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
“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
3 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
2 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
3 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
3 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
3 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
4 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to comments