The United Rugby Championship is preparing for another blockbuster season – but which clubs have made the biggest moves in the transfer market?
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The 2026/27 United Rugby Championship season is fast approaching, and clubs across Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Italy and South Africa have wasted little time reshaping their squads.
This summer has produced some enormous moves, with Springbok World Cup winners returning home, international stars switching provinces and experienced Test players arriving to strengthen ambitious sides.
Some signings could transform their new clubs immediately, while others represent calculated moves designed to unlock another level from players already proven at the highest level. But with so many impressive additions across the competition, which transfers stand above the rest?
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Several major signings narrowly missed out on our top 10.
Corey Domachowski gives Scarlets an established Wales international to strengthen their front row, while Jarrod Evans returns to Cardiff after rebuilding his career with Harlequins.
Alec Hepburn brings Premiership and international experience to Edinburgh, and Ere Enari arrives at the Dragons after being part of the Hurricanes’ Super Rugby Pacific title-winning squad.
Ulster have added Argentina international Eduardo Bello to their front row, while Dan John gives the Ospreys another Welsh-qualified option in the midfield as he looks to reignite his international ambitions.
10. KIERAN BROOKES – MUNSTER
Brookes’ huge experience across England, France and international rugby gives Munster a proven tighthead option. Kieran Brookes brings a wealth of experience to Munster after several seasons with Perpignan in France.
The former England international has built an impressive career across the Premiership and Top 14, and his arrival gives Munster valuable experience in a position where physicality and consistency are essential. Brookes has played at the highest level of club rugby and understands the demands of European competition. His leadership could prove particularly important as Munster’s pack enters a new era.
He will also provide competition alongside Jack Aungier and the rest of Graham Rowntree’s front-row options, giving Munster another experienced operator capable of handling the demands of a long URC and Champions Cup campaign.
DID YOU KNOW? Brookes won 16 England caps, with his final Test appearance coming against Wales in the 2016 Six Nations. He represented Newcastle, Leicester, Northampton and Wasps during his Premiership career.
9. JOEY CARBERY – LEINSTER
The back-to-back Champions Cup winner returns to Dublin with a point to prove at his former club. Leinster’s decision to bring Joey Carbery to Dublin is one of the summer’s most fascinating moves.
After leaving Munster to revive his career with Bordeaux-Bègles, Carbery returns as a back-to-back Champions Cup winner, having ironically helped deny Leinster European glory in the latest final. His experience, versatility and composure add even more quality to an already crowded fly-half department featuring Sam Prendergast and Harry Byrne.
Game time may not come easily as Carbery signs for his once Irish rivals, but he returns as a proven winner who understands exactly what is required to succeed at the highest level.
DID YOU KNOW? Carbery’s Ireland debut came against New Zealand in Chicago in 2016 — the same match in which Ireland recorded their first-ever victory over the All Blacks. He was born in New Zealand.
8. BOAN VENTER – LIONS
Venter’s move home could put him firmly back into the Springbok conversation after making his Lions debut against the All Blacks. Boan Venter arrives at the Lions after establishing himself as a highly regarded loosehead prop during his time with Edinburgh.
The South African already has international experience, having broken into the Springboks in 2025, and his return to the URC gives him an important opportunity to push his Test claims once again. South Africa’s depth at loosehead is enormous, but Venter has already shown Rassie Erasmus that he can compete at the highest level.
His Lions debut came in spectacular circumstances, with the prop introduced from the bench against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Tuesday. The Lions ultimately fell to a dramatic 41-35 defeat after surrendering an 18-point lead, but Venter gained valuable experience in a fixture against New Zealand. The move gives Venter a chance to become a major figure for his new franchise while strengthening his case for further Springbok involvement.
DID YOU KNOW? Venter spent six seasons with Edinburgh and made 96 appearances for the Scottish club before returning to South Africa with the Lions.
7. CIARÁN FRAWLEY – CONNACHT
Frawley finally has the opportunity to make the No.10 jersey his own after leaving Leinster. Connacht may have secured one of the smartest signings anywhere in the URC by bringing Ciarán Frawley west from Leinster.
Long regarded as one of Ireland’s most naturally gifted backs, Frawley often found himself covering multiple positions rather than consistently wearing the No.10 jersey up in Dublin. Connacht now offer him exactly what he needs: regular minutes at fly-half and the opportunity to demonstrate that he can become a genuine option for Ireland.
With Andy Farrell possessing considerable depth through Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley, this move gives Frawley the chance to prove he deserves to be part of Ireland’s plans heading towards Australia 2027. His versatility remains a major asset, but regular starts at fly-half could unlock another level from the 29-year-old.
DID YOU KNOW? Frawley produced one of Ireland’s great recent Test finishes in 2024, kicking two late drop goals against South Africa, including the match-winning kick on the final play to secure a 25-24 victory.
6. HANRO LIEBENBERG – BULLS
The former Bulls academy star returns to Pretoria as a proven Premiership leader. The return of Hanro Liebenberg feels like an important piece of business for the Bulls.
The experienced back-rower arrives home after establishing himself as a leader at Leicester Tigers, where he captained the club and became one of the Premiership’s most reliable forwards. A former Junior Springbok captain and highly rated prospect during his early career with the Bulls, Liebenberg brings breakdown expertise, defensive work-rate and valuable European experience back to Pretoria.
His arrival adds another proven option to a formidable Bulls pack as Jake White’s side continue their pursuit of URC and Champions Cup success. The South African has already experienced the pressure of leading a major club and could bring that same authority to a Bulls side packed with ambition.
DID YOU KNOW? When Leicester Tigers appointed Liebenberg captain in 2022, he became the club’s first South African captain and only the second non-English skipper in more than 50 years
