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Rumours of an Anglo-Welsh league won't go away: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/wru-explore-possibility-anglo-welsh-29609321 I can see why the Welsh are keen and the English are open to it in general, but I don't think there's a version of this that doesn't kill the URC...

To the Brumbies to replace Tua has been the solid rumour. Hasn't moved much recently, but given he left the wallabies camp for personal reasons he might have a bit on his plate outside the game at the moment.

Guy Porter, who had been rumoured to be in talks with the Force and maybe the tahs, has apparently retired: Concussions the cause,. hopefully it's getting out before too much damage has been done.

That's a bang on description of the tahs, but there are another 10 teams in the comp

Force have signed Nick Champion de Crespigny: https://westernforce.rugby/news/force-lures-home-champion-de-crespigny-french-stint-2024725

Aside from the fact that it has been pretty widely reported that for most of his time Coleman was driving the attack and overall strategy as head coach above and beyond any of the assistants, I don't see how the assistant coach in charge of attack has more impact on the franchise as a whole as...

Whitaker is a relatively minor cog, probably the best place for maintaining continuity.

I'm not sure they'll be too quick to amend the Giteau law to make him eligible, given Schmidt's cautious approach to picking overseas talent. More chance of that happening for the EOYT if they go down that path.

Feels like Doorn has been redundant for quite some time now, it's only just being made official. https://www.theroar.com.au/2024/07/24/exclusive-waratahs-ceo-made-redundant-key-coach-let-go-after-unprecedented-run-of-injuries/

Sounds like Coleman might be turning out for Tonga:

They've signed both BPA and Dolly from overseas. With Horton getting the lion's share of minutes this year Kaitu'u was always going to be surplus. I'm glad we're looking at him too, I picked him as worth taking a look at for the squad. His form has been down the last couple of years but I think...

Dolly's last test for England was on 19/03/2022, he becomes eligible for selection after the end of year tour, but before the first test of next year - on 19/03/2025

Have they done that though? As far as I'm aware they built much of the core of this team while they were playing together in South Africa and have kept the together as they've moved away, that's very different from choosing an overseas star in the later half of their career that you have limited...

I understand the desire but I'm not sure how you can build a team around a guy only available for half the year, particularly not when you've already started trying to implement a lot of new systems. With him coming in fairly close to the start of the Rugby Championship (if he does come at all)...

Yeah, repeated foot issues and very little rugby played in the last 2 years, this return from injury feels awfully close to make or break for his career. where we are in the cycle there's a lot more to be gained from an overly cautious approach.

I disagree, it absolutely is an issue for all of the super sides, and not just during this period. RA does have some responsibility (and they are trying to exercise via centralisation) but building out well balanced squads is 100% the domain of GMs/DoRs/Head Coaches of the super sides...

It's a real worry for me, though I do have a fair bit of trust in the leadership at the moment, they've been making the right moves for some time and clearly aren't being to quick to jump on the guys that would completely unbalance the squad (Salakaia-Loto and Leota). I do think Salakaia-Loto...

Assuming Petaia and Grealy go we still have Campbell starting and Annan and Aubrey have both played plenty of fullback. I think half the reason they've been shifted away from the position is the number of options we've had there. I don't think Mason represents a significant upgrade over Annan...

Brett Robinson considering running for World Rugby Chairman: https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/rugby-union/the-unheralded-ex-wallaby-who-could-soon-become-most-powerful-man-in-global-rugby-20240723-p5jvx9.html

Yes, he'll have a mandatory trip to the judiciary from the red card. Whether or not that rules him out of any of the rugby championship remains to be seen. Either way Kellaway covers 13 and coverage at 10 and 12 is more important from the bench based on the rest of the backline we'll almost...