From the Touchlines: Transfer gossip
Managerial moves are hogging the limelight in the rugby union transfer market this week, with Leicester and Newcastle both on the look-out for a new coach.
Both posts now look likely to go to foreigners. South African World Cup-winning coach Jake White is the prime candidate to replace Marcelo Loffreda at the Leicester Tigers after Loffreda struggled to make his mark in his first season at the club.
Meanwhile, further north at Newcastle, Australia's John Connolly now appears the favourite to take the helm. The former Bath coach is a free agent having stepped down as Wallabies boss following their World Cup quarter-final exit against England.
Also on the coaching front, Sale have a battle on their hands to hold on to director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre. French giants Stade Francais are lining up a deal for the former French wing to replace Fabien Galthie, who has opted to take a break from the game.
On the playing side of things, Harlequins are on the verge of announcing the double signing of All Blacks fly-half Nicky Evans and Australian lock Daniel Vickerman. Meanwhile, Evans's international team-mate, Dan Carter, will not be joining Leicester after all and is weighing up wether to join Toulouse, Toulon or Perpignan.
What do you make of the above movers and shakers? Do you have any rugby rumours of your own? We want to hear them so post your comments below.
Chris Paterson's quitting Gloucester to go back to Edinburgh after just one season. NOt one of his best moves
Posted by: CherryAndWhite | 09 May 2008 at 15:31
Newcastle without Tait and Flood and now Connolly off to coach them. They're certain for relegation now!!
Posted by: GT | 09 May 2008 at 12:57
What a joke. Loffreda arrived two months into the season after the World Cup so didn't have any time to bed in and now people are talking about sacking him. Just look at what he did with Argentina at the World Cup. Give the guy a break for another season and then judge him on that, otherwise rugby's getting as ludicrous as football when it comes to the sack race.
Posted by: Nigel Davies | 09 May 2008 at 12:15