New Zealand captain Ardie Savea might become an unexpected and highly ambitious target for a cross-code transition to the NRL’s new expansion franchise, the PNG Chiefs, prior to their debut in the competition scheduled for 2028.
The 32-year-old loose forward, who won the 2023 World Rugby Player of the Year award, has spent the last two seasons competing in Japan with the Kobelco Kobe Steelers and helped them secure the Japan Rugby League One championship. Following the dissolution of Moana Pasifika, he is slated to line up for the Blues in the upcoming season.
With his current New Zealand Rugby contract set to expire after the conclusion of next year’s World Cup, rumors suggest that the Chiefs, who can offer tax-exempt earnings, are tracking him. While a highly profitable return to Japan remains a possibility, he has recently been connected with a potential move to Leinster.
Lucas Friday, the England Under-20 scrum-half, has penned a new long-term contract extension with Gallagher Premiership team Harlequins, securing his future at the club for three more years until 2029.
The 20-year-old halfback, whose father Mike formerly coached the England Sevens side, spent a period in the Championship with London Scottish two seasons ago before enjoying a breakout year last season, during which he started eight of his fifteen appearances for Quins.
Highly esteemed by the coaching staff at Harlequins, he has been nicknamed ‘The Truth’ by his peers, who view him as the long-term heir to Danny Care at the Twickenham Stoop. This new agreement ensures his presence at the club for the next three seasons.
Former Baby Boks winger Suleiman Hartzenberg has secured a season-long loan move from the Stormers to the Sharks, having fully recovered from a bone fracture that limited him to just seven games during the previous campaign.
Hartzenberg, who is also capable of playing in the midfield, hopes the switch to Durban will help him rediscover his excellent form from the 2024-25 season, when he crossed the try line seven times in 16 matches.
Under the terms of the agreement, he will remain with the Sharks until the end of June 2027, boosting a JP Pietersen-led squad that was severely depleted by injuries last term, occasionally leaving up to 22 squad members sidelined.
Free agent Freddie Lockwood, who was among the 27 players released by Newcastle Red Bulls at the end of last term, could be heading to the Championship next season following discussions with Ealing Trailfinders.
Ealing are looking to rebuild after a disappointing play-off loss to Worcester Warriors, who became the first team to defeat the West London club on their home turf since April 2025, and are determined to bolster their options.
The 25-year-old blindside flanker, an alumnus of Barnard Castle School, is versatile enough to cover any position in the back row and made 85 appearances for the Red Bulls, though negotiations on a final contract are still in the early stages.
Former England international Jonny May has transitioned into coaching, joining the backroom staff at French Pro D2 club Soyaux Angoulême XV Charente, the club where he brought down the curtain on his playing career at the end of last season.
The 36-year-old, who earned 80 caps for England and represented Gloucester and Leicester Tigers over a 17-year playing career, scored eight tries in 28 games for the Stade Chanzy team during his final two seasons.
In his new role, he will focus on individual player development, high-ball aerial contests, and the smart mouthguard initiative, while also offering his expertise on match days.
Ospreys head coach Mark Jones is continuing to recruit from the Australian market and has initiated contact with former New South Wales Waratahs second-rower Ben Grant, who is searching for a new team after his departure from the Sydney-based franchise was confirmed.
Jones, who has also engaged in talks with former Wallabies winger Marika Koroibete, already has a strong Southern Hemisphere contingent in his squad, which includes Lalakai Foketi, Liam Wright, Lawson Creighton, and Ryan Smith.
The Ospreys, currently battling for their long-term survival, have held discussions with the towering 6ft 9in forward, whose career has also included stints with the Hurricanes, Western Force, Queensland Reds, and San Diego Legion in Major League Rugby.
New South Wales State of Origin star Mark Nawaqanitawase, who is making the leap to rugby union from the Sydney Roosters once the NRL season concludes, appears likely to decline the opportunity to represent his country at the Rugby League World Cup.
The Kangaroos had hoped to select Nawaqanitawase for the tournament, which starts on October 15 in Sydney against New Zealand and wraps up with the final on November 15 at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
However, his upcoming Japan Rugby League One club, the Saitama Wild Knights, are eager for him to arrive by November 1 so he can integrate into the squad ahead of their warm-up fixtures, which begin shortly afterward.
Former Northampton Saints lock George Smith has returned to the United Kingdom after French Pro D2 side Nevers agreed to terminate the remaining 18 months of his contract, following his struggles to adapt to life in France.
The 6ft 9in second-rower, who previously played in the Championship for Bedford Blues and Coventry, made 20 appearances and scored twice for Nevers. His contract was set to run until 2027 with an option for an additional year.
Having suffered from homesickness, he has departed the Nièvre region, with industry insiders suggesting a return to his old club Coventry or a move to Worcester Warriors is his most probable next step.
Harlequins have extended an invitation to unattached former center James Lang to join the squad for their pre-season preparations ahead of the upcoming campaign.
The Scotland international inside center, who parted ways with Edinburgh at the end of last season, played 81 games and scored 12 tries during his previous stint with Quins before heading to the Scottish capital in 2021.
Lang is the latest player to utilize the Surrey Sports Park training facilities as a free agent, following similar pre-season stints by Tim Cardell, Sitveni Vasuturaga, Max Clark, Osman Dimen, and Jake Spurway as they seek new contracts.
