Bundee Aki Poised for Big Payday After Leaving Connacht, Premiership Club in Contention

According to—part of France’s highly-regarded —Toulon have made Aki their top priority in recruitment.

Known for his formidable strength and on-field leadership, Aki has captured the attention of Toulon’s recruiters, who have already reportedly spoken with him over a video call. Aki's experience and physicality would undoubtedly add punch to Toulon’s midfield, positioning them to become even more competitive in the Top 14.

The French report suggests Aki may be considering a 'new challenge' away from Ireland’s shores, sparking hopes in Toulon that he could be persuaded to make the switch. Known for attracting some of rugby’s biggest names, Toulon is no stranger to securing top-tier talent.

Not to be outdone, Bristol Bears are also reportedly keen to lure Aki. Bristol’s head coach Pat Lam, who coached Aki at Connacht, is a huge admirer of the Ireland star and may well be eager to reunite with him. With significant financial resources, the Bears could present a compelling alternative to Toulon.

Aki joined Connacht in 2014 after a strong two-year stint with the Chiefs in New Zealand, where he lifted the Super Rugby trophy. Since then, he’s been instrumental in Connacht’s success, helping them claim the PRO12 title in 2016. His performances earned him a debut for Ireland in 2017, and he has been a mainstay ever since, even joining the ranks of the British & Irish Lions in 2021.

These new regulations state that players can meet the transfer qualification criteria by abstaining from Test rugby for three years and being either born in the country they want to represent or have a parent or grandparent who was born there.

Although some players are more likely to do so than others, here we discuss five players who could potentially switch.

In an extensive interview with The Daily Telegraph, the youngest Tuilagi revealed that while “England is very special to me, of course, but my heart and home is still Samoa.”

"I'd love to pull on the blue jersey one day,"

Manu, who is named after the Samoan national side, is the odd one out of his rugby-playing brothers, as Anitelea, Alesana, Henry and Freddie all opted to play for Manu Samoa rather than any of the European nations they spent time living in throughout their professional careers.

Tuilagi could be available for Samoa in 2027, Rugby World Cup though time isn't on his side as he would be 35 by then.

Mercer's choice to return from France and commit to Gloucester last summer was a clear signal of his eagerness to rejuvenate his Test career with the English national rugby team.

However, the relationship between head coach Steve Borthwick and Mercer has been less than perfect the last 12 months

Mercer said: “I’ve been open with Steve, I’ve told him my opinions on it. I thought I haven’t really been given a crack which is what I feel like, to not even be given a game to try and prove myself is tough.

“I just don’t feel like he values what I can offer as a player and that’s me being honest, I don’t think he values what I can bring.

“Obviously I don’t fit into the system that he wants to run and, whether I agree with that or not, it is what it is.

“My focus now is on Gloucester and England can take a step aside for the moment.”

“Zach and I had a conversation last week. We’ve had a number of conversations over the last couple of weeks with Zach since he’s come back from injury.

“We’ve highlighted areas where players have done well and the areas where they bring a point of difference. It’s a competitive arena.

“And [we highlight] areas where we want them to develop them and add to their game. That’s the same conversation I had with Zach.

“When I’m talking to a player, I’m basing it in objectivity. I’m basing it on targets for them to go after, and then we can shape a shared understanding of what we’re seeing.

“Granted, sometimes as a coach you want something specific in

It's noteworthy that the versatile number eight holds the option to switch his allegiance to New Zealand.

This possibility arises due to his eligibility for the All Blacks, facilitated by his father's illustrious rugby league career that encompassed 21 Test appearances for the New Zealand team.

The Leicester Tigers winger, who was given his debut by Borthwick in 2023, has expressed his willingness to potentially represent Wales in 2026.

Despite earning two caps for England during last year's Six Nations, the 25-year-old hasn't been included in Steve Borthwick's squad since then. Notably, he was absent from England A's recent triumph over Portugal.

Ahead of this year's Six Nations, Gatland had mentioned Hassell-Collins several times, especially during the discussion surrounding another dual-qualified winger, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.

“I have seen Gatland’s interview,” Hassell-Collins told the Telegraph.

“I’ve got two caps for England, and obviously I’m English. But if I don’t see anything in the next few years then it’s definitely something that I would consider.

“I would qualify [for Wales] the year of the World Cup – that is, if he still wants me. Wales is still part of who I am.

"My grandma was Welsh and I still have family over there. It’s still a part of me – and I’d never turn it down – but for now it’s England for me.”

When asked if he'd be open to swapping nations, he told Rugby Pass: “Yes, 100 per cent,”

He added: “I’m just focusing purely on Black Rams and just playing as well as I can and letting the selectors do their job.

“The coaches and their staff are all in Europe at the moment and I’m not sure when they will be coming to Japan. We’ll wait until the day comes.

"If he picks me, we will make the decision then, but we have got two more games to go (at Black Rams) and we are trying to finish as high as we can up the table and go from there.”