Gary Graham confirms Newcastle Falcons departure, confirms new club

The 30-year-old has made 95 appearances for the Falcons since joining from Jersey in 2017, scoring 17 tries.

Graham has signed a two-year deal with the French Second Division side, whose current squad includes former Falcon George Merrick.

Newcastle Falcons would like to thank Gary for his contribution during his six seasons with the club, and wish him all the best for his move in the summer.

Tigers are playing the long game with their bid to sign England flanker when his contract at Sale Sharks expires at the end of the season.

Holding a strong interest from 2021, Steve Borthwick was initially putting in the hard yards to try and make Curry move to Welford Road.

Curry became the youngest player to start an international for England in 90 years when he made his senior bow in Argentina on the 2017 summer tour.

Sharks remain adamant that their academy product is going nowhere and RUCK understands he is close to signing a contract extension at the AJ Bell Stadium.

However, Tigers will continue to wait in the wings in case his circumstances change with no contract extension yet signed.

Premiership clubs are prepared to resist any attempts to eliminate the regulation prohibiting Steve Borthwick from selecting overseas-based player.

According to the Mail Online, ‘clubs are hell-bent’ on retaining the rule despite sources indicating that the salary cap is now unlikely to revert back to £6.4million a year — from the current, reduced £5m — as was intended.

Luckily for Willis, who was struggling to find a club, Bristol bears have emerged as genuine suitors for the back-rower.

According to The Rugby Paper, Pat Lam's side will offer an an England lifeline with his international career likely over if he extended his time with Toulouse.

A try scorer on his debut against Georgia in November 2020, made an impact in his first three Test appearances spanning three months.

A powerful scavenger for possession, he learned the game at Reading Abbey RFC and joined the Wasps Senior Academy from Henley College, Berkshire for the 2015/16 season. 

Willis scored again for his country in England’s 2021 Six Nations tie against Italy at Twickenham, and featured in Eddie Jones’ squad for the 2022 Autumn Nations Series. 

Borthwick named Willis in his 36-player squad for the 2023 Guinness Six Nations.

Nowell is reportedly his nearing a move to he European champions once his contract with Exeter Chiefs concludes at the end of the season.

The Chiefs have acknowledged their inability to retain the services of the Cornishman at Sandy Park for the upcoming season and have come to terms with the fact that he will join the roster of significant players departing the club in the last two years. 

Rob Baxter recently held negotiations with Nowell in an attempt to reach an agreement, but were unsuccessful in their efforts.

According to The Rugby Paper, he will now move to La Rochelle, where he will work under Ireland legend Ronan O’Gara. 

Baxter has now admitted he is planning for life without the Lions wing.

‘I’ve got to plan that Jack Nowell won’t be here because that’s the current situation,’ said Rob Baxter.

“The agreement we’ve got is that if I find a replacement player who I like the look of, we are going to sign them. Jack is aware of that. He is currently looking in the market.

“If he comes back to me prior to us signing anybody, we can talk. If he comes back after we sign someone who has replaced him and the salary-cap room is not there, then it’s not there. It is a very open scenario."

The Saracens powerhouse is currently exploring his options in Japan as his contract with the Premiership leaders is set to expire this summer.

According to The Rugby Paper, the England number 8 could be joining England teammate Manu Tuilagi in Japan and has enlisted the help of former Red Rose head coach Eddie Jones.

Both could join Tokyo Sungoliath, where Jones continues to hold significant influence as a long-standing consultant.

The role caused significant controversy during his time as England boss.

This season, they boast significant names such as Wallabies star Samu Kerevi and former All Black Aaron Cruden

Tuilagi's exit from Sale took a huge forward step as Sharks confirmed the signing of inside-centre Sam Bedlow for next season

Alex Sanderson admitted only last week that an extension for Tuilagi was proving difficult to nail down.

Lawes has revealed he is unsure about his club future after confirming that he has an escape clause written into his Northampton Saints contract.

The 33-year-old versatile forward is due to be under contract at Franklin’s Gardens until 2024, but could now leave at the end of the season.

Reports in France have suggested Toulon, who signed Dan Biggar from Saints last November, would be at the front of the queue to sign the two-tour Lion.

Lawes said: ‘My contract is not necessarily up this year, there’s options there,’ he said. ‘At the end of the day, I’ve got to do what’s best for myself and my family.

‘I’d love to stay at Saints, at the same time you’ve got to find what’s best for yourself and your family, like Dan Biggar has done. 

‘That’s the most important thing, especially when you’re getting a bit older. I think I’ll probably get one more contract out of myself, then call it a day at the end of that.’