Rugby Transfers: Henry Pollock contract saga takes twist as England ace ‘open to opportunities’ while Ronan O’Gara makes decision on La Rochelle future
Henry Pollock (left) and Ronan O'Gara (right) feature in the latest round up of rugby transfers
The Henry Pollock contract saga has taken a fresh turn, despite reports suggesting he had signed a new deal with Northampton Saints, while Ronan O’Gara has made a key call on his future with La Rochelle.
Here are all the latest rugby rumours, transfers and contract renewals.
Henry Pollock ‘open to offers’ as contract saga takes twist
British and Irish Lions, England and Northampton Saints star Pollock insists he is still open to new opportunities, amid reports he’s re-signed with the PREM champions.
Pollock’s future has been in the spotlight in recent weeks after representative Eddie Hearn claimed he should be earning £1 million per year. This came with Pollock set to enter negotiations with the Saints over a new contract, with the 21-year-old forward’s current deal expiring at the end of the season.
It seemed negotiations were going according to plan, with reports last week suggesting he had signed a new long-term deal with the club, but in a fresh twist, Pollock admits he is still open to new opportunities.
“Northampton have been so great to me; I’ve been here my whole career, they’ve made me who I am. For me to stay here would be special,” the forward told reporters.
“I know it’s not as easy as that and there’s lots of moving parts that come into play. I’m very open to new opportunities and I’m very open to exploring that.
“I’m so young, so I think it’s only right that I assess those options and find the best decision for myself.
“Your career is so short that you look back on yourself and you almost regret not exploring new avenues, exploring different things,” he later added.
“I think for me, you almost have to be quite selfish in that aspect; think what’s right for you. If that is staying here, then that’s great, I’ll be here for however long. If it’s not, then I’ll be open to new opportunities.”
That could prick the ears of clubs both in the PREM and further afield, and he has also not ruled out the possibility of trying out a new sport either.
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“I definitely want to go and live in different countries, explore new sports, explore new avenues,” he added.
“Eddie and the Matchroom team are constantly messaging me, calling me about different avenues and they’ve been great with that kind of stuff. I’m not going to say no to any opportunity.
“At the minute rugby is my main priority so I’m focusing on that in the near future, but as I said, you never know what’s happening around the corner.”
Ronan O’Gara decides La Rochelle future
La Rochelle head coach O’Gara has committed his long-term future to the Top 14 giants, signing a fresh deal through to 2031.
The Irishman joined La Rochelle in 2019 and has since taken them to back-to-back Investec Champions Cup titles in 2022 and 2023, as well as making the final again a year earlier. Under O’Gara’s stewardship, the club have also reached two Top 14 finals.
Commenting on his new contract, he said: “My family and I are very happy and very proud to continue this adventure with Stade Rochelais. We have experienced exceptional moments and weathered some more difficult times together.
“In each of them, I felt the club’s confidence and the support of our fans. I deeply believe in this club, its players, its staff, and its ambition. We have already built a lot, but I am convinced that the best is yet to come.
“I want to continue to develop this team and win with Stade Rochelais.”
La Rochelle have made a flying start to the new season, too, winning both of their opening matches and sit third in the Top 14 table as a result. They are also one of just three teams still unbeaten in the league.
