Word on the street is that Northampton Saints are gearing up to announce contract renewals for their star players, Fin Smith and George Furbank. Both England internationals are currently in the final stretch of their existing deals, but it appears they’re poised to commit their long-term futures to Franklin’s Gardens.
Smith, a former Worcester Warriors player and a Lions tourist, had reportedly caught the eye of Newcastle Red Bulls. Meanwhile, discussions are progressing smoothly with centre Fraser Dingwall regarding his own contract extension, with expectations high for a positive outcome. The Saints are also keen to secure the services of other key England players, including winger Tommy Freeman, scrum-half Alex Mitchell, and lock Alex Coles, all of whom are set to become free agents at the conclusion of the current season.
Bristol Bears are reportedly working hard to retain the services of their talented young full-back, Benjamin Elizalde. Top 14 clubs are said to be showing significant interest in acquiring him when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Elizalde, 21, who previously played for Tigre Rugby Club and Deportiva Francesa, joined the Bears in July 2024. He made a name for himself at the 2024 Junior World Cup, and has since made 18 appearances for the Bears, scoring three tries last season.
The former Argentina under-20 international has earned four senior caps and is reportedly attracting attention from Castres and Clermont Auvergne, both of whom are eager to bring him to their ranks next summer.
Provence Rugby are reportedly facing a challenge in keeping hold of scrum-half Arthur Coville when his contract comes to an end this season, according to Midi Olympique.
Coville, 27, is reportedly a target for his hometown club, Vannes, where he began his career. They are said to have presented him with an attractive offer that he is currently considering.
Coville had a loan stint at the Stade de la Rabine while contracted to Stade Français. He joined Provence in 2023 after departing the Paris-based club, but the offer from Vannes might prove too appealing to decline.
Northampton Saints could potentially lose a member of Phil Dowson’s coaching staff, with Lee Radford reportedly on the Scottish Rugby Union’s shortlist for their new defence coach position.
Radford, a former Super League star and head coach of Castleford Tigers, joined the Saints in 2023 after working with Samoa. He is currently in the final year of his contract with the club.
Gregor Townsend has been on the lookout for a new defence coach since Steve Tandy’s departure to become the Wales head coach. Pete Murchie, currently with the Kobelco Kobe Steelers, is also reportedly among the names being considered.
Newcastle Red Bulls boss Steve Diamond has indicated that the recruitment phase is essentially over, and he doesn’t anticipate any further additions to the squad at Kingston Park, at least for the foreseeable future.
Diamond has been actively building a new squad since the club’s acquisition by the energy drinks company. However, he suggests that Pumas full-back Stefan Coetzee and veteran Wales star Liam Williams will be the final two players to join the ranks.
“I don’t think there will be any more signings. We are wrapped up. I think we have got a good enough squad to be coached by the people here,” Diamond told RugbyPass earlier this week.
Former Springboks and Leicester Tigers coach Heyneke Meyer is in advanced discussions about a possible return to the South Western District Eagles, where he began his coaching journey nearly three decades ago.
Meyer, 57, currently serves as the director of rugby at Houston SaberCats in the United States but is reportedly in advanced talks about returning to Outeniqua Park in George.
He initially joined the Eagles in 1997 as an assistant coach before taking on the head coach role from 1998 to 2000, during which he significantly improved their performance. The hope is that he can bring a similar positive impact this time around.
Cardiff Rugby has confirmed that club legend Leigh Halfpenny has signed a short-term contract and will initially serve as a kicking coach at the Arms Park, though he intends to continue playing.
Halfpenny, who will turn 37 in December, spent the previous season with Harlequins but has been with Cardiff for the past month, recovering from a calf injury. He is keen to continue playing before transitioning fully into coaching.
“Being a kicking coach is where I see my future, but I’m still hugely motivated to play and believe I have a lot to offer on the pitch,” said the former Wales and Lions star.
Rumors circulating within the Exeter Chiefs camp suggest that the changes within the Sandy Park coaching setup may not be complete, with skills coach Ricky Pellow potentially being the next staff member to depart.
Pellow, a long-serving Cornishman, joined the Chiefs coaching staff in 2009 and is the last remaining assistant coach from the era when they achieved the Premiership and Challenge Cup double.
Pellow, who previously played for Worcester Warriors, Manchester, Cornish Pirates, Mounts Bay, and Bath, was working at Truro College when he met the Chiefs’ new head coach, Rob Baxter, and has been with the club ever since.
Mark Nawaqanitawase remains a contender for dual-code international representation for two decades, according to Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters, despite his plans to leave the NRL in 2026.
The Sydney Roosters star, who was the NRL’s top try scorer this year, intends to depart league when his contract concludes at the end of next season, but Walters is open to including him in the tour of the UK.
“It doesn’t change what happens at the end of this year, certainly not. He’s still in contention,” he told the Coaches Triple M podcast.
