Fissler Confidential: Jacques Nienaber's Leinster plot twist?

Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter says that the chances of Wallaby superstar Len Ikitau returning to Sandy Park after the 2027 World Cup in Australia are hanging in the balance.

Outside centre Ikitau spent last season in Devon, making 13 appearances and scoring four tries, but Baxter brought in Will Butt from Bath, while Dallas McLeod will arrive at the club following the NPC.

“We had some very early discussions, but it’s probably too early to say any more than that. We brought in Dallas, and we’ll see how our young players go, because that may have sealed off the squad for Len,” he said.

Jacques Nienaber appears not to be in the running to replace Leo Cullen as Leinster boss next season amid suggestions from South Africa that he could return home next summer.

That could open the door for Nienaber, who was head coach when South Africa retained their World Cup crown in France three years ago, to link up again with Rassie Erasmus to try and mastermind a hat-trick of titles.

Erasmus has opened the door for Nienaber to return by demanding that the Springboks tighten up their defence after conceding two tries in the last two games, and would welcome a reunion.

England skipper Maro Itoje admits that he found it difficult to take a proper break from rugby and ended up watching the three Nations Championship games against Fiji, South Africa and Argentina.

The Saracens star, who even bumped into the England squad at Heathrow Airport on the day they were returning from South Africa, didn’t watch the games live, however, but kept up to date with scores before watching the games later.

“I wanted to remove some of the emotion from watching it. When you are watching a game live, you are in every nook and cranny, every tackle, but that also probably has a hidden emotional weight. And the actual purpose of the break was to get back on an even keel,” he said.

Sale Sharks have had some initial discussions with England openside flanker Tom Curry about extending his contract, which runs out at the end of the season.

Curry and his twin Ben both entered into the final year of their deals in July and are therefore free to speak to rival clubs, but have made over 300 appearances for the Sharks between them since joining over ten years ago.

The Sharks, who recruited heavily over the summer to put a squad in place that they hope will challenge for honours, want Curry to commit his future to the club beyond the World Cup in Australia next summer.

Harlequins have turned to the Royal Artillery to strengthen their squad for their opening PREM Rugby Cup game of the season against Leicester Tigers.

Army Rugby Union prop Sitiveni Vasuturaga has signed a short-term contract for the opening round of the PREM Rugby Cup after training with the squad throughout pre-season.

He caught the eye by scoring a try against the Royal Navy in the 2026 Inter Services Championship at Twickenham last season and has also represented the Army Rugby League team.

Former Sale Sharks loosehead Tumy Onasanya is yet to make his Coventry debut but is already in talks for a move to Champ Rugby rivals Ealing Trailfinders for 2027.

Former England under-20 international Onasanya, 24, is well known to the Trailfinders after playing against them for Chinnor in May 2025, and it is understood he is well down the line to agreeing to a move to West London.

He was one of 18 players let go by the Sharks at the end of last season and became one of a wave of new signings to join Coventry in July ahead of this season.

Springbok flyer Canan Moodie is being touted for a move to Japan’s Rugby League One when his contract with the Bulls runs out at the end of the United Rugby Championship season.

Moodie, 23, who also plays at outside centre and full-back, scored a try in the Bulls’ URC Grand Final defeat at the hands of Leinster in June and played for the Boks against England and Argentina this summer.

He has won 25 caps for his country, scoring nine tries, and has touched down 36 times in 78 appearances for the Bulls, and his CV is circulating among clubs in Japan to gauge interest.