Rugby Transfers: Connacht snap up World Cup winner, Jonny May’s future, two coaches out at Leicester and French strugglers turn to Wales
Two well-known Gloucester and England names, Trevor Woodman and, inset, Jonny May
Our latest transfer news and rumours focuses on the confirmed acquisition by an Irish province of a former 2003 World Cup winner, what is happening next with a 2019 World Cup finalist, the exit of two Leicester coaches and the latest talent to exit the Ospreys.
Lancaster raids the PREM
Stuart Lancaster’s fast-improving Connacht have added a Rugby World Cup winner to their staff next season. A scrum coach vacancy arose with Cullie Tucker soon to leave the Irish province to become head coach of the Ireland U20s and the position will be filled by Trevor Woodman, the 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning prop who has coached at Gloucester for the past 12 years.
Following a playing career at Gloucester and Sale, the 22-Test cap Woodman began coaching in Australia before returning to England to take up a spot at Wasps before his Kingsholm return in 2014. The opportunity to work in a different country has now proved too appealing for the former front-rower to ignore.
“I’m delighted to be joining the Connacht coaching team next season, and there are plenty of reasons why this is the right move for me,” he explained. “After many years in the Premiership, I want to challenge myself in a new environment, so moving to Ireland and joining an exciting club like Connacht, which is on the rise on and off the field, is a perfect fit for my family and me.
“I’m particularly looking forward to working with all the exciting young forwards who have come through the pathway system there and helping them in their ongoing development. I’m also very excited by the opportunity to work with Stuart, who is one of the most well-respected coaches in world rugby, and has been there and done it at the highest level.”
Currently in South Africa, where Connacht defeated the Stormers last Saturday to extend their United Rugby Championship winning run to six games, Lancaster added: “Trevor has been a brilliant servant to English rugby both as a player and coach, so his move to Connacht next season is great news for all the players and supporters.
“I have followed his coaching career for a long time, and the impact he has made on many young and experienced forwards is clear to see. He really impressed in the interview process with his desire to take on a new challenge and join us here in Connacht, and we are looking forward to welcoming him and his family for the start of next season.”
End of the line in May for May
Another ex-England player, winger Jonny May, has also reportedly reached a decision about his future with French media reporting that the 36-year-old will quit playing at the end of the current Pro D2 season with Soyaux Angoulême.
Unlike former Test teammate Courtney Lawes, the 37-year-old whose three-year stint in the French second tier with Brive is being followed by his return to England to play in the PREM next season with Sale, ex-Gloucester stalwart May is said to be retiring next month after his French club completes its latest campaign.
It was 2024 when Soyaux Angoulême snapped up the services of May, whose international career had ended with him listed as England’s second-best all-time try scorer with 36.
His initial two-year deal extended to three after a 2025 play-off appearance, but it’s now said that he is set to finish up his career, unlike fly-half Ben Botica, the 36-year-old who has signed on for one more year at the French club.
Courtney Lawes: ‘I don’t want to go to the World Cup if I’ve got nothing to offer to the team’
Two out at Leicester
Geoff Parling will have two different assistants in his second year in charge at Welford Road. Tigers are currently third and in the hunt for a place in the PREM semi-finals, but there will be changes over the summer with attack coach Peter Hewat and all-round assistant Brett Deacon moving on.
Hewat arrived at Leicester in 2024 from Japan but is now returning home to Australia while ex-Tigers player Deacon, who has been coaching at Welford Road since 2013, is poised to join Gloucester.
Parling said: “Brett has done a great job this season, firstly looking after our contact and then taking over the defence portfolio. After two stints at the club as a player, he moved into coaching and has been a consistent presence since 2013, helping drive the Tigers’ ethos with a commitment to making players better. We understand his desire to experience somewhere new and be a forwards coach and wish him the best with the move.
“Peter has built great relationships with players, helped open up our attack, and has brought experience from Super Rugby and Japan, and we hope the transition back to life in Australia is a smooth and successful one. Both are characters that are fully committed to the end of the season and we’ll announce some coaching appointments shortly.”
Lasting first impression leads to deal in France
Top-flight rugby in France hasn’t been kind to Montauban, who caused a shock last season when earning promotion from Pro D2 via the play-offs after a sixth-place finish. So out of their depth are they that they have lost 19 of their 21 Top 14 matches, the latest defeat coming at home to Toulon (47-22) on Saturday.
However, it appears that their one-season stay could have a silver lining in terms of their recruitment. As part of their promotion deal, Montauban qualified to play in the EPCR Challenge Cup and they were left impressed with how Ospreys Jack Walsh did when he played against them last December.
Starting at fly-half in the Stade Sapiac fixture, Walsh guided the Welsh region to a fully deserved 33-22 win, and his role has seemingly made a lasting impression.
Amid doubts about the future of the Ospreys due to the WRU’s cost-cutting drive, the American-born, Australian-raised 26-year-old is now said to have accepted Montauban’s offer to lead their campaign back in Pro D2 next season.
