The latest player movement and rumours
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We recap some of the top stories, rumours and recently confirmed moves.
Gatland on the shortlist for USA job
According to a report by the Daily Mail, there are persistent rumours that Warren Gatland is set to take charge of America's Eagles at the end of next year.
Planning ahead for Rugby World Cup 2031, USA are reportedly looking to set the platform with the recruitment of Warren Gatland with reports suggesting that Gary Gold will vacate the head coach role next year. Gold took over as the United States head coach in 2018 and took the side through to the Rugby World Cup in Japan in 2019.
All Black prop signs for Montpellier
Following their Champions Cup quarter-final exit, Montpellier have turned their attentions to strengthening their squad for next season.
According to Rugby Rama, Montpellier secured the signature of 26 test cap All Black prop Karl Tu'inukuafe from the Blues.
The news comes off the back of the Top 14 club announcing that Robert Rodgers will join Aurillac on loan next season.
Prop Malik Hamadache is also off to Agen next season with Georgian international Mikheil Nariashvili joining Bayonne. Tu'inukuafe adds depth for Montpellier with his ability to play on both sides of the scrum.
Likes of Guilhem Guirado (retirement), Fulgence Ouedraogo (retirement), Keilian Galletier (Perpignan), Benoit Paillaugue (Toulon) and Handre Pollard are set to leave the Club.
Felipe Contepomi to leave Leinster Rugby
Leinster Rugby have confirmed that Assistant Coach Felipe Contepomi will leave the province at the end of the season, to join Argentina as Assistant Coach to Michael Cheika.
Contepomi joined the Leinster Rugby coaching team ahead of the 2018/19 season and has been a key figure in the three PRO14 titles won in that time. Full story
Toulouse confirm Ange Capuozzo's arrival
Italy full-back Ange Capuozzo, who played a starring role in the Azzurri’s win over Wales on Super Saturday of the 2022 Guinness Six Nations, has joined Toulouse from Grenoble.
Lionel Beauxis plays his final match, coaching role now on the cards
Former France international Lionel Beauxis played his final professional match on Thursday evening in Beziers' 14-16 loss to Carcassonne.
The 36-year-old brought an end to a 20-year long career that started at Pau as a 16-year-old.
Beauxis played 61 minutes of Beziers' final match of the PRO D2 season with his final touch in professional rugby being a touchline conversion.
Lionel Beauxis' final touch as a professional rugby player 🎯 pic.twitter.com/v9NZVc3aYe
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) May 13, 2022
With his playing career no done, Beauxis has been linked with a coaching role at his former club Lyon.
He is set to work with the Club's kickers across all age groups including the senior side.
Cian Prendergast signs long-term Connacht contract until 2025
Connacht Rugby have announcde that Cian Prendergast has signed a long-term deal with the club until 2025. Prendergast had 12 months remaining on his initial deal, but like Mack Hansen has also agreed to extend his time at the club by at least an additional two years.
The flanker has been a revelation at Connacht since first joining the Academy in the summer of 2020. After just a few months in the West he came on for his Professional debut away to Edinburgh in October 2020 – his first of 10 appearances for Connacht last season.
Leicester Tigers announce re-signings and arrivals
Last week, Leicester Tigers confirmed a host of re-signings as well their new signings ahead of next season.
The Club confirmed that Anthony Watson, Jimmy Gopperth, James Cronin, Phil Cokanasiga, and Olly Cracknell would be joining their squad next season.
Leicester Tigers also announced that they had agreed new deals with five members of the club's senior squad. Chris Ashton, Sean Jansen, Kini Murimurivalu, Harry Simmons and Richard Wigglesworth will remain with the club beyond the current campaign.
Six Academy players also signed new deals with Joe Browning, Jacob Cusick, Sam Edwards, Emeka Ilione, Tom Manz and Archie Vanes all remaining at the club beyond the current campaign.
Schoeman re-signs with Edinburgh Rugby
Pierre Schoeman has re-signed with Edinburgh Rugby, the Club confirmed.
Schoeman, 28, puts pen-to-paper on an extension which sees the nine-times capped star commit his long-term future to the capital club in the build-up to the regular-season finale against Glasgow Warriors at BT Murrayfield (Saturday 21 May).
Edinburgh Rugby also confirmed its leavers for the 2021/22 season as seven senior players depart at the end of the current campaign.
James Johnstone (centre), Ramiro Moyano (wing), Nathan Chamberlain (stand-off) and Sam Grahamslaw (prop) all move on, joining Ben Toolis, Magnus Bradbury and George Taylor (retired), whose departures have already been confirmed earlier this season.
Mathieu Smaïli has signed a new deal with Toulon for the next three seasons.
In 2019, Mathieu Smaïli was won the French Espoirs competition and made his TOP 14 debut while earning a call up to the French u20s.
He was loaned to Stade Montois and has since become a regular in the squad.
Newcastle Falcons sign Spanish international lock
Doncaster Knights’ Spanish international lock Josh Peters is joining Newcastle Falcons on a two-year deal, the Club has confirmed.
The 26-year-old stands at 2.04m (6 foot 8), weighs 117kg (18 stone 5) and has been capped 10 times by Spain.
Andi Kyriacou Confirmed As Munster's Forwards Coach
Andi Kyriacou will join Graham Rowntree’s coaching team as Forwards Coach from the beginning of the 2022/23 season after signing a two-year deal with the province.
Kyriacou returned to work with Munster Rugby as an Elite Player Development Officer with the Greencore Munster Rugby Academy in April 2021.
Jed Holloway re-commits to NSW Waratahs
The NSW Waratahs have announced that lock Jed Holloway has re-committed to the side, keeping him in sky blue at least until the end of the 2023 season.
Hailing from the North Coast, Holloway played his junior football with the Yamba Buccaneers and came through the NSW development pathways playing for Southern Districts in the Shute Shield and the Rams in the NRC while also representing Australia at the Schoolboy and U/20s level.
Bulls secure star Springbok S’busiso Nkosi
The Bulls confirmed that they have made a key inclusion to their player resource with the signing of Springbok winger, S’busiso Nkosi.
The 2019 World Cup-winning star is set to join the side from Tshwane-based side from July 1, where he will be set to make a positive contribution to the team when they kick-off their second season in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship which will begin in the second half of the year.
Vincent Tshituka and Carlu Sadie sign with the Sharks
The Sharks have bolstered their front-row stocks by signing Lions prop Carlu Sadie on a two-year deal. Their back row has also been bolstered by the signing of Vincent Tshituka.
Trading land for sea, welcome Carlü Sadie 💪
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) May 11, 2022
He is a powerful scrummager and will join us on a 2 year contract. Welcome to our Sharks family Carlü 🖤#OurSharksForever pic.twitter.com/Sl6yGGrlZ0
The Sharks have also extended the services of locks Reniel Hugo and Emile van Heerden, along with fullback Anthony Volmink and prop Dian Bleuler.
Mack Hansen signs new long-term deal with Connacht Rugby
Connacht Rugby have announced that Irish international Mack Hansen has committed his long-term future to the club by signing a new contract until 2025.
Hansen had 12 months remaining on his existing contract but has now agreed to extend his time at the club by at least a further two years beyond his current deal.
The back three player has enjoyed a stunning first season at the club, scoring 6 tries in 14 matches since arriving from the Brumbies. Full story
Edoardo Padovani re-signs for Benetton
Benetton Rugby has announced the extension of Edoardo Padovani's contract until 30 June 2024.
Padovani is a versatile back that prefers to play at fly half but can play at full back and in the centres. Full story
Wasps looking to keep hold of Jack Willis
The Rugby Paper reports that Wasps are looking to secure the long-term services of Jack Willis.
According to the report, the highly-rated 25-year-old is garnering interest from multiple Premiership clubs and Wasps want to open contract talks.
Reffell set for Wales call up
The Rugby Paper suggests that Tommy Reffell will be among those named in the group Pivac announces on Tuesday for Wales’ test series against the Springboks.
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