Jordie could join in Barrett triple whammy exit post Rugby World Cup

Jordie Barrett is the latest of the three All Blacks brothers to be linked with a post-2027 Rugby World Cup move to Europe, with Top 14 outfit Lyon being offered the chance to sign him.

It wouldn’t be the first time Barrett, 29, who has scored 26 tries in 86 appearances for his country, has left New Zealand after spending 2024-25 on a sabbatical in the United Rugby Championship with Leinster.

Midi Olympique reports that Barrett’s CV is on the desks of the recruitment team at the Stade de Gerland, and that initial discussions are underway about the inside centre, who can play almost anywhere across the backline.

One of the biggest threats to Lyon signing Barrett (6’5, 102kg) could be Japan’s Rugby League One, which has deep enough pockets to cause problems for French sides and is generally a more attractive move for Kiwis.

Lyon are reportedly keen to extend the contract of their Fijian superstar winger Jiuta Wainiqolo, who has scored seven tries in seven games this season and is out of contract in 2028, but they want to offer him a long-term deal.

All Blacks legend and current defence coach Tana Umaga recently said that Barrett could be remembered as one of the best players ever to have come out of the country: “I think he’ll go down as, you know, one of the best we’ve had.”

But he might not be the only member of his family on the move, with Gallagher PREM Bristol Bears linked with a move for older brothers fly-half Beauden and second-row Scott, even though they’re likely only to be able to afford one or the other.

Beauden, 35, is tipped to be their main target, with veteran USA international AJ MacGinty reaching the end of his contract next summer, and they are in the market for a replacement.