I love watching rugby. Watching how teams are made, built and developed. Watching how different plays and games change as the season moves on. Seeing how it only took one moment for a player to go from zero to hero. So with the season starting up again on the 6th (Falcons v Bath – at the Bird’s Nest) it’s important to know who’s where. So here are my top XV transfers of the summer.
1. Alex Corbisiero – Northampton
Where better to start than with the front row? I’m certainly happy to see so many new faces like Jamie Hagan and Franck Montanella. There is one name that steals the light here. The Northampton-bound Corbisiero coming off an amazing Lions tour, will look to add his weight to an already outstanding Northampton pack. Plus with the new scrum laws the technically sound Corbisiero should be one of the season’s outstanding front rowers.
2. Carlo Festuccia – Wasps
Well it came late but what a swoop for Dai Young and the boys at Adams Park, with Italian Carlo Festuccia announcing his move on the second of the month. The 54-time capped Italian hooker is easily my pick of two’s on the move.
3. Salesi Ma’afu – Northampton
I think it may only be me, but the Northampton pack seems to get scarier and scarier every year. Salesi Ma’afu is a beast of a man. The former Western Force man is going to have a great year with the likes of Corbisiero and Dylan Hartley. If Hartley can keep his mouth closed and the two props can cope with news rules, Northampton is easily my pick for top four finishers.
4. Nick Kennedy – Harlequins
In 2012 Nick Kennedy left London Irish and signed for The French Giants ‘Toulon’. Now the 6 ft. 8 enforcer from Southampton will ply his trade at Harlequins. The 2012 champions will hopefully be able to use the big man’s power and strength to secure their lineouts and defense.
5. Kearnan Myall – Wasps
One of the few good things that came out of Sale last session (other than Mark Cueto finally beating Steve Hanley’s try-scoring record), was this man’s ability at the lineouts. He’ll be joining Wasps, who over pre-season have lost the best lineout operator in the premiership, Marco Wentzel. Myall will hopefully build up a nice International partnership with fellow England second rower Joe Launchbury, to round out what is a very cultivated set of forwards at Wasps.
6. Andy Saull – Newcastle
In 2011, Andy Saull was one of Saracens most outstanding players. However, in the past two seasons due to injuries and the emergence of Will Fraser, Saull’s career has become stagnant. Hopefully he will find a way to reignite his career because he certainly has game-changing quality.
7. Matt Kvesic – Gloucester
Matt Kvesic has publically stated he is coming for the England captain’s jersey, and if I was Chris Robshaw (I’d be a foot and a half taller for one) I’d be looking over my shoulder. Kvesic has it all – strong, fast, great ball skills and his ability to get over the ball rivals that of Steffon Armitage. Another interesting player to watch is Don Armand of Exeter.
8. Billy Vunipola – Saracens
There can be no other name at the top of this list apart from Big Billy V. At only 20 years of age, he has already scored and made his England Debut against Argentina. The question will be, can he blend in to what was already and outstanding back row with Saracens and their wolf pack.? Wasps will be furious at his departure, however they have sought to replace him by signing four back rowers, most notably Nathan Hughes from Auckland.
9. Kahn Fotuali’i – Northampton
Lee Dickson’s chances of holding the number 9 top at Northampton have suddenly taken a dramatic turn. Fotuali’i is widely considered one of, if not the best, number 9’s worldwide. This is a guy who single-handedly turned games for the Ospreys. And with an immense pack in front of him, he’s definitely going to have an easy time at the back of the scrum.
10. George Ford – Bath/ Andy Goode – Wasps
I can’t be the only one that thinks the Prem is spoiled for choice when it comes to 10s on the move. Exeter has Ceri Sweeney, Tigers have Owen Williams and Ryan Lamb, and Worcester has Ignacio Mieres. But my big moves of the summer have to be George Ford and Andy Goode. Ford epitomizes the depth of young English talent coming through the system. Whilst Goode shows that even the old dogs still have bite to their bark, and if both 10’s can get their respective back lines playing the way they should, I can see both teams pushing for top 6.
11. George North – Northampton
NORTH! NORTH! NORTH! He’s here – one of the many lion kings of Welsh rugby. Watching him play over the summer was not only mesmerizing but also inspiring. His turn of pace and ability to find space in the loose has made him the one to watch this year. Northampton has made 10 signings this year, but all have added to what is increasingly looking like a Premiership winning side.
12. & 13. Gavin Henson & Jonathan Joseph – Bath
Bath do have the cream of the center signings this year. Jonathan Joseph is an outstanding 13. His ability to create space and keep opposing defenders honest was majestic to watch last year. His potential center partner, Henson, is still yet to regain his from of 2005/6. This being said he showed signs of promise last year at London Welsh. Both will have a big fight on their hands for a starting shirt, with the main aim of bring the Bath back line of Abendanon, Biggs and Banahan more into the game.
14. Fetu’u Vainikolo – Exeter
The big ball carrying Tongan winger will be looking to make waves as he arrives at Sandy Park. If the new Exeter fly-half’s can create the slightest amount of space, Vainikolo will be in it. And with Northampton v Exeter being both teams’ season opener, I can’t wait for the grudge match. North and Vainikolo. Will Vainikolo give young George the big Tongan hand off? Or will North continue his Lions form and march the Tongan back to his own line?
15. Alex King – Northampton (coach)
“Hang on, He’s not a player. Where’s the full back?” While this is true, King is no longer a player, he has enjoyed an immense spell in France as a coach, being one of the guiding hands of Clermont Auvergne’s resurgence as a powerhouse of French rugby. If he’s given the same freedom to coach at the Saints as he was at Clermont, I not only see the 2013 runner-up winning the competition, but also pushing to add more to their European stock.
Bonus:.
Club to watch – Harlequins – 3 in. 9 out
Harlequins are the team to watch. With only 3 players in this year, is this calculated risk for the 2012 champs? Or has their time come and gone? Watch for former England and Wasps winger Paul Sacky, who returns to England after 4 seasons in France.
Club on the up – Northampton – 10 in, 11 out
Northampton this year look more dangerous then ever. Their forwards are monsters; their backs, being coached by one of the most brilliant minds in rugby, will be scintillating. With the likes of George North, George Pisi and Ben Foden being lead by the world class 9 Kahn Fotuali’i, look to see them push for not only English glory, but European as well.
Club on the down – London Irish – 15 in, 18 out
London Irish have had to scrap 4 players as they have lost a fair few of the big names. Something tells me they will be rooted to the bottom of the table this year.
Thanks for reading, you can follow me on Twitter @Daniel_Ford_1 and my fellow LWOS rugby writers –@recaffeinated99 and @richfergie. Give the site a follow while you’re at it – @lastwordonsport.
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