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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
John Evely

Rugby transfer rumours and news: Released Leicester Tigers, Northampton and London Irish stars signed

With more than 80 players who were in work in the Premiership last season still searching for clubs there are plenty of transfer deals still being done despite the start of the new league campaign being less than a month away.

Here is a look at all the latest transfer rumours and confirmed moves from around the league....

READ MORE: Rugby transfer rumours and news: Ins and outs at Leicester Tigers, Exeter Chiefs sign pair

Billy Twelvetrees of Gloucester Rugby tackles Christian Wade (Getty Images)

Christian Wade wanted by Racing

Out of work but seemingly not out of offers former England international Christian Wade has been linked with a move to the Top 14 according to the latest reports out of France.

The former Wasps star has not played competitive rugby for nearly four years after quitting the sport to pursue a career in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills, however Wade is reported to be considering a return to the sport and had been linked with a possible move to Exeter Chiefs, however that opportunity went cold.

But now a ruptured Achilles for rugby league star Regan Grace, who has signed for Racing 92, has led to the French club to consider making a move for Wade as a medical joker according to Midi Olympique.

Chiefs sign exciting young frontrow duo

Exeter Chiefs have moved to snap up the University of Exeter’s BUCS National Championship winning props Jacob Morris and Fin Richardson with an eye on the future.

Fresh off the back of a hugely successful final year of university rugby the pair of props have both put pen to paper with the Premiership side, signing their first professional contracts with the club.

Both players will spend the 2022/23 season on-loan with Plymouth Albion in National One as they look to continue their development in competitive senior rugby.

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Leicester Tigers hand new deals to seven key players

Leicester Tigers have agreed new deals with six members of the club’s senior squad.

Ollie Chessum, Will Hurd, Julián Montoya, Guy Porter, Harry Wells and James Whitcombe have signed new contracts with the club beyond the 2022/23 season.

All six players made appearances in the club’s 2021/22 league campaign, with four playing in the Gallagher Premiership Final win at Twickenham Stadium.

Leicester Tigers is the only club the sextet have represented in Premiership Rugby, while Wells and Whitcombe are graduates from the Tigers Academy.

In addition to the six Senior Squad members, the club has agreed a new deal with Senior Academy lock Lewis Chessum.

Departed Northampton Saints star finds new club

Former Northampton Saints star winger Taqele Naiyaravoro has joined Japanese Top League side the Green Rockets Tokatsu.

Australian international Naiyaravoro was left without a club this summer after being released by Saints.

The monster winger said: “I am very grateful to the NEC Green Rockets Higashi-Kudzu for welcoming me,” Naiyaravoro said.

"My goal this season is to express myself in League One, and to bring out my strengths to the fullest and contribute to the team.”

Tom Hardwick of Leicester Tigers and Val Rapava Ruskin of Gloucester Rugby (Getty Images)

Released Tigers back finds new club

Tom Hardwick will play Championship rugby this season for Ampthill having failed to earn a contract at Exeter Chiefs after a spell on trial at the Devon club.

The 23-year-old ex-Leicester Tigers back was the headline name in six new signings made by the Bedfordshire club who finished seventh last season in the second tier.

Hardwick made his senior Tigers debut in 2017 and would make 32 appearances for the club. However, after six months out of action, the former England U20 international was released in March 2021 in an official club statement that was just 45 words long.

He spent a brief spell at SC Albi, a club in France's Championnat Fédéral Nationale (third division) but that came to an end prematurely in March 2022.

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Saracens hand new deal to centre

Scotland international centre Duncan Taylor has agreed a contract extension with Saracens.

The Gallagher Premiership club said that 32-year-old Taylor’s deal is for the 2022-23 season.

Saracens kick off their Premiership campaign against Harlequins on September 17.

Taylor has won 28 caps, making his Scotland debut against Samoa in 2013.

“Duncan is a hugely-respected member of our group and is a wonderful ambassador for this club,” Saracens rugby director Mark McCall told the club’s official website.

“He continues to be a central part of our squad and we are delighted that he will be with us for another year.”

Willi Heinz of Gloucester Rugby tackles Nick Phipps of London Irish (Getty Images)

Released London Irish playmaker lands in Japan

Japanese Top League side the Green Rockets Tokatsu have added released London Irish scrum half Nick Phipps to their books.

The 33-year-old, 72-cap former Wallabies scrum-half was released by the Exiles in June at the end of his contract after a three year spell in the Premiership with the club.

Saracens seeking cover for England star

Locks are in high demand across the Premiership this transfer window.

Saracens boss Mark McCall has joined the likes of Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter in searching for additional second row options with the former locking for cover for Nick Isiekwe according to The Rugby Paper.

Zach Mercer to Gloucester all but done

Zach Mercer is heading to Gloucester Rugby on a long-term deal affirm the latest reports coming out of France.

Earlier this month rumours of the number eight star returning to the Gallagher Premiership with the Cherry and Whites circulated, with the former Bath man linked with a move to his old club’s fiercest rivals ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Yesterday, Midi Libre, the French newspaper that covers Montpellier - the Top 14 club Mercer has become the star of in the last 14 months since leaving Bath, has reported the explosive and elusive number eight will sign a three or four-year deal to join Gloucester next June and become available for England World Cup selection.

The report reads: “The rumour had been circulating for several weeks and has now found a concrete echo. Zach Mercer, Top 14 superstar last season, will leave the MHR at the end of his contract next June to join Gloucester in England. According to our information, a long-term contract has been put on the table (three or four years)."

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