The rugby transfer market has never been busier as we move into the summer.
It might be the rugby 'off-season' for a couple more weeks until players return from pre-season but with more than 100 Premiership players out of contract and directors of rugby still looking to fill holes in their squads there are plenty of deals being done around the league ahead of the 2022/23 season.
Here are all the latest transfer rumours, contract renewals and confirmed moves.
Zach Mercer cools on imminent Premiership return
England international number eight Zach Mercer is set to spend at least another season playing for Montpellier in the French Top according to the latest reports.
There is a clamour amongst England rugby fans, and national head coach Eddie Jones who has been out to watch him in person this season, to get the explosive backrow forward playing back in the Premiership to make him eligible for England ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
The former Bath Rugby man joined Montpellier in the summer of 2021 on a two-year deal with the option of a third and after a man of the match performance in last night's Top 14 final to lead his club to the title, Mercer has pledged to see out at least the initial stage of his contract according to The Rugby Paper.
However, the publication reveals Mercer could be eligible to play for England at the World Cup if he signs a contract to play for an English club ahead of the 2023/24 season, keeping the door open for the 24-year-old.
Leicester Tigers hero wanted in Japan
Leicester Tigers' Premiership final drop kick hero Freddie Burns is attracting interest from Japan according to the latest reports.
Former Gloucester and Bath fly-half Burns has one more year left on his current contract with Premiership champions Leicester, and while England star George Ford is leaving Welford Road to join Sale Sharks this summer, 32-year-old Burns is set to be second choice at the club once again in 2022/23 with the arrival of South African World Cup winner Handre Pollard.
Burns spent a season playing in Japan after being released by Bath and his former club the Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi, who have just been promoted, are in the market for a fly-half for the season after next and interested in reuniting with Burns according to The Rugby Paper.
Cardiff City FC snap up released Bath coach
Two coaches out the door at Farleigh House this season as part of the huge shake-up at Bath Rugby following the club’s worst season in the professional era have landed new positions.
Cardiff City Football Club, who will play in the Skybet Championship next season, have bolstered their backroom staff with the appointment of head of physical performance Patrick Wilson. Wilson, who goes by PJ Wilson, joins the Bluebirds in his first job in football as he makes the switch from Bath.
Meanwhile, former Bath backs coach David Williams, who lasted less than a season at the Blue, Black and White after leaving the club in February, has been appointed backs and attack coach at Italian United Rugby Championship side Zebre Parma on a two-year contract.
Former Bath and Bristol Bears scrum-half re-signs with Zebre
Chris Cook, the former Bath, Bristol Bears and Northampton Saints scrum half, has signed a one-year contract extension at Italian Rugby United Championship side Zebre Parma.
Cook said: “I am very happy to have extended my stay at the Zebre. I have loved every minute since I arrived in Parma and I truly believe in the ambitions and direction the club is moving towards. I can't wait to take the field and give my contribution as much as possible. "We are building a great team on and off the pitch and I am looking forward to starting the new season! "
Exeter Chiefs duo head out on loan
A pair of young Exeter Chiefs players will head out on loan to Championship side Coventry Rugby next season.
Winger Shea Cornish and prop Danny Southworth will join the Coventry squad ahead of the 2022/23 Championship campaign on season-long loans as Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter continues to look for avenues to get his fringe players competitive playing time.
London Irish signed former England age grade star
London Irish have confirmed the signing of Josh Basham from Gallagher Premiership side Newcastle Falcons.
Basham will return to his boyhood club once again after emerging from the London Irish Academy.
The talented back-row forward has spent three years on Tyneside studying at Durham University, having joined the Falcons from Irish towards the conclusion of the 2018/19 season and has since made 15 appearances across domestic and European competitions.
Basham achieved nine appearances for the Exiles before his departure to Kingston Park, making his debut in the Premiership, Anglo-Welsh Cup and Challenge Cup throughout the 2017/18 campaign.
The 23-year-old was capped at age-grade level for England, captaining the Under-18s and lining up for the Under-20s in the 2018 and 2019 Under 20 World Championships, reaching the final against France in the former.
Jersey Reds snap up Gloucester pair
Scrum-half Toby Venner has left Gloucester Rugby for Championship side Jersey Reds, both clubs have confirmed.
Gloucester Rugby have also agreed a deal to send Academy forward Josh Gray on a season-long loan at RFU Championship side Jersey for the 2022-23 campaign.
Backrower Gray spent the 2021-22 season earning on-loan at Hartpury RFC and will now experience the Championship in a different environment at the Stade Santander International and will return to the Cherry & Whites next summer.
