Fissler Confidential: Future of two Springbok halfbacks up in air

Sale Sharks have reignited their interest in re-signing Springbok scrum-half Embrose Papier, who has entered the final year of his contract with last season’s URC finalists the Bulls.

Earlier this year, the Sharks offered to pay a fee for Papier, 29, who won the last of his Springbok caps against Scotland this July and made 11 appearances for Sale after joining on a short-term contract in September 2019.

Alex Sanderson, who lost Raffi Quirke to Newcastle Red Bulls this summer, has brought in All Backs XV ace Xavier Roe from the Chiefs but South African sources have told Fissler Confidential he is still very much interested in Papier.

Former England star Lewis Ludlam looks set to become the first of Toulon’s three big-name back rows who have entered the final year of their contracts to agree a new deal to stay on the Côte d’Azur beyond the end of the season.

The 30-year-old is in the third and final year of his contract, signed after leaving Northampton Saints, and is ready to sign an extension that will keep him at the Stade Mayol until 2029, ending the hopes of any Gallagher PREM club looking to lure him home.

Toulon, who also have French international Charles Ollivon and Jules Coulon out of contract, held face-to-face talks with Bayonne’s France A star Esteban Capilla, but face competition for his signature from Toulouse and Bordeaux-Bègles.

The Stormers could throw a career lifeline to Springbok scrum-half Herschel Jantjies by offering a much-needed way out of Bayonne, where he has another year to run on his two-year contract.

Bayonne’s director of rugby, Laurent Travers, is prepared to let Jantjies, 30, leave after this summer, as soon as he became part of Rassie Erasmus’ plans for the Nations Championship.

It is understood that John Dobson could offer him the chance to return to Durban, where he played almost 100 times before moving to France following serious injuries sustained by Imad Khan and Dewaldt Duvenage against the All Blacks.

Cardiff have targeted highly rated former Wales under-20 tighthead Sam Scott for a move to the Welsh capital when his contract with Bristol Bears runs out at the end of the season.

Scott, 20, who won 20 age-group caps for his country, has Max Lahiff, George Kloska, and Lovejoy Chawatama ahead of him at the Bears, and he made only three appearances in the PREM Rugby Cup last season.

The Western Mail reports that the WRU see him as a player with the potential to be Tomas Francis’ long-term successor and believe he would get more senior opportunities if he played for Cardiff.

Vannes, who will next season be playing only their second ever season in the Top 14, have announced that they have signed North Queensland Cowboys State of Origin winger Murray Taulagi on a surprise two-year deal.

The league international, who has been capped by Australia and Samoa, had been due to have a medical for a move to the Sydney Roosters but, when it was delayed, opted to take up a contract offer from Vannes instead.

Taulagi, a World Cup winner in 2021, has scored 72 tries in 124 matches for the Cowboys and will move to Brittany when his deal with the NRL runs out. He said: “I look forward to stepping out of my comfort zone and immersing myself in this new culture.”

Sale Sharks co-owner Michelle Orange said the future of the club is safe after she and her billionaire husband Simon put a cash provision for them in their wills should the worst happen.

Mrs Orange told the For The Love of Rugby podcast that they are stewards of the club and they are in for the long haul and that will continue even after they have left this life.

“Fortunately, because we don’t have kids, Simon and I are in the position that when we do pass on, we can leave a substantial nest egg to the club to make sure it survives, you know, for another couple of centuries,” she said.

Saracens have announced that former England under-20 lock Olamide Sodeke, who was capped by England A, has signed a new contract to remain in North London.

Sodeke, 21, who came through the Sarries academy, has been on dual registration with Ampthill in Champ Rugby and is seen by the club as the natural long-term successor to Maro Itoje.

“I know there is still plenty more to achieve, and I am excited to keep working hard, improving every day and doing everything I can to contribute to the team,” he said.

Pro D2 outfit Valence-Romans have announced that one-cap French international Xavier Mignot has been forced to retire at 32 after a string of injury problems.

Mignot, who won his only cap in a 30-19 defeat to Argentina at the Stade Monumental José Fierro in San Miguel de Tucumán in June 2016, played for Grenoble, Lyon and in the United States with New Orleans.

He made six appearances for Valence-Romans and wrote on Instagram: “What this sport has taught me, I keep it as a precious treasure. After fourteen professional seasons, I put an end to my career, with a big heart but a light mind.”