Tomás Lavanini stands on brink of Gallagher PREM return

Los Pumas enforcer Tomás Lavanini is being marketed for a move to the Gallagher PREM when his contract with the Highlanders runs out at the end of the forthcoming Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

And it could bring him onto the radar of Sale Sharks, who RugbyPass reported at the weekend had started looking at options with former England under-20 international Junior Kpoku set to stay in Toulon next season.

Alex Sanderson has recruited Tomas Francis, Nicky Smith, Alex Lozowski and Joe Marchant for next season and is still looking to bring in more players with his attention switching back to the second row.

Buenos Aires-born Lavanini, who celebrated his 33rd birthday in January, began his career in Argentina with Hindú Club, Pampas XV1, before moving to Top 14 giants Racing 92, then returning home to join the Jaguares.

The 6’7, 129kg star has spent the bulk of his career in Europe spening two seasons with Leicester Tigers, and then back in France with Clermont Auvergne and Lyon.

Lavanini, who has won 91 Test caps and represented Argentina at three Rugby World Cups in 2015, 2019, and 2023, moved to Dunedin to join the Highlanders on a one-year deal late last year.

He followed in the footsteps of prop Mathias Diaz, who played for the Highlanders in 2014, and outside back Martin Bogado during the 2023–24 season.

Dubbed an ‘old school’ physical presence, when he moved to New Zealand, he was described on YouTube as the dirtiest player of all-time after picking up 18 yellow cards and four red cards in his long and, at times, controversial career.

The hulking second-row is best known for his numerous clashes with Springbok star Eben Etzebeth, and it is thought he is more than keen on a return to the Gallagher PREM after his 38-game stint with the Welford Road outfit.