Gossip: All Blacks star set for shock Premiership switch

Colin Newboult
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AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 25: Brodie Retallick of the All Blacks looks on during The Rugby Championship game between the New Zealand All Blacks and the Australia Wallabies at Eden Park on August 25, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)

We bring you a round-up of the rumours doing the rounds in the game, including news of Brodie Retallick’s future after the World Cup.

The Rugby Paper are reporting that Sale Sharks have made an approach to bring in Brodie Retallick following the 2019 global tournament in Japan, with the two said to be in “advanced discussions.”

However, the second-row has moved to deny the rumour by posting on social media that it was untrue, while Sharks boss Steve Diamond has also dismissed it, albeit the director of rugby did the same before signing James O’Connor and Faf de Klerk.

With Sale now well backed financially, they have been looking to bring in a top-class lock, particularly after Dave Attwood, who was thought to be one of their targets, signed for Bristol.

It is all about the engine room this week with Lood de Jager another name to be linked with clubs in Europe. RugbyInsideLine put out this cryptic tweet while Midi Olympique have stated that Bordeaux-Begles are interested in the South African.

https://twitter.com/RugbyInsideLine/status/1092893445608402944

The French newspaper have also reported that New Zealand prop Owen Franks will be heading to Northampton Saints after the World Cup, joining his brother Ben in the Midlands.

Meanwhile, with all these top names being linked to English clubs, some have questioned how they are fitting under the salary cap. Harlequins were actually penalised on Tuesday for going over, while another team are also being investigated, according to this tweet.

Finally, World Rugby have approved a new type of game, according to the Times, which is called ‘Rugby X’ and will be an indoor contest, encouraging attacking play.

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