Top 20 Gallagher PREM signings of the season: Part 2 - 10 to 1

In the second of a two-part series, we start the countdown to the 20 best signings made by Gallagher PREM clubs ahead of the 2026-2027 campaign.

10 – George Furbank (Northampton Saints – Harlequins)
A player that Saints would have loved to have kept but had to pay out on other stars. Is the only big-name signing that Quins have made this summer and will ease the pressure on Marcus Smith. Amazingly, some of the Twickenham Stoop faithful were lukewarm about his arrival, feeling that full-back wasn’t a priority position.

9 – Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs – Sale Sharks)
Showed at the end of last season that he is a player of immense talent, but how long he will stay at Sale remains to be seen, as he is ineligible for Wales while he plays in the Gallagher PREM, and if he does stay beyond his one-year deal, he can say goodbye to an international career for the foreseeable future.

8 – Jac Morgan (Ospreys – Gloucester)
Gloucester pulled off a stunner to tempt him across the Severn Bridge by taking advantage of all the uncertainty around the Welsh regions. A genuine world-class back row who would walk into almost any team on any given day and will really enhance Gloucester’s pack with his ability to win turnovers and his tenacious ball-carrying.

7 – Dewi Lake (Ospreys – Gloucester)
The Wales captain is another elite-level signing for the Cherry and Whites, and he is sure to become hugely popular with the Shed. George Skivington will be relying on Lake to help shore up one of the leakiest defences in the Gallagher PREM, which is key to them climbing away from the foot of the table.

6 – Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – Leicester Tigers)
The Tigers are getting one of the most dynamic players in the modern Welsh era. A player who is in his prime and hungry to win silverware, who will bring tenacity, work rate and that special ingredient their forwards have been missing since Jasper Wiese left for Japan.

5 – George Martin (Leicester Tigers – Saracens)
An old-school style enforcer who hits like a train, but there are doubts about his ability to stay fit and especially the shoulder injury that kept him out of action for such a long time. If Saracens and England do find a way of keeping him on the pitch, he is one hell of a signing.

4 – Alfie Barbeary (Bath – Saracens)
Sarries have signed a real bulldog who will be hoping that his move to North London gives England coach Steve Borthwick a gentle nudge of what he can offer ahead of the World Cup. A real gem if Saracens work their magic in getting big players fit and making an impact.

3 – Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers – Sale Sharks)
This is another departure that would really hurt the Tigers on the back of an outstanding campaign that saw him named in the Prem Team of the Season. His aggressive and highly technical scrummaging has caused the Sharks problems, so Alex Sanderson went out and signed him.

2 – Fehi Fineanganofo (Hurricanes – Newcastle Red Bulls)
Has been the subject of will he or won’t he arrive at Kingston Park after winning his first All Blacks cap on the back of a brilliant record-breaking Super Rugby campaign, scoring 17 tries, including one in the final win over the Chiefs. The indications are the Red Bulls feel he will be joining.

1 – Courtney Lawes (Brive – Sale Sharks)
Forget his age. It’s just a number. This is one of the best signings made by any club, and he could have walked into most teams in the league. A born winner who adds so much knowledge and experience and is determined to go to the World Cup, so will play with a point to prove.