Rugby Transfers: Springbok in demand, All Black on the market, Wallabies snub leaves, World Cup-winner linked with Test gig and more
Faf de Klerk, Darcy Swain and Joe Worsley.
Rugby’s silly season continues to fuel the transfer rumour mill, and we bring you the latest from the Top 14, PREM Rugby, Super Rugby Pacific and United Rugby Championship.
World Cup winner lined up for Georgia job
Former England back-rower Joe Worsley looks set to join the Georgian coaching set-up, according to a report by Midi Olympique.
Following Richard Cockerill’s departure, ex-Italian international Marco Bortolami will serve as the team’s head coach on an interim basis before becoming the side’s forwards coach.
Pierre-Henry Broncan, who is currently working at Brive, is set to take over the head coach position permanently after the conclusion of the Pro D2 season and has lined Worsley up for a position on his staff.
Broncan and the 2003 Rugby World Cup winner have worked together at Castres and Brive, with the latter leading both clubs’ defence. Worsley is currently working with Top 14 strugglers Perpignan.
Faf to France?
Meanwhile, Perpignan have reportedly entered the race for double Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok Faf de Klerk.
The scrum-half’s contract with Japanese club Canon Eagles expires at the end of the season, and his CV has reportedly been doing the rounds at PREM and Top 14 clubs.
According to Rugby Scope, he has piqued the interest of Perpignan, who have reportedly held a video conference with the player.
The likes of Tom Ecochard, James Hall and Gela Aprasidze are all out of contract at the end of the current season, with the club weighing up their options in the number nine position.
They will not be without competition for his signature as Sale Sharks are reportedly eager to re-sign the scrum-half who enjoyed a successful four-year stint in Manchester before heading to Japan. The club are looking for a replacement half-back after the confirmation that Raffi Quirke will be joining the Newcastle Red Bulls next season.
De Klerk is not the only player on Sale Sharks’ radar, with RugbyPass stating that the club is closing in on a deal for Saracens utility back Alex Lozowski.
Alex Sanderson’s side has already confirmed the signings of Nicky Smith and Joe Marchant ahead of next season and have expressed interest in snapping up the services of Junior Kpoku, who has joined RC Toulon on loan after being granted an early release from his Racing 92 contract.
All Black on the market
Blues and All Blacks prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi could leave New Zealand at the end of the year, according to RugbyPass, with his CV doing the rounds at PREM Rugby clubs.
The experienced front-rower’s contract expires at the end of 2026 and could depart Aotearoa shores ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup. The 33-year-old missed the entire international season last year through injury, but would still offer huge value with his ability to play both sides of the scrum.
The publication does not name-check any possible destinations for Tu’ungafasi, but a report by Sale boss Sanderson told the Daily Mail earlier this week that tighthead props are a precious commodity on the market at the moment.
“Tighthead props are not easy to find – they’re like teddy bear s***,” Sanderson said.
“There’s only a few world-class number 10s and fortunately one of them is here at Sale in George Ford. Big-hitting tighthead locks are also hard to come by too and that’s why so any clubs went after George Martin.
“But the market is active. Newcastle Red Bulls have got a lot of money to spend but there’s a salary cap. We haven’t experienced too many bidding wars. We understand the market value and we tend to draw the line at that, or maybe go a little bit over…”
Wallabies snub joins Clermont
Top 14 giants Clermont have snapped up yet another star from Super Rugby Pacific, landing the signature of Wallabies and Western Force lock Darcy Swain.
The 28-year-old will link up with the side following the conclusion of the 2026 Super Rugby season, where he will link up with Blues star AJ Lam.
Swain enjoyed a stellar 2025 season with the Western Force, who joined after five years at the Brumbies, and was recalled to the Wallabies Test squad. However, he was unable to add to his 17 Wallabies caps and had to make do with just one appearance for the Australia A side.
In fact, the lock has not played a single match for the Wallabies under Joe Schmidt or Eddie Jones, with the last of his caps coming during Dave Rennie’s tenure – the 28-27 defeat to Italy.
Wallabies star gives thoughts on new coach as ‘unfinished business’ on the horizon
PREM Rugby update
Earlier this week, the Newcastle Red Bulls announced their latest signing in the form of Hurricanes flyer Fehi Fineanganofo, who will also link up with the side after the Super Rugby Pacific season. That came after it was confirmed that hooker George McGuigan had signed a contract extension with the club.
Over to London, where Harlequins announced that flanker Jack Kenningham has signed a new contract with the club.
“I’m over the moon to be staying on. It’s the place I have come through the Academy and broken into the First Team, and I am loving life playing for this Club,” said Kenningham.
“Going from supporter into the Academy and onto the First Team is special – it’s hard to put into words how it feels. I’m excited for the next few years and where we can go as team, there is a lot of potential.
“I feel so close to so many of the supporters and many of my friends and family love coming to The Stoop. The club has been a big part of my life, and I feel as though Quins is part of me. I’m delighted to be staying on and continue playing for this club.”
10 possible destinations for Scott Robertson as ex-All Blacks coach barred from ‘top’ jobs
Bulls recruit Wilco Louw cover
The Bulls have snapped up former Junior Boks front-rower Mawande Mdanda from the Sharks, as a replacement for Springboks powerhouse Wilco Louw, according to Afrikaans publication Rapport.
Louw will leave the Pretoria-based side at the end of the season in order to return to the Stormers next season, leaving the Bulls short a tighthead prop.
Francois Klopper and Mornay Smith are two frontrunners to replace Louw as the first-choice number three at the Bulls, while Jean Erasmus is seen as a long-term option for the club, with Mdanda recruited to bolster the club’s options.
The report adds that Mdanda’s impending departure prompted the Sharks to swoop for France-based prop Nemo Reolofse, who will also be tasked with filling Trevor Nyakane’s void as he is eased back into action for the side after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Over to Franklin’s Gardens, L’Equipe reports that French fly-half Anthony Belleau has reportedly reached an agreement to extend his contract for next season.
The playmaker has impressed during his time with the PREM Rugby club and has turned down the advances of Top 14 teams Agen and Toulon.
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Tony Brown pledges loyalty to Boks
After Rassie Erasmus took to social media to clarify Tony Brown’s future with the Springboks, the former All Black has had his say.
The sacking of Scott Robertson sparked speculation that the Boks’ attack coach could be returning to New Zealand if Jamie Joseph is hired as the former Crusaders boss’ successor.
“I’m obviously contracted. I don’t have an ‘out’ of my contract, so I’m back in South Africa [until the Rugby World Cup],” Brown told The Post.
He confirmed that he has not been contacted by NZ Rugby: “Everything’s just speculation. I’m not even sure what New Zealand Rugby’s plans are. No one’s really heard anything.”
READ MORE: Tony Brown breaks silence on All Blacks links as Springboks coach reveals key contract detail
