New surprise favourite to sign Christian Wade as rugby return nears

Despite interest from Leicester Tigers and Wasps, The Rugby Paper are reporting that Exeter Chiefs are now the favourites to land the speedster.

The 31-year-old spent seven years at Wasps,scoring 82 tries, before switching to American football to try and win an NFL contract with the Buffalo Bills.

As first reported by the Coventry Telegraph, former teammate and good friend Tom Varndell revealed earlier this month that Wade has had offers previously and could potentially be tempted into a return.

“Christian was in unbelievable form when he stepped away from rugby union,” said Varndell, who has become an agent since hanging up his boots.

“Obviously, there are rumours that are circulating. I am very close to Chris anyway, with everything that’s going on with the NFL at the moment and him being released by the Bills

“Watch this space, because you just never know, he might pop back up and I might end up being third place in a couple of years’ time.”

The tighthead prop will leave Exeter Chiefs after just a single season for a move to French Pro D2 side Grenoble, both clubs have confirmed. The 25-year-old joined the Chiefs ahead of the 2021/22 season from Bayonne where he played 24 games in the French Top 14.

Scotland international Skinner – who will join the Scottish capital club next season – has started nine of his 15 Tests to date since he burst onto the scene with a player of the match winning international debut against Fiji at Murrayfield in 2018.

Sale Sharks have announced that British and Irish Lions and England lock has signed a long-term contract to join the club ahead of the 2022/23 Premiership season. The 27-year-old, who stands at 6ft7ins, has established himself as one of the most dynamic second-rows in the league having made over a century of appearances for Exeter Chiefs.

O’Flaherty will join Alex Sanderson’s squad at the end of the season. The prolific 27-year-old has put pen to paper on a three-year deal.

The 28-year-old moved to Sandy Park in the summer of 2020 from Lyon and helped the Chiefs win the Premiership and Champions Cup that year. But he has fallen down the pecking order at the club and will now head to Italy.

After 193 appearances and 37 tries, Armand is now calling time on his nine-year stint at Sandy Park and will focus his attentions on family life and business matters away from the club.

Welsh-qualified Lonsdale – who can also operate in the back row – will move to Rodney Parade for the start of the 2022/23 season after a six-year spell with English giants Exeter Chiefs.