Arrivals and exits: A country-by-country look at the Top 14's new signings

We stand on the doorstep of another exhilarating and fiercely contested Top 14 season, making it the perfect time to take a deep dive into the foreign legion players set to leave their mark on French rugby’s premier competition.

From the 24 nations set to participate in next year’s World Cup, only three won’t have any personnel featuring in the Top 14: Zimbabwe, Canada and Hong Kong China Rugby.

There was a slight uptick from one season to the other, as the foreign legion considered for this article went from 214 to 224 players. Portugal went from zero to three representatives with the arrivals of captain José Madeira, flanker Nicolás Martins, and prolific try-scorer Rodrigo Marta.

Regarding the Home Nations’ presence in the Top 14, England (-5), Wales (-3), and Ireland (-2) saw their numbers drop – despite the arrival of top-level players like Tom Willis – with only Scotland increasing its contingent, going from eight to twelve.

Fiji remains the nation with the highest number of representatives in the top division of French club rugby, with 34, followed by Argentina (29) and Georgia (26).

No nation has strengthened its Top 14 presence more than New Zealand, whose contingent has grown by ten players with Sevu Reece, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Braydon Ennor and AJ Lam leading the charge.

A couple of points to clarify before we get to the list:

– “Biggest arrival” refers to players who have joined the ProD2, meaning it doesn’t necessarily mean it is their first time playing in France.

– Along the same lines, ‘Main departure’ refers to players who have left the ProD2, whether because they were promoted to the Top 14, moved to the Nationale, or joined another league.

– We only considered players who have featured for their national teams or who have played a minimum of five Top14/ProD2 games.

SOUTH AFRICA
Biggest arrival: Robert du Preez (Bayonne). Bayonne picked up one of the best deals of the Summer, locking in sharpshooter and Springbok Robert du Preez for the next two seasons, which will boost their chances of reaching the competition’s top 6.
Main departure: Arno Botha (LOU to USO Nevers).
Note: After a considerable drop in 2025, South Africa has experienced an increase, going from 16 to 18 thanks to arrivals of several Stormers and Bulls players.

The 18 South Africans who are bound to play in the Top14 are: Jeremy Ward (Stade Français – centre), Joe Jonas (Vannes – fullback), Carlu Sadie (Union Bordeaux-Bègles – prop), Tiaan Jacobs (Union Bordeaux-Bègles – loose forward), Rohan van Rensburg (Union Bordeaux-Bègles – centre), Tristan Tedder (Racing 92 – fullback/fly-half), James Hall (USA Perpignan – scrum-half), Dillyn Leyds (Stade Rochelais – wing/fullback), Herschel Jantjies (Bayonne – scrum-half), Jean-Luc du Preez (Union Bordeaux-Bègles – loose forward), Janse Roux (LOU – lock), Robert du Preez (Bayonne – fly-half), Dan du Plessis (Union Bordeaux-Bègles – centre), Salmaan Moerat (Stade Rochelais – lock), David Kriel (Stade Rochelais – centre), Sanele Nohamba (LOU – scrum-half), Nick Schoner (Vannes – prop) and Ruben van Heerden (Montpellier – lock).

NEW ZEALAND
Biggest arrival: Sevu Reece (USA Perpignan). 22 tries and 37 caps later, Sevu Reece’s All Blacks career has come to an end, with the winger set to embrace a new challenge at Perpignan.
Main departure: Luke Whitelock (Section Paloise to retirement). An era comes to an end at Pau, as captain Luke Whitelock has hung up his boots after featuring in 109 games for the club, helping them qualify for the Top14 playoffs for the very first time.
Note: With the arrival of Murray Tuilagi, New Zealand will have 26 players in the Top14: Feibyan Tukino (Castres – loose forward), Abraham Papili’i (Castres – loose forward), Jack Goodhue (Castres – centre), Liam Allen (Lyon – back row), Josiah Maraku (Lyon – centre), Tawera Kerr Barlow (Stade Français – scrum-half), Ihaia West (Stade Rochelais – fly-half), Ricky Riccitelli (Montpellier – hooker), Harry Plummer (Clermont – utility back), Sione Mafileo (Vannes – prop), Joey Manu (Racing 92 – centre), Chirs Gabriel (Castres – lock), AJ Lam (Clermont – wing), Etene Nanai Seturo (Clermont – wing), Sione Ahio (Stade Rochelais – prop), Sam Tuifua (Stade Rochelais – back-row), Braydon Ennor (USA Perpignan – centre), Sevu Reece (USA Perpignan – wing), Murray Tuilagi (Vannes – utility back), Mils Sanerivi (Vannes – hooker), Joe Edwards (Vannes – back-row), Michael Ruru (Vannes – scrum-half), Ray Nu’u (Vannes – centre), Malachi Hawkes (Stade Toulousain – prop), Tomasi Maka (Stade Français – hooker) and Israel Lota (Stade Français – wing).

IRELAND
Biggest arrival: Luke McGrath (USA Perpignan). Perpignan are searching for a way back into the top half of the standings, with Luke McGrath set to be a central cog in their resurgence.
Main departure: Joey Carbery (Union Bordeaux-Bègles to Leinster).
Note: Three Irish operators are going to be involved in the Top 14 and they are: Paddy Jackson (Lyon – fly-half), Luke McGrath (USA Perpignan – scrum-half) and Karl Martin (Montpellier – centre).

ENGLAND
Biggest arrival: Tom Willis (Union Bordeaux-Bègles). Bordeaux may finally have found the missing piece in their quest to dethrone Toulouse, as the club has secured the services of former Saracens back-rower Tom Willis, giving them a Willis of their own.
Main departure: Joe Marchant (Stade Français to Sale Sharks).
Note: With Joe Marchant and six other leaving French shores, the England player contingent has decreased from 24 to 19: Will Collier (Castres – prop), Alexander Moon (Bayonne – lock), Manu Tuilagi (Bayonne – centre), Kyle Sinckler (RC Toulon – prop), David Ribbans (RC Toulon – lock), Lewis Ludlam (RC Toulon – loose forward), Jack Willis (Stade Toulousain – loose forward), Joe Simmonds (Section Paloise – fly-half), Sam James (Racing 92 – fly-half), Billy Vunipola (Montpellier – loose forward), Sam Simmonds (Lyon – loose forward), Jack Nowell (Stade Rochelais – wing), Lennox Anyanwu (Montpellier – centre), Jonny Hill (Racing 92 – lock), Nathan Hughes (Racing 92 – back row), Zach Mercer (RC Toulon – back row), Junior Kpoku (RC Toulon – lock), Ben Stevenson (Vannes – wing) and Tom Willis (Union Bordeaux-Bègles – flanker).

SCOTLAND
Biggest arrival: Huw Jones (RC Toulon). Toulon is building quite the roster, with Huw Jones poised to pair with either Gaël Fickou or Ignacio Brex, which could be one of the tastiest centre pairings in the Top14.
Main departure: Jamie Ritchie (USA Perpignan to Glasgow Warriors).
Note: Like Argentina, Scotland has also increased its representation in the Top 14, with 12 Scottish players now featuring in the topflight of French club rugby: Ben White (RC Toulon – scrum-half), Blair Kinghorn (Stade Toulousain – fly-half), Jonny Gray (USA Perpignan – lock), Stuart Hogg (Montpellier – fullback), Ewan Johnson (Bayonne – lock), Alex Masibaka (Montpellier – number eight), Ali Price (Montpellier – scrum-half), Ben Healy (Stade Rochelais – scrum-half), Hamish Watson (Castres – back-row), Adam Hastings (Montpellier – utility back), Huw Jones (RC Toulon – centre) and Dave Cherry (Vannes – hooker).

ARGENTINA
Biggest arrival: Matías Alemanno (Vannes). After winning promotion back to the Top 14, Vannes has made several signings, with Pumas centurion Matías Alemanno among them, who will certainly upgrade their set-piece before the season starts.
Main departure: Joel Sclavi (Stade Rochelais to Leicester Tigers).
Note: Argentina’s presence in the Top 14 has grown once again, with 29 players set to feature in the competition this season, five more than last year: Facundo Bosch (Bayonne – hooker), Lucas Adler (Bayonne – lock), Ignacio Calles (Section Paloise – prop), Mateo Carreras (Bayonne – wing), Rodrigo Bruni (Bayonne – back-row), Marcos Kremer (ASM Clermont – loose forward), Bautista Delguy (ASM Clermont – wing), Thomas Gallo (LOU – prop), Domingo Miotti (Montpellier – fly-half), Justo Piccardo (Montpellier – centre), Facundo Isa (Section Paloise – back row), Santiago Grondona (Section Paloise – back-row), Gonzalo García (Section Paloise – scrum half), Julián Montoya (Section Paloise – hooker), Ignacio Ruiz (USA Perpignan – hooker), Joaquin Oviedo (USA Perpignan – loose forward), Jeronimo de la Fuente (USA Perpignan – fly-half), Benjamín Urdapilleta (USA Perpignan – utility back), Geronimo Prisciantelli (Racing 92 – fly-half), Tomás Albornoz (RC Toulon – fly-half), Luciano Asevedo (RC Toulon – lock), Juan Cruz Mallia (Stade Toulousain – wing), Tomas Rapetti (Stade Toulousain – prop), Santiago Chocobares (Stade Toulousain – centre), Matías Alemanno (Vannes – lock), Santiago Medrano (Vannes – prop), Francisco Gorrissen (Vannes – utility forward), Juan Pedemonte (Vannes – back-row) and Juan Scelzo (Stade Français – loose forward).
Domingo Miotti is still considered Argentinian, although Felipe Contepomi has revealed that the fly-half is set to switch allegiances to Italy.

AUSTRALIA
Biggest arrival: Darcy Swain (Clermont). Wallabies lock Darcy Swain will take charge of Clermont’s lineout from August, bringing his Super Rugby Pacific career to a close, at least for the next two years.
Main departure: Rob Simmons (Clermont to unattached). Three seasons later, Rob Simmons leaves Clermont having represented the club in 68 matches, leaving a positive impression during his time with the former Top 14 champions.
Note: The Top 14 has become noticeably less Australian, with player numbers decreasing from 20 in 2025 to 14 this season, in complete contrast to the flourishing Australian presence in the Pro D2: Will Skelton (Stade Rochelais – lock), Reece Hodge (Castres – centre), Lachlan Swinton (USA Perpignan – loose forward), Reece Hewat (Section Paloise – loose forward), Jack Maddocks (Section Paloise – fullback), Jack McIntyre (USA Perpignan – fly-half), Jordan Uelese (Montpellier – hooker), Silalotu Latu (Stade Rochelais – hooker), Taniela Tupou (Racing 92 – prop), Tom Banks (Montpellier – outside back), Seru Eru (Racing 92), Langi Gleeson (Montpellier – back row), Rob Leota (Bayonne – back row) and Darcy Swain (Clermont – lock).

FIJI
Biggest arrival: Simi Kuruvoli (Vannes).
Main departure: Leone Nakarawa (Castres to unattached). Has 2025/2026 been the last hurrah for one of the greatest servants of the game, or will we get to see the utility forward joining another Top14 side?
Note: Fiji remains the nation contributing the most players to the Top 14 after France, with 34 players spreading their physicality and offloading wizardry in the league: Andrea Cocagi (Castres – centre), Atunaisa Sokobale (Castres – prop), Vilimoni Botitu (Castres – centre), Luke Tagi (Bayonne – prop), Sireli Maqala (Bayonne – centre), Setariki Tuicuvu (RC Toulon – wing/fullback), Jiuta Wainiqolo (Lyon – wing), Peniasi Dakuwaqa (Stade Français – wing), Peceli Yato (USA Perpignan – loose forward), Lekima Tagitagivalu (Racing 92 – centre), Josua Tuisova (Racing 92 – centre), Wame Naituvi (Racing 92 – wing), Viliame Tutuvuli (Bayonne – wing), Vinaya Habosi (Racing 92 – wing), Eneriko Buliruarua (USA Perpignan – centre), Levani Botia (Stade Rochelais – loose forward), Salesi Rayasi (Union Bordeaux-Bègles – wing), Veresa Ramototabua (Castres – back row), Vuate Karawalevu (Castres – wing), Tevita Ratuva (Clermont – lock), Tim Hoyt (LOU – prop), Pit-Gus Sowakula (Clermont – back-row), Simi Kuruvoli (Vannes – scrum-half), Petero Mailulu (Stade Français – lock), Peniami Narisia (Clermont – hooker), Inia Tabuavou (Vannes – centre), Apete Narogo (Stade Français – wing), Pio Muarua (Clermont – back row), Alivereti Duguivalu (Stade Français – centre), Alivereti Loaloa (Clermont – centre), Simeli Daunivucu (Stade Rochelais – centre), Semi Lagilava (Stade Rochelais – centre) and Iosefo Masi (Lyon – centre), Selestino Ravutaumada (Racing 92 – wing).

WALES
Biggest arrival: None.
Main departure: Will Rowlands (Racing 92 to retirement). Will Rowlands has drawn an end to a stellar career, having helped Racing 92 qualify for the Top14’s semifinals before retiring at the end of the season.

Note: Only one Welsh player remains in the Top14 that being Montpellier’s lock Adam Beard.

ITALY
Biggest arrival: Tommaso Menoncello (Stade Toulousain). Tommaso Menoncello’s move to Stade Toulousain is without a shadow of a doubt the biggest signing of the season, as the Italian centre will add more than a couple of layers of threat to the current Top14 title holders.

Main departure: Tommaso Allan (USA Perpignan to Zebre).
Note: The Italian contingent has undergone few changes, with Tommaso Allan and Martin Page-Relo departing, Tommaso Menoncello arriving, and Paolo Garbisi making a move between Top 14 clubs: Ange Capuozzo (Stade Toulousain – outside back), Federico Mori (Bayonne – centre), Gianmarco Lucchesi (RC Toulon – hooker), Paolo Garbisi (USA Perpignan – fly-half), Giacomo Nicotera (Stade Français – hooker), Mateo Riccioni (USA Perpignan – prop), Monty Ioane (Lyon – wing), Pietro Ceccarelli (USA Perpignan – prop), Juan Ignacio Brex (RC Toulon – centre) and Tommaso Menoncello (Stade Toulousain – centre).

JAPAN
Biggest arrival: Opeti Helu (LOU). The thundering prop Opeti Helu will enjoy his first season in France, joining the Lyon OU ranks for the next two seasons.
Main departure:
Note: Opeti Helu will be Japan’s only representative for the 2026/2027 season.

GEORGIA
Biggest arrival: Ioane Iashagashvili (Vannes).
Main departure: Gela Aprasidze (USA Perpignan to SAXV). The Lelos scrum-half Gela Aprasidze has left the Top14 for the first time since 2017, having joined the Soyaux-Angolême ranks for the upcoming ProD2 season.
Note: Georgia’s foothold in the Top 14 remains as strong as ever, with 26 players from the rugby powerhouse due to take part in the competition: Levan Chilachava (Castres – prop), Beka Gigashvili (RC Toulon – prop), Giorgi Melikidze (Stade Français – prop), Mikheili Shioshvili (RC Toulon – back-row), Sergo Abramishvili (Stade Français – prop), Giorgi Akhaladze (ASM Clermont – prop), Irakli Aptsiauri (Lyon – prop), Beka Shvangiradze (Lyon – loose forward), Beka Saghinadze (Lyon – loose forward), Nika Sutidze (Stade Rochelais – hooker), Davit Niniashvili (Stade Rochelais – fullback/wing), Lesko Kaulashvili (Section Paloise – prop), Guram Papidze (Section Paloise – prop), Andro Dvali (USA Perpignan – back-row), Beka Gorgadze (Section Paloise – loose forward), Guram Gogichasvili (Racing 92 – prop), Guram Gogichashvili (Racing 92 – prop), Gia Kharaishvili (Racing 92 – prop), Giorgi Tetrashvili (USA Perpignan – prop), Luka Japaridze (Montpellier – prop), Aleksandre Kuntelia (Stade Rochelais – prop), Giorgi Dzmanashvili (Clermont – prop), Mikheil Alania (Vannes – scrum-half), Ioane Iashagashvili (Vannes – back-row), Lasha Macharashvili (Bayonne – prop) and Lasha Pkhakadze (Union Bordeaux-Bègles – prop).

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Biggest arrival: Rufus McLean (Stade Français).
Main departure: None.
Note: David Ainu’u (Stade Toulousain – prop) and Rufus McLean (Stade Français – fullback) are the only Eagles bound to play in this year’s Top14.

PORTUGAL
Biggest arrival: Rodrigo Marta (Section Paloise). Having established himself as one of the most prolific threats on the international scene, Rodrigo Marta now faces his biggest club challenge yet, with Section Paloise offering him a first crack at Top 14 rugby.
Main departure: None.
Note: Rodrigo Marta (Section Paloise – wing/centre), José Madeira (USA Perpignan – lock) and Nicolás Martins (Racing 92 – back-row) will be the three Lobos stepping into the Top14, taking the nation from zero representatives to three in the space of just one year.

CHILE
Biggest arrival: None.
Main departure: None.
Note: Diego Escobar (Racing 92 – hooker) is the only Chilean player playing in this season of the Top 14.

SPAIN
Biggest arrival: None.
Main departure: Fred Quércy (Montauban). With Montauban dropping back to the Pro D2, one of Los Leones most influential captains, Fred Quércy, departs the Top 14 alongside them.
Note: Spain will be represented by the following five players: Samuel Ezeala (Stade Français – wing), Jon Zabala (Section Paloise – prop), Alvaro Garcia (Stade Français – hooker), Hugo González (Bayonne – prop) and Joel Merkler (Stade Toulousain – prop).

URUGUAY
Biggest arrival: None.
Main departure: None.
Note: Los Teros will have Jean Cotarmanac’h (Vannes – fly-half) and Santiago Arata (Castres – scrum-half) as their only representatives in France’s top club rugby division.

TONGA
Biggest arrival: None.
Main departure: Pita Ahki (Stade Toulousain to Blues). The legendary Toulouse centre departed midway through the season, and the team felt the impact of his absence as the campaign progressed.
Note: With Ben Tameifuna (Union Bordeaux-Bègles – prop) leading the Tongan charge, the Pacific Island nation will also have in Adam Coleman (Union Bordeaux-Bègles – lock), George Moala (Stade Rochelais – centre), Siate Tokolahi (Section Paloise – prop), Sione Kalamafoni (Vannes – back-row) and Tanginoa Halaifonua (Stade Français – back-row) its representatives for the season.

SAMOA
Biggest arrival: Theo McFarland (Stade Rochelais). Ronan O’Gara was looking for a Swiss-Army-Knife kind of player, and he has found it in Theo McFarland, with the utility forward providing a major boost to La Rochelle’s playoff ambitions.
Main departure: Duncan Paia’Aua (USA Perpignan to Biarritz).
Note: Samoa will step into this Top14 season with nine operatives: Brian Alainu’uese (Bayonne – lock), Paul Alo-Emile (Stade Français – prop), Tumua Manu (Section Paloise – centre), UJ Seuteni (Stade Rochelais – centre), Brad Amituanai (USA Perpignan – prop), Sam Malolo (USA Perpignan – hooker), Iakopo Mapu (Stade Français – back row), Theo McFarland (Stade Rochelais – utility forward) and Giovanni Habel-Kuffner (Bayonne – back row).

ROMANIA
Biggest arrival: Taylor Gontineac (Castres). The son of legendary Stejarii centre Romeo Gontineac, Taylor is set to test himself at the highest level after three outstanding seasons in the Pro D2, bringing his power and physicality to Castres.
Main departure: Stefan Buruiana (Castres to Narbonne).
Note: Both of Romania’s representatives will be playing for the same club, namely Taylor Gontineac and Lukas Mitu (hooker).