PREM Rugby transfers: Leicester in for Vunipola after shock Lawes move

If Steve Borthwick needs to add experience to his squad for the 2027 World Cup, there are a couple of English old-timers attracting interest from PREM Rugby clubs.

Former England stars are dotted around the Top14 and Pro D2 in France, where contract renewals take place late in the season – meaning the likes of Mako Vunipola and Courtney Lawes are weighing up their options in case they become free agents.

Leicester Tigers are understood to be interested in for Saracens prop Vunipola, who missed out on the 2023 World Cup because of a hamstring injury. The loosehead plays for French second division leaders Vannes, and he is on the Tigers’ hitlist as they seek out a replacement for Wales international Nicky Smith, who is off to Sale Sharks next season.

Lawes has also been approached by Leicester. The former Northampton captain told Tigers that his preference is to stay at Brive but his future remains uncertain, given the club, who sit sixth in Pro D2, are yet to appoint a coach for next season.

Neither Lawes nor Vunipola, who both retired from international duty shortly after the 2023 World Cup, would be frontline players under Borthwick but their vast experience could be valuable if England suffered an injury crisis.

Lawes has 105 caps and five for the Lions, while Vunipola played 79 times for England and nine Lions Tests.

Sarries swoop for Barbeary 

Saracens are poised to make two powerful additions to their squad as they prepare for life under new management when director of rugby Mark McCall is replaced by Brendan Venter at the end of the season.

Alfie Barbeary is understood to have agreed a move to the club, despite Bath’s recent efforts to renew his contract.

Former NRL centre Sione Va’enuku has also agreed to join Saracens from their partner club Ampthill. Va’enuku previously played for the Sydney Roosters but moved to the UK in 2024 and is qualified to play for England.

Fellow midfielder Sam Spink is set to leave Saracens and is another potential target for Leicester, who are on the hunt for an outside centre.

Why the Boks are turning their backs on England 

Gone are the days of English clubs bolstering their squads with Springbok superstars. Where Bath once signed Thomas du Toit and Leicester signed Handre Pollard, those A-list South Africans are now seeking moves home or to Japan.

Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has less control over players based in Europe and subsequently Faf de Klerk and Vincent Koch backed out of a move to Sale. Scrum-half De Klerk, who played for Sale from 2017 to 2021, now represents Yokohama Canon Eagles, while powerful former Saracens prop Koch is back home with the Durban-based Sharks.

‘We have players in our alignment camp from all over the world but mostly they are from Japan,’ revealed Erasmus. ‘What Japan does really well for us is we have honesty with their coaches. We can get on the phone and say “Hey, this guy is overplayed” or “Can we have this player?”

‘They might say we can have a player because we are not playing now. They rest players within the Japanese structure. There’s a very good relationship and trust.’

South African prop Sampie Swiegers has attracted interest from Northampton, while Sale are in the market for a South African tighthead to bolster their front row depth.

Quins and Gloucester close in on new head coaches

The rugby world is eagerly waiting to see who the All Blacks appoint as their next director of rugby but the English domestic coaching market is swirling with opportunities. 

Harlequins have sounded out a number of domestic coaches about management positions, including Mark Mapletoft, Matt Everard and Rob Hunter. Sacked New Zealand coach Scott Robertson remains the No 1 target but there are questions about whether he would move to the UK on a full-time basis.

Gloucester have finalised deals for Chris Boyd and Rob Burgess but they are still hoping to grow their coaching stable. Daily Mail Sport understands they have approached Leicester Tigers assistant Brett Deacon about a role as forwards coach. 

Leicester’s backs coach Pete Hewat has also been subject to interest from the Queensland Reds, who could offer him a route back home to Australia.

Diamonds in the CHAMP 

Promotion and relegation has been scrapped by English rugby but the CHAMP remains a fertile ground for producing top-level players.

Ealing Trailfinders forwards Josh Taylor and Lefty Zigiriadis have both agreed moves to Northampton.

Worcester No 8 Khalik Kareem has been snapped up by Bristol and the Warriors are understood to have signed Bedford’s Fred Tuilagi as his replacement.

Red Bulls go big to land star name 

Newcastle Red Bulls are hoping to build a state-of-the-art training facility also on the large plot of land beside Kingston Park.

Premier League side Newcastle United are understood to have expressed an interest in buying the plot before the Red Bulls’ former owner Semore Kurdi sold the club to its new owners.

Plans are afoot to develop a world-class performance centre that can be shared between the rugby team and Red Bull’s other elite European athletes.

The new facilities could help the club land a landmark signing, with Bundee Aki, Elliot Daly, Gareth Anscombe and James O’Connor among the big names on the market. Sale prop James Harper is also understood to have agreed a move to Kingston Park.