Fissler Extra: RWC winner on URC shortlist, Italian eyed as Faf back-up

The Dragons are digging in their heels and are refusing to let fly-half Tinus de Beer leave early to take up a contract offer from United Rugby Championship rivals the Bulls.

Johan Ackermann has earmarked Pretoria-born De Beer, 30, who began his career at the Loftus Versfeld in 2014, as the potential replacement for former Springbok Johan Goosen, who retired before Christmas.

But the Dragons, who are 14th in the URC table, say they want De Beer to stay in South Wales, which could just be a negotiation tactic, especially as Ospreys players are unlikely to come onto the market until 2027.

England World Cup winner Trevor Woodman appears to be on the two-man shortlist to replace Colm Tucker as Connacht’s scrum coach when he moves to Ireland U20 at the end of the season.

RugbyPass reported last month that Woodman, who is on the coaching staff of his former club, Gloucester, was being considered for the job along with Richard Cockerill and Harlequins scrum guru Matt Ferguson.

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They could turn to Brett Wilkinson, who spent eight years on the playing staff of the club and returned to Galway when he left Ealing Trailfinders last year, if they want to make an in-house appointment.

Bordeaux’s Italian international scrum-half Martin Page-Relo is the latest player to speak to Perpignan, according to L’Independant, as they step up their list of potential recruits if a move for Springbok star Faf de Klerk falls through.

The Top 14 strugglers have expressed concern that the former Sale Sharks ace could be too expensive for them, and have also sounded out Leinster’s former Ireland international Luke McGrath about a switch to the Stade Aimé Giral.

Page-Relo, 27, who has won 27 caps, played for Toulouse, Carcassonne and Lyon before joining Bordeaux at the start of last season, played in three of the Azzurri’s four games in the Quilter Nations Series.

The ACT Brumbies have handed a new contract to homegrown back-row Rory Scott, who has re-signed with the club for a further two years through to the end of 2028 after turning down interest from rival clubs.

The Australia A openside flanker who can play anywhere across the back-row is closing in on 50 appearances for the Brumbies, starting 13 of 15 games in the last Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

“Being able to represent my hometown and my home club is incredibly special. I’m excited for what’s ahead and to keep contributing to this great team,” said Scott, who was educated at Marist College Canberra.

Junior Bok hooker Esethu Mnebelele, who is tipped for a place in one of Rassie Erasmus’s alignment camps this year, is in talks with the Stormers, according to reports in South Africa.

The former South African schools captain was invited to join the Boks in Ireland at the end of last year before he picked up an injury and couldn’t travel.

The highly rated Mnebelele is yet to make an appearance for the Bulls, but that hasn’t stopped John Dobson from attempting to lure him to Cape Town, according to Rapport.

Toulon are poised to free Dublin-born former French U20 international loosehead Daniel Brennan, who has spent his entire career in France.

Brennan, 27, the son of former Ireland international Trevor, has played for Toulouse, Montpellier, Brive and has spent the last two seasons with Toulon, where he has made 11 appearances so far this season.

Midi Olympique report that Brennan has been told that he doesn’t have a future with Leo Ametlla, who has impressed when given a chance, and Samuel Jean-Chris­tophe is waiting in the wings.

Agen fans have organised a petition to urge the club to reverse their decision not to renew Evan Olmstead’s contract when it runs out at the end of the season.

The Canadian international lock, 34, who started his career in Europe with Newcastle Falcons, moved to France in 2019 to sign with Biarritz and has played for Agen for the last four years, making 85 appearances.

And even though over 500 signatures have been collected, Midi Olympique report that the club are unlikely to perform a U-turn and offer him a contract extension.

Racing 92 have confirmed that they have granted Hacjivah Dayimani an early release from his contract to allow him to reunite with John Dobson and the Stormers.

Jeppe High School for Boys educated Dayimani, 28, left France with Racing’s best wishes on Monday evening to return to Cape Town on a five-month deal until the end of the season.

“Racing 92 thanks Hacjivah Dayimani for his commitment and wishes him the best for the rest of his career,” the club said in a statement on their website.