BREAKING: England and Saracens lock ruled out 'for months'
Rugby NewsThursday, 01 September 2022 at 18:33
England and Saracens lock Nick Isiekwe will be out for a number of months due to injury.
The 24-year-old's club said it had been "recommended to carry out a procedure" after discussion with a consultant.
Saracens added that they will update further on Isiekwe’s return during his rehabilitation.
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5 England stars who could move clubs as their contracts expire in 2023
While much of the buzz around potential free transfers this summer is based on players whose contracts already expired in 2022, many of England's biggest stars in the world will see their current deals run out next year.
Now that we are in August 2022, Premiership sides are starting to get into some uncertain territory with regards to some star players.
RUCK has compiled a list of the best free agents available in 2023. Clubs will be able to negotiate with these players freely from January 2023.
#1. Freddie Steward
Shock reports suggest that England fullback could quit the Premiership champions Leicester Tigers next summer.
The 21-year-old could take advantage of a break clause in his contract to leave Welford Road, according to The Rugby Paper.
Their article suggests the 'full-back who joined the Tigers from Norwich School could follow his fellow Red Rose stars George Ford and Ellis Genge out of the Welford Road exit door.'
Steward reportedly has a similar get out clause and is considering his future after contract talks broke down.
As a result, Steward could now be available as early as next summer. With Stuart Hogg out of contract at Sandy Park in 2023, Exeter Chiefs is one possible suitor that has been mentioned.
DID YOU KNOW? He cites Matt Hampson as his idol and is also quick to hail the influence of his parents Ben and Jane for their support
#2. Tom Curry
Toulon have had a bid to sign Sale Sharks flanker at the end of his contract turned down, RUCK understands.
The 24-year-old has attracted plenty of interest from France and previously Sale’s Premiership rival Leicester Tigers.
Leicester boss Borthwick admires Curry, having spent time with him with England, while Toulon’s Franck Azéma wants the flaker to replace Argentina international Facundo Isa, who is expected to leave next summer.
However, both sides have put in offers of around £500k per season, whereas Sale are expected to make Curry their highest paid player on £550k.
Another club that could enter the mix is Racing 92 if Stuart Lancaster takes over.
In other news, Bordeaux have moved to take Sale’s Dan du Preez to the Top 14 next season despite him having a year left to run on his deal with the Premiership outfit.
#3. Manu Tuilagi
The powerhouse Sale centre has once again been linked with three Top 14 giants with the centre out of contract in 2023.
Tuilagi, who is set to leave the North West next June when his contract expires, is very keen on a move to Racing 92 following one last crack at the Rugby World Cup with England.
Manu Tuilagi of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Australia at Twickenham on 13 November 2021. Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK
The Parisians were willing to pay Tuilagi around £830,000 per year back in 2019, which is more than twice what Sale are currently shelling out for him.
Tuilagi, who actually had a tour of their training ground when the previous offer was on the table, was only stopped from joining after crisis talks with England boss Eddie Jones.
There is also considerable interest from clubs in Japan and the USA, who would see Tuilagi as a marquee signing.
DID YOU KNOW? He was named Manusamoa, after the name of the Samoan national team, Manu Samoa, because his brother Freddie was selected for Samoa at the World Cup in 1991, the year Manu was born
#4. Kyle Sinckler
The powerhouse prop has enjoyed a couple of years with Bristol, but could leave the club next summer as the Bears struggle to keep themselves under the salary cap.
RUCK sources understand that Saracens want the powerhouse as a long-term replacement for Vicent Koch, who departed the men in black this summer to join Wasps.
Final whistle celebrations for Ellis Genge of England Rugby, \Kyle Sinckler of England Rugby and Joe Marler of England Rugby after the Six Nations Championship match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 26th 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
The 29-year-old has been sidelined since Bristol were knocked out of the Champions Cup by Sale Sharks during the tournament’s round-of-16 stage back in May.
Sinckler, who has played in more than 50 internationals for England and made six Test appearances for the British & Irish Lions on their tours to New Zealand and South Africa in 2017 and 2021.
He has been one of the star performers for his country since his debut against the Springboks at Twickenham on 2016.
DID YOU KNOW? He has a dog called Brody
#5. Maro Itoje
Japan's Top League is hoping to lure England star Maro Itoje as it pursues its soaring ambition of becoming the world's leading rugby competition, its chairman told AFP.
The well-heeled league has swelled its ranks of foreign players since the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, with New Zealand's two-time World Player of the Year Beauden Barrett chief among them.
Final whistle celebrations for Maro Itoje of England Rugby after the Six Nations Championship match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 26th 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
Finn Russell has also been recently linked with a move to Japan, but it seems itoje has priced himself out of a move.
The England lock, who was linked with a move to the Top 14 when Saracens were relegated, would demand a huge salary plus bonuses, according to Racing 92 owner Jacky Lorenzetti.
Asked if Itoje wanted too much money, Lorezetti told rugbyrama.fr : "Yes, it was unpayable.
“You know, we weren’t the only ones at the time: Bordeaux, Lyon, Montpellier were all called upon. We were talking about a salary of over £1m plus bonuses.
“That represented 10 per cent of our payroll. We made the choice not to go any further. I think he doesn't want to move, so they come out with ridiculous demands.”
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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