The head coach for Treviso, Calum MacRae, is reportedly being considered for a move back to Newcastle Red Bulls, where he would potentially collaborate with Dan McFarland, whose transfer to the North-East by the season’s end is widely anticipated.
MacRae’s tenure with the United Rugby Championship team began in June 2022 as their defence coach, preceding his promotion to head coach last summer, succeeding former Italy lock Marco Bortolami.
The former Border Reivers and Edinburgh centre, MacRae, who was with the Falcons from 2011 to 2014 following his appointment by Alan Tait, currently has two and a half years remaining on his contract but has drawn attention from the Red Bulls.
Aaron Smith, the experienced ex-All Black scrum-half who turned 37 in November, might be making a move to France next season to play for the high-performing Top 14 club, Pau.
A member of the 2015 Rugby World Cup-winning All Blacks squad, Smith has been competing for the Toyota Verblitz in Japan Rugby League One since his departure from the Highlanders two years prior.
Reports from Midi Olympique and Rugby Scope indicate that Pau, currently occupying second place in the Top 14 standings, six points adrift of Toulouse, is seeking Smith to fill the void left by Dan Robson, who moved to Gloucester.
Sampie Swiegers, the Pumas tight-head prop whose contract expires in October, has engaged in discussions with the Leicester Tigers regarding a surprising transfer to the Gallagher PREM later this year.
The 27-year-old Swiegers received an unexpected invitation from Rassie Erasmus to participate in a Springbok alignment camp in 2024, the initial one held after their Rugby World Cup retention in France, despite his comparative obscurity.
The captain of the North-West University Eagles’ 2023 FNB Varsity Cup championship-winning team is presently awaiting confirmation on whether the Tigers will proceed with the transfer and extend a contract offer.
Lucien Richardis, the Spanish fly-half born in France with dual citizenship, appears poised for a season-long loan from Toulouse, aimed at acquiring crucial first-team exposure.
This 20-year-old, who represented Spain against both Ireland A and England A, is held in high regard by Toulouse and Spain, both of whom consider him their most promising back-line player.
Richardis, whose Top 14 debut occurred against Perpignan in June, has made a single first-team showing this season during the 49-7 victory over the struggling Montauban side in November.
Stade Francais is preparing to declare that Louis Carbonel, the erstwhile France fly-half, will remain with the team until 2029, having signed a two-year extension to his existing agreement.
The 26-year-old Carbonel has participated in all but two Top 14 matches this season, contributing to Stade’s third-place position in the standings, trailing leaders Toulouse by ten points.
L’Equipe has reported that the former Toulon and Montpellier standout, who was already bound by contract until 2027, has consented to an additional two-year tenure with the team.
Tyler Morgan, a former Wales outside centre, is anticipated to be released from his Biarritz Olympique contract, allowing him to move down to France’s third division and join Nissa Rugby, a team striving for promotion back to Pro D2.
Morgan, a recipient of five Test caps, previously played for the Dragons and Ospreys prior to his relocation to France four years ago, and his contract was originally scheduled to run until the conclusion of the current season.
The 30-year-old is projected to unite with the Côte d’Azur squad in two weeks, specifically on February 4, shortly after the arrival of ex-Saracens standout Joël Kpoku.
Agen is projected to undertake a roster clear-out at the season’s conclusion, with Jack Maunder, the one-cap England scrum-half, poised to conclude his two-year period at Stade Armandie.
The 28-year-old Maunder, who contributed to the Exeter Chiefs’ Champions Cup and Premiership double victory in 2020, had a stint with the Melbourne Rebels before relocating to France.
Evan Olmstead, the former Newcastle Falcons lock, is also probable to depart, with rumors suggesting the Canadian international might be moving to the United States to compete in the MLR next season.
Pat Lam, the director of rugby for Bristol Bears, is predicting that lock Joe Owen will achieve full international recognition, subsequent to Owen securing his future with the club through a new contract.
Lam states that the 24-year-old Owen, who is also proficient in the back row and received an England A cap this season, possesses ample ability to ascend to Steve Borthwick’s senior squad.
“We are convinced he holds the capacity to progress towards achieving senior international status, provided he sustains this degree of dedication,” Lam remarked.
