I have always thought OF was a none starter for many reasons but I wouldn’t say him going back to train with Saracens means the deal is 100% off, it may still be in a negotiation stage? Or it may have been agreed to let him play for another couple of months before coming Wigan (although personally I think we would want him here as early as possible learning the ropes).

OF was captain of the age above at rugby league and absolutely dominated as a teen at amateur level and service area (now called scholarship). You see kids develop early and play an age up but I've never seen one always be the best player on the pitch whilst playing an age up. I know there's a big difference between that and Super League but it's not right to say he's untested at rugby league. He was already looking destined for big things prior to converting to RU.

I think the pros would massively outweigh the cons when you consider how good he could potentially be, the marketing benefits (both for the club and the sport) and the fact he wouldn't count on the cap. Having said all that, I don't think he's coming, yet anyway.

When he was 13 years old... that was 18 years ago

Logan Tomkins and Iain Thornley also played the age above at St Pats, means a lot at the time but nothing once you get to the older ages.

Plenty of players dominate in the 13-16 year old bracket and then never make it at the higher level. Similar to the fact that there are many players who don't get picked up early on but make it at a later age (Makinson, Powell, Crosby).

If OF does sign... I can't see it being revealed while Lenagan is still Chairman.

MD takes charge on 1st December and what better way to start his stewardship of the club than announcing a blockbuster signing and the handshake opportunity. A signing of that magnitude isn't going to be announced on Twitter at 6pm on a Tuesday.

Would make sense for OF to train and stay match fit for another month, if that is the scenario.

I don't think it'll happen, but not 100% sure either.

Someone in our Rugby group posted this

Just listening to Eddie Jones on the Simon jordan podcast and he said Marcus smith will have to step up for England now Farrell is ‘going to the other side’

I watch that podcast but point blank refused to watch that episode as Eddie Jones makes me angry just looking at him but I might flick through it now.

**Edit** just found the part and he says Marcus Smith will have to step up over the next couple of years as Owen Farrell is “getting on the other side now”. It seems like he means he’s in the latter stages of his career tbh, rather than him saying he’s moving on.

Hang fire
Just been told.by someone that it isn't actually what he said

He said "Owens, getting to the other side"

I would say that's a reference to his age

A couple of weeks ago I replied to someone who said something like there's nothing in it
I tried to find my reply but can't as I kind of cryptically replied that I think there is
When they asked why I had a long reply explaining some things I've been told, and seen.

Probably shouldn't have said it like that but was lucky that something happened on the site and it kept crashing and wouldn't let me post

A couple of people off here have seen what I have and what's behind it, and I've had 2 different sets of sources who I trust explaining what's been going on in the discussions

So I can honestly say i think there is something in all of this, is it signed sealed and delivered, not sure.

Personally as a player I'm a bit 50/50, but given that it won't affect us that much cap wise I can see the enormous positives commercially, publicity etc wise it would bring

Yeah, I found the bit and it does seem to be a reference to age. Doesn’t add weight or take any away from the rumours either way.

Given I’m not sure I even know what Danson looks like I doubt he will be one for the media..maybe wrong on that of course

I'm assuming from your post you didn't see him play. No one in living memory was as good at that age as OF. Playing an age up happens a fair bit. Good but not that noteworthy. Being comfortably the best player in the UK at the age above I've never seen happen with anyone else. It wasn't just physically developing early either (though clearly he had great genetics) his passing and kicking were both outstanding for a player of any age. I agree that may not translate Into Super League but we shouldn't just think of him as an RU convert either. He's spent time running rings around many of our current stars.

I went to high school with Owen and I ain't going to lie he was by far the most naturally gifted loose forward I have seen at that age!
I know he's been in union for years but union is the sport he had to learn from scratch he was pretty average at it .
Rugby league comes naturally to him he would be amazing for us id go as far as saying he would be the best ball playing loose forward in the comp I really believe it wouldn't be a gamble atall

None of us knew what Ian Lenagan looked like (or who he was) until he took over at Wigan.

I agree though, I get the impression Danson will have less of a hands-on and visible approach than IL has had. We'll see.

Faz named in the saracens team

[urlhttps://saracens.com/team-news-saracens-men-v-leicester-tigers-gpr-rd-4/[/url



Hope he doesn't get hurt doing his 5 carries and 8 tackles, he's got a gruelling pre season coming up

Came naturally to him, its past tense and that was 18 years ago...

Farrell in rugby league was a lifetime a go ludicrous to think he could make the switch now no matter how good a player was back when he was a kid and how good a union player he is it's just to long ago now.

5 years ago is say yes he could make the move over but he's well into his 30s his time has gone

Toby King to Saints.
Interesting one if true.

Not good enough for them

Would be a shame if true. I had assumed that we didn't keep him because Wire wanted him back. If he goes to Saints then that suggests we either wouldn't pay the transfer fee or didn't think he was worth the cap space.

Another possibility is that Wire wanted to keep him so we signed Keighran, and now circumstances have changed and they're happy to let him leave. Maybe Burgess doesn't rate him

It's both
They have a chance of signing Olam
To do that they would need to relieve salary cap space and a Quota space

Talk of Kassiano and King to Saints , Warrington paying some of their wages to enable that
Maybe the rumour mill is in overdrive because Saints were originally in for Olam and because they may need a forward, so 2+2 =5

I'm not convinced it's more than just talk and can't see Saints wanting either or both.
From an outsiders POV not only would Saints be receiving 2 players that I don't think they would really want (or need), and I'm only saying that as I don't think that they think either would would be a significant improvement on what they have or could get elsewhere, they would also be helping Warringron out and improving them.

I would p*** my pants if Saints signed Kasiano to add to their already 'World Class & SL Best' pack

Warrington have signed Sam Powell for next year.

Would be a strange one that given they’ve already got Walker and Dwyer. Not signing you’re wrong but it would surprise me.

Odd signing if true