Rugby rumours and transfers: Charles Piutau, Duane Vermeulen, Telusa Veainu and much more

Jared Wright
Planet Rugby recaps some of the biggest rugby transfer news and rumours, including Charles Piutau, Duane Vermeulen, Telusa Veainu 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.

Enzo Herve, Alex Goode, Charles Piutau

Brive star to join Toulon: According to L’Equipe, fly-half Herve will leave Brive to sign for Toulon ahead of next season. The report adds that the deal, which has been in the works for some time, depended mainly on whether Brive got relegated. The club’s fall to the Pro D2 was confirmed this weekend, and he now looks set to join Toulon, who were in the market for a JIFF number 10 to replace Ihaia West, who returns to La Rochelle next season.

Goode extends Sarries stay: Saracens’ most capped player will extend his record tally after signing a two-year extension with the Premiership club. The 35-year-old is still a key member of the squad and started the semi-final win over Northampton Saints.

Piutau heads to Japan: Bristol Bears full-back Piutau will be taking his talents to the Japanese Rugby League One next season. He has signed for the Shizuoka Blue Revs, where he will link up with Springbok loose forward Kwagga Smith.

Duane Vermeulen, Matthew Proudfoot, Stephen Jones

Vermeulen to join Boks backroom staff: Springboks number eight Vermeulen is set to hang up his boots after the Rugby World Cup and looks ready to make the move into the coaching box immediately. According to the Rapport, Vermeulen could replace Jacques Nienaber in the Springbok set-up, with Rassie Erasmus taking over as head coach again and Vermeulen the defence coach role. In the meantime, Vermeulen is understood to have offers from Western Province and the Bulls to play Currie Cup before the World Cup. Jake White is reportedly offering Vermeulen a player-coach role in Pretoria.

Proudfoot to the Lions?: Former Springboks and England scrum coach Proudfoot is in the running to replace Albert van den Berg at the Lions. Van den Berg will leave the URC side to join Scarlets, and Proudfoot is among the candidates to replace him, according to Rapport.

Jones to replace Azema: Former Wales fly-half Jones could link up with former half-back partner Pierre Mignoni at Toulon. L’Equipe reports that he is the frontrunner to replace outgoing coach Franck Azéma.

Solomone Kata, Telusa Veainu, Ben Meehan, Saracens leavers

Kata to Tigers?The Rugby Paper reports that Kata could join Leicester Tigers after just one season at Exeter Chiefs. He has scored five tries in 20 appearances for Exeter but is one of 14 players leaving Sandy Park at the end of the season.

TV set for Premiership return: Former Leicester Tigers full-back Veainu is set to return to the Premiership, joining Sale Sharks, according to The Rugby Paper.

Meehan attracting interest Down Under: Gloucester scrum-half Meehan is reportedly attracting interest in Australia, according to The Rugby Paper and could depart the Premiership side.

Saracens confirm leavers: Eight players will leave Saracens at the end of the season. The club confirmed that Ethan Lewis, James Flynn, and Robin Hislop. Eduardo Bello, Ruben de Haas, Max Malins, Duncan Taylor and Jackson Wray are bringing their time at Saracens to a close.

Christian Wade, Regan Grace, Anthony Watson

Wade to stay at Racing 92: Former Wasps winger Wade is set to remain at Racing 92 next season. The 31-year-old returned to rugby this season after chasing his NFL dream. He has impressed at Racing since joining as injury cover, and L’Equipe reports that incoming head coach Stuart Lancaster wants Wade to stay on, and the club have offered him an extension.

Grace to depart: With Wade set to stay on at Racing 92, L’Equipe adds that former rugby league star Grace will leave the side having not played a single minute for the Top 14 outfit after back-to-back Achilles injuries.

Watson to remain at Leicester: SportsMail report that Leicester have held ‘last-gasp talks’ with Watson in a bid to retain his services despite interest from Top 14 clubs, particularly Castres.

Monty Ioane, Matthis Lebel, Marland Yarde

Ioane returns to Europe: Italy winger Ioane could return to Europe after the Rugby World Cup following a season with the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby. According to Rugby Rama, Ioane has signed to join Bordeaux despite interest from other Top 14, Premiership and Italian clubs.

Lebel extends: France winger Lebel has signed a contract extension with Toulouse and will remain at the club until at least 2026.

Yarde leaves Bayonne: Former England and Sale Sharks winger Yarde has been released by Bayonne after five appearances for the side, L’Equipe reports.

Sam Simmonds, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Pete Samu, Nic White, Caleb Timu and Renato Giammarioli

Simmonds completes move, Cowan-Dickie doesn’t: Montpellier has officially confirmed the signing of Exeter Chiefs and England forward Simmonds ahead of the 2023/24 season. However, hooker Cowan-Dickie won’t join the side after failing his medical.

White leaves Brumbies: The Wallabies scrum-half has signed a two-year contract extension with Rugby Australia, and in doing so, he will leave the Brumbies to join the Western Force.

Samu to join Bordeaux: Wallabies back-rower Samu looks set to officially be unveiled as Bordeaux-Begles’ new signing, with the Brumbies confirming his departure.

Two out at Bordeaux: The Top 14 side have confirmed the departure of former Wallabies’ back-rower Timu and Italy international Giammarioli.

Tom Wright, Miles Amatosero, Dave Kearney

Wright to remain a Brumby: The Roar reports that Wright will remain at the Brumbies, signing a two-year extension with the side. He attracted interest from Premiership and Top 14 clubs but looks set to remain in Australia.

Amatosero snubs Australia: The Waratahs announced the signing of Amatosero, but in a twist, Midi Olympique reports that he may still remain at Clermont. He is set to provide cover for the side during the Rugby World Cup and could turn his back on the Waratahs deal and stay in France.

Kearney leaves Leinster: Winger Kearney is set to finish his career in the MLR playing for the side he co-owns with brother Rob, the Chicago Hounds. Adam Byrne is also set to join the side, as is Leinster scrum-half Nick McCarthy.

Chris Farrell, Facundo Cordero, Josh McKay

Farrell re-signs: Former Munster and Ireland centre Farrell has signed a two-year extension with French side Oyonnax.

Cordero extends Glasgow stay: Cordero has agreed to extend his contract with Glasgow Warriors for the 2023/24 season, with the deal subject to visa approval.

McKay extends: McKay has put pen to paper on a new contract with the Glasgow Warriors ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

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