Five of the biggest Gallagher Premiership signings going in 2020/21
RugbyPass takes a look at some of the biggest Gallagher Premiership signings ahead of the 2020/21 season.
SEMI RADRADRA
Any club in Europe will be hard pushed this summer to make a signing as seismic as Bristol Bears’ recruitment of Semi Radradra.
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Pat Lam’s side were the first to swoop for the Fijian after his sensational Rugby World Cup last year, bringing him to Ashton Gate on a three-year deal ahead of next season.
The winger has been a star of both union and league for many years now, but he truly announced himself in Japan, particularly with blockbuster performances against Georgia and Wales.
His career with the Parramatta Eels in the NRL saw him score 82 tries in 94 matches across five seasons. In that time he was named the Dally M winger of the year twice, and was named in the 2015 Rugby League International Federation team of the year.
His move to union, where the 27-year-old has played for both Toulon and Bordeaux-Begles, has been equally successful, and he is now regarded as one of the very best players on the planet with ball in hand.
Capable of playing on the wing or outside centre, Radradra’s pace and balance complement his strength and offloading ability, which makes him such a difficult prospect to defend against. His power is not solely reserved for attack either, as many players will attest to his bone-crunching tackling, namely Wales’ Liam Williams.
In a back three that already has one of the superstars of the Gallagher Premiership, Charles Piutau, as well as Australia international Luke Morahan, the West Country outfit are primed to have one of the most lethal back lines in the northern hemisphere next season.
The Fijian’s versatility could also see him slot into the outside centre role in the blue and red of Bristol, particularly with the arrival of Saracens’ Max Malins on a season-long loan. Any opposition will be vigilant next season when kicking to the backfield, as no team will be able to afford giving Bristol’s outside backs any space.
The outside centre role may actually be the position best suited for Radradra, as it allows him more opportunities to get the ball in his hands. As Fiji found out against Australia in the RWC, any player can be starved of the ball out wide. What’s more is that his arcing runs around outside shoulders are redolent of some of the best No.13s in the past, as he is able to eat up the ground and glide past defenders with consummate ease.
It is absolutely no stretch to say that this could be the defining signing of the summer, which could take an ever-improving Bristol side under Lam to the next level.
JONNY GRAY
For a player that has made his name through his industry and steadfastness in the unseen quarters of the field, Scotland lock Jonny Gray seems like the perfect match for Exeter Chiefs.
The 26-year-old is set to leave the Glasgow Warriors in the summer in favour of the Gallagher Premiership leaders, a partnership that already has all the hallmarks of being a masterstroke.
Rob Baxter’s side’s success has been built upon their power and relentlessness upfront, whereby they often bully the opposition into submission. Gray may not be built in the same mould as his flamboyant Glasgow teammate Leone Nakawara, or even his brother Richie for that matter, but he is a player that will tirelessly hit rucks and mauls and tackle all game, and will strengthen any side’s set-piece. In fact, his tackle success rate has almost developed a mythical reputation, which will only bolster the Chiefs machine.
This will undoubtedly be a move that helps Exeter, but this is one that will benefit Gray immeasurably in his career development. Exeter are now amongst Europe’s elite, and while they may not have made the inroads in the Champions Cup that they would have hoped in recent years, many believe that this is to be a promising season for them, if the season is to continue.
Proving himself on the biggest club stage will help Gray curry favour with Warren Gatland ahead of the British and Irish Lions tour in 2021. A barnstorming debut season in Devon may move him up the pecking order in what is arguably the most competitive position for places before the tour of South Africa.
NEMANI NADOLO
One signing that is going to ensure a rise in interest and viewership next season is Leicester Tigers’ deal to bring Fijian behemoth Nemani Nadolo to the Gallagher Premiership.
The Tigers have grown increasingly toothless over the past few years, and the 130kg winger is one player that may help them get their bite back.
The 29-cap retired Fiji international will arrive at Welford Road from Montpellier in the summer, bringing with him the reputation of being one of the most formidable wingers in the game.
Very few players across the field will be able to match him in size, and he has been known to be a dab hand from the kicking tee as well.
However, at the age of 32, this is not a signing for the future, and both he and Leicester will expect his career in the West Midlands to hit the ground running.
KYLE SINCKLER
The fact that two of the most exciting signings ahead of next season are incoming Bristol players bodes very well for Lam and his team.
With John Afoa in the twilight of his career, the Bears have lined up an ideal replacement for the former All Black in England and British and Irish Lions tighthead Kyle Sinckler.
The 26-year-old Harlequins prop is in the prime of his career, and is revered as one of the premier No.3s in the game currently, and there is little doubt that he will make a major impact at Bristol.
While it is all well and good having some of the best outside backs in the game in your ranks, it is fundamental that a platform is laid by the forwards in order for the backs to perform.
Bristol have rampantly bolstered their pack over the last couple of years with the arrivals of Nathan Hughes and Dave Attwood last season. Sinckler is yet another step in the right direction, as is the season-long loan for Saracens and England loose forward Ben Earl.
The 38-cap forward provides the physicality and power that is required of any high-level prop, but it is his distribution and subtle hands that make him such a unique player. He may be the man to create a perfect link between forwards and backs next season, much in the same way he does for England, creating space in the wider channels for pyrotechnics.
ANDRE ESTERHUIZEN
Nadolo will not be the only monstrous back to arrive in England over the summer, as Harlequins have secured a deal to bring Sharks and South Africa centre Andre Esterhuizen to southwest London.
The 115kg inside centre will be part of the growing South African contingent in the Gallagher Premiership, and he will bring to Paul Gustard’s side everything anyone would expect from a Springbok.
The hard-running back will scythe through the middle of the field on many occasions next season, and will add some sting to an already impressive back line at the Stoop, although it has been decimated by injury this campaign.
The 8-cap Springbok will rival the equally belligerent Paul Lasike for the 12 shirt in 2020/21, or could even form a partnership in the midfield with the USA international that would make the ground shudder across London. With talented operators like Joe Marchant, Michele Campagnaro and Francis Saili in the centres as well, Esterhuizen could help unleash the talent that is in this Harlequins back division.
Comments on RugbyPass
Beautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to comments