The first pre-season friendlies in the Gallagher Premiership get underway this month as clubs build towards the start of the up-coming league season.
But directors of rugby are still making last-minute adjustments to their squads for the 2021/22 season.
Here are the latest comings and goings from around the Gallagher Premiership.
Newcastle Falcons star wanted in Ireland
Munster head coach Johann van Graan is reported to have put Newcastle Falcons hooker George McGuigan on his wanted list according to The Rugby Paper.
McGuigan, 28, has represented Ireland at age-group levels after qualifying through his parents but has spent his entire professional career playing in the Gallagher Premiership for Newcastle and Leicester Tigers.
In May 2019 he signed a new three-year deal at Falcons making any immediate move unlikely.
London Irish legend makes shock departure
London Irish have confirmed that flanker Blair Cowan has left the club to pursue a new challenge in Japan.
Earlier this week, Cowan, 35, asked Exiles to consider an early release from his contract to explore a playing opportunity in Japan which they granted.
A true warrior on the pitch during his eight years with the Exiles, Cowan departs having clocked up 153 appearances, scoring 26 tries.
London Irish director of rugby, Declan Kidney, said: “Blair has made an invaluable contribution to London Irish during his time with the Club.
“We’re disappointed he is moving on, but we felt it was only right that we allowed him to pursue this opportunity at this stage of his career.
“We wish Blair and his family well – there will always be a seat for them at Brentford in the future.”
Exeter Chiefs sign giant lock
Exeter Chiefs have signed Western Force second row Ryan McCauley ahead of the upcoming season.
Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter has added the 6ft 8in lock on a short-term contract.
McCauley is a former Australian U20s international and spent three seasons at Super Rugby side the Waratahs before joining Western Force on a one-year contract in October 2020.
At 24 years old there is also plenty of room for development from McCauley who was named the David Dennis NSW Under 20s Player of the Year for his Australian U20s performances back in 2016.
Former Tigers and Edinburgh boss set to take England role
Richard Cockerill less than a month after he stepped down at Edinburgh, with an appointment to England ’s coaching set-up said to be close.
The former Leicester Tigers director of rugby is reported to have met with England head coach Eddie Jones in July to discuss becoming a part of his new-look England team, and it appears those negotiations have been successful.
The Daily Mail report Cockerill will focus on England’s ‘line-out and contact work’, though it’s likely his responsibilities will grow over time.
Wasps second-row signs contract extension
Wasps lock Theo Vukasinovic has extended his contract with the club.
The 25-year-old joined Wasps from London Scottish ahead of the 2019/20 season having previously spent time with Loughborough Students, having come through the London Irish Academy.
Vukasinovic has made 11 Wasps appearances to date and regularly featured in February and March last season.
That run of games included impressive performances in the away wins against Worcester Warriors and Newcastle Falcons. Unfortunately, just as Vukasinovic was showcasing his talent, he then picked up a season-ending Achilles injury against Sale Sharks.
As part of the new deal, the 6ft 5in second row will spend some time out on loan at RFU Championship side Ampthill Rugby.
Leicester Tigers release another back
George Worth has become the latest Leicester Tigers player to be released early from his contract during 2021.
The 24-year-old spent a large portion of the 2020/21 season out on loan in Australia with the Rebels, but returned to Leicester for pre-season training ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.
Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick confirmed an 'opportunity came up for George' and the club has chosen 'not to stand in his way'.
Exeter Chiefs snap up former Bath man following a year in France
Exeter Chiefs have confirmed the signing of former Bath Rugby tighthead prop Sam Nixon.
The 24-year-old frontrower returns to the Gallagher Premiership after a season in France, where he featured prominently for Bayonne in the Top 14 in a campaign that eventually saw them relegated.
Before that Nixon was part of Bath’s squad, where he ran out for them in the Premiership, Heineken Champions Cup, as well as the Premiership Rugby Cup having converted from a loosehead when he arrived at the club.
Harlequins add powerful Tongan
Harlequins have confirmed the signing of Tongan international back-row Viliami Taulani from the Waikato Chiefs.
A powerful back-row, Taulani joins Harlequins fresh from international duty with Tonga having faced the All Blacks and Samoa in July.
Versatile with the ability to cover the second row, Taulani featured twice for the Chiefs during their 20/21 campaign, playing in both the Super Rugby and Super Rugby AOTEAROA competitions.
Taulani, 24, was also a member of the Counties Manakau 2020 Mitre 10 Cup squad, having played for the side on 19 occasions since 2016. A strong lineout operator that has impressed during his time in New Zealand, Quins’ latest squad addition weighs in at 118kg, standing at 6’3".
Wasps prop heads out on loan
Wasps Senior academy prop Zac Nearchou will join RFU Championship side Ampthill Rugby on loan this season.
England Under 19 prop Nearchou is a Wasps Under 18 graduate and joined Wasps’ Senior Academy ahead of the 2019/20 season. The 20-year-old joined the club from Radley College and spent time on loan at Benetton Rugby last season.
Wasps have a strong relationship with the Bedfordshire side having sent Will Porter, Cameron Anderson and Alex Pleasants out on loan to Ampthill last season for some valuable game time.
Northampton Saints promote duo
Utility back George Hendy and front-rower Leroy O’Neil have joined Northampton Saints’ full-time Senior Academy set-up ahead of the 2021/22 season.
The pair both graduate from Northampton’s Under-18 side, putting pen to paper on their first professional contracts after catching the eye of Saints Academy coaches Mark Hopley, Will Parkin, James Craig and Jake Sharp.
