Rugby transfers: Warren Gatland’s stunning return, Jamison Gibson-Park’s future, Junior Springbok leaves and much more
Warren Gatland and an inset of Jamison Gibson-Park.
In our latest rugby transfers and rumours, we take a look at the demand for scrum-halves, Warren Gatland’s future, PREM Rugby moves and more…
Springbok’s Japanese move and scrum-half demand
The demand for top-quality scrum-halves is high in Japan and France heading into next season.
Springboks and Sharks number nine Grant Williams has reportedly sealed a move away from Durban and is set to join a yet-to-be-confirmed Japan Rugby League One club. The 2023 Rugby World Cup winner was in the Asian country this past week exploring Japan while meeting up with fellow Bok teammates.
It was previously reported that he would be joining the Kobe Kobelco Steelers from next season, the team coached by former Wallabies boss Dave Rennie, who is understood to be in a two-man race to fill the All Blacks head coach vacancy.
While Williams heads to Japan, it is widely reported that Faf de Klerk will be leaving the country, with the veteran number nine being targeted by Perpignan and Sale Sharks. According to RugbyRama, South African teams have also expressed their interest in De Klerk, as have other Japanese clubs. His salary has been a sticking point for Perpignan, but according to the publication, several Top 14 clubs are in the market for a scrum-half and he could come onto their radar too.
Leinster number nine Luke McGrath is also on Perpignan’s radar if De Klerk is unattainable with the report stating that he is open to a move to France. There could be a scrum-half crisis in Leinster as Rugby Rama states that Jamison Gibson-Park is attracting suitors from France and Japan with his contract expiring at the end of the season.
It would be a hammer blow if Gibson-Park were to leave Leinster ahead of next season as a move would likely rule him out of contention for Ireland ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
The publication does not link any clubs with a move for Gibson-Park, who is a regular starter for Ireland, but states that his CV is doing the rounds in Japan and France. The likes of Pau, Racing 92 and La Rochelle are all in the market for a scrum-half, though.
All Blacks legend Aaron Smith has been linked with a move to Pau with his deal at Toyota Verblitz coming to an end this season. A stint in France would surely be the final hurrah for the 2015 World Cup winner who turns 38 in November. A stumbling block for Pau is their salary cap limitations, but Smith could be persuaded to take up a final rugby adventure before hanging up his boots.
Argentina’s Gonzalo Garcia is another number nine who is on the market for a new move, according to the report. The 26-year-old has become a staple starter in Felipe Contepomi’s Los Pumas team, and it’s reported that the lively halfback’s contract with Zebre expires this season.
Union Bordeaux-Bègles showed interest in the Puma a few months ago but that has died down after they secured the extension of Martin Page-Relo and opted not to recruit further in the position with Maxime Lucu also on their books.
Over in Bath, Tom Carr-Smith has signed a one-year extension to remain with the PREM Rugby champions with the news coming off the back of reports that fellow halfback Neil le Roux will be returning to South Africa, joining the Bulls.
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Gatland’s return?
Warren Gatland’s coaching hiatus could be coming to an end as speculation grows around the future of Harlequins’ coaching staff.
The New Zealander has been advising Uruguayan rugby since he departed the Wales head coaching role last year after a disastrous second spell in charge.
Rugby Pass states that he has been linked with the director of rugby vacancy at the Twickenham Stoop with Harlequins bolstering a healthy budget of over £550,000 a year to recruit the next boss.
Sacked All Blacks boss Scott Robertson was quickly linked with a move to the Londoners while Vern Cotter and Dave Rennie also entered the discussion, but the former is off to the Queensland Reds next season, and the latter is in the running for the vacancy at New Zealand Rugby. Meanwhile, Mark Mapletoft has distanced himself from the job as he continues to work with England Rugby’s pathways.
The report adds that ‘whispers linking’ Gatland to the vacancy are ‘gathering momentum’.
The 62-year-old fit the bill to apply for the All Blacks head coaching role but reports from New Zealand suggest that it has become a straight shootout between Rennie and Jamie Joseph.
Junior Bok heads to Italy
Franco Smith’s son, Jean Smith, is leaving the Sharks at the end of the season to join Benetton Rugby, the two United Rugby Championship clubs have confirmed.
Smith played for the Junior Boks in 2023 but returns to the country of his birth to represent the Durban-based outfit. The 23-year-old fly-half has struggled for regular minutes in Durban with the likes of Jordan Hendrikse, Siya Masuku and George Whitehead on the club’s payroll, while Vusi Moyo is another highly-rated young prospect.
“I am extremely happy and excited to be returning to a club that means so much more than just a team,” Smith said in Benetton’s statement confirming that he had signed a three-year deal.
“It’s an environment that is deeply close to my heart, because it was here that I played my first rugby match, taking my first steps in this sport that later became my life. I can’t wait to give my all for Treviso, on and off the pitch, and to contribute with full commitment to the team’s goals.”
Smith will bolster Bennetton’s number 10 stocks that have been depleted following the mid-season departure of Los Pumas star Tomas Albornoz, who joined Top 14 club RC Toulon. The young pivot is already eligible to represent Italy through birthright.
Extra bits
Over in Scotland where Rugby Pass reports that Glasgow Warriors back-rower Jack Dempsey is being linked with a move to clubs in England, France and Japan. According to the report, Japan looks to be the likeliest of destinations for the Scotland international, who also represented the Wallabies.
Bath have also ended speculation over Tom de Glanville’s future with the outside back signing through to the end of the 2027/28 season. The 26-year-old had been linked with a move to Exeter Chiefs.
Sticking with the Chiefs and Rob Baxter admits that Exeter could be losing the services of Wales international Christ Tshiunza who looks set to link up with Cardiff.
“He is off contract at the end of this season with us, and we haven’t re-signed him,” Baxter revealed.
“So those rumours could be entirely true, but I couldn’t tell you if they are.”
Back in France and Nick Abendanon has reportedly signed a contract extension at Bayonne. The two-Test cap former England and Bath back, who played over 90 times for Clermont, joined Bayonne’s coaching team upon his retirement two years ago. Abendanon oversees Bayonne’s attack and skills and has signed a two-year extension despite doubts over the future of head coach Grégory Patat, who has expressed his unhappiness with the club and is reportedly in talks to part ways. According to L’Equipe, assistant coach Gerard Fraser is in line to take on the job if Patat does resign.
