Fissler Confidential: James Lowe on verge of shock Leinster exit

James Lowe, who is missing the Champions Cup Final against Bordeaux this weekend, looks set to leave Leinster, bringing an era to an end when his contract runs out at the end of next month.

Lowe, 33, has only played for the Dubliners against the Ospreys since he was injured against England in the Six Nations, and his name was notably absent when they announced that the likes of Jamison Gibson-Park had signed new deals.

It is understood that the Ireland and Lions star, who joined Leinster from the Chiefs in 2017, has spoken to clubs in England and France about a move amid strong whispers that he will be released as they no longer get central funding for him.

The Stormers, who are still in the market to replace Ruben van Heerden and Salmaan Moerat, are being linked with a move for Argentinian enforcer Tomas Lavanini, who has been playing for the Highlanders since leaving Lyon at the end of last season.

John Dobson tried to sign Cobus Wiese before he committed his future to the Bulls, with both players heading to France. Van Heerden is joining Montpellier, and Moerat has signed for La Rochelle.

Lavanini, 33, has made five appearances for the Highlanders this season and has also played for Clermont Auvergne, Leicester Tigers, Racing 92 and Jaguares in a long career.

Eduardo Bello was one of 26 players Newcastle Red Bulls announced are leaving the club at the end of next month, when the one-year contract extension he signed last August runs out, but he already has several options for next season.

Former Saracens ace Bello, 30, hasn’t played since he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury playing for Los Pumas in the 2024 Rugby Championship.

Ulster are looking for a tighthead, with Tom O’Toole set to move to loosehead, and are interested in offering him a short-term deal to prove his fitness, while Northampton Saints and Zebre are also believed to be getting updates on his progress.

The Scarlets have spoken to St Helens defence coach Eamon O’Carroll, who looks set to quit the Super League outfit at the end of the season, about joining Nigel Davies’ coaching staff at Parc y Scarlets.

O’Carroll, a former Ireland international who played for Wigan Warriors, Hull FC and Widnes, has been lined up to replace defence coach former Ireland and Lions star Jared Payne, who it’s been announced is departing the club when his contract runs out this summer.

He would work under the interim director of rugby Davies, who is looking for a new forwards coach to work alongside him and head coach Dwayne Peel, who is also in charge of their attack.

Belgian international full-back Matias Remue is staying with Top 14 giants Toulouse for the next three years after penning a contract extension until the summer of 2029.

Remue, 23, has scored four tries in six appearances for Toulouse, made his debut against Perpignan in November 2024, and was due to be out of contract at the end of this season.

But the Top 14 leaders have extended the deals of several stars, and Brussels-born Remue, who plays fly-half for his country, where he came through the ranks at Royal Kituro Rugby Club, is the latest to be announced.

Bristol Bears boss Pat Lam, who came under fire following last Friday night’s 94-33 humiliation against Northampton Saints, believes that he still has the support of owner Steve Lansdowne.

The Bears have only reached the playoffs three times in eight seasons and face missing out again this season, and former All Black Lam, who has been in charge at Ashton Gate since 2017, is under contract until the summer of 2028.

And when asked if he retains the support of the Bears’ paymasters, he said: “That has always been asked. The board are very supportive.”

Japan scrum-half Naoto Saito is leaving Top 14 giants Toulouse when his contract runs out at the end of the season to return to Japan Rugby League One for the 2026-2027 campaign.

Saito, 28, is behind France superstar Antoine Dupont in the pecking order at the Stade Ernest-Wallon and has scored two tries in 14 appearances this season but has only started two games.

He played for Waseda University, the Sunwolves and Tokyo Sungoliath before moving to Toulouse two years ago and was a replacement when they beat Bordeaux in the Top 14 Final last year.

Springbok back row Vincent Tshituka, who was under contract at the Sharks until the end of next season, has extended his contract by a further two years and will be with the Durban franchise until the summer of 2029.

Tshituka, 27, who played for the Boks against Italy last summer, has made 19 appearances for the United Rugby Championship side this season and has scored four tries.

The Congolese-born ace who has played at openside flanker, No.8 and lock started his career with the Lions and moved to the Sharks four years ago and was part of the side that won the Challenge Cup against Gloucester in 2024.

Exeter Chiefs have signed Harlequins scrum-half Jake Murray, who has spent time with London Scottish this season, after it was announced that Will Becconsall will be moving to Cornish Pirates next season.

He is the second scrum-half to sign for the Chiefs next season, with Sam Wolstenholme making the switch from Bristol Bears, and Murray is a familiar figure at Sandy Park after playing BUCS Super Rugby for the University of Exeter.

“Exeter has felt like a home away from home for me, having spent three years in the city studying at the university. So, when the opportunity came to join Exeter Chiefs, it was one I jumped at,” he said.

Edinburgh Rugby have confirmed back-row Connor Boyle has signed a new one-year deal after overcoming a knee injury that kept him on the sidelines for over 12 months.

Boyle, 26, who grew up a stone’s throw away from Murrayfield, will be returning to the Scottish capital for a sixth season after making seven appearances after returning to fitness.

“This club means everything to me – it always has. Growing up here, coming through the pathway, pulling on this jersey for the first time – none of that is lost on me, and it never will be,” he said.