Premiership club sets sights on one of Uruguay's World Cup stars

The season may be on hold and salaries might be set for a trim but that doesn’t mean Premiership clubs aren’t preparing for the year ahead.

Bristol, who are already looking like they may be one of the competition’s front-runners next season thanks to their stacked side, are rumoured to be hot on the heels of a new Number 8 according to Americas Rugby News.

ARN are reporting that Uruguay loose forward Manuel Diana could be the next player set to sign for the Bears, who have already locked in the likes of Semi Radradra, Kyle Sinckler and Max Malins next season.

World Rugby are investigating ways to salvage the threatened July Test schedule:

Diana was one of Los Teros’ best performers at the 2019 World Cup in Japan, making appearances in matches against Fiji, Australia and Wales.

Diana touched down for a try against Fiji which helped Uruguay to a surprise 30-27 victory.

The 25-cap loose forward has represented the Toronto Arrows this season and helped the sole Canadian side in Major League Rugby to four victories – putting them at the top of the competition’s Eastern Conference.

MLR has now been officially cancelled due to the threat of coronavirus which means Diana may have played his last game for the Arrows if he is to shift to Bristol ahead of the 2020-2021 season.

Diana would be the only Uruguayan national team member playing in the Premiership, although a number of his teammates are tied to clubs around Europe.

If 24-year-old Diana does join the Bears, he’ll be competing with the likes of  Nathan Hughes, Stephen Luatua and Jordan Crane for a starting role. Bristol have also signed England openside flanker Ben Earls from the Saracens on a one-year loan.