Rugby Transfers: All Blacks hopeful on the move, Ulster bolster coaching ranks and France star makes decision on future
Xavier Roe (right) and Thibaud Flament (left) feature in the latest round-up of rugby transfers
All Blacks hopeful Xavier Roe will head north next season, Ulster have reinforced their coaching group with an ex-All Black and Thibaud Flament has made a call on his future.
Check out our latest transfer news and rumours update:
Sale Sharks sign Xavier Roe
Sale Sharks have continued their major recruitment drive for next season, with Chiefs scrum-half Xavier Roe the latest player to sign a deal with the PREM side.
He becomes the club’s 13th recruit ahead of the 2026/27 season, following the likes of Joe Marchant, Courtney Lawes, Tomas Francis, Nicky Smith and Christ Tshiunza to the CorpAcq Stadium.
Roe brings plenty of experience with him after penning a two-year deal, featuring twice for the All Blacks XV alongside 57 appearances for the Chiefs. He has also spent time in the All Blacks senior squad, coming into Scott Robertson’s extended group during last year’s Autumn Nations Series, but has yet to win his first senior Test cap.
Commenting on joining the Sharks, Roe said: “I’ve been at the Chiefs for a long time and I’m at a stage in my career where I want to try something new. I want to experience a new environment, new players and another country and I can’t wait to get started at an awesome club like Sale Sharks.
“I know Sale has a very good forward pack, which is great for a scrum-half, but I was really impressed with what Alex said about the way the club has a real family feel off the field.
“I like to think I’m a game driver and I know how to put the team in the right areas of the pitch. I think when I was younger I was a running half-back but I’ve learned the importance of giving the forwards a platform so they can do their thing.
“There are so many fantastic international players at Sale and I can’t wait to get going.”
Sale director of rugby, Alex Sanderson, added: “Xavier will bring real quality to the squad. He’s maybe not a player all of our fans will know too much about but if you scratch below the surface of the current All Blacks squad, he’s right there and you don’t get there unless you’re absolute quality.
“His delivery is excellent and his ability to be the bridge between the forwards and backs is excellent, as is his kicking game and his decision-making.
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“It’s a big move for him and a big commitment to come over, but we’re getting him at the peak of his powers and we’re really exciting to get him here to see what he can do.”
Ulster bolster coaching ticket as ex-All Black joins ranks
Ulster have confirmed the appointment of Clarke Dermody as their new forwards coach from the start of next season.
The ex-All Black arrives in Belfast following a strong career with the Highlanders, helping the side to the 2015 Super Rugby title along the way.
Commenting on his appointment, Ulster head coach Richie Murphy said: “While we are sad to say goodbye to Jimmy Duffy who is moving on, as a coaching team we are very excited to be welcoming Clarke to Ulster this summer.
“He is an experienced coach, with a strong track record of developing top talent. We are looking forward to seeing him implement his methods and philosophy with our squad next season.“
Toulouse tie down France star
Thibaud Flament has committed his future to Toulouse, signing a three-year deal with the six-time European champions.
The towering lock arrived in Toulouse in 2020 following a spell with PREM side Wasps, and has made 113 appearances for the club at the time of writing. During his time at Toulouse, the club has won four Top 14 titles and two Investec Champions Cups.
His form for the Top 14 giants has seen him become a key member of the French national team, too, making his debut in 2021 and winning 38 Test caps in the five years since. In that time, he has also helped them win three Six Nations titles.
Flament also becomes the latest player to re-sign for the reigning French champions, following Joshua Brennan and Juan Cruz Mallia.
