Club rugby is back and with it has come a fresh wave of rugby transfer rumours. This week, we look at the possibility of an Ireland international leaving Leinster, the latest twists and turns in Wales, player movements in South Africa and a Spanish surprise no one saw coming…
Club rugby is back and with it has come a fresh wave of rugby transfer rumours. This week, we look at the possibility of an Ireland international leaving Leinster, the latest twists and turns in Wales, player movements in South Africa and a Spanish surprise no one saw coming…
There was considerable noise from Ireland last month as Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Jamison Gibson-Park, Josh van der Flier, Dan Sheehan and coach Andy Farrell were all linked with moves away from the country. One by one, each of those have either signed a new deal with the IRFU or had their rumours categorically denied.
That is except for one: James Lowe. Lowe was not a part of the quartet of contract announcements made by the IRFU (Aki, Sheehan, van der Flier and Gibson-Park) leading some to speculate if he might really be leaving. It is understood that the other three’s CVs genuinely were shared around Europe last year, suggesting the rumours weren’t complete nonsense. However, the smart money is still on him staying in Ireland.
Rating: 3/10 - not nothing, but not something either
The Welsh rugby scene is no less chaotic than it was a few months ago but, after months of inactivity, the transfer rumour mill is finally starting up once again. The Dragons have already announced signings and Cardiff look set to bring home fly-half Jarrod Evans. However, it is out West that the more interesting stories are developing.
Ospreys and Scarlets are locked in a battle for survival. So far, the signs have appeared to indicate the Ospreys are the ones in most peril. Speaking on signings, Ospreys coach Mark Jones said there were ‘criteria’ around who they could bring in.
“If they’re players of Welsh national interest, we can recruit them with lengths of contract that the WRU are happy to support” said Jones. i.e. if the Ospreys were culled, the Union would guarantee the player’s spot at another region on the same wages. It is understood that this WRU safeguarding is how the Ospreys were able to retain fly-half Dan Edwards. Otherwise, the region cannot offer contracts beyond the end of next season.
One would have assumed that the Scarlets have exactly the same restrictions as the Ospreys. However, interim DoR Nigel Davies has recently made some bold remarks on recruitment, saying he has a clear budget available to expand the senior squad and will have good news to share with fans soon. Rumours amongst fans suggest a prop, lock and fly-half are all set to join the Llanelli based side - although several non-Wales qualified forwards such as Alec Hepburn and Max Douglas are expected to leave.
On Wednesday, Wales Online reported that Crusaders lock Tahlor Cahill is set to follow in the footsteps of Blair Murray and Taine Plumtree in leaving New Zealand to join the Scarlets and play for Wales. The Scarlets are also said to be chasing the signature of Ospreys utility back Jack Walsh, although logic dictates this will only happen if the WRU see Walsh as a long term target for qualifying on residency.
Rating: Cahill - 8/10, Walsh - 2/10. Scarlets look to be the happier of the two for now.
This one is out there. Rumours in Iberia are that ‘high level’ talks have been held for a potential ‘merger of resources’ between a Welsh URC set-up and a team from Spain. As we know, the WRU are looking to cut a Welsh region but are currently barred from doing so by their URC contract that requires them to supply four teams to the competition. So far, Georgian, USA and English replacements have all been blocked for one reason or another.
The Spanish link is very left field, but not totally far fetched. Spanish side Iberians won the Rugby Europe Super Cup with ease this season, Spain are safely qualified for the World Cup and are looking to launch a hosting bid of their own for 2031. A fully professional Spanish team in the URC could be seen as a natural stepping stone. A merger with a Welsh side may sound illogical, but it would suit the WRU’s agenda.
(please embed: https://youtu.be/jF60BHw8ox4?si=J1YzNIRQeQ3M3EgH)
Rating: 2/10 - A Welsh/Spanish team would be very strange, but the URC is strange at the best of times.
Down in Pretoria, the Bulls are making moves to plug the looming gaps in their squad. It is widely reported that they will replace Japan bound Kurt-Lee Arendse with Munster’s South African outside back Thaakir Abrahams.
The Bulls are also seeking a fly-half as back-up to Handre Pollard, who has started ever one of their last 9 games. Rumours earlier in the season were they were chasing Dragons 10 and former Bull Tinus De Beer, but it is now understood the Welsh side have shut down those discussion. Now, the Bulls look set to send an SOS to Curwin Bosch, currently at Brive in the French second division.
Rating: 8/10 - Everyone seems confident Bosch is coming back to South Africa
Legendary Springbok lock has not played for his URC side the stormers at all this season due to injury, but reports in French outlet Midi Olympique suggest he is being considered by TOP 14 side La Rochelle, who are seeking a replacement for Uini Atonio.
La Rochelle are a long way from their Champions Cup winning best (they are set to face Newcastle RedBulls in the Challenge Cup next week) and have been trying to spend their way out of trouble, having let their squad age profile tip the wrong side of 30 over the past couple of seasons.
Rating: 3/10 - Nothing from South Africa on this one, yet…