Number eights in hot demand in France as Springboks, Ireland and England stars headline the shortlists
Several Top 14 clubs are in the market for a new number eight ahead of the 2024/25 season.
French Top 14 clubs are already starting their recruitment drives for next season and number eights are in high demand.
Bordeaux, Racing 92, Pau and Lyon are all in the market for a new back-row recruit ahead of the 2025/26 season and have already drawn up their shortlists.
We take a look through the reports and rumours as the men at the back of the scrum take centre stage on the transfer market.
South Africans top Bordeaux’s list
Bordeaux boss Yannick Bru is eager to find a replacement for Brave Blossoms powerhouse Tevita Tatafu, who is heading back to Japan at the end of the season.
The former Les Bleus hooker has eyed up two South Africans to fill the void, both of whom are currently plying their trade across the Channel in the Premiership. Midi Olympique reports that the hottest leads are with Sale Sharks star Dan du Preez and Northampton Saints’ powerhouse Juarno Augustus.
Du Preez has missed the start of the Premiership season through injury but has been a standout for Sale Sharks since his arrival in 2019. The 29-year-old has played six times for the Springboks, last earning a cap in August 2021.
Jean-Luc du Preez’s verdict on ‘unreal’ Springboks as Sale Sharks star still hopes to earn a recall
Meanwhile, Augustus has yet to represent the Boks despite impressive form with the Stormers before joining Northampton and shining for the Premiership club, particularly en route to their title success last term.
The French publication also lists England international and Bath star Alfie Barbeary as a potential target for Bordeaux but admits that a South African arrival is more likely.
‘It is my dream to play for the Springboks’ – Juarno Augustus eyes Rassie’s call despite ‘no chats’
Racing 92 spending the Siya Kolisi money
Racing 92 boss Stuart Lancaster said that the Top 14 club would not rush to sign a replacement for Siya Kolisi this season but looks to be targetting a number eight for 2025/26 to boost the back-row stocks.
Leinster and Ireland number eight Jack Conan is one of the players who has been linked to the Top 14 club but it is reported that the former wish to retain his services. With the British and Irish Lions series coming up and the lure of another World Cup push, Conan is a tough target but Midi Olympique reports that he has now become a luxurious plan B for the Parisian club.
This is because Racing 92 have turned their attention to Pau and Georgian back-rower Beka Gorgadze, whose contract expires at the end of the season. The report adds that Gorgadze is a JIFF status player, which is a bonus for the Parisian side.
Racing 92 show ‘genuine interest’ in Ireland star to fill Siya Kolisi’s void – report
Sam Simmonds move?
Sam Simmonds’ stint at Montpellier could come to an end this season after the club recruited Billy Vunipola from Saracens.
According to Rugby Pass, the British and Irish Lions number eight was eager to reunite with his brother Joe by joining Pau next season but Lyon have thrown a ‘spanner in the works’.
Sam Simmonds: ‘I never really felt I fitted in with England’
As mentioned above, Gorgadze could leave Pau at the end of the season and Simmonds was lined up as a potential replacement, but according to the report Lyon are keen to make an offer to the ex-England forward who is unlikely to take up the option of a third year at Montpellier.
Finally, flanker Jack Willis looks increasingly unlikely to return to England with reports in France stating that Toulouse have tabled an offer to retain his services for the next four seasons. Willis has the option to remain at Toulouse next season but they are keen to lock him in longer term.
