Rugby Union Thread

[cheltenhamlion]

In all my days, I never thought I would see Tins kicking!

[lovejoy]

I am going on Saturday vs N'hampton. Hopefully a more full strength side will go out or we're in trouble.

[Dave Summers]

Just read in the Telegraph today that Gloucester will be signing Ben Morgan for next season.  They will buy out the last year of his contract with the Scarlets and he will move back from whence he came.

What do you Gloucs boys think about this?.  Narraway is already there, so will he be moved to 6 do you think?.   From an England point of view I guess it is good, because he now gets freed up for all the training camps.  However against that the Scarlets play a great offloading game which he is very much part of and brings something a little different to your average England forward?.

If he is to move back though, then either Gloucester or Northampton are the closest fit to the game the Scarlets play, so all good news I guess.

[paul_e]

Just read in the Telegraph today that Gloucester will be signing Ben Morgan for next season.  They will buy out the last year of his contract with the Scarlets and he will move back from whence he came.

What do you Gloucs boys think about this?.  Narraway is already there, so will he be moved to 6 do you think?.   From an England point of view I guess it is good, because he now gets freed up for all the training camps.  However against that the Scarlets play a great offloading game which he is very much part of and brings something a little different to your average England forward?.

If he is to move back though, then either Gloucester or Northampton are the closest fit to the game the Scarlets play, so all good news I guess.

There are lots of rumours of Narraway going to northampton to replace Wilson who's going back to ulster.  This move would suggest there's some substance in those.

[UK Redsox]

Just read in the Telegraph today that Gloucester will be signing Ben Morgan for next season.  They will buy out the last year of his contract with the Scarlets and he will move back from whence he came.

Time to bring Alex Cuthbert back to Gloucestershire as well ?

[lovejoy]

There's also talk of Jimmy Cowan. Not sure where all the money is coming from but genuinely excited for next season (unlike for the Villa).

[cheltenhamlion]

Gloucester haven't made a big name signing in some time now so pleased if the wallet is opening again.

[cheltenhamlion]

Go on Glaws!

[paul_e]

On that performance Wood should be with England, and so long as Farrell is goal-kicking so should Burns, the break from Burns for the try was something no one else would've tried let alone got through, bit more pace on tins and they've have been straight in, was brilliance.

[lovejoy]

Some days sport gives you a spring in your step. Haven't felt much like this with villa recently (Chelsea away excepted).

[PaulWinch again]

Interesting four changes for us, Tuilagi, Morgan, Dickson and Parling in and Youngs, Hodgson, Dowson and Palmer out. Farrell has moved to No.10. I'm glad Manu is back in he gives us real drive in the centres.

[paul_e]

just watched the england under20s against wales.  10players out of the squad and still won 40-9.

A couple of them looked real quality, Charlie Walker in the centre and Anthony Watson on the wing being the real stars.

[Dave Summers]

Luke Narraway leaving Glaws for Perpignan next season.  Although he says differently, that seems to rule out anymore appearances for England.

Would imagine that the rumours about Ben Morgan joining are pretty much nailed on now?.   With Strokotsch going as well, plenty of changes in the back row

[Dave Summers]

Gloucester sign England's Ben Morgan from Scarlets
Ben Morgan will leave Scarlets at the end of the season to join Gloucester on a three-year contract.

The 23-year-old still has a year to run on his current deal and Gloucester have paid an undisclosed fee to bring the England number eight to Kingsholm.

"He's come on the scene with Scarlets this year and proved he's a top performer," head coach Bryan Redpath told BBC Gloucestershire.

"He's only scratched the surface of where he can go to."

MORGAN STATS
•Born: 18 February 1989 in Bristol
•Height: 6ft 3ins (1.90m)
•Weight: 18st 3lbs (116kg)
•Position: No 8
•Previous clubs: Dursley, Cinderford, Merythr Tydfil, Scarlets
•Scarlets Young Player of the Year in 2011
•Three England caps
Bristol-born Morgan was educated in Gloucestershire and started his career at Dursley before spells with Cinderford and Merthyr Tydfil, and played for both Cardiff Blues and Gloucestershire at under-20 level.

He signed for Scarlets in 2009 and has made 45 appearances for the Pro12 outfit.

Morgan was eligible to play for Wales at international level, having lived there for more than three years, but he opted to join the England set-up and made his debut as a replacement against Scotland in last month's Six Nations clash.

Continue reading the main story
“As a proud Englishman, I feel it's best that I now take my club career forward within the Premiership and my home country
”

Ben Morgan
 "It has been a staggering season for me and I feel privileged and honoured to have been able to represent both the Scarlets and England," added Morgan.

"I'm grateful for the opportunities handed to me by the Scarlets to play the top-flight club rugby which led me to international selection and my dream to play for England.

"As a proud Englishman, I feel it's best that I now take my club career forward within the Premiership and my home country and I am pleased to be joining Gloucester next season as a club with similar values and ambitions as the Scarlets.

"I want to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to the coaches and back-room staff at the Scarlets who've been a huge influence and support and helped me achieve so much in a short space of time. So much credit should go to them for what I have achieved.

"It's been a brilliant three years at Scarlets and living in Llanelli where the supporters have been so loyal, welcoming and supportive."



As predicted and a ready made replacement for Narraway.   Looking at the Leicester game yesterday though, they need to beef up their front 5 and hope that every game is played in dry conditions.    Would be interesting if they met in the play offs with a nice, sunny day.   Don't think it would be that one sided then

[Dante Lavelli]

Are there no Saints fans on this site?  Whilst all this Gloucester insight is very interesting, can't we spread the love around a bit?