Rugby Transfers: Ex-Ireland player confirms move to France with Argentina veteran set for PREM
Leinster's Luke McGrath and, inset, Argentina's Tomás Lavanini are on the move
Leinster have confirmed that veteran scrum-half Luke McGrath will leave at the end of this season, moving to France to join Perpignan.
The 33-year-old former Ireland scrum-half, who made his club debut for his province in 2012, was their try-scorer in last Friday night’s United Rugby Championship loss at Cardiff.
He had been rumoured to be considering a switch to France, and that speculation has now been confirmed as true in a social media post on Monday by Leinster.
“It’s the end of an era as Luke McGrath will leave Leinster this summer to join Perpignan,” read a statement.
“Thanks for everything…”
“With 56 tries in 248 appearances in blue (so far), he sits fifth all-time among Leinster try-scorers. Thanks for everything, Luke. There’s still lots of rugby to be played this season.”
McGrath has started in just four of his 11 appearances so far in 2025/26, and it remains to be seen whether the club he is moving to will be in next season’s Top 14.
Perpignan are currently 13th on the table and face an end-of-season play-off to retain their status, as they are 18 points behind the next-best Bayonne and unlikely to reach safety with eight rounds of matches still to go in the regular season.
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Tomás Lavanini to join Sale?
Another veteran player, Argentina’s Tomás Lavanini, is poised to swap Super Rugby side the Highlanders for a return to the English Premiership.
Rugbyrama.fr have reported that the 33-year-old, who has yet to debut for his New Zealand club, has agreed a deal that will take him to Alex Sanderson’s Sale.
The 86-cap lock previously spent two years at Leicester before switching to France, where he played for Clermont and Lyon.
His final season in France was a tough one, as he only played 11 times for Lyon, and with his move to the Highlanders yet to see him on the pitch, his time in Dunedin will be short-lived with the Sharks set to bring the Puma back to the PREM.
Rod Seib quits Connacht
Stuart Lancaster’s attack coach Rod Seib is to leave Connacht at the end of the season to take a role outside Ireland. It was just last March, long before Lancaster had agreed to take over following the departure of Pete Wilkins, when the club confirmed the recruitment of Australian Seib from the Brumbies.
However, he will now exit Galway after just a single season. “We can confirm that Rod Seib will leave his role as attack coach with Connacht Rugby at the end of the season, to take up a new coaching opportunity abroad,” read a club statement.
“We would like to thank Rod for all his efforts and his contribution this season, and we wish him and his family all the best in his new role.”
Lancaster added: “While we are disappointed that Rod has decided to depart Connacht, we fully respect his decision and are extremely grateful for the contribution he has made to the province this season.
“His coaching has been outstanding, and he has had a great impact on the players helping them drive standards on and off the pitch.
“His departure opens an exciting opportunity here with us at the club. A role that offers the chance for someone new to step in, build on strong foundations and make their own mark on Connacht.”
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Arnold extends at Newcastle
Former Ireland midfielder Sam Arnold has agreed a one-year extension at Newcastle Red Bulls. Signed from Brive in 2024, the 29-year-old has made 24 appearances and has now re-signed for the 2026/27 season.
“I’ve loved my time here so far,” he said in a club statement. “Newcastle very quickly felt like home for my family and I, and we’re happily settled here.
“We love the city, the people and the club, and I’m happy to extend at a place with a really exciting future. The whole Red Bull project is one of a kind in world rugby right now, so that’s cool to be a part of, and it’s only a matter of time before things really take off here.”
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Sporting general manager Neil McIlroy added: “Sammy embodies the physicality and combativeness that will help get us on the front foot as we look to take this club forward.
“He is a top professional who does his talking on the field, and it’s great news that he will be with us for the next stage of our journey.”