PREM Rugby signings XV: England, Wales and All Blacks aces lead star-studded side
George Furbank (left), Jac Morgan (centre) and Hoskins Sotutu (left) all feature in Planet Rugby's PREM signings XV
The 2026/27 PREM Rugby season is right around the corner, and teams across the top flight have been busy in the transfer market.
As teams look to mount a title charge, return to the play-offs or simply improve on a difficult 2025/26 season, all 10 clubs have added some big-name players to their rosters for the upcoming season, with several Test stars among them.
But with so many eye-catching pieces of business, which are the ones that stand out? Well, here’s our take on a combined XV of the players arriving at new PREM clubs this season.
N.B. Only players who will make their debut (or return) this season have been counted in the team. For example, Josh Hodge joined Newcastle Red Bulls early and debuted last year, so he misses out.
15 George Furbank
One of the biggest statement signings of the new season comes from Harlequins, with former Northampton Saints skipper George Furbank heading to the Stoop. There are some possible questions over Quins’ need for another full-back, considering they have Tyrone Green on their books already. Still, Furbank is a supremely talented player and will only be a positive addition to their squad.
This also feels like the right time for a player like Furbank to arrive in South West London. Quins are coming off the back of a pretty rotten 2025/26 season in which they finished ninth and are in the midst of a major rebuild under a new coaching staff, and Furbank’s experience and leadership skills will only help set out the stall moving forwards.
14 Joe Marchant
We’re cheating slightly here, given he spends the majority of his time in the midfield, but Joe Marchant takes our 14 shirt with Fehi Fineanganofo’s move to Newcastle Red Bulls still in the air.
The versatile outside back is one of several fresh additions at Sale Sharks this season, and it feels like a real quality one at that. Sale’s attack potentially needed a little sprinkling of X-factor, and Marchant’s pace and ability to create chances from nothing will certainly tick that box. His ability to shift between 13 and wing is also a huge plus, and gives Sale further options across the backline.
Marchant is coming back to England with his eyes firmly set on a Test recall after a stint out in France, which will only make him hungry to impress.
13 Alex Lozowski
Another Sale signing makes the backline in this team, with former Saracens ace Alex Lozowski getting the nod at 13.
As with Marchant, he should add a really nice, fresh dynamic to this Sale attack, particularly in the playmaking department, and his ability to shift across the backline again gives Alex Sanderson some further options.
He also brings strong experience to the fold, which will be crucial in helping Sale bounce back after a difficult season last time out.
12 Dallas McLeod
Sandy Park has often been a landing spot for Southern Hemisphere players, and Dallas McLeod is the latest to arrive in Devon.
The one-cap All Blacks has big boots to fill after replacing Len Ikitau, but his time in the Test set-up and at the Crusaders has given him a wealth of experience, and title-winning experience at that, which will prove invaluable to the Chiefs as they look to build on last season. He can also cover 12, 13 and wing, which is always a valuable asset to have.
Ex-England prop Robin Cowling passes away aged 82
11 Werner Kok
The first of several Newcastle players in this side comes in the form of Werner Kok, with the South African winger heading to the North East after his release from Ulster.
There’s just a lot to like about the way Kok plays the game, and that should suit the new-look Red Bulls down to the ground. He’s a real all-round threat ball-in-hand, with pace to burn on the outside while also not being afraid to take the ball into heavy traffic, and also has a strong scoring record to go with it.
10 Zack Henry
A very shrewd signing from Newcastle, this, with Zack Henry returning to the PREM for the first time since 2021. The 31-year-old brings some strong experience from his time in France, competing in both ProD2 and the Top 14, and, similarly to Kok, brings a fresh attacking edge to the side that could suit their upcoming rebuild.
9 Tomos Williams
The 2025 PREM Player of the Year will be a much-welcome addition to the Saracens squad, and could prove a real difference-maker as they seek a return to the play-offs.
Williams does potentially arrive in North London with a point to prove after an injury-hit season last time out; but as he proved at Kingsholm, he is arguably the best scrum-half in the league when fit and will only aid Saracens’ evolution towards a more attack-minded gameplan.
His arrival will also only benefit up-and-coming scrum-half Charlie Bracken, too, given his experience with both Wales and the British and Irish Lions.
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8 Hoskins Sotutu
The signing that properly kicked off Newcastle’s recruitment drive, serving as their first proper statement of intent in this new era.
Sotutu potentially comes to the PREM with a point to prove after his continued absence from the All Blacks squad over the past few years, but if he can show his Test credentials for Newcastle, he could be whisked into the England squad sooner rather than later. On top of that, he will only add further quality to the new-look Red Bulls, as they look to climb off the bottom of the table.
7 Jac Morgan
Arguably the signing of the season? Gloucester have a genuine world-class player heading to Kingsholm this season in the form of Jac Morgan, which is exactly the sort of tonic they needed after a difficult time last season.
The Welshman is very much the all-round package in the back-row, blending genuine threat at the breakdown with some terrific defence and an intent to carry the ball; and when you throw in his leadership qualities to that too, you have an outstanding signing.
6 Courtney Lawes
Making his return to the PREM for one final season, Courtney Lawes walks straight into this XV. The former Northampton Saint is continuing to age like a fine wine after a strong stint with Brive in ProD2, and will add serious quality to the Sale pack as a result.
His experience also goes without saying, too, after a decorated career with both Northampton and England, and he has his sights firmly set on a return to the Test fold ahead of the World Cup.
A brilliant bit of business from Sale, that could have ramifications for England as well.
5 George Martin
The second Saracens signing in this side, with George Martin making the move to North London from Leicester Tigers.
The lock forward made a really strong return to the field at the end of last season, impressing for both Leicester and England after a 14-month lay-off with a nerve issue; and if he can carry that form on for his new employers, they’re in for a treat. Martin is a proper enforcer on both sides of the ball, and will add some serious physicality to their pack as a result.
He also already has an existing relationship with Maro Itoje, too, which will only make his transition easier.
4 Jean Kleyn
Gloucester have really gone all-out in the transfer market this off-season, and World Cup-winning Springbok Jean Kleyn is another huge addition to their squad.
Not only will his experience be a huge aid as the Cherry and Whites look for an improved season, but his work in the lineout will only help continue to make that a key weapon in their arsenal.
3 Joel Sclavi
You felt Leicester could do with a touch more experience in the front-row, and that’s exactly what Joel Sclavi brings after making the move from La Rochelle. The 32-year-old tighthead has been a consistent presence in the Argentina squad for the past few years, with 33 Test caps to his name, and also featured prominently for Ronan O’Gara’s side on their way to back-to-back Investec Champions Cup titles as well.
He also has experience on both sides of the scrum, which will come in handy if needed.
2 Dewi Lake
Yet another Welshman making the short trip over the bridge to Gloucester now in the form of Dewi Lake, who is again a very strong signing for the Cherry and Whites.
Hooker has potentially been a struggle for Gloucester in the past year or so, but Lake’s powerful efforts in the tight, desire to carry the ball and set-piece work will see him go straight to the top of the depth chart and really make the position his own. That in turn could also help accelerate the development of Seb Blake, who is coming along nicely too.
Like compatriot Morgan, he is also a very strong leader and will likely set the tone for the rest of the pack this season as a result.
1 Nicky Smith
Joining Test teammate Lake in the front-row is Nicky Smith, who is swapping Leicester Tigers for Sale Sharks this season.
Smith has arguably been the best scrummaging loosehead in the PREM since his switch to Mattioli Woods Welford Road, featuring in Planet Rugby’s Team of the Season as a result, and if he can replicate that at Sale, he should help turn the tide for the North West outfit.