Ins, outs and the latest rugby rumours
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We recap some of the top stories, rumours and recently confirmed.
Leone Nakarawa attracting interest in England
Leone Nakawara has been linked with a move to the Premiership.
Midi Olympique reports that the Fijian is a top priority for Bristol Bears, while The Rugby Paper report that Exeter is in talks to sign the Fijian as cover for Sam Skinner and Jonny Hill, who are set to leave the club for Edinburgh and Sale Sharks.
Quins in talks with Lions flanker
The Rugby Paper reports that Harlequins are interested in signing Lions flanker Vincent Tshituka.
Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tshituka has been a standout for the Johannesburg outfit and featured against the British and Irish Lions.
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail reports that Harlequins will announce a host of contract extensions for the likes of Danny Care, Alex Dombrandt and Luke Northmore.
Munster move to replace de Allende
Springbok centre Damian de Allende is set to leave Munster at the end of the season and the Irish Province has reportedly started the process to find a replacement.
De Allende is out of contract at the end of the season and has attracted strong interest from teams in England, France, and Japan.
The Rugby Paper reports that former All Blacks centre Malakai Fekitoa will leave Wasps at the end of the season in order to join Munster. Reports suggest that the IRFU will need to sign off on the deal with Fekitoa's international commitments being a potential stumbling block with Fekitoa now eligible to represent Tonga.
Six Players re-sign with Munster
Six players have renewed their commitment to Munster by signing new deals; Simon Zebo, Diarmuid Barron, Jack Daly, Ben Healy, Keynan Knox and Jeremy Loughman.
This comes after six players signed extensions last week with full details here.
Morris commits to Saracens
The centre, who will make his 50th appearance for the Men in Black in his next outing has had a fine season so far and has now put pen to paper to extend his stay.
Morris was linked with a move to Munster but will remain at the Premiership club.
The future of the Munster coaching ranks?
Murray Kinsella reports that Graham Rowntree is in contention to be promoted to the Munster head coach role.
Declan Kidney has also been linked with a return to the Province as Director of Rugby.
Mike Prendergast, Noel McNamara and former Georgia head coach Milton Haig have also been mentioned as possible candidates for roles in the coaching staff.
Vaea Fifita to join Scarlets?
The Daily Telegraph reports that the reduction in the Premiership salary cap from £6.4 million ($12.8 million) to £5m will see Vaea Fifita leave Wasps at the end of the season.
The Scarlets have reportedly swooped in to snap up his services of Fifita, who joined Wasps at the start of the 2021/22 season.
Alun Wyn Jones 'signs new deal'
The Mail claim the 36-year-old second-row veteran has agreed a one-year extension to his Ospreys contract as the Welsh captain targets Rugby World Cup 2023.
Eddie Jones requests four extra players in his Six Nations squad
George Ford could have a route back into the England squad with Eddie Jones putting in a request for a bigger squad for the upcoming 6 Nations.
According to Nik Simon at the Daily Mail, Eddie Jones has made a request for four additional squad members after England were rocked by several positive COVID tests during the Autumn Nations Series.
If the Premiership clubs sign off on the request, Jones may recall George Ford into the squad after George Furbank covered the flyhalf role after a late withdrawal by Owen Farrell against Tonga. The extended squad of 32 players would not only allow for an added flyhalf but additional front row cover too.
Saints in the market for a new DoR?
The Daily Mail also reports that Northampton Saints Director of Rugby Chris Boyd has decided not to take up the option of a contract extension.
The report adds that Boyd could be a long-distance consultant as he returns to New Zealand at the end of the season.
Tigers on the hunt for midfielders
Fijian star Levani Botia could leave La Rochelle at the end of the season with the 32-year-old reportedly in talks with Leicester Tigers.
Sud Ouest reports that he has multiple offers on the table, including an extension with La Rochelle, and is yet to make a call on his future.
The Rugby Paper has also linked Wasps stalwart Jimmy Gopperth with a move to Leicester while The Daily Mail reports that Scarlets' Steff Hughes is also on Steve Borthwick's shortlist.
Falcons could lose England stars
Adam Radwan, Callum Chick, Trevor Davidson and Jamie Blamire could all leave Newcastle at the end of the season according to the Rugby Paper.
Falcons are reportedly running on a 'shoestring budget' and have delayed paying the quartet their England fees which Newcastle were supposed to pass on from the RFU.
Moana Pasifika get a coaching staff boost
Moana Pasifika have recruited Southland Stags coach Dale MacLeod to look after their defence in Super Rugby Pacific, while former Blues and Chiefs prop Pauliasi Manu has been brought on board as scrum coach.
Trevor Nyakane to make his Racing 92 debut
Springbok prop Trevor Nyakane has arrived in Paris and could make his debut for his Racing 92 this weekend in the Champions Cup tie against Ospreys.
Joey Carbery in doubt for Six Nations
The out-half will not feature in their remaining games in the Champions Cup pool stages against Castres and Wasps, while he is in a race to be fit for the Six Nations after fracturing his elbow.
Rhys Patchell to join Bath?
Rhys Patchell has been linked with a move from Scarlets to Bath with Max Clark set to leave the Premiership club.
Toulouse to add to their backline options
Toulouse are in talks with livewire Grenoble outside back Ange Capuozzo.
The PROD2 star has caught the attention of multiple Top 14 clubs with Racing 92 courting his signature but he revealed to Le Sport Dauphinois that he has spoken to Toulouse head coach Ugo Mola.
Capuozzo would further strengthen the backline depth at Toulouse who have already signed the likes of Pierre-Louis Barassi (from Lyon), Arthur Retière (from La Rochelle) and Melvyn Jaminet (from Perpignan) ahead of next season.
Midi Olympique have also reported that Toulouse have decided not to recruit another scrumhalf and will back Baptiste Germain and Alexi Balès to cover for Antoine Dupont with Arthur Retière also covering the position.
Staying with Toulouse, Samoan international lock Joe Tekori is rumoured to have signed with PRO D2 side Carcassonne for the 2022/23 season, bringing an end to a nine-year stint with Toulouse.
Lopez on the move
Camille Lopez will leave Clermont after eight years and over 150 appearances for the Top 14 club at the end of the season.
The experienced flyhalf, who has played 28 tests for France, joins PROD2 club Bayonne ahead of the 2022/23 season.
Lopez has signed a two-year deal with his new side that hope to regain their Top 14 status this season.
Cardiff announce the signing of Wales back Liam Williams
Liam Williams will be a Cardiff Rugby player next season, the club has confirmed.
The Wales and British & Irish Lions full-back is the Blue and Blacks’ third signing in preparation for the 2022/23 season and follows in the footsteps of Thomas Young and Taulupe Faletau.
Williams replaces fellow Wales international Hallam Amos, who retires in the summer, and Cardiff director of rugby Dai Young is delighted to continue strengthening his squad with first class talent.
Los Pumas prop re-signs with Lyon
36-year-old prop Francisco Gómez Kodela has signed a new deal with Lyon for the 2022/23 season.
The Pumas prop has further extended his career which could see him feature for Argentina during the Rugby World Cup in France next year.
Creevy re-signs with the Exiles
London Irish have confirmed that Agustin Creevy has put pen to paper to extend his time with the Exiles.
Since arriving at the Club in August 2020, the hooker has made 38 appearances and scored 16 tries.
San Diego re-signs Argentine center Thomas Morani
San Diego have confirmed the re-signing of another US-eligible Argentine back, Thomas Morani, will stay on with the Legion for the 2022 Major League Rugby season.
Lee Blackett's cryptic response to rumours that Wasps will sign Anthony Watson
I have not spoken to Anthony Watson. If he was coming to the club he would have spoken to me...it doesn’t mean we won’t, does it?”
Pau duo commit futures to club
Jale Vatubua and Luke Whitelock have both penned new deals with Pau, keeping them at the club for another two years.
Taulupe Faletau is expected to finally make his rugby return before the Six Nations.
Bath director of rugby Stuart Hooper has revealed. "Taulupe is not too far away," he said. "It's an aggravation of the ankle injury he picked up the first time he trained with us after the Lions tour.
"It's just that which is keeping him away from training, but he's progressed in the last few weeks and hopefully we'll see him back out there sooner rather than later."
Jan Serfontein staying at Montpellier until 2024
The Springbok arrived in 2017 and recently signed a contract extension.
Serfontein has played over 80 games for the Top 14 side.
Richie Arnold extends stay at Toulouse
The towering Australian lock has penned a new deal which will keep him at the club until 2025.
Saracens sign USA International Alev Kelter for the remainder of the season.
The USA international brings a huge amount of experience with her to StoneX Stadium and will provide another dimension to the back-line as the Women in Black go in pursuit of the Allianz Premier 15s title.
A seasoned leader, who represented her country at the 2017 World Cup, is a hugely talented athlete, having also played Sevens in both the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games.
Her sporting abilities don’t end there though, she played for the USA Soccer Team at Under 20 Level, and also USA Hockey at Under 18s during the 2009 IIHF World Women’s Champion.
