Rugby rumours and transfers: John Plumtree, Mateo Carreras, Champions Cup qualification and much more

Jared Wright
Planet Rugby recaps some of the biggest rugby transfer news and rumours, including John Plumtree, Champions Cup qualification and much more.

Planet Rugby recaps some of the biggest transfer news, rumours and movements in the world of rugby union over the past week.

Isi Naisarani, Carlo Tizzano, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

Force sign Wallabies loose forward: Isi Naisarani has returned to Australia, signing with the Western Force for the remainder of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season. He rejoins the side from Shizuoka Blue Revs in Japan and looks to add to his 61 Super Rugby caps. He played 11 times for the Wallabies in a breakout year in 2019 after starring for the Brumbies.

Tizzano returns to Australia: Also joining the Western Force is former Waratahs flanker Carlo Tizzano. He has signed a two-year deal with the Force, returning to his home state after four years, playing for the NSW Waratahs (three years) and Ealing in the RFU Championship (one year).

RTS returns to league: All Blacks and Blues inside centre Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s stint in rugby union will come to an end at the completion of this year. He has signed a deal to rejoin NRL club the New Zealand Warriors in 2024. 

Ioan Lloyd, Alex Jeffries, Scarlets departees

Scarlets sign Wales international: 22-year-old back Ioan Lloyd will return to Wales next season after signing a deal with the Scarlets. He has spent the last four years with Bristol Bears and was part of the Cardiff Blues pathway. He became Bristol’s youngest-ever player in the English Premiership when, at 18, he made a try-scoring appearance as a replacement in the West Country derby against Bath. His signing came hot off the back of Joe Roberts, Ioan Nicholas and Eddie James’ contract extensions.

Jeffries retires: Prop Alex Jeffries has been forced to retire from rugby at the age of 27 because of injury, Scarlets confirmed. Jeffries suffered a neck issue playing for Llanelli RFC earlier this season and, following medical advice, is to hang up his playing boots.

Scarlets departees: The Scarlets confirmed the 15 players that leave the side at the end of the season. They are: Leigh Halfpenny, Rhys Patchell, Lewis Rawlins, Tom Price, Phil Price, Taylor Davies, Daf Hughes, Corey Baldwin, WillGriff John and Iestyn Rees.

Aki Seiuli, Dragons departees

Seiuli stays at Dragons: Samoa international Aki Seiuli agreed to a new contract to remain at Dragons RFC, the club confirmed. The prop has played 38 times for the Men of Gwent over the last two seasons. He is the 15th player to agree new terms ahead of next season and joins the likes of senior stars Ashton Hewitt, Jack Dixon, Ollie Griffiths, Elliot Dee, Joe Davies, Lloyd Fairbrother, Harri Keddie, Jared Rosser and Steff Hughes. 

Dragons departees confirmed: The Dragons confirmed that Huw Taylor, Rob Evans, Ben Fry, Lennon Greggain, Ioan Davies, Will Rowlands, Ben Moa, Cory Allen and Sam Davies would all leave the side at the end of the season. Reports in France state that Sam Davies will join Grenoble ahead of the new season. 

Champions Cup, Kit clashes, John Plumtree

URC to change Champions Cup qualification: The United Rugby Championship is set to overhaul the Champions Cup qualification process ahead of next season. According to The Rugby Paper, stakeholders will discuss the proposed move from the current process. Instead of the Shield winners claiming a spot in the Champions Cup, the top eight teams on the overall log will secure Champions Cup qualification for the 2024/25 season. This comes after the Sharks finished in eighth and will miss out on the Champions Cup if they do not win the URC. Meanwhile, Cardiff claimed a place in the Champions Cup after winning the Welsh Shield but finished 10th overall on the log.

World Rugby’s new kit clash policy ruling: In a move to aid supporters with colour blindness, World Rugby has adopted a policy that will mean that Test teams have to wear either ‘light’ or ‘dark’ kits from 2025. SA Rugby chief Rian Oberholzer disclosed the union’s ‘serious reservations about the potential impacts the application’ would have to the Daily Maverick. 

Plumtree close to rejoining Sharks: Former All Blacks assistant coach John Plumtree is in talks with several clubs as he plots his return to coaching after leaving the New Zealand set-up last year. A return to the Sharks is on the cards to take over as the side’s head coach, currently filled by director of rugby Neil Powell on an interim basis. The 57-year-old played 80 games for the Natal Sharks between 1988 and 1994. He served as an assistant coach from 2007 before taking over as head coach until 2012. Having been spotted at the Sharks’ games recently, Rapport states that terms have been agreed upon between both parties, but a final contract has not been signed.

Franck Azema, Juan Cruz Mallia, Santiago Chocobares, Luke Cowan-Dickie

Azema leaves Toulon: Franck Azema has been granted an early release from his contract at Toulon. The 52-year-old will head up Perpignan next season after being granted an early release from his contract to be closer to his family.

Mallia and Chocobares closes in on Toulouse extension: The utility back’s contract expires at the end of the season. However, according to Midi Olympique, a new deal is close to being agreed upon. The Argentine’s versatility has been key to Toulouse as he has played at full-back, wing and fly-half for the side this season. According to L’Equipe, Mallia’s fellow countryman Santiago Chocobares has agreed on a two-year extension with Toulouse.

Cowan-Dickie misses Montpellier medical: According to RMC Sport, Montpellier will cancel Luke Cowan-Dickie’s contract after he missed his medical following a heavy night out drinking. His move was in jeopardy due to a neck injury that could make it impossible for him to join the club. But it looks as if the club have given up on the England hooker.

Nick Smith, Ospreys

Smith to stay: According to the latest The Rugby Paper report, Nicky Smith all sign an extension with Ospreys despite several Premiership clubs offering the opportunity to switch. He has reportedly signed a two-year extension with the Welsh side.

Two re-signings: Meanwhile, Ospreys have announced that Keiran Williams and Morgan Morris have signed new deals with the Welsh region. 

Sam Jeffries, Tom Collins, Jordy Reid

Bristol forward departs: Sam Jeffries will depart Bristol Bears after the 2022/23 season to take up an opportunity overseas, the club confirmed. The 30-year-old back-row forward, who has made 59 appearances for Bristol, leaves after seven seasons at Ashton Gate.

Collins to leave Saints: Northampton Saints wing Tom Collins will leave the Premiership club at the end of the 2022/23 season. The 28-year-old debuted for the side in 2013 and has made over 140 appearances so far, scoring more than 40 tries along the way. The Rugby Paper reports that London Irish are poised to sign the winger.

Reid leaves Kingsholm: Jordy Reid will bring an end to his three-year stay at Gloucester Rugby at the conclusion of the 2022-23 season. He played over 50 times for the Cherry and Whites.

Stuart McInally, Nathan Sweeney, Jamie Dobie

McInally retires: Edinburgh Rugby centurion and Scotland hooker Stuart McInally announced that he would hang up his boots when his contract finishes this November to pursue a career as a commercial airline pilot. The 47 Test cap hooker brings an end to an illustrious playing career later this year to earn his wings in professional aviation, with McInally already holding a Private Pilot’s License. 

Back signs first pro contract: Edinburgh also confirmed that versatile back Nathan Sweeney has signed his first professional contract with the side. He has signed a one-year deal with his boyhood club. 

Dobie extends: Jamie Dobie has put pen to paper on a new deal with Glasgow Warriors after the scrum-half agreed to extend his contract with Franco Smith’s squad. The 21-year-old follows in the footsteps of fellow Scotland internationals, including George Horne, Sione Tuipulotu and Jack Dempsey, in committing his future to the Scotstoun outfit. 

Retirements

Exeter legends retire: Exeter Chiefs legends Ben Moon and Ian Whitten announced their retirements at the end of the season. The Devon club’s stalwarts have spent over a decade at the side.

Navidi forced to retire: Cardiff and Wales flanker Josh Navidi confirmed that he has retired immediately after failing to recover from a serious neck injury. He sustained the injury during the three-Test Series against South Africa last July.

McGuigan moves to coaching box: 34-year-old winger Byron McGuigan will join Sale Sharks’ coaching team next season. The Scottish international is eligible to represent his country of birth, Namibia, at the World Cup and could so in his final act as a professional player. 

Thrush retires again: Former All Blacks’ lock Jeremy Thrush has retired again after answering an SOS for the Western Force earlier this season. A heel injury will sideline him for the remainder of Super Rugby, so he has made the decision to call it quits again at 38.

Shingler bids Scarlets farewell: Wales and Scarlets forward Aaron Shingler also brings his illustrious to an end after 15 years at the side. He has played over 200 matches since his debut in 2009 and earned 27 caps for his country.

Craig Gilroy, Walter Fifita, Kemsley Mathias, Sam Wainwright

Ulster legend departs: After 13 years at Ulster, Craig Gilroy will embark on a new venture departing his home province at the end of the season. He is the side’s top try-scorer in their history and has played over 200 times for the team.

Glasgow releases Fifita: Glasgow Warriors have released winger Walter Fifita from his contract by mutual consent. The club confirmed that the decision is based on performance, a lack of game time, and an ongoing personal legal matter.

Duo re-sign with Scarlets: Props Kemsley Mathias and Sam Wainwright both committed to the Scarlets this week. Mathias had a breakthrough campaign this season and has now made 29 appearances for the side. Meanwhile, Wainwright joined from Saracens in December and has made a big impact playing 11 matches since his debut against the Dragons on New Year’s Day.

Harlequins

Chisholm hangs up his boots: Harlequins stalwart Ross Chisholm has announced he will retire from professional rugby at the end of the 2022/23 Premiership season. The 32-year-old, who has amassed 128 Harlequins appearances, will hang up his boots after a glittering 14-year career in the Famous Quarters.

Harlequins’ leavers: The club also announced that four players would depart the side at the end of the season. Back-row Viliami Taulani, scrum-half Jack Stafford, wing Conor Oresanya and prop Rhys Litterick all end their time at the Premiership team.

Matthews departs: Experienced lock Charlie Matthews departs Quins after playing eight times in his second stint at the side. He took his club tally to 172 matches.

Niko Jones, Alan Dickens, Mateo Carerras

Jones heads to the US: Niko Jones, son of legendary All Black Sir Michael Jones, has signed with Old Glory DC for the rest of the Major League Rugby season. 

Tigers to sign England U20 coach: Leicester Tigers are set to add England U20 coach Alan Dickens to their coaching ranks next season according to a report by City A.M.

Newcastle flyer to land in France? The Rugby Paper reports that Newcastle Falcons winger Mateo Carreras is on the radar for several Top 14 clubs despite his current contract running until 2024.

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Argentina Mateo Carreras