Rugby Transfers: Will Racing 92 replace Siya Kolisi, Ronan O’Gara lands superstar’s signature and Damian McKenzie latest
A look at the latest transfers rumours and news including La Rochelle's new signing, Ronan O'Gara adressing Damian McKenzie links and the Siya Kolisi funds.
The Top 14 season in France is already underway but there are still plenty of transfer rumours and stories about as Ronan O’Gara addresses the Damian McKenzie rumours and Racing 92 looks to use their Siya Kolisi funds.
We take a look at the latest stories and rumours on the rugby transfer market.
ROG beats rivals to Top 14 star, rubbishes Damian McKenzie links
La Rochelle director of rugby O’Gara has beaten several clubs for the sought-after signature of world-class Georgian back Davit Niniashvili.
That is the word from the respected French publication L’Equipe which reports that Niniashvili has rejected the advances of Toulon and Toulouse in favour of a move to La Rochelle.
Niniashvili is in the final year of his contract with Lyon and considering his class and JIFF status, he was on top of the shortlist for many clubs. However, La Rochelle swooped to secure his services with veteran France fullback Brice Dulin set to hang up his boots at the end of the season.
It’s yet another major blow that La Rochelle have landed after prizing scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec away from Racing 92 with the two stars now set to link up with O’Gara’s squad next season.
Le Garrec was a standout for France during the 2024 Six Nations, filling the void left by Antoine Dupont – who was playing for the France sevens team. He will now be tasked with replacing Tawera Kerr-Barlow with the former All Blacks’ contract expiring at the end of the 2024/25 season.
Niniashvili reportedly heard offers from Toulouse and Toulon as well as Stade Francais but the latter pulled out of the race for his signature after Léo Barré penned a contract extension until 2029.
The Georgian international is adept at fullback and on the wing but is expected to feature mostly in the former for La Rochelle if Dulin does retire. His arrival is also to offset the possible departure of Teddy Thomas.
Meanwhile, O’Gara has rubbished the rumours linking All Blacks star Damian McKenzie with a move to the club. The pivot is reportedly negotiating a contract extension with New Zealand Rugby and the Chiefs which could open the opportunity for another playing sabbatical.
But the Irishman says if he does take up a sabbatical, it will not be at La Rochelle.
“No, no, no, I’m aware of that, that’s a wild rumour. It ain’t happening,” the La Rochelle boss told Off the Ball when asked if he is signing McKenzie.
The ex-fly-half then went on to explain why a move for McKenzie is not possible.
All Blacks: Ronan O’Gara dubs Damian McKenzie move as ‘off the Richter scale’
How will Racing 92 spend the Siya Kolisi funds?
Racing 92 have freed up some of their budget following the departure of Springboks captain Siya Kolisi who has returned to South Africa.
It was reported that the Sharks were set to pay a fee to Racing 92 to secure Kolisi’s release from the Parisian club. This gives head coach Stuart Lancaster a bit of a war chest to work with but he has confirmed that they will not be going to the market in search of a replacement back-rower.
“We already have some very good loose forwards at the club: Jordan Joseph, Maxime Baudonne, Cameron Woki, Junior Kpoku, Ibrahim Diallo and Hacjivah Dayimani are all among them,” he told reporters.
“So we have several good options. If during the season we suffer from injuries, we will recruit someone.”
So how will they make use of the available funds? According to RugbyRama, the club need to recruit cover for Jannick Tarrit after the hooker sustained a ‘serious injury’ in the defeat to Castres in round one of the Top 14.
While there is sufficient cover within the squad, but the depth will be tested to its limits if Diego Escobar is called up by Chile in November.
More long term, RugbyRama theorises that the club could use the money to recruit a world-class scrum-half to fill Le Garrec’s void from next season.
