that Red Bull’s blockbuster takeover of Newcastle is nearing the finish line—with a July completion on the cards.
Leicester Tigers are officially out of the running to sign Owen Farrell, with
The Telegraph reporting they’ve wrapped up a deal for Wallabies playmaker James O’Connor.
Handre Pollard, who returns to the Vodacom Bulls after playing for the Tigers in Saturday’s English Premiership final against Bath at Twickenham, will be replaced by the 34-year-old, who has 64 Test caps.
O’Connor is still available for selection by the Wallabies and would join Leicester in August if selected for the Lions Test series.
That leaves just two clubs in the hunt for the former England captain—and things are heating up fast.
? SARACENS – HOMECOMING ON THE CARDS?
According to Neil Fissler, Saracens are back in the race and pushing hard to bring Farrell home to North London this summer.
Despite still having a year left on his deal with Racing 92, Farrell is keen to return to the Premiership. His time in France hasn’t gone to plan—injuries and patchy form have limited him to just 41 points across 17 matches.
Racing are ready to cut their losses but want to do it their way. The French giants are demanding €250,000 (£211,500)—half of what they originally forked out to buy him out of his Saracens deal last year.
Sarries, though, are only willing to go as high as €200,000 (£177,000) for the 112-cap international, who’s twice been named European Player of the Year and a three-time World Player of the Year nominee.
⚫ NEWCASTLE FALCONS – RED BULL REVOLUTION?
Don’t count out the Falcons just yet.
Sources have told RugbyPass
And if it goes through, Owen Farrell could be the face of their bold rugby reboot.
With deep pockets and serious ambition, Red Bull is eyeing a major entrance into the sport—and Kingston Park is in their sights. Bringing in a marquee name like Farrell would be the ultimate statement of intent.
? THE FINAL TWO
With Tigers bowing out and Racing looking to offload, it’s down to:
- Saracens – A return to his roots, if they can meet the asking price.
- Newcastle Falcons – A shock move backed by Red Bull’s billions.
Watch this space. Farrell’s next chapter could be just weeks away from being written.
Can you name all 28 clubs to ever appear in the Premiership?
London Welsh were the last new team to play in the Gallagher Premiership back in 2011 – can you name the others?
You have five minutes to name every club to have played in the Gallagher Premiership, all 28 of them, since the division was established back in 1987.
Good luck, and let us know how you do
