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Rugby's butterfly effect - has one signing set off a Premiership chain reaction?
By Alex Shaw
In the last two weeks, the first dominos have fallen in a carousel of wing moves affecting Premiership clubs for the 2018/19 season.
Firstly, Alex Lewington’s move to Saracens was announced, before a week later Nathan Earle’s departure from north London to south-west London and Harlequins was confirmed.
There was also the headline-grabbing move of Matt Banahan from Bath to West Country rivals Gloucester.
This is likely to spark a sequence of moves, many of which will be announced in the coming weeks.
Harlequins wing Tim Visser could be moving on after the arrival of Earle, with his contract up at the end of the season and strong interest from France, something which is only likely to increase with Visser having missed out on the last two Scotland squads.
One player potentially moving in the other direction is David Strettle, with Clermont keen to reallocate some of their resources for next season and the veteran wing could be heading to Bristol or even returning to Allianz Park and his former team, Saracens.
Should the 34-year-old pitch up in north London, that could spell the end for Chris Wyles, another experienced operator who is in the last year of his contract.
One move that will take a while longer to be confirmed is that of Joe Cokanasiga.
The talented London Irish wing recently signed new terms at the club, but with a relegation release inserted into his contract. Should Irish fail to escape the drop over the coming months, it is believed Bath are leading the chase for his signature, where he will fill the void left by Banahan’s departure.
Due to his age and potential, Cokanasiga is highly-coveted amongst the potentially available wings, but could of course opt to stay at Irish, even if they are relegated. Should that happen, there are still plenty of other options available.
Newcastle’s Sinoti Sinoti is reportedly wanted by Bristol, Northampton are believed to be keen on Worcester's Bryce Heem, whilst Cardiff Blues wing Alex Cuthbert could also be a possible target, if he can be tempted away from the big-money on offer in France.
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Latest Comments
It's the same criticism of Dmac and Mo'unga as well. Sadly the way the game has been heading recently it's the only way to break down a defence, and a player of Lawrences nature would have a very limited chance at doing that because he's too one dimensional.
Noah Lolesio is your sort of player and that worked OK, but only because his team is far more creative than Englands for example. The highly organized Irish attack was also another that didn't require much from the 10, but that is now changing with Prendergast who is in that league mold like the most new age 10's.
So it is in fact your two which would require even more change to make the most of than Marcus Smith.
Go to commentsThe Stormers sloppiness show that they are a poorly coached side. Fortunately for them, so are the Sharks.
There are tougher opponents waiting and they will be punished heavily unless the coaching improves dramatically.
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