Rugby Rumours: Arscott staying at the AJ Bell? Mermoz to Newcastle, Strauss to Exeter
Transfer Rumours

Rugby Rumours: Arscott staying at the AJ Bell? Mermoz to Newcastle, Strauss to Exeter

22 January 2017
Rugby Rucker
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SA Rugby president Mark Alexander has thrown a spanner in the works by denying that Springbok coach Allister Coetzee staying is a foregone conclusion. (Sport 24)
Tom Arscott, who was sacked by Sale Sharks earlier this week, may be staying at the AJ Bell Stadium by making a cross-code switch to Salford City Reds. (Numerous)

Neil Fissler has heard whispers that the deal could be complete in the coming days.

Interestingly, Arscott is now being followed on Twitter by Reds owner Marwan Koukash.

Tawera Kerr-Barlow has been linked with a move to French club Toulon as owner Mourad Boudjellal desperately searches for a new scrum-half. (ESPN)
Wasps are close to signing Newcastle winger Marcus Watson (RUCK Sources)
Former Bath, London Irish and Newcastle Falcons chief Gary Gold is being linked with a move to Worcester Warriors.

The former South African national team assistant coach is to be brought into Sixways for the rest of the season, according to a national report.

Exeter Chiefs are leading the race to land Scotland’s imperious back-row Josh Strauss. (The Rugby Paper)

Strauss, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has been attracting plenty of interest from the Aviva Premiership.

Bristol and Newcastle Falcons remain very interested.

Gavin Henson will leave Bristol to join Newport Gwent Dragons (Wales Online)
MORE RUMOURS:
Glen Ella, who helped England on their tour of Australia, could be joining Northampton Saints as a skills coach (Numerous) 
Leigh Halfpenny is no closer to making a decision on his future and may delay his decision until after the Six Nations. (RUCK Sources)
Leicester have agreed a deal to sign France’s Maxime Mermoz on loan until the end of the season – when he will make a move to Newcastle Falcons. (The Rugby Paper)

The signing of Mermoz will be a massive coup for the Falcons, who have made huge strides under former Tiger Dean Richards this season.

READ MORE
Jake White has become the favourite to land the Director of Rugby role at Leicester Tigers (Numerous) 
Stormers centre Huw Jones is close to agreeing on a three-year contract with Glasgow Warriors (Numerous)

Scarlets skipper Ken Owens is close to signing a new contract after turning down an offer from Worcester (Wales online)