 45 tries, so will be hoping Scotland and British Lions international Sean Maitland can hit the ground running after the wing joined this summer from Glasgow Warriors. The addition of scrum-half Brendan McKibbin from the Waratahs will also be key to them hopefully increasing the number of tries they score this season with his ability to recycle the ball quickly at the breakdown.
Rating: Radical 7/10

Newcastle Falcons

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Players in

Chris Harris promoted from Academy
Micky Young from Bath Rugby
Mike Delany from Clermont Auvergne
Marcus Watson from England Sevens
Sonatane Takulua from Northland
Simon Hammersley promoted from Academy
Ben Harris from Yorkshire Carnegie
Taione Vea from London Welsh
Jon Welsh from Glasgow Warriors
Nili Latu from NEC Green Rockets
Giovanbattista Venditti from Zebre
Paddy Ryan from Libournes
Mouritz Botha from Sharks
Sean Robinson promoted from Academy
Todd Clever from Old Mission Beach Athletic Club

Players out

Kieran Brookes to Northampton Saints
Mike Blair to Glasgow Warriors
Andy Saull to Yorkshire Carnegie
Ben Morris to Nottingham
Phil Godman retired
Chris York to Ealing Trailfinders
Danny Barnes to Ealing Trailfinders
Dominic Barrow to Leicester Tigers
Andy Davies to Rotherham Titans
Mark Irving to Viadana
Rory Clegg to Glasgow Warriors
Lee Smith to Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Oliver Tomaszczyk to Ospreys
Noah Cato released
Jamie Helleur released
Warren Fury released
Sean Brown released
James Christie released
Uili Kolo’ofai released

Transfer Review
Dean Richards would have been disappointed to lose England international prop Kieran Brookes but swiftly replaced him with the experienced Scotland international Jon Welsh. The signings of Samoa Captain Nili Latu and England Sevens star Marcus Watson also brings a new dimension to the Falcons squad. Newcastle fans will have also been thrilled to see young stars Chris Harris and Simon Hammersley commit their futures to the club.
Rating: Progressive 7/10

Northampton Saints

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Players in

JJ Hanrahan from Munster
Kieran Brookes from Newcastle Falcons
Jamie Gibson from Leicester Tigers
Michael Paterson from Sale Sharks
Tom Kessell from Cornish Pirates
Pat Howard from Stormers
Paul Hill from Yorkshire Carnegie
Sion Bennett from Scarlets
Victor Matfield from Bulls

Players out

Salesi Ma’afu to Toulon
Samu Manoa to Toulon
Phil Dowson to Worcester Warriors
Dominic Waldouck to London Irish
Will Hooley to Exeter Chiefs
Alex Day to Cornish Pirates
Joel Hodgson to Yorkshire Carnegie
Tom Ryder to Yorkshire Carnegie
Cam Dolan to Cardiff Blues
Tom Mercey released
Josh Skelcey released

Transfer Review
Saints will have been disappointed to lose Salesi Ma’afu and Samu Manoa to big-spenders Toulon but will be reasonably pleased with their recruitment over the summer. The addition of talismanic Springbok lock Victor Matfield as well as England prop Kieran Brookes will add an extra gear to their already dominant pack. The signing of fly-half JJ Hanrahan amongst others also means the Northampton squad looks stronger than ever with competition for places being hellish across all positions.
Rating: Purposeful 8/10

Sale Sharks

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Players in

Neil Briggs from Leicester Tigers
Peter Stringer from Bath Rugby
Bryn Evans from Biarritz Olympique
James Mitchell promoted from Academy
George Nott promoted from Academy
Ciaran Parker promoted from Academy
Brian Mujati from Racing 92
Nev Edwards from Rosslyn Park

Players out

Marc Jones to Bristol Rugby
Mark Cueto retired
Michael Paterson to Northampton Saints
Will Cliff to Bristol Rugby
Nathan Fowles to Edinburgh Rugby
Nathan Hines retired
Andy Forsyth to Yorkshire Carnegie
Alberto De Marchi to Benetton Treviso
Luke McLean to Benetton Treviso
Darren Fearn to Darlington Mowden Park

Transfer Review
Sale Sharks will look to build upon their successful season last term by on the main sticking with the group that served them so well over the last year. They have though added some much-needed steel to the front row with the addition of veteran prop Brian Mujati from Racing 92.
Rating: Reserved 5/10

Saracens

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Players in

Samuela Vunisa from Zebre
Michael Rhodes from Stormers
Maro Itoje promoted from Academy
Joel Conlon from Exeter Chiefs

Players out

Eoin Sheriff to London Irish
David Strettle to Clermont Auvergne
James Johnston to Wasps
Thretton Palamo to London Welsh (season-loan)
Nick de Jager to Blue Bulls

Transfer Review
After winning the 2015 Premiership final Saracens have been muted with very few incomings and outgoings. Fans will be excited to see Maro Itoje, who has stepped up to the senior squad, again after the young lock starred in the back end of last season. The signing of Italian number 8 Samuela Vunisa is also an ingenious addition due to the combination of his speed, ball-carrying ability, physical strength and ability at the breakdown.
Rating: Muted 5/10

Wasps

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Players in

Jimmy Gopperth from Leinster
Dan Robson from Gloucester Rugby
Frank Halai from Blues
Brendan Macken from Leinster
Tom Bristow from Leicester Tigers
Jamie Stevenson from London Scottish
James Downey from Glasgow Warriors
George Smith from Lyon
James Johnston from Saracens
Alex Rieder from Rotherham Titans
Alex Lundberg promoted from Academy
Tom Howe promoted from Academy
Charles Piutau from Blues

Players out

Tom Varndell to Bristol Rugby
William Helu to Edinburgh Rugby
Ed Jackson to Newport Gwent Dragons
Charlie Davies to Newport Gwent Dragons
Tom Lindsay to Gloucester Rugby
Will Taylor to Scarlets
Jack Moates to Jersey
Oli Evans to Jersey
Tom Bliss to Ealing Trailfinders (season-loan)
Sam James to Bedford Blues
Martyn Thomas to London Welsh
Gus Jones to London Welsh
Glyn Hughes to Moseley
Buster Lawrence to Moseley
John Yapp retired
Chris Bell retired
Andy Goode retired

Transfer Review
It’s been a very busy summer for Wasps, with the main addition being of experienced fly-half Jimmy Gopperth, who joins from Leinster to battle with Alex Lozowski and Scotland international Ruaridh Jackson for the number 10 shirt following fan favourite Andy Goode’s retirement. Supporters would have been also been disappointed with the departure of 29-year-old wing Tom Vandell, who made 125 appearances for the Premiership outfit, scoring 350 points. They will be hoping a fit again Christian Wade can fill that void and then some.
Rating: Transition period 6/10

Worcester

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Players in

Andy Short from Bristol Rugby
Derrick Appiah from Mogliano
Phil Dowson from Northampton Saints
Carl Kirwan from London Welsh
Tom Heathcote from Edinburgh Rugby
Luke Baldwin from Bristol Rugby
Sam Lewis from Ospreys
Cooper Vuna from Toshiba Brave Lupus
Na’ama Leleimalefaga from Montpellier
Darren Barry from Cornish Pirates
Bryce Heem from Chiefs
Mike Daniels promoted from Academy
Tiff Eden promoted from Academy
Christian Scotland-Williamson promoted from Academy
Marco Mama from Bristol Rugby (season-loan)
Donncha O’Callaghan from Munster
Tevita Cavubati from Ospreys
Wynand Olivier from Montpellier

Players out

Andries Pretorius retired
Mike Williams to Leicester Tigers
Alex Gordas to CSM București
Sam Windsor to Ulster
Agustin Creevy to Argentina (Super Rugby)
Leonardo Senatore released
Jack Cosgrove to Edinburgh Rugby
Josh Drauniniu to London Welsh
George Porter to Ealing Trailfinders
Rob O’Donnell to Yorkshire Carnegie
Richard de Carpentier to England Sevens
Josh Watkins to England Sevens
James Percival to Grenoble
Shay Kerry to Oyonnax
Ofa Fainga’anuku to Bayonne
James Stephenson to Ealing Trailfinders
Ignacio Mieres to US Dax
Jonathan Thomas retired

Transfer Review
It’s been a busy summer for Dean Ryan at Worcester as he tries to get his newly promoted team ready for the start of the Premiership season. They know the key to competing in the top flight is a solid scrum, therefore they have recruited props Na’ama Leleimalefaga and Derrick Appiah to widen their front row options. The signing of experienced Premiership player Phil Dowson, as well as the addition of former Springbok centre Wynand Olivier, may also be key to their possible survival.
Rating: Resourceful 7.5/10