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The number of transfer rumours emanating from France in the last 2 weeks justifies a Rumour Rater special all of their own! From National captains swapping the PREM for the TOP 14 to experienced England internationals heading the other way, some of these stories are suitably juicy!
News broke in France last week that Samoa captain and Saracens star forward Theo McFarland is a marquee signing target for Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle side in the French TOP 14.
O’Gara had already splashed the cash last year in signing France scrum-half Nolan Le Garrec and Georgian superstar fullback Davit Niniashvili, but so far it hasn’t stopped La Rochelle’s ageing squad from continuing to slip down the league table.
McFarland is one of the most talented and athletic forwards in the world having also played basketball at a young age. La Rochelle’s back row is stacked with talent so expect to see him used at lock if he signs.
Rating: 5/10 - Many of McFarland’s Samoa teammates play in France, perhaps they sold the dream to him?
Another name linked with joining La Rochelle is Toulouse centre Paul Costes. Costes is facing fierce competition at the European giants with the expected signing of Tommaso Menoncello and the emergence of Kalvin Gourges adding to an already stacked midfield talent pool.
Costes had previously been linked with joining Clermont - a team he has family ties with who are planning a squad overhaul of their own - but La Rochelle badly need a midfield refresh with the old combination of Jonathan Danny and UJ Seuteni looking well past their best.
Rating: 5/10 - Costes looks to be giving way at Toulouse but his destination is unknown.
More breaking news from France as it was reported in multiple outlets that Scotland and Glasgow fly-half Adam Hastings is set to join former teammate Stuart Hogg in the south of France playing for a resurgent Montpellier, who having escaped relegation a couple of seasons ago are now pushing hard for a play-off spot and a Challenge Cup title.
Montpellier have become known for high player turnover and, unfortunately, signing players with criminal convictions. As far as we know, however, Hastings is just an innocent man and news of his imminent arrival has been greeted with excitement by the club’s fans.
His departure will have mixed feelings for Glasgow; on the one hand, losing both Hasting and Tom Jordan in successive years will sting, but on the other he has struggle to assert himself as out and out first choice 10 at the URC club despite being the de facto back-up to Finn Russell for the national team.
Rating: 9/10 - looks a done deal, attention now turns to Glasgow’s search for a replacement.
Fly-half Louis Carbonel has been at the heart of a Stade Francais team that is vastly improved this season, but reports in France suggest he could soon be returning to his old club of Toulon. He played for the southern coast club from youth level right up until 2022, so. a return does make sense.
More interesting, however, is what this signing would say about the position of Toulon’s current fly-half Paolo Garbisi. Toulon have only just unveiled the signing of Argentina’s star number 10 Tomas Albornoz, who will expect to be first choice wherever he plays. Carbonel is another who will expect to fight for a first team place, whilst Matéo Garcia has been starting for the TOP 14 side in recent weeks.
Toulon are also known to be close to the limit for foreign players, putting them at risk of punishment under the French JIFF regulations. Could it be that Garbisi will therefore be making way? By the player’s own admission, his move to Toulon wasn’t his idea in the first place, having effectively been sent packing mid season by Montpellier a couple of years ago. Meanwhile, reports in Italy have previously linked him with a return to Benetton, although those have since been rubbished in France.
Rating: 3/10 - Carbonel feels like agent talk, but Garbisi’s position looks far from safe…
Further evidence of Toulon’s JIFF struggles is 32 year old English tighthead prop Kyle Sinckler, who has been a success since his move to France, reportedly heading back home to England. The Daily Mail say Exeter have made contact with the player who is interested in making the move.
England’s tighthead stocks are plentiful these days but the experienced and skilful Sinckler, who has now spent multiple seasons honing his craft against juggernaut packs in France, would surely be a welcome addition to Borthwick’s vastly improved England. An Exeter team that has loosened the purse strings in recent times would be a good home for him.
Rating: 6/10 - if he is available, many teams in England would be after him.