Rugby rumours and transfers: Aphelele Fassi, new Tigers’ boss, Pat Lam and Dane Coles

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

From the confirmed transfers to France to the rumours of who will be the new head coach of Leicester Tigers and everything in between, here is our full rundown.

Manie Libbok, Aphelele Fassi and Sti Sithole

Libbok to Racing: Rumours of Stormers fly-half Manie Libbok to join Racing 92 have resurfaced. SA Rugby Magazine report that the French outfit are willing to offer Warrick Gelant in exchange for the fly-half, despite the full-back only joining the club this season.

Fassi to Stormers: Springbok full-back Aphelele Fassi is reportedly in talks to join the Stormers from the Sharks next season. According to Sunday newspaper the Rapport, the Stormers are desperate to secure the three-Test cap full-back’s services. The side could lose Libbok to Racing 92, and Fassi would add options in the backline, with Damian Willemse able to fill in at fly-half.

Search for Kitshoff replacement: The Stormers are searching for a replacement for Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff who joins Ulster ahead of next season. According to SA Rugby Magazine, Lions prop Sti Sithole is seen as an ideal candidate.

Hislop to return to Edinburgh: Prop Robin Hislop will return to Edinburgh from Saracens this summer on a two-year deal. The 30-year-old joined Sarries following the financial demise of previous club, Wasps, but will return to the Scottish capital next season. 

France’s 2024 Six Nations, Sione Kalamafoni and David Ribbans

Stade de France renovations: The 2024 Six Nations matches in France will not be played in Paris next year, RMC Sport reports. Les Bleus generally play their games at the Stade de France in Paris, but according to the report, they will be moved to Marseille, Lyon and Lille or in Bordeaux. The change is because of the renovations that will be done to the Stade de France for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Kalamafoni to leave Scarlets: Sione Kalamafoni will leave the Scarlets at the end of the season to join a French club, the region has confirmed. The abrasive number eight has signed a two-year deal with Pro D2 side Vannes.

Ribbans off to France: Northampton Saints have confirmed that lock David Ribbans will depart the club at the end of the 2022/23 season. The England lock has played over 100 times for the Premiership side and is set to join a Top 14 team ahead of next season. According to L’Equipe, Ribbans has signed a three-year deal with Toulon.

Simpson rejoins Saracens: Scrum-half Gareth Simpson has signed a two-year deal to rejoin Saracens ahead of the 2023/24 season. The 25-year-old played 45 times for Worcester Warriors before joining Saracens on a short-term deal after the club entered administration. He is set to feature in Super Rugby for the Western Force this season before rejoining Saracens.

Alexandre Bécognée, Antoine Frisch and Reece Hodge

Battle for Bécognée: Montpellier back-rower Alexandre Bécognée has drawn the interest of Bordeaux, who are keen to find a replacement for the departure of Tom Willis ahead of next season, according to Midi Libre. The report adds that Montpellier aren’t keen on the back-rower departing and are looking to extend his contract.

French clubs track Frisch: Munster centre Antoine Frisch could return to France at the end of the season with Toulouse and Lyon interested in his services. While he is under contract with the Irish province, The Rugby Paper report that he is another player that Lyon are willing to buy out of his contract, with Toulouse willing to do the same. Born in France, Frisch is qualified to play for France and Ireland.

Wallaby off to France: Canal Sport report that Wallabies utility back Reece Hodge will join Top 14 outfit Bayonne after the Rugby World Cup. The extremely versatile 28-year-old is set to play his final season in Super Rugby with the Melbourne Rebels after signing a three-year deal with Bayonne. He enters the 2023 Test season with 62 caps for Australia.

Rassie Erasmus and Leicester Tigers

More Tigers join England: This week the RFU confirmed that Richard Wigglesworth and Aled Walters will join the England coaching set-up at the end of the season. Wigglesworth, who will be assistant coach, and Walters, who is named as head of strength and conditioning, join from Leicester Tigers and will begin work with Steve Borthwick and the wider coaching team ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Erasmus won’t join Tigers: Rassie Erasmus’ lawyer, Frikkie Erasmus, told Netwerk24 that the Springbok boss would not be taking on the Leicester Tigers role, with rumours linking the World Cup-winning coach with the position. “There is consistent interest in Rassie’s services from various overseas teams, and his name is probably on more than one wish list. Maybe the Tigers are still considering him, but I can confirm that at this stage, there are no discussions between Rassie and the Tigers,” Frikkie Erasmus said. “Rassie has a contract with Saru, and his focus is on the World Cup. It’s a contract he wants to honour.”

Tigers’ shortlist: Erasmus was one of the coaches mentioned as one of the possible candidates to fill the head coach role at Leicester Tigers following Borthwick’s departure, with Wigglesworth to follow suit before the World Cup. The other names linked to the position by multiple publications are Argentina coach Michael Cheika, Ulster’s Dan McFarland, and Wallabies assistant coach Dan McKellar.

Semi Radradra, Pat Lam and Josh Adams

Lam under pressure: Bristol Bears boss Pat Lam could leave Ashton Gate by the end of the season. The Rugby Paper reports that although he is under contract until 2028, Lam could be shown the door if results do not improve by the end of the season. Lee Blackett is rumoured to be one of the candidates to replace him.

Radradra returns to France: Semi Radradra will return to France next season after Lyon confirmed the signing of the Fijian centre from Bristol Bears. He has signed a two-year deal with the club and returns to the Top 14 after successful stints with Toulon and Bordeaux.

Adams still in Lyon’s sights: Despite confirming the signing of Radradra, Lyon are keen on adding to their backline depth with Josh Adams on their shortlist. The Welsh speedster said last week that he was remaining at Cardiff, but The Rugby Paper reports that Lyon are willing to pay a substantial transfer fee to get him out of the final two years of his contract.

Dewald Senekal, Perpignan, Gonzalo Quesada and Toulouse

Further Connacht coach departures: Connacht look set for further coaching upheaval ahead of next season. Director of rugby Andy Friend will leave the Irish province at the end of the campaign and will be joined out the door by forwards coach Dewald Senekal who is set to return to France, signing a two-year deal with Pro D2 leaders Oyonnax, according to a report in L’Equipe.

Perpignan re-signings: Top 14 club Perpignan announced a host of re-signings ahead of the new season. Sadek Deghmache, Lucas Dubois, Giorgi Tetrashvili, Mathieu Acebes and Los Pumas international Jerónimo de la Fuente have all committed to the club.

Quesada attracts Test interest: Stade Francais head coach Gonzalo Quesada is being lined up as a replacement for Laurent Labit in the France coaching squad. The former Jaguares head coach is out of contract with Stade Francais at the end of the season, with Laurent Labit and Karim Ghezal set to take over at the Parisian club. Midi Olympique reports that Quesada could, in turn, join Fabien Galthie’s coaching squad.

Trio to stay at Toulouse: Matthis Lebel, Juan Cruz Mallia and Santiago Chocobares are all set to sign extensions with Toulouse, according to Actu Rugby. The trio have all been linked with moves away from the club, but they are all set to extend with the Top 14 side, with Chocobares reportedly offered a contract until 2025. They will follow Dimitri Delibes, Alban Placines and Joshua Brennan in committing their future to the side.

Dane Coles and Rory Sutherland

All Blacks hooker retires: Dane Coles has announced that he will retire from playing after the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France later this year. The 36-year-old heads into his final season of Test rugby with 84 caps and 20 tries.

Sutherland set for Japanese stint: Scotland and Lions loosehead prop Rory Sutherland is reportedly in talks with Japanese club Kobelco Kobe Steelers over a possible post-Rugby World Cup move. Sutherland is out of contract with Ulster at the end of the season, via The Rugby Paper.

READ MORE: Six Nations Team of the Week: Scotland and Ireland dominate again after outstanding wins in Round Two

Bristol Pat Lam