Rugby Transfers: England hopeful makes cross-PREM switch, Newcastle Red Bulls sign ANOTHER player as recruitment drive continues and British and Irish Lion on the move
Alfie Barbeary and Hamish Watson are on the move
Alfie Barbeary will swap the Rec for the StoneX after agreeing to join six-time PREM champions Saracens, James Harper becomes the latest player to join Newcastle Red Bulls and British and Irish Lions tourist Hamish Watson has signed a short-term deal with Leicester Tigers.
Here is the latest round-up of rugby transfers and contract renewals from across the globe.
Alfie Barbeary signs for Saracens
England hopeful Barbeary will make the move to North London at the start of next season, after agreeing to join PREM rivals Saracens.
His move to Saracens comes with the Londoners losing current number eight Tom Willis to the Top 14 at the end of the season, giving them a like-for-like replacement.
Barbeary heads to the StoneX off the back of a strong stint with Bath, encapsulated in a treble-winning season in 2024/25. His form in Blue, Black and White has also seen him win England A honours, as well as various stints in the England training squad under Steve Borthwick.
Commenting on the move, Barbeary said: “Saracens have always been a top club and I am looking forward to a new challenge in North London.
“They have consistently been challenging for silverware and that is something I am very motivated to help them achieve.”
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Saracens director of rugby, Mark McCall, added: “Alfie is a highly talented young player who we are delighted to welcome to the club. His attributes and character will complement and add value to the group and we are looking forward to him realising his potential in the years ahead.”
James Harper heads to Newcastle Red Bulls
Newcastle Red Bulls have added their 18th new recruit ahead of next season, with Sale Sharks prop Harper the latest player to commit to the club.
The Liverpool-born tighthead has put pen to paper on a two-year deal with the North East side, and brings strong experience to Kingston Park with 72 appearances for Sale at the time of writing and was also drafted into the England A squad in 2024.
He also follows Sharks teammate Raffi Quirke to Newcastle for next season.
Commenting on joining Newcastle, Harper said: “It’s really exciting coming to a club that’s starting afresh, in many ways.
“The quality of players coming into Newcastle looks really good, lots of whom I’ve played with or against in my time, and it’s great to be a part of that group.
“I’ve been a pro at Sale since the age of 18, but I was involved with their DPP stuff before then, and I owe them a lot. They’ve been great with me and I’ve loved playing for them, but at the same time, I’m also looking forward to this new chapter and to challenging myself in a new environment.
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“Northern rugby is also really important to me, being a Liverpool lad who’s played my rugby in Manchester. Newcastle are obviously right up there with Sale in terms of flying that flag, and it’s just another reason why this move makes sense.”
Newcastle Red Bulls sporting general manager, Neil McIlroy, added: “For a relatively young prop, James already has a great bank of experience to his name, and we’re delighted to have him on board.
“He’s a big guy, he has been regularly involved in a strong forward pack at Sale, and it’s fantastic that talented young English players see Newcastle as a place where they can take their careers to the next level.”
Hamish Watson makes surprise PREM short-turn loan switch
Scotland international Watson will head to PREM side Leicester Tigers on a short-term loan, the East Midlands club have confirmed.
Watson will spend the next two months at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, returning to familiar surroundings in the process after coming up through the club’s famed academy.
Commenting on the move, Watson said: “It’s a full-circle moment for me to rejoin Tigers having been in the academy system here earlier in my career.
“It is such a prestigious club and it’s an honour to join them, even on a short-term basis.
“I played at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in the A-League, and then again for Edinburgh a few years ago, and the chance to play in front of that famous crowd would be a privilege.”
Tigers head coach, Geoff Parling, added: “We’ve had some injuries in the back five of the pack so it’s a real boost to be able to add someone of Hamish’s quality at such short notice.”
“It’s quite full circle for him to be in our academy and then get the chance to represent us so many years later.
“We’ve had conversations around the fluidity of how long he’ll be with us when others start returning, but it’s great to hear how hungry he is to represent Tigers, and we look forward to welcoming him at Oval Park.”
In a statement posted on their social media channels, Edinburgh said: “Edinburgh Rugby can today confirm that Hamish Watson has joined Gallagher PREM side Leicester Tigers on a short-term loan deal with immediate effect.
“The agreement, which runs until the end of April, is designed to provide the Scotland international with further playing opportunities through a run of consistent fixtures.”