Beno Obano’s decision to join French club Pau next summer has prompted movement in the market for loosehead props, giving Bath time to identify a replacement before his departure.
The 31-year-old England international has agreed to a two-year contract beginning in July 2027. He earned his most recent of five England caps against South Africa in July, but his move to the French Top 14 means his international prospects are now on hold.
Wales international Rhys Carre has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Obano at Bath’s Recreation Ground. The 28-year-old has a break clause in his Saracens contract, and a move to the West Country would bring him closer to his family in Cardiff.
Carre has earned 31 caps for Wales. He returned to Saracens from Cardiff two years ago, having previously spent the 2019-20 season with the north London club.
Australian prop Angus Bell is also being discussed as a potential option for Premiership Rugby clubs. The 60-cap Wallaby is exploring a return to the northern hemisphere after next year’s Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Meanwhile, England prop Bevan Rodd is expected to renew his contract with Sale Sharks. Gloucester’s Val Rapava-Ruskin and Bristol Bears forwards Max Lahiff and Jake Woolmore are also approaching the end of their current deals.
Sleightholme’s Northampton Future in Doubt
Ollie Sleightholme could leave Northampton Saints after eight years at Franklin’s Gardens, with his contract due to expire next summer.
The England wing is attracting interest from rival Premiership and French clubs. His potential departure would follow that of former Saints teammate George Furbank, who joined Harlequins during the summer.
Sleightholme and Furbank won two Premiership titles together at Northampton before both representing England.
Northampton’s emerging back-three players, Edoardo Todaro, 20, and James Pater, 19, are progressing through the club’s ranks and are expected to seek improved contracts. Their salary demands could affect the club’s available playing budget.
Sleightholme, who has eight England caps, is also competing for selection with Tommy Freeman and Pater.
Several other Premiership wings could become available as clubs review their squads. Exeter Chiefs’ Paul Brown-Bampoe, Leicester Tigers’ Ollie Hassell-Collins and Bath’s Joe Cokanasiga are all approaching contract decisions.
Burke Expected to Extend Saracens Stay
Fergus Burke is expected to reject a move to Edinburgh and extend his contract with Saracens.
The Scottish club had been interested in signing the fly-half, who serves as understudy to Finn Russell in the Scotland national team.
Retaining Burke is important for Saracens as Owen Farrell gradually moves towards a coaching role, increasing the need to secure options at fly-half.
Saracens are also expected to offer centre Olly Hartley a new contract, while discussions are already taking place over the future of No 8 Alfie Barbeary.
Barbeary joined Saracens from Bath during the summer on a one-year agreement with an option to extend, having reluctantly left his former club.
Van der Merwe Expected to Leave Edinburgh
Scotland international and British and Irish Lions winger Duhan van der Merwe is likely to move abroad when his Edinburgh contract expires.
The 31-year-old has been a prominent performer for Scotland in recent years, particularly against England in the Calcutta Cup. He has scored seven tries against England and has registered 34 tries in 54 appearances for Scotland.
Sources close to Edinburgh indicate that Japan or France could be his next destination, with either move potentially offering a significantly larger contract.
Born in South Africa, Van der Merwe joined Edinburgh from Montpellier nine years ago. He also spent the 2021-22 season with Worcester before the club went out of business.
He has featured in three British and Irish Lions Tests across the last two tours.
Gloucester Work to Secure Key Players
Gloucester’s new head of recruitment, Rob Burgess, is negotiating contract extensions for centre pairing Seb Atkinson and Will Joseph, along with flanker Will Trenholm.
Atkinson and Joseph have formed one of the Premiership’s in-form midfield combinations this season. Joseph is also expected to receive an England A call-up next week.
Trenholm has impressed at flanker, prompting Gloucester to consider improving his contract terms. Director of rugby George Skivington has delegated the negotiations to Burgess.
Skivington told Daily Mail Sport that he now becomes involved mainly at the beginning and end of the contract process, leaving Burgess to manage the discussions.
He said the club was working to retain existing players while recruiting for the positions it needed to strengthen.
Gloucester hooker Seb Blake is another player whose contract is expiring. He has fallen behind new captain Dewi Lake in the selection order and is understood to have attracted interest from Leicester Tigers.
Bristol’s Interest in the Barrett Brothers
Speculation continues over whether Bristol Bears could sign All Blacks brothers Beauden and Scott Barrett, both of whom are out of contract.
Their availability has been discussed with clubs across Europe, but one source suggested Bristol might only have the financial resources to sign one of the two players.
Beauden Barrett could be the club’s priority because Bristol fly-half AJ MacGinty is approaching the end of his contract.
New Zealand back-row player Braydon Iose has also been offered to Bristol, while the future of No 8 Bill Mata remains unresolved as he has yet to renew his deal.
Eddie Hearn Holds Talks With Premiership Rugby
Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has taken a step towards greater involvement in rugby after meeting Premiership Rugby chief executive Simon Massie-Taylor in Monaco.
Massie-Taylor travelled to the south of France to meet Hearn, who was hosting guests aboard his luxury yacht. The initial discussions were positive, according to Daily Mail Sport, and Premiership Rugby is interested in involving Hearn’s Matchroom agency in the domestic competition.
Hearn previously said that any move into rugby would involve a deeper partnership rather than a consultancy arrangement. He said his intention would be to reorganise and reshape a sport through a collaborative agreement.
Christian Wade Targets Newcastle Contract Extension
Christian Wade is seeking a new deal with Newcastle Red Bulls as he closes in on the Premiership’s all-time try-scoring record.
The 35-year-old winger has scored one try fewer than Chris Ashton’s record of 101. He joined Newcastle on a short-term contract that expires this summer.
The club is assessing its recruitment options and has already arranged for rookie All Blacks winger Fehi Fineanganofo to join next year.
Wade said he was enjoying his time at Newcastle and wanted to remain with the club beyond the current season.
He said he had been searching for a long-term home after moving between opportunities in the NFL, Gloucester and Wigan, and believed he had found the right fit at Newcastle.
Wade added that he hoped to extend his contract so he could continue contributing to the team’s development and ambitions.
