Fissler Confidential: England and France 10s, Lions centre on move

Anthony Belleau appears to be on his way out of Clermont Auvergne this summer, and whispers from across the Channel suggest he could be looking at a move to the Premiership amid a lack of opportunities in the Top 14.

The former French international fly-half started his career with six seasons at Toulon before moving to Clermont three years ago and has, so far this season, scored 108 points in 21 games.

The 29-year-old has also played at inside centre and full-back and could find his options limited, with only Leicester Tigers and Newcastle Falcons currently active in the market for a fly-half, while Glasgow Warriors are another potential destination.

Michael Cheika has emerged as a surprise contender for the Queensland Reds, who are set to lose boss Les Kiss when his appointment as the next Wallabies head coach is formally rubber-stamped next week.

Everything is now in place for the former Ulster and London Irish boss to succeed Joe Schmidt as Wallabies head coach later this year after a formal announcement was delayed by Easter and then Anzac Day.

Cheika has held talks with Top 14 giants Racing 92, who are waiting until after their derby against Stade Français to decide on a full-time replacement for Stuart Lancaster, but the Reds could yet tempt him back to Super Rugby.

Former England international Freddie Burns is weighing up his next move following an outstanding season with Japan Rugby League One Division Two outfit Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi – according to RugbyJP.com.

Burns, who turns 35 next month, has put any lingering doubts about his fitness firmly to bed and is out of contract at the end of the season, leaving him with a decision to make about his future.

The ex-Leicester Tigers, Bath and Gloucester star is the top points-scorer in the second tier with 146 points and also leads the try charts with nine from 12 games, one ahead of Will Genia.

Perpignan have joined the list of Top 14 clubs looking to sign Scotland and Gloucester inside centre Chris Harris when his contract with the Premiership’s surprise play-off contenders runs out this summer.

Harris’s outstanding performances for Gloucester this season have got clubs from across the Channel falling over themselves to beat a path to his door, and he isn’t in any rush to make a decision.

He is waiting on the outcome of the next crucial set of Top 14 games before deciding which club to join, as well as who Racing 92 appoint as their next head coach after their derby with Stade Français.

Rob Baxter admits he is still looking to strengthen his squad for next season and has now added a lock to his shopping list amid a handful of expected departures from Sandy Park this summer.

The Chiefs are expected to release former Leinster man Jack Dunne, 26, who has played six times this season, while another Irishman, Eoin O’Connor, 24, is also set to leave the club.

It has also been suggested that Puma Franco Molina is on his way out, prompting Baxter to say on his weekly media call: “The second row is an area where we are looking to make a signing.”

Out-of-favour winger Jack Metcalf has been told he is surplus to requirements at Newcastle Falcons and could be set for a move to France next season after a frustrating campaign with the Premiership’s basement side.

Metcalf, 24, who has seen service with Leeds, Sale Sharks, Ealing Trailfinders and Doncaster Knights, also plays full-back and outside centre and signed a one-year contract with the Falcons last June.

However, he has only played 61 minutes in four appearances off the bench and has been in talks with French clubs Aurillac and Nice about moving across the Channel when his contract runs out.

Northampton Saints are poised to part company with inside centre Burger Odendaal when his contract runs out at the end of the season, sparking a scramble to sign the South African.

Odendaal has spent the last two seasons at Franklin’s Gardens and is understood to be attracting interest from his former club the Lions, as well as the Sharks, Worcester Warriors and Ealing Trailfinders.

Saints are looking to save money, and it is understood that 6’6” and 120kg lock Temo Mayanavanua is also set to leave, with a return to Fiji to join Fijian Drua in Super Rugby.

English Championship big guns Ealing Trailfinders aren’t showing any signs of letting up in spending despite repeatedly failing to meet the criteria for promotion to the Premiership.

The West London side are set to send another message to their rivals that their appetite for success isn’t being stunted by setbacks and have the chequebook open to strengthen once again.

Fissler Confidential understands they are paying substantial wages to lure Bristol Bears lock Josh Caulfield back to the capital next season, with Leicester Tigers’ South African-born back-row Kyle Hatherell also on his way.

Brendan Venter is remaining as a consultant to former European and Premiership champions Saracens after agreeing to a new deal that will cover the next four years.

Rapport in South Africa reports that Venter, who has been associated with Saracens since 2009, spends five hours a day working at his Cape Town medical practice and will spend a week in London four times a year.

Venter, 55, is also set to become a consultant to the Western Province Currie Cup team and will attend all training sessions, which are set to be held in the afternoons so he can meet both his rugby and medical obligations.

Georgian fly-half Luka Matkava is set to put himself in the shop window when he makes his Top 14 debut for Castres against league leaders Toulouse.

Matkava, 23, joined Castres from Black Lion this month as an injury joker for Pierre Popelin and has been thrown into the deep end against the best team in Europe.

Bayonne, who are in the market for a ten, will watch him closely over the next few weeks, while an impressive showing could persuade Castres to revise their recruitment plans despite being well-stocked at fly-half.