World Cup-winning Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx has reportedly opted out of his contract with theLions, according to Sport 24.
The 24-year-old, who only recently returned from a so-called sabbatical stint in Japan, will be returning to the country to run out for the Kubota Spears, who are coached by former two-time Super Rugby champion coach Frans Ludeke.
Marx was linked with Gloucester last summer, but due to the uncertainty over Johan Ackermann's future, which ended with the South African coach departing Kingsholm, talks never got to an advanced stage.
The hooker who stands at 1.89 metres and 114 kilograms is a man-mountain in terms of size and has pace to burn for a big unit. There is no weakness in his game and the only concern would be wear and tear on the body and injuries, which are part of parcel of the modern game.
Four others who have opted out of the Lions are Ruan Vermaak, Tyrone Green, Shaun Reynolds and Neil de Bruin.
Johan Ackermann exit | 4 contenders to replace the South African at Gloucester
Here are four possible replacements for the South African:
1. Stuart Lancaster
Following England’s Rugby World Cup failure in 2015, Lancaster has begun to re-establish himself as a top coach since joining Leinster.
There is no need for him to leave the Irish, where he is having a very enjoyable and successful stint, but increased responsibility at one of English rugby’s biggest clubs?
If Gloucester are willing to meet the compensation requirement to buy him out of his current contract, it must be a tempting proposition.
2. Richard Cockerill
The former Leicester head coach arrived at Edinburgh on a two-year deal in 2017 and signed a two-year extension before his first season was finished.
The former England international has made a major impact, leading Edinburgh to three European quarter-finals with this season’s campaign unfinished, and guiding them to top spot in Guinness PRO14 Conference B before the coronavirus pandemic forced a suspension of play.
This would be a fantastic appointment.
3. Dai Young
The Welshman is on the hunt for a new role after leaving Wasps earlier this season.
Captained Wales at rugby union and league and cut his teeth as a coach with Cardiff Blues, eventually guiding them to Anglo-Welsh Cup with a thrashing of Gloucester at Twickenham and European Challenge Cup glory by beating Jonny Wilkinson’s star-studded Toulon in Marseilles.
Quit the Blues the following year for Wasps and had done a decent job of turning them into a team challenging for top honours after overcoming a financial crisis by moving to Coventry.
4. Rob Howley
The 49-year-old is serving a ban for placing bets on more than 1,000 rugby matches over four years in breach of the game's regulations. However, he could come into contention when his suspension ends in June 2020.
As well as acting as Gatland's assistant with Wales, Howley took over the head coach role when the New Zealander was in charge of the British and Irish Lions in 2013 and 2017 - guiding Wales to the Six Nations title in 2013.
As a player he won 59 Wales caps and played in two Lions Tests.
