It's now well into 2019 and Gallagher Premiership clubs are quickly building their squads ahead of next season.
With Bristol Bears back at the top table of European rugby, playing in the Gallagher Premiership and European Challenge Cup, we take a look at all the latest transfer news and rumours from them and their rivals.
Geordan Murphy weights in on Manu Tuilagi's France links
“He is perfectly within his rights to have a look around,” Leicester Tigers head coach Geordan Murphy told BT Sport yesterday.
England centre Manu Tuilagi was in Paris this week to visit the training ground of Racing 92 as he weighs up his future with his contract at Leicester up at the end of the season.
However the Tigers head coach says he has by no means given up on keeping the British and Irish Lion.
He revealed contract discussions are on-going and said: “Hopefully we will be able to keep Manu, but sometimes it’s not possible.”
Leicester Tigers, Gloucester and Harlequins monitoring Welsh fly-half
Welsh fly half Sam Davies is being monitored by a whole host of clubs both sides of the border.
The Ospreys number 10 is coming towards the end of his contract and according to The Rugby Paper, Gallagher Premiership sides Gloucester, Leicester Tigers and Harlequins are all keeping tabs on him.
Meanwhile Pro14 siees Dragons and Scarlets are also interested in him along with French Top 14 side Stade Francais.
The Cherry and Whites are said to only be interested if Danny Cipriani exits the club.
Davies, 25, has eight caps for Wales, but has fallen out of favour with the most recent coming against Samoa in 2017.
Wrecking ball All Black winger not wanted at Toulon
All Black winger Julian Savea could well be looking for a new club.
Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal has said he has released the player after another poor outing for his Top 14 side.
“I’m going to ask for a DNA test. It is not Savea that we recreated but ‘Savéapas’. They had to change it on the plane. If I were him, I would apologize and I would go home.
“When we reach this level of play, we must apologize and leave (…) I told him he was released and he was no longer welcome in Toulon!” RMC Sport report.
Whether this is a Boudjellal outburst or a reality is still to be seen.
But with 46 tries in 54 matches at international level for the All Blacks, and still just 28, there will be plenty of clubs in both hemispheres interested in landing the powerful winger if he is avilable.
Harlequins move for Italian international
Wasps could be set to lose another international standard player with the news Harlequins head coach Paul Gustard has set his sights on signing Italian Michele Campagnaro.
The 25-year-old moved from Exeter Chiefs to Wasps on a short term deal earlier this summer and would be a useful addition to any side as he is able to play at both centre and on the wing.
The Italian made his 39th international appearance for the Azzurri in the Six Nations last week.
Exeter hands new deals to scrum halves
Scrum-half Stuart Townsend has committed his future to Exeter Cheifs until at the least the summer of 2021 with a new two-year deal, while fellow number nine, Jack Maunder, has also penned a fresh one-year contract with the club.
The decision by the duo is yet more welcome news for head coach Rob Baxter who believes the two youngsters will continue to have important roles to play for the Devonians moving forward.
“Stu has started a Premiership-winning final and Jack has played a lot of first-team rugby and been on an England tour already, and it is incredible what they have already achieved at a young age, but in the right way as well, because they have worked hard, and people are aware that if you work hard and play well, we don’t tend to have a big hang-up about how old you are or how experienced you are,” said Baxter.
“When you think about it, they have pretty much played all of their rugby while Exeter have been a top-four side, which is a great credit to them and probably to how well they have fitted in and how hard they have worked to be good players.”
Christian Judge returns to Saracens
Saracens is delighted to announce the return of Cornish Pirates prop Christian Judge on a deal until the end of the season.
The 25-year-old was an extremely popular figure among fans and teammates alike at Allianz Park and worked tirelessly to improve as a player, especially at scrum time with Forwards Coach Ian Peel, during his short-term spell at the club earlier in the campaign.
In total, he made 12 appearances, making his Gallagher Premiership debut and scoring on his first outing in Europe against Cardiff Blues.
Judge’s development at Saracens has led to a top-flight move to Bath Rugby from the 2019/20 campaign and he is delighted to be back at a place where he can continue to create long-lasting memories.
