DONE DEALS: Aviva Premiership Rugby 'Ins & Outs' for season 2017-18
When the new Aviva Premiership Rugby season gets underway on Friday 1 September, a host of stars will be donning new colours for the very first time.
All 12 Aviva Premiership Rugby clubs have been busy revamping their squads in preparation for the big kick-off, and swathes of top-level talent has entered the League.
British & Irish Lions ace Liam Williams has joined double European Champions Saracens, South Africa scrum-half Faf de Clerk moved to Sale Sharks and Newcastle Falcons recruited Canada’s record try-scorer DTH van der Merwe to name just a few.
There has also been plenty of business conducted between Aviva Premiership Rugby clubs, with Leicester Tigers signing England star George Ford from Bath Rugby and Freddie Burns going in the opposite direction, while veteran prop Petrus Du Plessis has swapped Saracens for newly-promoted London Irish.
Here is your definitive guide to every transfer completed so far.
Bath Rugby
With England fly-half George Ford joining Leicester Tigers, Bath Rugby negotiated a swap deal to secure a like-for-like replacement, with hometown boy Freddie Burns moving in the opposite direction.
Bath’s other marquee signing is another England international in the form of Sam Underhill, who returns to Aviva Premiership Rugby from Ospreys after beginning his career at Gloucester Rugby.
IN: Darren Allinson (London Irish), Freddie Burns (Leicester Tigers), Shaun Knight (Dragons), Josh Lewis (Ebbw Vale), Anthony Perenise (Bristol Rugby), James Phillips (Bristol Rugby), Sam Underhill (Ospreys)
OUT: David Denton (Worcester Warriors), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Robbie Fruean (Edinburgh Rugby), Joe Graham (Rotherham Titans), Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors), David Sisi (Zebre), Daniel Bowden (released)
Exeter Chiefs
Reigning Aviva Premiership Rugby Champions Exeter Chiefs have opted against making any sweeping changes to their squad but have brought in flanker Matt Kvesic from Gloucester Rugby.
A fine start to life with Exeter will only serve to aid the 25-year-old’s bid to force his way back in the England fold.
IN: James Freeman (Jersey Reds), Matt Kvesic (Gloucester Rugby), Tom O’Flaherty (Ospreys), Toby Salmon (Rotherham Titans), Wilhelm van der Sluys (Southern Kings), Nic White (Montpellier).
OUT: Will Hooley (Bedford Blues), Dave Lewis (Harlequins), Niko Matawalu (released), Geoff Parling (Melbourne Rebels), Damian Welch (Cardiff Blues), Ben White (Cardiff Blues), Matt Jess, Tom Johnson, Haydn Thomas (all retired)
Gloucester Rugby
British & Irish Lion Greig Laidlaw and England winger Jonny May are two high-profile departures from Kingsholm that have taken place this summer.
In contrast, former New Zealand Under-20 full-back Jason Woodward could prove an important addition for Gloucester Rugby following his impressive displays for relegated Bristol Rugby last term, while Leicester Tigers Ed Slater will add bite to their forward pack.
IN: Ruan Ackermann (Lions), Fraser Balmain (Leicester Tigers), Gareth Denman (Northampton Saints), Jake Polledri (Hartpury RFC), Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers), Owen Williams (Leicester Tigers), Jason Woodward (Bristol Rugby), Ben Vellacott (Academy), Freddie Clarke (Academy), Lloyd Evans (Academy).
OUT: Joe Batley (Bristol Rugby), Darren Dawidiuk (London Irish), Paul Doran-Jones (Wasps), James Hook (Ospreys), Sione Kalamafoni (Leicester Tigers), Matt Kvesic (Exeter Chiefs), Greig Laidlaw (ASM Clermont Auvergne), Joe Latta (Bristol Rugby), Tom Lindsay (Bedford Blues), Salesi Ma’afu (RC Narbonne), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Mat Protheroe (Bristol Rugby), Dan Thomas (Bristol Rugby), Yann Thomas (Stade Rouennais)
Harlequins
Harlequins have plumped for a wealth of international talent during their summer recruitment drive, with Namibia’s Renaldo Bothma, South African Demetri Catrakilis and twice-capped All Black Francis Saili all set for their first cracks at Aviva Premiership Rugby.
Catrakilis will look to recreate the form he showed with Montpellier as he attempts to fill the boots of newly-retired club legend Nick Evans.
IN: Renaldo Bothma (Bulls), Lewis Boyce (Yorkshire Carnegie), Demetri Catrakilis (Montpellier,) Ben Glynn (Bristol Rugby), Dave Lewis (Exeter Chiefs), Josh McNulty (Gloucester Rugby), Francis Saili (Munster), Phil Swainston (Wasps).
OUT: Owen Evans (Doncaster Knights), Tyler Gendall (Bristol Rugby), Matt Hopper (Oyonnax), Dan Murphy (Hartpury), Matt Shields (Rotherham Titans), Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors), Luc Jones, Robbie Nairn, Niall Saunders (all unattached), Karl Dickson, Nick Evans, Netani Talei, George Naoupu, Mark Reddish (all retired)
Leicester Tigers
George Ford and Jonny May stand out among the list of arrivals at Leicester Tigers ahead of the new season.
The England pair arrive with a wealth of top-level experience and much will be expected of them when they take to the field in green, red and white.
IN: George Ford (Bath Rugby), Joe Ford (Yorkshire Carnegie), Jonah Holmes (Yorkshire Carnegie), Sione Kalamafoni (Gloucester Rugby), Nick Malouf (Australia Sevens), Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby), Gareth Owen (Scarlets), Dominic Ryan (Leinster).
OUT: Fraser Balmain (Gloucester Rugby), Peter Betham (ASM Clermont Auvergne), Riccardo Brugnara (Rovigo), Oli Bryant (Jersey Reds), Freddie Burns (Bath Rugby), Ryan Olowofela (England Sevens), JP Pietersen (Toulon), Jack Roberts (Cardiff Blues), Ed Slater (Gloucester Rugby), Owen Williams (Gloucester Rugby), Sam Yawayawa (Glasgow Warriors), Will Owen (released), Marcos Ayerza (retired)
London Irish
After returning to Aviva Premiership Rugby at the first time of asking, London Irish have gone on an almighty recruitment drive, bringing in 11 new faces.
Most are well-versed in the trials and tribulations of the League, perhaps none more than South Africa-born prop Petrus de Plessis, who has left Saracens for a new life at the Madejski Stadium.
IN: Darren Dawidiuk (Gloucester Rugby), Petrus Du Plessis (Saracens), Saia Fainga’a (Brumbies), Lasha Lomidze (Krasny Yar), Luke McLean (Beneton Treviso), Ben Meehan (Melbourne Rebels), Napolioni Nalaga (Lyon), Teofilo Paulo (Beneton Treviso), Gordon Reid (Glasgow Warriors), Manasa Saulo (Toulon), Jake Schatz (Melbourne Rebels).
OUT: Darren Allinson (Bath Rugby), Gerard Ellis (Dragons Rugby), Luke Narraway (Coventry) Jerry Sexton (Jersey Reds) Jebb Sinclair, Joe Trayfoot, Tevita Koloamatangi, George Robson (all released), Tom Court (retired)
Newcastle Falcons
At Newcastle Falcons, Toby Flood is the name on every fan’s lips. The 32-year-old former England star has returned to his former club nine years after departing for Leicester Tigers and is back in Aviva Premiership Rugby after a three-year spell with Toulouse.
He will be joined at Falcons by Canadian ace DTH van der Merwe, who arrives from Scarlets.
IN: Ryan Burrows (Yorkshire Carnegie), Tevita Cavubati (Worcester Warriors), Cameron Cowell (England Sevens), Trevor Davison (Blaydon), Gary Graham (Jersey Reds), Toby Flood (Toulouse), Joel Matavesi (Redruth), Josh Matavesi (Ospreys), Sami Mavinga (Lyon), Maxime Mermoz (Leicester Tigers), Adam Radwan (Darington Mowden Park), Sam Stuart (Richmond), DTH van der Merwe (Scarlets), Charlie Wilson (Academy).
OUT: Fred Burdon (released), Joshua Chisanga (released), Mike Delany (Bay of Plenty), Archie Erskine (Edinburgh Rugby), Andrew Foster (Rotherham Titans), Ben Harris (Wasps), Mouritz Botha, Tom Catterick, Sam Egerton (all retired)
Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints have shuffled their pack by allowing 12 players to depart. But they have also brought in five players from the Southern Hemisphere, with the likes of David Ribbans and Francoiz van Wyk arriving from Super Rugby.
IN: Mitch Eadie (Bristol Rugby) Piers Francis (Blues), Jamal Ford-Robinson (Bristol Rugby) Rob Horne (Waratahs) Cobus Reinach (Sharks) Francois Van Wyk (Western Force).
OUT: Calum Clark (Saracens), Gareth Denman (Gloucester Rugby), Lee Dickson (Bedford Blues), JJ Hanrahan (Leinster), Sam Olver (Worcester Warriors), Howard Packman (Bedford Blues), Louis Picamoles (Montpellier), Ethan Waller (Worcester Warriors), James Wilson, Sam Dickinson, Jake Ilnicki, George Pisi (all released)
Sale Sharks
Two South African-born internationals are among the raft of new faces at Sale Sharks.
Springbok Faf de Klerk has come in from Super Rugby’s Lions while Scotland international Josh Strauss is another Sale capture from Glasgow Warriors.
IN: Will Cliff (Bristol Rugby), WillGriff John (Doncaster Knights), Marc Jones (Bristol Rugby), Faf de Klerk (Lions), James O’Connor (Toulon), Jono Ross (Stade Francais), Josh Strauss (Glasgow Warriors), Alexandru Tarus (Bezier).
OUT: Sam Bedlow (Bristol Rugby), Andrew Hughes (Sale FC), Kieran Longbottom (Saracens), James Mitchell (Connacht), Dan Mugford (Plymouth Albion), Matt Rogerson (Jersey Reds), Peter Stringer (Worcester Warriors), Sam Tuitupou (Coventry), Neil Briggs, Mike Phillips (both retired), Charlie Ingall, Tim Jeffers, Magnus Lund, Jonathan Mills, Tom Morton, Connor Dever, (all released)
Saracens
Following his heroics for the British & Irish Lions in New Zealand earlier this summer, Saracens supporters will be looking forward to seeing Welsh firecracker Liam Williams in action following his move from Scarlets.
Williams arrives at the top of his game and will step into the breach left by England star Chris Ashton, who has moved to Toulon.
IN: Calum Clark (Northampton Saints), Dominic Day (Rebels), Tom Griffiths (Academy), Kieran Longbottom (Sale Sharks), Will Skelton (Waratahs), Hayden Thompson-Stringer (Academy), Christopher Tolofua (Toulouse), Tom Whiteley (Academy), Liam Williams (Scarlets).
OUT: Chris Ashton (Toulon), Petrus Du Plessis (London Irish), Tom Lindsay (Bedford Blues), George Perkins (Bristol Rugby), Jared Saunders (Jersey Reds), Brian Tuilagi (Dax), Samu Vunisa (Glasgow Warriors), Fa’atiga Lemalu (released), Tim Streather Neil De Kock, Jim Hamilton, Kelly Brown (all retired)
Wasps
Wasps have injected even more flair into their offensive engine room with the capture of former England and Great Britain 7s international Marcus Watson from Newcastle Falcons and Fiji international Gabiriele Lovobalavu, who comes in from French outfit Bayonne.
IN: Paul Doran Jones (Gloucester Rugby), Antonio ‘TJ’ Harris (Nottingham Rugby), Ben Harris (Newcastle Falcons), Juan de Jongh (Stormers), Gabiriele Lovobalavu (Bayonne), Marcus Watson (Newcastle Falcons).
OUT: Kurtley Beale (Waratahs), Tom Bristow (released), Nick De Luca (retired), Carlo Festuccia (retired), Frank Halai (Pau), Alapati Leiua (Bristol Rugby), Phil Swainston (Harlequins)
Worcester Warriors
The turnover of players has been colossal at Worcester Warriors, meaning that there could be a very different flavour to the Midlands outfit when they dive into the new season.
Among those coming in, former Ireland man Peter Stringer, 39, brings untold experience while Scotland forward David Denton could prove a key man at Sixways following his move from Bath Rugby.
IN: David Denton (Bath Rugby), Tom Howe (Wasps), Simon Kerrod (Jersey Reds), Sam Olver (Northampton Saints), Pierce Phillips (Jersey Reds), Peter Stringer (Sale Sharks), Ethan Waller (Northampton Saints).
OUT: Derrick Appiah (London Scottish), Tevita Cavubati (Newcastle Falcons), Mike Daniels (Hartpury College), Tiff Eden (Nottingham Rugby), James Johnston (Brive), Ryan Lamb (La Rochelle), Na’ama Leleimalefaga (Brive), Val Rapava Ruskin (Gloucester Rugby), Auguy Slowik (Northern Suburbs Rugby Club), Chris Vui (Bristol Rugby), Phil Dowson (retired), Andy Short (retired), Sam Betty, Tom Biggs, Connor Braid, Jaba Bregvadze, Ryan Grant, Cooper Vuna (all released).
Comments on RugbyPass
🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
28 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
1 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusades , you can keep going.
1 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
28 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
28 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
28 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to commentsLike tennis, who have a ranking system, and I believe rugby too, just measure over each period preceding a world cup event who was the longest number one and that would be it. In tennis the number one player frequently is not the grand slam winner. I love and adore the All Blacks since the days of Ian Kirkpatrick when I was a kid in SA. And still do because they are the masters of running rugby and are gentleman on and off the field - in general. And in my opinion they have been the majority of the time the best rugby team in the world.
28 Go to commentsHaving overseas possessions in 2024 is absurd. These Frenchies should have to give the New Caledonians their freedom.
21 Go to commentsBell injured his foot didn’t he? Bring Tupou in he’ll deliver when it counts. Agree mostly but I would switch in the Reds number 8 Harry Wilson for Swinton and move Rob Valentini to 6 instead. Wilson is a clever player who reads the play, you can’t outmuscle the AB’s and Springboks, if you have any chance it’s by playing clever. Same goes for Paisami, he’s a little guy who doesn’t really trouble the likes of De Allende and Jordie Barrett. I’d rather play Carter Gordon at 12 and put Michael Lynagh’s boy at 10. That way you get a BMT type goalkicker at 10 and a playmaker at 12. Anyways, just my two cents as a Bok supporter.
14 Go to commentsThanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
11 Go to comments