30 player contracts expiring in 2021
The financial hit that many clubs have faced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has meant there have been widespread salary cuts across the game. In light of that, there have been mass contract renewals, largely in the Gallagher Premiership, where over 30 players in some cases have signed new deals at one club.
But there are still some players that have slipped through the net, and the 2020/21 season will be the final year of their contracts. Of course, there is still plenty of time for new deals to be struck, but there will inevitably be movements come the end.
This coming season is particularly interesting as the British and Irish Lions will tour South Africa at the end of it. That will be a huge incentive for players to stay in their native countries in order to remain in contention for Warren Gatland’s squad.
So these are some player contracts that are set to run out in 2021:
Alun Wyn Jones
The Welsh captain Alun Wyn Jones is 34-years-old now (35 on Saturday) but has surely set his sights on his fourth Lions tour. He signed a deal with the Welsh Rugby Union and the Ospreys in July 2019 to run to June 2021.
Scott Williams
Wales and Ospreys centre Scott Williams signed his current deal in November 2017, but hasn’t played a Test since August 2019.
Jonathan Sexton
Ireland captain Jonathan Sexton, like Wales captain Jones, is another who is likely shaping his future around the Lions next year, where he will be 36.
Cian Healy
Ireland and Leinster’s loosehead Cian Healy signed a new deal with the Irish Rugby Football Union in May 2019 until 2021, where he will be 33.
Tadhg Furlong
Leinster tighthead Tadhg Furlong signed a bumper new deal with the IRFU in 2017, and it seems very unlikely that he would move elsewhere.
Iain Henderson
Ulster captain Iain Henderson is pivotal for club and country, but there is still not a lot of clarity regarding his future.
Ultan Dillane
A peripheral member of the Ireland squad, the 26-year-old Ultan Dillane will want to still push for more Test caps.
Hamish Watson
A hugely influential figure for Scotland and Edinburgh, fans will want to keep hold of flanker Hamish Watson.
Jamie Ritchie
Jamie Ritchie is another member of the Edinburgh back row whose contract is running out.
Leone Nakarawa
Fiji’s Leone Nakarawa is enjoying his second stint with Glasgow, having arrived in January 2020 from Racing 92, and signed a new one-year deal in June.
Huw Jones
Scotland centre Huw Jones signed a new deal with Glasgow in December 2018, rejecting offers from the Gallagher Premiership.
Manu Tuilagi
England’s Manu Tuilagi may have only just arrived at Sale Sharks from Leicester Tigers, but it was only a one-year deal.
Anthony Watson
Bath will surely do everything to prevent losing England and Lions back Anthony Watson as he nears the end of a two-year contract.
Zach Mercer
Two-cap England international Zach Mercer is entering his final season at Bath, who will want to keep hold of the 23-year-old.
Danny Care
Former England scrum-half Danny Care will be 34 when his contract with Harlequins expires. As his career winds down, he will be assessing his options.
Duncan Taylor
Scotland centre Duncan Taylor signed a contract extension in 2018 with Saracens, and is set to spend this coming season in the Championship.
Beno Obano
Bath’s Beno Obama signed a three-year deal in May 2018, and there will be plenty of interest in the loosehead across England.
CJ Stander
Having signed a new deal in December 2017, Munster’s CJ Stander is entering the final year of his contract at Thomond Park.
Peter O’Mahony
Munster and Ireland flanker Peter O’Mahony will be 31 on Thursday, and while he still could make the World Cup in 2023, the Lions will also be at the forefront of his mind.
Rhys Priestland
Bath fly-half Rhys Priestland signed a new two-year deal April 2019, and with only 50 caps, he is no longer in contention for Wales.
Things you don't want to run into:
Rhys Priestland and Sam Underhill ? pic.twitter.com/01x36zcMTA
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) April 6, 2019
Matt Banahan
Former England winger Matt Banahan made the switch from Bath to Gloucester in 2018, signing a three-year contract.
Virimi Vakatawa
France centre Virimi Vakatawa’s future is up in the air, and he has already attracted interest from Premiership clubs.
Sergio Parisse
The Italy legend Sergio Parisse signed a one-year contract extension with Toulon in June after an impressive first season, which may see him to the end of his career.
Simon Zebo
Although Simon Zebo enters his final year with Racing 92, he has hinted during his time in Paris of a potential return to Munster.
Jerome Kaino
The dual World Cup winner Jerome Kaino has a year left on his deal with Toulouse, by which time he will be 38.
Viliame Mata
Like Edinburgh back row teammates Watson and Ritchie, No8 Vilame Mata also has a year left of his time at Murrayfield.
Adam Hastings
The incumbent Scotland and Glasgow Warriors fly-half Adam Hastings signed a deal in December 2018, but that is drawing to a close.
Pieter-Steph du Toit
World Rugby player of the year Pieter-Steph du Toit signed a new deal with Western Province in May that will keep him in South Africa at least until the Lions tour.
Keith Earls
Having signed a new deal in October 2018, Munster and Ireland winger Keith Earls will be 33 when his contract expires next year, and may be eyeing up lucrative deals towards the end of his career.
Jack Carty
With so much uncertainty regarding some of Ireland’s players, Jack Carty is yet to sign a new deal with Connacht, and could fill a space elsewhere.
Gregor Townsend
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend extended his contract in 2018 to 2021, but it could well be extended again to the World Cup.
Comments on RugbyPass
Very unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to comments