Some of the biggest stars of world rugby continue to be liked with moves around, in and out of the Premiership as directors of rugby look to build their squads ahead of the 2023/24 season and plug holes in their teams as injuries bite.
Here are all the latest transfer rumours, contract renewals and confirmed moves from around the Gallagher Premiership....
Finn Russell to decide between Bath and Racing 92 this week
The future of Scottish international fly-half Finn Russell looks set to be decided this week according to the latest reports coming out of France.
Midi Olympique report Russell, 30, is edging towards a move to Bath over accepting the offer on the table to extend his time at French Top 14 giants Racing 92. Ironically the reports published in France today contrast those in Sunday’s The Rugby Paper which report he had ‘turned down a move’ to the Rec.
Fascinatingly, Midi Olympique report the scouting team at Racing 92 are already lining up alternative fly-half options should Russell depart with Exeter Chiefs’ Joe Simmonds high on their list.
Wales and Ospreys fly-half Gareth Anscombe, who has struggled with a series of injuries in recent years, is reported to be another option on the table for the Parisian side who will be coached by out-going Leinster director of rugby Stuart Lancaster next season.
Gloucester target Bath tighthead as Van Graan secures Springbok's services
Gloucester Rugby are looking to sign Bath’s England international tighthead prop Will Stuart according to the latest reports.
Stuart, 26, joined Bath from Wasps in 2019 and has developed into a world-class tighthead while at the Rec.
The Cherry and Whites are also reported to be interested in Cardiff Rugby and Welsh international tighthead Dillon Lewis.
The 26-year-old forward is out of contract at the end of this season with the current freeze on recruitment and retention at the four Welsh regions generally not helping when it comes to keeping players in Wales.
Meanwhile, The Rugby Paper report Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan has already secured a deal to add giant South African international tighthead prop Thomas du Toit to the Rec next summer.
Leicester Tigers set to promote rugby league legend to head coach
England are set to confirm the appointment of Steve Borthwick to succeed Eddie Jones as head coach of the national team but it is going to cost the RFU £1m to buy him out of his Leicester Tigers contract report the Daily Telegraph.
Meanwhile, Leicester are set to deny Borthwick the chance to take two of his top lieutenants with him, with the Premiership side reported to be planning to promoted defence coach Kevin Sinfield to the head coach job at Welford Road.
Borthwick is also understood to have been keen on bringing head of physical performance Aled Walters with him to England but it appears he is likely to have to see out his contractual obligations with Leicester.
McGuigan makes shock midseason swap
Gloucester Rugby have pulled off a sensational move in the transfer market but signing try-scoring hooker George McGuigan on a long-term deal from Newcastle Falcons, but with immediate effect.
McGuigan will provide immediate cover for Jack Singleton who sustained a double leg injury during Gloucester’s 34-19 win over Northampton Saints and has undergone surgery. He will join up with the Gloucester squad on Tuesday.
England duo commit to Saracens
Saracens have confirmed England international hooker Jamie George and versatile back Elliot Daly have signed new deasl at the club.
The hooker, who is a club stalwart originally joined the academy as a 14 year old, and has gone on to make 263 appearances for the Men in Black.
The 32-year-old made his debut back in 2009, and has starred on the international stage as well as the club game, with 72 England caps and three British & Irish Lions caps to his name.
Daly, who plays all across the back-line on the wing, in the midfield and at full-back has been at the top of the game for a decade now, with 56 England caps and five British and Irish Lions caps on the international stage.
The 30-year-old is closing in on a half century of appearances for Sarries since making the move from Wasps.
Luke Morahan to make midseason exit from Bristol
Bristol Bears have agreed to release Luke Morahan from his contract and the winger will depart the club to Top 14 side Bayonne on December 28th.
Three cap Australian international Morahan has scored 47 tries in 107 appearances for the Bears.
Morahan’s final game – if selected - will be against Harlequins at Twickenham on Tuesday, December 27th.
Bristol director of rugby, Pat Lam, said: “Luke has been a tremendous leader and a foundation Bear who has driven the standards and set the bar for the next group of players.
“Luke was out of contract next summer and keen to stay - and while we were obviously keen to keep somebody of his quality and experience, the challenges of the reduced salary cap mean it’s impossible to keep hold of every player, a challenge that we are seeing across the Premiership now.
“He came to me with a fantastic, long-term offer from Bayonne on the proviso that he joined now as a medical joker – and with the challenges of managing the salary cap meaning that we couldn’t guarantee him an offer to stay, we have granted his early release in the best interests of Luke, Madi and his family.
“With everything he has achieved and contributed here, we feel this is the right decision and we know he will give everything to the club over December.”
Bristol face battle with Irish for in form Bath lock
Australian lock Fergus Lee-Warner is attracting suitors having repeatedly impressed since arriving at Bath Rugby from Worcester Warriors in September following the club’s financial collapse.
He has signed a deal to stay with the Blue, Black and White until the end of the season but Bristol Bears and London Irish are both chasing his signature ahead of the 2023/24 season.
London Irish are also reported to be chasing Bath's international winger Joe Cokanasiga.
Gloucester Rugby set to land Cardiff Rugby centre ace
Gloucester Rugby are rumoured to be the unnamed Gallagher Premiership club to have secured the signature of Cardiff Rugby’s rising star centre Max Llewellyn ahead of next season.
At 6ft 5in and 16 and half stone, Llewellyn is a big, fast, hard running predominantly inside centre with an eye for a great running line.
This weekend Cardiff director of rugby Dai Young confirmed Llewellyn will leave the club in the summer. He said: "Yes, unfortunately that's the case, but can you blame these boys?"
Saints' rising star to stay at Franklin's Gardens
Northampton Saints have confirmed that Ollie Sleightholme has signed a new contract to remain at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.
The 22-year-old wing – formerly of Northampton Old Scouts and Northampton School for Boys – joined Saints’ first-team squad on a full-time basis ahead of the 2018/19 season, having graduated from the Club’s Academy (which he initially joined aged 13).
Sleightholme has since scored 25 tries in 53 appearances in Black, Green and Gold, and scooped both of Northampton’s Try of the Season and Young Player of the Season awards at the end of the 2020/21 campaign.
With six scores in just nine appearances so far this term, Sleightholme is already looking to kick on again for Saints for the remainder of the 2022/23 season and beyond.
“Northampton Saints is my home and everything about the place made me want to stay here for longer,” he said.
“All the players and every member of staff here is like family. We’re such a tight-knit group and having the opportunity to be around all your best mates every day is very special.
England international forward commits to Falcons
Jamie Blamire has signed a new deal with Newcastle Falcons which will keep the England hooker at Kingston Park for the next two seasons.
The 24-year-old Cumbrian has scored 15 tries in his 74 appearances after coming through the Falcons’ academy, going on to score an incredible six tries in his six England caps.
Revealing the news of his contract extension, Blamire said: "I’ve been with the Falcons since the age of 16, coming through the ACE programme and the senior academy, and it’s somewhere that means a lot to me.
"I want to stay here for longer and build on what I’ve done so far, and I’m really happy to have the contract all sorted."
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