Fissler Confidential: Left-field bid to target Ardie Savea?

All Blacks skipper Ardie Savea could emerge as a surprise, ambitious target for a cross-code switch to the NRL expansion outfit PNG Chiefs ahead of their entry into the competition in 2028.

The 2023 World Rugby Player of the Year, Savea, 32, has spent the past two seasons in Japan with Kobelco Kobe Steelers, helping them win the Japan Rugby League One title. He is set to play for the Blues next season after Moana Pasifika collapsed.

The back-row star’s current NZ Rugby deal ends after next year’s World Cup, and there are whispers that the Chiefs, which offer tax-free salaries, are interested. He has been linked with Leinster in recent times, while a return to Japan would be lucrative.

England under-20 scrum-half Lucas Friday has signed a new long-term deal tying him to Gallagher PREM outfit Harlequins for the next three years until 2029.

Friday, 20, who is the son of former England sevens boss Mike, had a spell in the Champ with London Scottish two years ago and enjoyed a breakout campaign last season, starting eight of the 15 games he played for Quins.

Highly rated by the Quins coaching staff, he has been dubbed ‘The Truth’ by his team-mates, who believe that he is Danny Care’s long-term successor at the Twickenham Stoop, and he will now be at the club for another three years.

Stormers’ former Baby Bok winger Suleiman Hartzenberg has joined the Sharks on a season-long loan after returning to full fitness following a fracture that restricted him to just seven appearances last season.

Hartzenberg, who also plays in the centres, is hoping that a move to Durban will reignite his 2024-25 form that saw him touch down seven times in 16 games.

He will be staying with the Sharks until the end of June 2027 and will add strength to JP Pietersen’s squad, which suffered chronic injury problems last season, at one stage leaving them without 22 players.

Freddie Lockwood, who was one of 27 players who were let go by Newcastle Red Bulls at the end of last season and is now a free agent, could move to the Champ next season after holding talks with Ealing Trailfinders.

Ealing are still reeling from their play-off defeat to Worcester Warriors last season, who became the first team since April 2025 to win at the West London outfit, and are keen to strengthen their squad.

Blindside flanker Lockwood, 25, a product of Barnard Castle School, can play anywhere across the back row, made 85 appearances for the Red Bulls, but is still some way off agreeing a deal.

Former England star Jonny May has taken his first steps in coaching after joining the staff at Pro D2 club Soyaux Angoulême XV Charente, where he ended his career at the end of last season.

May, 36, capped 80 times by England, scored eight tries in 28 games for the Stade Chanzy-based outfit in the final two seasons of his 17-year career that also saw him play for Gloucester and Leicester Tigers.

He has been put in charge of individual performance support, aerial contests and the smart mouthguard project, and will be present on game days to share his knowledge.

Ospreys boss Mark Jones is set to continue his shopping in Australia and has spoken to former New South Wales Waratahs lock Ben Grant, who is looking for a new club after the Sydney outfit announced his departure.

Jones, who has held talks with former Wallaby wing Marika Koroibete, already has a strong influence from Down Under with Lalakai Foketi, Liam Wright, Lawson Creighton and Ryan Smith all on their books.

The Ospreys, who are fighting for their existence, have held talks with the 6ft 9in star, who has also played for the San Diego Legion in the United States, Western Force, Queensland Reds and the Hurricanes.

New South Wales State of Origin star Mark Nawaqanitawase, who is switching codes from the Sydney Roosters at the end of the NRL season, looks set to pass on the chance of playing in the Rugby League World Cup.

Nawaqanitawase was wanted by the Kangaroos to play in the competition, which kicks off against New Zealand in Sydney on October 15 and ends on November 15 with the final at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.

His new Japan Rugby League One employers, the Saitama Wild Knights, are keen for him to arrive on November 1 to prepare for their trial matches, which start a couple of weeks later.

Former Northampton Saints lock George Smith has returned to the UK after Pro D2 outfit Nevers agreed to rip up the remaining 18 months of his contract after he failed to settle in France.

Smith, who stands at 6 ft 9 in, has also played for Bedford Blues and Coventry in the Champ, made 20 appearances for Nevers, scoring two tries, and was due to be under contract until 2027, but there was the option for another year.

He was said to be homesick and has left the Nièvre region, with some sources saying that his former club Coventry or Worcester Warriors is the most likely to sign him.

Harlequins have invited former centre James Lang, who is now a free agent, to become the latest player to join them for pre-season training ahead of the new season.

Scotland international inside centre Lang, who left Edinburgh at the end of last season, made 81 appearances for Quins, scoring 12 tries before moving to the Scottish capital in 2021.

Tim Cardell, Sitveni Vasuturaga, Max Clark, Osman Dimen and Jake Spurway have all spent time at the Surrey Sports Park during pre-season training while they wait for new employers.