Saracens are preparing to say goodbye to their captain and former England leader Owen Farrell, who is scheduled to join Racing, under the management of Stuart Lancaster, for the upcoming season.
Joining the star-studded Racing squad in the Top14 will be fellow internationals Henry Arundell, Jack Nowell, Jack Willis, and David Ribbans. Additionally, Lewis Ludlam and Kyle Sinckler are also on the verge of making moves to France for the next season.
Saracens' director of rugby, Mark McCall, finds himself with financial resources to bolster his squad. Racing will reportedly pay around £500,000 to secure Farrell's release from the remaining year of his contract.
Additionally, Farrell's hefty salary of nearly £800,000 per year will be removed from Saracens' wage bill.
However, the challenge of replacing him at fly-half is anticipated to be a formidable task for the club.
#1. Jack Nowell, Jonny May & Joe Cokanasiga
The champions of London's Premiership are currently in initial talks with England wingers Jack Nowell, Jonny May, and Joe Cokanasiga regarding a potential transfer to the capital once the season concludes.
Despite joining La Rochelle last summer, Nowell hasn't found the try line in 11 appearances for the French side, potentially making him available for a move despite his existing two-year contract.
However, it remains uncertain whether any of these players will commit to the move.
Saracens are actively exploring options for their back three for the upcoming season, considering the departures of experienced Scotland and Lions tourist Sean Maitland, as well as Alex Lewington and Ben Harris from the club.
May well and truly announced himself on the international stage with an extraordinary maiden Test try against New Zealand in November 2014.
#3. Joe Marchant
Marchant is gearing up for a comeback on the international stage by securing a move to Premiership champions Saracens from French side Stade Francais.
The 27-year-old played a crucial role for Steve Borthwick's national team during last year's World Cup, contributing to their third-place finish.
Marchant featured in six starting games out of seven and made a substitute appearance in the remaining match.
Despite having committed to joining the Top 14 and Stade Francais before the tournament, an agreement was in place that would render him unavailable for Test selection during his tenure with the Parisian club.
As reported by the Mail Online, Marchant's stint in the French capital is expected to be a brief one, with Saracens, the Premiership titleholders, on the verge of bringing him back to his home country.
Stade Francais currently holds the second position in the Top 14, trailing behind Racing 92. However, the allure of resuming international rugby is believed to be a significant factor influencing Marchant's decision.
#4. Paulo Garbisi
Lauded as a fly-half with sharp intellect both on and off the field, Garbisi is recognized for his astute rugby skills and decision-making prowess.
Balancing his rugby pursuits with a commitment to law studies, the young talent has already achieved notable milestones in his professional rugby journey, signaling a bright future in the sport.
As a current member of Montpellier, the prospect of him stepping in for Farrell makes for an enticing and exciting possibility.
#5. Phil Brantingham
In the midst of a front-row injury saga, the London club has enlisted the expertise of former Falcons and Leicester Tigers prop Logovi’i Mulipola as a temporary solution.
Amidst the ongoing injury challenges and with an eye on the future, it has come to light that Mark McCall’s side has successfully secured the talents of promising prop Phil Brantingham from Newcastle,
as reported by Planet Rugby.
The 22-year-old has inked a deal with the London club, set to be in effect for the 2024/25 season. However, Saracens are keen on fast-tracking his integration into their squad, aiming to bolster their ranks sooner rather than later.
Quiz: Can you all of the Guinness Six Nations winning captains?
Our latest quiz invites you to identify those who have captained their nations to Guinness Six Nations glory. It's worth noting that in certain instances, there may be multiple captains from the same year due to factors such as injuries and rotation.
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