Transfer Round-Up: Sarries sign centre, Smith joins third club in three months
Transfer RumoursMonday, 11 October 2021 at 22:09
Our weekly round-up of rugby transfer rumours. All the latest speculation linking players with moves. Please remember these are internet rumours, gathered in one place for your convenience, not RUCK stories.
RUMOUR: Bristol Bears could be facing a fight to hang onto back row Nathan Hughes who has been offered to French clubs with his contract up at the end of the season. FULL STORY
SIGNED: Bath Rugby have announced experienced scrum-half Joe Simpson has joined the Blue, Black and Whites on an initial three-month loan from Gloucester. FULL STORY
STAYING: Hurricanes have confirmed that Pepesana Patafilo and Jackson Garden-Bachop have inked new contracts with the Super Rugby club for the 2022 season. FULL STORY
HOMECOMING: The Brumbies have signed injury-prone former Reds back Chris Feauai-Sautia, who returns from France, ahead of the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season. FULL STORY
ADDITION: Saracens have signed former London Irish, London Scottish and Wasps centre Ross Neal on a short-term contract. FULL STORY
TRANSFER: Scotland international Blair Cowan has completed his move to Tokyo after leaving London Irish.
LIST: 5 huge transfers that are reportedly going to happen
#1. Finn Russell to Green Rockets Tokatsu
Ambitious Japanese rugby outfit Green Rockets Tokatsu are reportedly preparing a big-money move for Scotland internationalist Finn Russell, according to reports.
Japanese rugby is going through a rebranding and will be known as Japan Rugby League One for the 2022 campaign.
Ex-Australia coach Michael Cheika has been appointed by the Green Rockets as their new director of rugby, who are based in the city of Abiko and coached by Ryota Asano, and The Rugby Paper reports that Russell’s signature is at the top of Cheika’s wishlist.
#2. Tadhg Furlong to Sale Sharks
Wantaway Leinster prop Furlong signed a one year extension to stay with the Irish province due to the ongoing pandemic back in June. It looks right now like the farming tighthead will head to Racing 92 or Toulon next summer, but you wouldn't be shocked if he rocked up in the Gallagher Premiership.
Sale Sharks were linked with a move for the tighthead-prop last summer, while Harlequins and Saracens have also been linked with powerhouse.
DID YOU KNOW? Furlong comes from a farming family in the parish of Horeswood in County Wexford
#3. George Kruis to Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers are hoping to bring former England and Lions second row Kruis back to the Premiership next season.
The 31-year-old has spent the last year playing in Japan for the Saitama Wild Knights following a trophy-laden 11 seasons with Saracens.
A member of the 2017 Lions squad that toured New Zealand, he has said he still has ambitions to add to his 45 England caps.
#4. Nathan Hughes to Top 14
Bristol Bears could be facing a fight to hang onto back row Nathan Hughes who has been offered to French clubs with his contract up at the end of the season.
The CV of Fiji-born Hughes, 30, has been doing the rounds of French clubs in the last few weeks as the standoff between Premiership clubs and agents rumbles on.
Top 14 sides have started their recruitment for next summer and have been looking to take advantage of the row on this side of the Channel over a decision to make players pay their own agent’s commission.
#5. Siya Kolisi to Saracens
The buy-out at Sarries involves rapper Jay-Z’s entertainment agency, Roc Nation, who also happen represent the South Africa captain.
Therefore, a move to North London for Kolisi, who has previously been linked with Wasps, all of sudden looks very possible. One of biggest names in the sport today, this would be a statement signing for the new ownership.
DID YOU KNOW? Kolisi is an ardent fan of English club Liverpool FC
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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