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The 21 biggest Premiership and URC signings ahead of 2022/23
As the northern hemisphere’s rugby calendars approx their climax, attention is beginning to turn to next season. For months, teams have been preparing and reshuffling their squads, releasing and scouting players.
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Numerous blockbuster trades have already been confirmed and below RugbyPass takes a look at some of the biggest transfers in the Gallagher Premiership and URC.
George Ford to Sale Sharks
The Leicester talisman is enjoying a stellar season with the table toppers and could easily lead his side to Premiership glory in a month’s time. Regardless of how the season ends though, he will be heading north to join Sale, replacing AJ MacGinty who has agreed terms with Bristol.
Anthony Watson to Leicester Tigers
Injuries have plagued Anthony Watson’s last few seasons at Bath and he will hope that a change of scene will bring with it a change of fortune. Leicester will boast an impressive back three next season, as Watson unites with fellow Englishmen Chris Ashton and Freddie Steward.
Handré Pollard to Leicester Tigers
Losing Ford was a blow for Leicester but bringing in World Cup winner Handré Pollard in his place was a phenomenal pickup. The fly-half is a premium game manager and has been in impressive form this year, helping push Montpellier to the top of the Top 14.
Ellis Genge to Bristol Bears
Ellis Genge will return to his hometown of Bristol to play alongside fellow England front row Kyle Sinckler. ‘Baby rhino’ has been captaining Leicester to great effect this campaign but will only hold that position for a single year after making the decision to move south.
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Tom O’Flaherty to Sale Sharks
The fast feet of Tom O’Flaherty will be travelling to Sale in what has been a very underrated coup from the Manchester team. O’Flaherty has been an impressive servant for Exeter, commanding the high ball while also unleashing attacking flourishes that have ripped apart opposition defences.
Jonny Hill to Sale Sharks
Exeter have had incredible second row depth for some time now but with the scheduled departure of Jonny Hill, engine room stocks will be weakened. The England lock has decided to join fellow Chiefs player O’Flaherty at Sale.
Piers Francis to Bath
Piers Francis has been with the Northampton Saints since 2017 and has chosen to change green for blue with a move to Bath. The centre will hope he can be a key cog in helping revive a Bath team that has struggled this season.
Magnus Bradbury to Bristol Bear
Scotland international Magnus Bradbury will join Bristol from Edinburgh this summer. Bradbury has 18 international caps to his name and will give the southerners much needed steel in their back row, following the confirmed departure of Nathan Hughes to Clermont.
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Jimmy Gopperth to Leicester Tigers
Jimmy Gopperth might be at the ripe old age of 38 but he isn’t showing signs of slowing down. The New Zealand born fly-half has been a loyal servant to Wasps since 2015 and, after not earning a contract extension, he will be joining Leicester to work alongside Pollard.
Vincent Koch to Wasps
Vincent Koch won pretty much every single piece of silverware he could during his time with Saracens, including a World Cup medal. Whether he picks up silverware at Coventry remains to be seen but his arrival will no doubt help strengthen the Wasps pack.
Hame Faiva to Worcester Warriors
The New Zealand born Hame Faiva will move from Benetton to Worcester this summer, a year after making his international debut for Italy. How this move will impact the future of his international career is unclear.
Callum Braley to Northampton Saints
After spending a two-year stint with Benetton, Callum Braley will return to England to join the Northampton Saints. The scrum half impressed for Italy early this year in the Six Nations but has taken the difficult decision to retire from international rugby.
Vaea Fifita to Scarlets
Tongan born New Zealander Vaea Fifita will join Scarlets next season after finishing a short stint with Wasps early. The versatile back row forward has been capped 12 times internationally and will be a good addition to the Welsh outfit.
Malakai Fekitoa to Munster
Malakai Fekitoa is another Tongan star on the move. He will be taking his skills across to Munster, leaving a gaping hole in the Wasps midfield. The strength and handling of the powerful centre will help fill the void left by Damian de Allende’s exit.
Taulupe Faletau to Cardiff
Taulupe Faletau is one of the most prolific number eights in world rugby but has endured a frustration few years with Bath due to persistent injury woes. With a return to Wales, Faletau will be hoping to reinvigorate his career as he joins fellow Welshman Josh Navidi in the back row.
Liam Williams to Cardiff
Faletau isn’t the only Welsh star joining Cardiff this off season. Liam Williams will be moving to the Welsh capital after he decided it was time to leave the Scarlets. The fullback has over 100 caps for the provincial side and will considerably strengthen the Cardiff backline.
JP du Preez to Glasgow Warriors
JP du Preez is one of a number of South Africans leaving Sale this summer. The man-mountain is moving further north to Glasgow where he will have the chance to play against more of his fellow countrymen in the URC.
Eben Etzebeth to Sharks
Eben Etzebeth will make a return to South African club rugby this summer with the Sharks. He has endured a turbulent season with Toulon, but could still win the Challenge Cup with them and will rest easy knowing he is joining a team competing at the top of the URC.
Rohan Janse Van Rensburg to Sharks
Joining Etzebeth at the Sharks is fellow South African Rohan Janse Van Rensburg. The centre has been an important piece in the Sale backline, helping the team reach the quarter finals of the Champions Cup this year.
Sbu Nkosi to Sharks
After spending five years with the Sharks, Sbu Nkosi has decided to take on a new challenge by joining the Bulls. The World Cup winning winger is always a threat out wide and will add an extra bit of creativity to the backline.
Sam Skinner to Edinburgh
Exeter’s second row will be further depleted with the departure of Sam Skinner who is heading to Edinburgh. The Scotland international came through the Chiefs’ academy but has decided the time has come to join a Scottish club.
Comments on RugbyPass
Pretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
3 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
3 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
3 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
6 Go to comments