Rugby transfer rumours and news

Rugby transfer rumours and news: Leicester Tigers star linked with French move, Kyle Sinckler to Toulon latest

All the latest rugby transfer rumours and gossip, confirmed moves, retirements, contract renewals and the last breaking news from around the Gallagher Premiership

With the end of the Rugby World Cup, recruitment has heated up in the Gallagher Premiership and in the French Top 14.

Rugby directors nationwide are strengthening their teams in response to early-season injuries, as players continue to flood the transfer market in the wake of the championship side Jersey Reds’ September collapse and the earlier collapses of London Irish, Wasps, and Worcester Warriors.

Here are all the most recent Premiership contract extensions, rumored transfers, and verified transactions.

Tigers’ South African star Jasper Wiese talking to French clubs

Jasper Wiese, a formidable South African number eight who won the World Cup with Leicester Tigers, is reportedly in talks to sign with Stade Francais for the upcoming season, citing the Daily Mail and Midi Olympique.

The 28-year-old backrower is reportedly “in advanced talks” to join French Top 14 team Stade. The club’s new manager, Laurent Labit, has stated that he wants to add a fly-half, hooker, and number eight.

Toulon balk at Kyle Sinckler’s wage requests

When his current contract with the West Country club expires at the end of the season, tighthead prop Kyle Sinckler of the Bristol Bears is reportedly eager to go to the French Top 14. Toulon is reportedly unwilling to fulfill his wage demands.

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The Rugby Paper reports that although negotiations are ongoing, the Toulon management is unwilling to pay Sinckler, 30, the €500k a season he is wanting despite his 68 caps for England and his status as a British and Irish Lion.

NFL player Carreras is expected to relocate to Bayonne.

Mateo Carreras, a top winger for Argentina, is expected to sign a three-year contract to join Bayonne of the French Top 14 in the summer, meaning the Newcastle Falcons will lose him.

The Rugby Paper and sources on the other side of the Channel say that Bayonne has defeated Toulon to finalize the signing of the 17-cap international.

 

Bath coach departs to join RFU

Nathan Catt, a former prop for Bath Rugby, will be leaving his post as Academy Pathway Coach at the club to become the RFU’s England Pathway Scrum Coach.

After making 170 appearances for the Blue, Black, and White, Catt was forced to retire early due to injury. Over the course of three years, he worked closely with Beechen Cliff School, where Bath Rugby conducts its ACE program.

“Nathan Catt’s departure from Bath Rugby marks the transition of an exceptional individual whose contribution to our academy and the club as a whole has been invaluable,” stated Craig Lilley, Head of Bath Rugby’s Academy. His commitment to developing our younger players’ potential and giving them priceless experiences has had a long-lasting impact on our program. Even though he is leaving with mixed emotions, his selection for the esteemed role with the RFU is a credit to his extraordinary talents. We are so appreciative of Catty’s dedication to Bath Rugby and so proud of him. Though we shall greatly miss his advice and influence, we wish him all the best in his new position, knowing that he will still have a big impact on players’ development in the national setup.”

Northampton Saints keen to win tug of war with Toulon for England star

Rugby director Phil Dowson of Northampton Saints has stated that the team is in talks with England flanker Lewis Ludlam to extend his contract, as French Top 14 team Toulon is rumored to be interested in acquiring his services.

The Saints manager stated, “We are desperate to keep Luds.” “As the club captain, he embodies all the club stands for—a person who excels at the Academy and puts in a great deal of effort to elevate his game to the highest level.

“We’re going to keep pushing on that to keep him here because we’re currently in negotiations and nothing has been formalized.”

Bath Rugby considering move for backrow additions after injury setbacks

With a flanker suffering his fourth injury of the year, Bath Rugby’s depth in the back row will be put to the test in the upcoming weeks.

Before determining whether to go to the transfer market, rugby head Johann van Graan told SomersetLive he will keep consulting with his medical department to evaluate the availability within his squad. Last week, he signed former Jersey Reds full-back Brendan Owen to a short-term contract to add depth to the three-quarter game. Elliott Stooke, a large blindside flanker and former Bath lock, has been linked to a return to the Rec.

Van Graan made his remarks after confirming that Josh Bayliss, Ted Hill, Ethan Staddon, and South African openside Chris Cleote appear to be sidelined for a while. “He [Cloete] unfortunately picked up a hamstring injury on the last play of the game last weekend [against Leicester],” Van Graan said in his explanation. Although we don’t think it’s that awful yet, on Monday we will get more testing done.”

Exeter Chiefs sign former Jersey Reds backrower

Hallam Chapman, a former forward for the Jersey Reds, has signed a deal with the Exeter Chiefs until the end of the season following a successful trial period.

After being invited to practice with Chiefs after last season’s Championship winners Jersey Reds discontinued training early this season due to financial difficulties, Devon-born Chapman, 26, officially joined the team. Chapman had a trial time with London Irish before to heading to Jersey. Additionally, he played for his university team at Manchester Metropolitan University while playing concurrently in the league with the Sedgley Park Tigers and Fylde in National Two.In addition, he has represented England in the England Students 7s and England Counties U20s.

 

Former Bath winger makes URC move

Let Go Cardiff Rugby of the United Rugby Championship has signed a short-term contract with Bath Rugby’s Gabriel Hamer-Webb, a winger.

After playing for Southland Stags in the New Zealand Provincial Championship for the previous three months, the 22-year-old former England U20 wing joined the Blue and Blacks earlier this week. Before being let go in the summer, Hamer-Webb, who came through the Bath Rugby development system, participated in 32 games for the West Country club’s first squad.

Bristol Bears sign Scottish tighthead

Bristol Bears have revealed that they have signed a second tighthead prop with immediate effect.

The 33-year-old Scotsman Stevie Longwell has been added as injury cover for Bristol Rugby director of rugby Pat Lam, who signed his second Jersey Reds prop since the Championship club went into administration earlier this season. Jay Tyack injured his shoulder joint in the Gallagher Premiership season opener against Leicester Tigers, leaving the Bears lacking in the crucial position as the cornerstone of the pack.

Bath add South African full-back

The official announcement from Bath Rugby states that they have signed former Jersey Reds full-back Brendan Owen to a short-term contract effective immediately.

Arriving at the Rec a few days after former England international Piers Francis left the Premiership club to join Japanese side Kurita Water Gush Akishima Rugby Club, the 27-year-old South African, who started his career at the Blue Blues, was a free agent after the Reds ceased trading in September and went into administration. Australian teams Western Force, Perth Spirit, San Dona in Italy, and Boland Cavaliers in South Africa are among Owen’s former clubs.

Exeter Chiefs prop heads out on loan to Ospreys

With immediate effect, Exeter Chiefs have agreed to send loosehead prop James Kenny to the Ospreys of the Welsh United Rugby Championship [URC] on a season-long loan.

Kenny, 24, played for the Chiefs through the club’s academy system while attending Bicton and Exeter College. He has made 33 appearances for the Chiefs thus far. Most recently, he played for the Devon club in the Premiership Rugby Cup victory over London Scottish last month, after winning the same competition the previous year. However, with Wallaby Scott Sio, Georgian Nika Abuladza, and the fit-again former England international Alec Hepburn ahead of him in the competition for the loosehead spots at Exeter, Kenny’s chance to playsenior rugby this season were  highly limited.

England face France in the Six Nations on Saturday. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Leicester Tigers agree deal for Anthony Watson but Mike Brown looks set to depart Welford Road

Anthony Watson, an England international back, has rejoined Leicester Tigers and will make his return in December.

The 29-year-old, who joined from Bath Rugby, where he played for the Gallagher Premiership team for ten years and scored six tries in sixteen games, was a member of the Tigers for the 2022–2023 season.

After being chosen for the 2017 and 2021 tours, Watson played five Test matches for the British & Irish Lions after making his senior Test debut for England in 2014. He has made 55 appearances for his nation overall.

Mike Brown, an experienced full-back whose contract at Welford Road allegedly expires in December, is expected to leave the team following Watson’s return.

 

Gloucester Rugby sign former Newcastle stalwart

George Skivington, the rugby director for Gloucester, acted swiftly to secure the services of seasoned scrum-half Micky Young on a temporary basis in order to cover for injuries in the pivotal position for playmaking.

Young, 34, has played in the Premiership for several teams, including Bath, Leicester Tigers, and Newcastle Falcons. Because of his expertise, Skivington has decided to add the scrum-half to his team right away. He fills in for Caolan Englefield, who is presently out due to a shoulder injury sustained during the Premiership Cup victory over Harlequins in September.

 

England international forward signs new deal at Saracens

The Saracens have revealed that Nick Isiekwe has inked a new, long-term contract, despite Bath Rugby and possibly Bristol Bears expressing interest.

The 25-year-old Isiekwe, who can play in the second or back row, has an incredible backstory. He is thought to be the first professional athlete to recover from open heart surgery in time to win the Gallagher Premiership in spectacular fashion the previous season.

At the age of eighteen, he made his Saracens debut. Since then, he has made 133 appearances for the club and earned 11 caps for England, his first coming when he was just 19 years old.

He has contributed significantly to three Premiership titles and one European Champions throughout that period Cup trophy, and he will be eyeing up more silverware in the years to come.

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