All the latest from the rugby rumour mill with Springboks going back and forth and lots of stars on the move in England. Here’s our round-up:
David Denton
Worcester Warriors back-rower David Denton will be leaving the club after just one season, with rumours flying that he is set to link with Leicester Tigers.
The 28-year-old has made 14 appearances for Warriors since moving to Sixways last summer.
Warriors Director of Rugby Alan Solomons said: “We’re sorry to see Dents go but that’s the nature of professional sport.
Denton said: “I’ve really enjoyed my short time here and would like to thank the Club and fans for making me feel so welcome.”
Obviously he hasn’t enjoyed it too much or he wouldn’t be heading for the exit door so soon.
Danny Cipriani could be on the way back to France
Danny Cipriani
Not surprisingly the former England fly half is leaving at season’s end with the arrival of All Blacks No10 Liam Sopoaga making him surplus to requirements.
But where will the 30-year-old go to next?
He’s been heavily linked with a number of French clubs – Toulon, Stade Francais and Lyon all believed to be competing for his signature.
However, Sale Sharks has also been rumoured to be in the running to bring Cipriani back to the AJ Bell Stadium after his four-season stint from 2012.
This was the 14-caps England international second spell with Wasps after returning to the club in 2016 after short-lived spells at Melbourne Rebels and at the Sharks.
Franco Mostert could soon be in a different shade of red
Franco Mostert
Big news for the Cherry and Whites with the buzz that they have lined Lions and Springbok star Franco Mostert to replace departing Kiwi Jeremy Thrush
Former All Black Thrush is out of contract at the end of this season and he is expected to leave the club with France likely to be his destination.
With doubts also over Argentina international Mariano Galarza’s future, Gloucester are in the market for a top-class lock for next season and look set to pull off a huge coup by signing Mostert.
Mostert’s contract expires with the Lions at the end of the 2018 Super Rugby season and, although he has reportedly attracted the interest of several Premiership clubs, Gloucester are thought to be the favourites for his signature due to South African coach Johan Ackermann who used to coach the 27-year-old at the Lions.
Mike Haley – looking for an escape route
Mike Haley
Talk is the Sale Sharks’ full-back is on the move with the 23-year-old keen to leave the Manchester club.
He was recently in Ireland to discuss a potential move to Munster, although his preferred move may actually be to the reigning premiers, Exeter Chiefs.
The stumbling block with Exeter is that Haley still has another season to run on the three-year contract he signed back in 2016 and if he were to leave for another Premiership club, Sale would demand significant compensation.
There’s a problem with Munster as well as Haley is no longer Irish-qualified, having played for the England Saxons in 2016 on their tour of South Africa.
Watch this space.
Vincent Koch is a big coup for the Bulls
Vincent Koch
The Rassie Erasmus effect already looks to be paying off with reports circulating that the 27-year-old tighthead has agreed to cut short his stay with Saracens and return to Pretoria at the conclusion of the current English Premiership.
This is good news for the Bulls but the real winners are the Springboks.
Erasmus, back in his role as SA Rugby director of rugby for less than three months, was at Twickenham on Saturday, scouting England’s performance against Wales in preparation for a three-Test tour to South Africa by the Roses in June.
He already has a potent group of tightheads that includes Wilco Louw, Coenie Oosthuizen, Frans Malherbe and recently-retreaded loosehead, Thomas du Toit.