Aki going nowhere
Connacht head coach Andy Friend dismissed reports of Bundee Aki joining Munster as mere “paper talk.” “Bundee will definitely be staying with us,” Friend said, adding that the rumours are just “paper talk” as far as he knows.
Mike Brown impresses on trial
The former England fullback will sign for Leicester Tigers this week after initially joining on trial, according to RUCK sources.
Brown holds 72 England caps, but has been inactive in top-level play since leaving Newcastle at the end of last season.
When he was unable to obtain a Premiership contract for the current season, retirement was assumed.
However, despite being 37, Brown still wants to make a return.
Exeter sign Mike Williams
Exeter Chiefs have confirmed that Mike Williams has signed for the club from Bath. The Zimbabwean-born forward has agreed a move to Devon, and is a useful signing in the midst of the expected player exodus come the end of the season.
Williams made sporadic appearences for the Blue Bulls in South Africa, before moving to the Northern Hemisphere in 2013. He first arrived at Worcester Warriors, racking up 51 caps for the club, before a longer spell at Leicester. After winning 80 caps over four years at Welford Road, Williams moved on to Bath in 2019.
Sarries borrow Bath star
Saracens have announced the signing of back-rower Tom Ellis on a short-term loan deal.
Ellis made his professional rugby debut with Bath Rugby in 2014 and has made over 100 appearances for the Gallagher Premiership club.
Quins star Dino Lamb commits
The 6ft 5in, 119kg lock who can also cover backrow has made over 70 appearances for the senior side since making his debut in September 2017 against Northampton Saints.
The powerful forward was a part of the matchday squad that claimed a dramatic 40-38 victory in the highest-ever scoring Gallagher Premiership final in 2021 to clinch Harlequins’ second Premiership trophy.
A product of the Harlequins Academy, Lamb becomes the latest player to recommit to the squad ahead of the 2023/24 season, following scrum-half Danny Care and prop Simon Kerrod, in addition to new signings Joe Launchbury and Will Porter who will join the Club over the summer.