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Jonny Hill the latest England player poised for Top 14 move – report
Sale lock Jonny Hill has become the latest England player linked with a 2024/25 switch to the Top 14. It was just last Friday when the Test sabbatical-taking Owen Farrell was said to be “very close” to taking up a two-year deal at Racing 92.
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It has now emerged that Hill, the second row who was a first-choice favourite under Eddie Jones but missed out on the Rugby World Cup squad under Steve Borthwick, is being courted by Lyon.
The 29-year-old exited Exeter in the summer of 2022 and with his two-year deal ar Sale now set to expire, French media have reported he is expected to sign for Lyon.
A rugbyrama.fr report read: “Struggling in the Top 14, nevertheless Lyon remain active on the transfer market. England second row Jonny Hill (29; 20 caps) is expected to sign for next season. Also in the pack, Exeter’s No8 Rusi Tuima (23) could also arrive.
“After their heavy defeat away to Toulouse, Lyon are currently 13th in the Top 14 and therefore in a (relegation) play-off position. A delicate situation that does not prevent the Rhone club from being active on the transfer market.
“According to information published this Sunday in Le Progres and which we are able to confirm, Sale’s English international second row Jonny Hill (2.02m, 122kg) should sign for next season with Lyon. Selected by Steve Borthwick in the extended England group, Hill was finally not selected for the World Cup in France.
“His arrival would allow Lyon to acquire an experienced player with a strong tonnage to replace the French international Romain Taofifenua, who is leaving for Racing. In addition in the second row, Lyon are looking hard to fill the upcoming departure of Joel Kpoku, who will join Pau at the end of the season.
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“The trail leading to the young player of Fijian origin, Rusi Tuima (23 years old, 1.95 m, 125 kg), who plays for Exeter, seems to be holding the line.”
The news about Hill potentially exiting Manchester emerged on the back of Sale boss Alex Sanderson last week addressing speculation that Cobus Wiese was the second row potentially set to exit the AJ Bell, with the Sharks linked with the recruitment of Charlie Ewels from Bath.
“We are always looking to strengthen the gene pool. Charlie is a great player so he is someone we are interested in amongst others,” said Sanderson at the time. “You have got to keep trying to add to it. Hence why I admitted talking to Charlie because you cannot afford to stand still.
“For us the most part is retention and that brings its own difficulties. You have still got to add to your core group by way of players with x-factor who you can improve your squad.”
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On Wiese, Sanderson added: “It’s a scenario that we are familiar with and not an uncommon one for us unfortunately. It seems to a degree the nature of a lot of our South Africans who haven’t made Manchester their second home, who have young families and ageing parents.
“It’s a very similar rhetoric to what we have faced over the last three years. There are not a lot of players like Cobus but there are a few. I need to keep my powder dry in terms of keeping a lid on the other players we are looking at.”
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful 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!
5 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 …
33 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.
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