Eight England stars have confirmed moves overseas for next season, Borthwick is frustrated

Sunday, 05 May 2024 at 20:15

byRugby Rucker

Steve Borthwick will undoubtedly be frustrated to see another eight capped England internationals heading overseas this summer with more potentially following...

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#1. Owen Farrell to Racing 92

Racing 92 have confirmed the signing of the former England captain on a two-year contract.

The 32-year-old has won 112 caps for England and served as captain during the 2018 summer Test series in South Africa before being officially appointed as Dylan Hartley's successor for the following year's Six Nations.

Owen Farrell of England check out the pitch ahead of the Summer Nations Series Rugby match between Wales and England at Principality Stadium on August 5, 2023 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

He opted to step away from the international game in the wake of England's third-place finish at last year's Rugby World Cup, and his decision to move to France means Farrell will be ineligible to play for the national team due to RFU regulations which, at present, do not permit head coach Steve Borthwick to select players based abroad.

#2&3. Kyle Sinckler and Lewis Ludlam to Toulon

England internationals Sinckler and Ludlam will join Toulon on on three-year deals next season, the French club's president Bernard Lemaitre confirmed earlier this year.

Kyle Sinckler of Bristol Bears during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bristol Bears and Bath Rugby at Ashton Gate on 10 September. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

Bristol Bears tighthead prop Sinckler, 31, made the last of his 68 appearances for England at last year's Rugby World Cup, having been omitted from Steve Borthwick's 2024 Six Nations squad.

Northampton Saints back-row Ludlam, 28, also featured at the World Cup, claiming his 25th and final cap in the third-place play-off against Argentina. He too did not feature in the Six Nations.

Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 10 caps) during England Rugby training session at The Lensbury Hotel, Teddington, London on 28 Sept 2021. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

"They [Kyle Sinckler, Lewis Ludlam] are two good signings who will complete our forward pack for many years," Toulon president Bernard Lemaitre told AFP

"They respond to the profiles we're looking for in our recruitment, we're trying to have higher expectations on mentality, behaviour and lifestyle of players like their impressive compatriot Dave Ribbans."

#4. Courtney Lawes to Brive

The 35-year-old made his debut for Northampton back in 2007 and while he "leaves with a heavy heart" has decided to move for his "family's long-term future".

"I want to make it clear that I really would have liked to end my career as a one-club man, and Saints did absolutely everything they possibly could to make that happen - our conversations were all very positive," said Lawes.

"But, first and foremost, I have to make sure that my family and I are in the best position possible for my retirement, which will be in the next couple of years.

"This is likely to be the last contract I'll ever sign, and the offer I have received to play overseas will be transformational for my family, so there was no way I could turn it down and I took the decision to move away from Northampton.

"I'm so grateful for everything that Saints has given to me. I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to play so long for my hometown, and the supporters have been amazing through it all - in both the good times and the bad.

"I've been through it all with Saints and I just hope that my efforts on the pitch have reflected my appreciation for the Club. It's obviously incredibly sad for me to be leaving, but ultimately, I know I am leaving Saints in really good hands on and off the pitch with the players, coaches and staff we have.

Courtney Lawes of England continues his recovery from injury during the England Rugby Training camp at the Honda England Rugby Performance Centre, Pennyhill Park on 30 Jan. 2023 Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

"I know that they will continue to push on and I hope they can become the best side in England for an extended period of time. I'll always be a massive supporter of Northampton Saints.

"I've always given everything I have to the club, and that's only going to continue for these final few months in Black, Green and Gold. We've got a brilliant opportunity to go and do something amazing this season, and it would be fantastic to leave on the high note of winning a trophy, so I'll be giving it my all to achieve that."

#5. Nic Dolly to Western Force

The Western Force's spree in the transfer market remains in full swing, as they secure the services of the England international for the upcoming 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.

Hailing from Sydney, Dolly brings a wealth of experience from his seven-year stint in England, notably representing Premiership club Leicester Tigers.

This move opens the door for Dolly to be considered for selection by the Wallabies, should head coach Joe Schmidt decide to summon him for the Autumn Internationals later this year.

He becomes eligible this November with his only England cap coming three years ago against South Africa.

Christy Doran

@ChristypDoran

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Aussie-born England capped rake Nic Dolly signs with Force ... and he'll soon be eligible for the Wallabies theroar.com.au/2024/04/19/exc…

10:49 PM · Apr 18, 2024

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#6. Guy Porter to an Australian Super Rugby team

The centreis primed to sign for an Australian Super Rugby franchise.

Porter, who won his sixth England cap in the World Cup warm-up against Wales last summer, moved to Australia when he was seven and played for Sydney University while he studied law.

He also turned out for Sydney Stars and Sydney Rays and had a spell with the ACT Brumbies before moving to the Tigers, where he has seen his stock rise after making over 65 appearances.

Reports now suggest the outside-centre will join an Australian Super Rugby franchise rather than continue to ply his trade in the Gallagher Premiership.

Guy Porter of England during the England Rugby Training Sessions at The Lensbury Hotel, Teddington, London on 26 Jun 2023 (Photo: George Beck/PPAUK)

#7. Paul Hill to Edinburgh

The 29-year-old will make the move to the Scottish capital this summer, leaving Saints after nine seasons and close to 200 appearances at the Franklin Gardens club.

Hill – who has won six caps for England – brings further quality and experience to Edinburgh Rugby’s front-row group, joining Scotland internationalists Javan Sebastian and D’Arcy Rae, and recently re-signed Scottish-qualified tighthead, Angus Williams.

On moving to Edinburgh, Hill said: “This is a really exciting challenge and one that I can’t wait to get stuck into. From everything I’ve read and heard, Edinburgh is an amazing club and city, while it will be great to test myself in a new league in the URC.

“I’ve absolutely loved my time at Northampton Saints, and I can’t speak highly enough of the people connected to the club and fans who’ve backed me throughout my career so far. However, after nine seasons, the time was right to move on. My family and I are really excited about this move.

Paul Hill of Northampton Saints looks dejected during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Semi Final Match between Saracens and Northampton Saints at Stonex Stadium on 13 May 2023. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

#8. Manu Tuilagi to Bayonne

The powerhouse centre has sealed a two-year deal with Bayonne this summer. His final appearance for England came as a substitute against France during the 2024 Six Nations, and his move to the Top 14 side will render him ineligible for future England selections.

Tuilagi's England journey concludes with 60 caps since his debut in 2011, although injuries curtailed what could have been a more prolific international career.

Manu Tuilagi of Sale Sharks talks with Owen Farrell, Captain of Saracens after the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final Match between Saracens and Sale Sharks at Twickenham Stadium on 27 May 2023. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

After an 11-year stint at Leicester Tigers, he made the switch to Sale Sharks in 2020. While Sale initially entertained the idea of retaining him for another season, financial and salary cap constraints made it untenable.

Waisea Nayacalevu, the Fiji captain, was announced as Tuilagi's successor by the Sharks over the weekend.

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