Rugby rumours and transfers: Stuart Hogg, John Cooney, Anthony Watson and much more

Jared Wright
rugby transfers and rumours rugby rumours brad shields stuart hogg anthony watson john cooney

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

This week the rugby world was shocked by the announcement of Stuart Hogg’s retirement while a Hurricanes legend returns to New Zealand. Several players have signed and been linked with moves to France, while the Irish provinces have been busy signing and re-signing stars.

Here is our full rundown of the week’s rugby rumours, transfers and movements.

Retirements: Stuart Hogg and Stephen Myler

Hogg to retire: Scotland and Exeter Chiefs full-back Hogg announced on Monday that he will retire after the Rugby World Cup this year. Hogg made his Scotland debut in 2012, has played at two World Cups and went on each of the last three British & Irish Lions tours in 2013, 2017 and 2021. He became the fourth Scotland player to play 100 Tests for his country, reaching the milestone against Ireland earlier this month.

Myler brings an end to his career: Myler confirmed that the 2022/23 season would be his last. Myler played 325 times for Northampton Saints, scoring 2,618 points, and after 12 years at the side, he moved to London Irish. 2020 saw him join the Ospreys, where he has scored more than 200 points in over 30 games.

Anthony Watson, Rory Kockott, Thaakir Abrahams

Watson to leave Leicester: England international Watson is considering a departure from Leicester Tigers after joining the Premiership club at the start of the season. He joined the Premiership champions from Bath but could leave at the end of the season to join Castres, according to L’Equipe, while a move to Japan is also on the cards.

Kockott to leave Castres: Former France international Kockott has confirmed that he will leave Castres at the end of the season. The two-time Top 14 champion with the club announced his retirement at the end of last season to take up a coaching role at the club. He returned to the field after a host of injuries but will now leave the side altogether at the end of the season.

Lyon land Abrahams: Sharks speedster Abrahams has been unveiled as Lyon’s new signing on a two-year deal. The 24-year-old joins the side along with Semi Radradra next season.

John Cooney, Santiago Cordero, Paul Boyle, Leinster

Cooney to stay in Belfast: Ulster scrum-half Cooney is set to re-sign with the Irish province ahead of next season. The 32-year-old now qualifies for Scotland, and there were doubts over whether he would remain at Ulster if he made the Test switch. The Belfast Telegraph reports that Ulster will announce the re-signing ‘soon’.

Connacht signs Santi: In a massive move for the province, Connacht have signed Los Pumas flyer Cordero from Bordeaux. Known for his blistering pace and extraordinary footwork, he has represented his country 45 times and enjoyed stints at Exeter Chiefs and Bordeaux-Begles since leaving the Jaguares in 2017.

Boyle stays: Connacht have extended the contract of Boyle for the 2023/24 season. The Ireland international back-rower came through the province’s Academy and has been a regular starter in recent seasons, notching up 20 tries.

New Leinster deals: A host of players have signed new contracts with the United Rugby Championship leaders. Over the past week, Ross Byrne, Jack Conan and Jamie Osbourne committed to the side beyond this season.

Vern Cotter, Wallabies, Joseph Suaalii

Cotter set for France return: According to Midi Olympique, former Fiji coach Cotter is in advanced negotiations with Perpignan ahead of next season. The club are without a head coach for next season, and Cotter is the frontrunner for the role, with Pierre-Henry Broncan and Julien Laïrle also in the running.

Jones pieces staff together: Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones is starting to piece his coaching staff together ahead of the Rugby World Cup. Bath forwards coach Neal Hatley will link up with the side in May, while David Rath will join the staffing group as Learning Coordinator. Rath moves from St Kilda Football Club, where he has held several roles in High Performance, including Head of Football. It is also reported that Pierre-Henry Broncan could join Jones’ staff.

Wallabies snatch League’s rising star: Rugby Australia and the Waratahs announced a missive coup in the signing of highly rated League star Suaalii from the Sydney Roosters. He joins the side from October 2024 until at least the end of 2027.

Brad Shields, Liam Coltman, Luke Cowan-Dickie

Shields to return to ‘Canes: The Hurricanes have announced that former captain Shields will return to the Super Rugby side next year. Shields left the Hurricanes in 2018 after 103 games to join Wasps, and following that, French Top 14 side USA Perpignan. He also played nine times for England. Meanwhile, Italian international Hame Faiva has joined the side as hooker cover.

Coltman to return to New Zealand: All Blacks hooker Coltman could return to New Zealand, following Shields. The former Highlander joined Lyon at the start of the season, but L’Equipe report he is keen to return to New Zealand after struggling to settle in France with his family.

Cowan-Dickie’s Montpellier move in doubt: England and Exeter Chiefs hooker Cowan-Dickie may not move to Top 14 club Montpellier. He penned a two-year deal, with the option of third, but French medical officials could block his move due to a neck injury. L’Equipe report that the England international has cervical problems that could prevent him from joining the club.

Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, Jaco van der Walt

Du Toit signs for Bath: Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok prop Du Toit has signed with Bath ahead of next season, leaving the Durban-based Sharks. The 15-Test Springbok follows the signings of Alfie Barbeary, Ted Hill and Ollie Lawrence and British and Irish Lions fly-half Finn Russell. He has played over 100 matches for the Sharks and is also capped by the Barbarians, and is a former SA Schools and U20s international.

Koch heads home: Meanwhile, Koch will fill Du Toit’s void at the Sharks signing with the Durban-based side from Stade Francais. The 32-year-old enjoyed a trophy-laden stint at Saracens after leaving the Stormers in 2016. He signed for Wasps ahead of the 2022/23 season but never played for the side and joined Stade Francais after the Premiership side went into administration.

https://twitter.com/SharksRugby/status/1638533411928256515

Van der Walt returns to Gauteng: According to Afrikaans’ newspaper Rapport, Scotland international fly-half Van der Walt has signed a two-year deal to return to South Africa, where he will join the Bulls. The former Lions pivot joined Edinburgh in 2017 and played for four Tests for Scotland.

George Hammond, Lewis Gjaltema, Dillon Lewis

Hammond re-signs with boyhood club: Harlequins lock Hammond has signed a contract extension with the Premiership club. The 22-year-old is the 17th player and 12th from the Quins Academy to commit to a new deal this year.

Gjaltema recommits: Scrum-half Gjaltema has recommitted to Harlequins by signing a new contract ahead of the 2023/24 season, which will be his fourth campaign with Harlequins.

Quins join Lewis chase: With Wilco Louw leaving Harlequins to join the Bulls, the Londoners are targeting Lewis, as per the Daily Mail. Lewis has previously been of interest to Gloucester and Exeter Chiefs. Jarrod Evans is likely to sign for the side too.

Clovis Le Bail, Jordan Joseph, Siate Tokolahi, Rob Simmons

Racing land Pau star: Stuart Lancaster has snapped up Pau’s star scrum-half Le Bail ahead of the 2023/24 Top 14 season. Lancaster takes over at Racing 92 next season, and the side have already brought in new talents ahead of his arrival, with Le Bail signing a two-year deal with the Parisian club.

Joseph returns to Racing: Back-rower Joseph will return to Paris next season. The talented number eight has been on loan to Pau, and rumours suggested he would make his move permanent. However, he revealed to L‘Equipe that he will be returning to Racing 92 at the end of the season.

Tokolahi re-signs with Pau: Staying with the Top 14 club, they have secured the services of prop Tokolahi for the next two seasons. The Tongan international joined the side from the Highlanders in 2021.

Simmons signs for Clermont: London Irish lock Simmons will join French club Clermont Auvergne next season. The 33-year-old has spent three seasons in west London.

Courtnall Skosan, Alex Waller, Aaron Hinkley

Skosan to leave Saints: Springbok flyer Skosan will leave Northampton Saints at the end of the 2022/23 season, the club confirmed this week. It is not yet known where the speedster will land next season.

Waller re-signs: Northampton Saints also announced that loosehead prop Waller has extended his contract with the club. He notched up his 350th appearance for the side and will look to add to his impressive tally.

Hinkley leaves: At the same time, the club announced the immediate shock departure of standout flanker Hinkley. The news comes after his impressive start to his career at the club. He started 12 of his 15 appearances this season.

Stafford McDowall, Chris Dean, Ben Muncaster, Ali Crossdale

McDowall puts pen-to-paper: Glasgow Warriors’ breakout star McDowall has extended his contract with the Scottish side. The 25-year-old has enjoyed a superb season and has now represented the side 51 times since his debut in October 2017.

Crossdale stays in France: Former Saracens and Wasps winger Crossdale has penned a two-year extension with Perpignan after joining the side mid-way through the season. 

Edinburgh duo commit: Centre Dean and back-rower Muncaster have penned two-year contract extensions with Edinburgh. The pair’s extended terms continue a strong affiliation with Edinburgh and North Berwick RFC.

READ MORE: Loose Pass: Dissecting a few nuanced officiating moments from the weekend

Argentina Anthony Watson John Cooney Stuart Hogg

Related Articles