The Exciting Line Up Of Players Heading to Europe

When Rugby eventually returns a number of new names will be heading to Europe to ply their trade at a new club.

We take a look at some of the biggest names who will be making their first appearance in Europe or will be returning from the Southern Hemisphere and America.

1. Luke Tagi from the Fijian Drua to Toulon

Tagi narrowly missed out on a place in Fiji's Rugby World Cup and although he is a tighthead prop he fills in on the loosehead in our side.

The 22-year-old returns o France after a stint with Stade Francais.

2.  Joseph Dweba from the Cheetahs to Bordeaux

A powerful hooker on the cusp of a test call up for the Springboks, Dweba joins Bordeaux having had a taste of European rugby with the Cheetahs in the PRO14.

He will look to follow the path of Steven Kitshoff who also played for Bordeaux before making his debut.

3. Wilco Louw from the Stormers to Harlequins

A highly rated tighthead, Wilco Louw joins Harlequins as a replacement for Kyle Sinckler who is on his way to Bristol.

A handy scrummager, Louw has 13 test caps to his name and narrowly missed the Springbok squad.

4. Luke Jones from Melbourne Rebels to Racing 92

Jones returns to France having had a stint with Bordeaux before returning to Australia to try make the Wallabies Rugby World Cup squad.

He joins Kurtley Beale in signing for the Paris-based club.

5. RG Snyman from Honda Heat to Munster

One of Munster's two major signings for the new season, RG Snyman joins Munster after a stint in Japan.

The World Cup winner will certainly add some grunt to the Munster pack.

6. Cyle Brink from the Lions to Leicester Tigers

Brink, who has had his troubles with injuries, joins the Leicester Tigers from the Lions and is yet to make his debut for the club.

A flanker with a massive engine, Brink will be an excellent signing for the Tigers if he can remain fit. Brink almost made his break into the Springbok squad before injury struck. 

7. Tyler Ardron from the Chiefs to Castres

The Canadian captain returns to Europe signing for Castres as a replacement for Capó Ortega.

Ardron has been a standout for the Chiefs back in 2018 and brings plenty of utility to the side with the ability to play in the second and back row.

8. Mathieu Bastareaud from Rugby United New York to Lyon

After missing out on a place in the France Rugby World Cup squad, Mathieu Bastareaud returns to France after a stint in America.

He returns to Lyon having played most of his career at Toulon. Although he played a large majority of his career in the centres, Bastareaud played in the back row for Lyon before heading to New York and remained in that role during the MLR season.  

9. Santiago Arata from Peñarol to Castres

Uruguay's star man at the Rugby World Cup, Santiago Arata heads to Europe after the inaguaral Súper Liga Americana de Rugby was called off. 

The exciting scrumhalf links up with Castres who will look to force their way back into Europe's top flight.

10. Kurtley Beale from the Waratahs to Racing 92

The veteran Wallaby joins the already exciting Racing 92 backline and will link up with the likes of Finn Russell and Simon Zebo.

Beale is more likely to feature in the centres or at fullback but is more than capable at flyhalf. He returns to Europe having previously played for Wasps.

11.  Ben Lam from the Hurricanes to Bordeaux

Ben Lam broke the record for the most tries scored in a Super Rugby season in 2018 dotting down 16 times.

The former New Zealand sevens star will look to produce those kind of numbers as Semi Radradra's replacement at Bordeaux.

12. Andre Esterhuizen from the Sharks to Harlequins

Esterhuizen heads to the Harlequins in the form of his career. The powerful inside centre just missed out in a place in the Springbok World Cup squad and looked certain to claim a spot in the Springbok squad.

With the ability to offload, pass and crash the ball up Esterhuizen is a game changing signing for the side.

13. Damian de Allende from Panasonic Wild Knights to Munster

The World Cup winning centre shifts one position over to accommodate his fellow countryman and features in our team in the role he may play for Munster.

De Allende was a standout for the Springboks in the Rugby World Cup before enjoying a stint with Panasonic Wild Knights.  

14. Dillyn Leyds from the Stormers to La Rochelle

Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle have lost the services of recently capped international Vincent Rattez to Montpellier but La Rochelle moved swiftly to sign Stormers utility back Dillyn Leyds.

Leyds could potentially play fullback, wing and flyhalf for the side but is regularly deployed on the wing. He pips Bristol signing of Ratu Naulago who switches from league to union.

15. Kotaro Matsushima from Sungoliath to Clermont

Matsushima makes his big move to Europe after impressing at the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Deployed on the wing during the World Cup, he is traditionally a fullback but as seen at the World Cup he can do a fine job on the wing.

With Nick Abendanon leaving Clermont, Matsushima is likely to fill the void at fullback with Alivereti Raka and Damian Penaud on the wings.