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It’s never a quiet week in the world of rugby transfers! The last 7 days have seen a Wales captain linked with a move to England, and England number 8 walk out on his nation and another possibly walking back in! Let’s rate these rumours so you don’t have to…
On Thursday morning Neil Fissler reported in RugbyPass that Wales captain Jac Morgan had met with English club Saracens to discuss a move. Morgan's contract with Welsh side the Ospreys is up at the end of this season and the uncertainty around the future of pro rugby in Wales is naturally leading to players seeking exits
The subplot to this is that Morgan is reported to have told the WRU that he will quit Welsh rugby if the Ospreys are culled. If he is looking for a move, it could be interpreted that he is making good on that threat. In recent days, rumours have started circulating that the Ospreys could indeed be in danger as their owners - Y11 - have expressed an interest in investing into Cardiff - who the WRU are attempting to sell - with a view to merging the two clubs. This is not the first time such a merger has been rumoured…
Rating: 5/10 - the bigger worry is for the Ospreys rather than Jac
This one is just awaiting the official announcement. The English press are all reporting that England number 8 Tom WIllis is to follow his brother Jack in quitting English rugby and re-signing for European Champions UBB in the Top 14 who he previously represented in 2022/23. He has already been dropped by Steve Borthwick and Saracens have announced he is leaving to go abroad.
It is a hammer blow to English rugby as Willis has been posting phenomenal stats in the PREM and feature in each of England's last 8 tests. UBB clearly have money to spend following their recent successes and have been able to outbid Saracens + and England central contract + the draw of representing his national team. Guesses at his salary are around the half-million mark, but we can’t know for sure
Rating: 10/10 - credible sources say it's a done deal
They say as one door closes another one opens; just as one number 8 leaves England another could be set to arrive. New Zealand's Hoskins Sotutu, who has been deemed surplus to requirements by the All Blacks, is rumoured to be looking at a move to the PREM.
Sotutu is English qualified through his mother and would have served his 3 year stand down for the All Blacks by next month. He has been linked with a move to England before, most notably when teammate Reiko Ioane posted a mocked up image of him wearing an England shirt after Scott Robertson once again declined to select him for New Zealand duty despite his superb performances for the Blues in Super Rugby. Is this a case of 2+2=5? Let's see...
Rating: 4/10 - paper talk, so far...
The Times are reporting that Harlequins are facing an ever growing battle to retain England lock/back row Chandler Cunnigham-South. The athletic forward broke through at the London based club but has been linked with a move away for several weeks now and Sale have even publicly stated they are looking at him.
Sale are clearly an ambitious club and are looking to strengthen their squad. What’s more, bringing in more England players is a way to maximise their salary cap restriction. This story being a recurring one makes it feel real.
Rating: 7/10 - starting to sound like he will leave London