South African forward Hacjivah Dayimani is set to return home with his exit from Racing 92 now confirmed, England international Trevor Davison has recommitted to Northampton Saints and Scott MacLeod becomes the latest coach to be confirmed to leave Newcastle Red Bulls at the end of the season.
Hacjivah Dayimani primed for South Africa return as Racing 92 confirm release
Ex-Stormers man Hacjivah Dayimani looks set to head back to Cape Town in the coming days, with his exit from Racing 92 now confirmed.
The South African forward joined the Parisians in 2024, and has since made 19 appearances for the club.
His exit and impending return to the Stormers follow recent reports in South Africa suggesting he would join the URC outfit until the end of the season.
In a statement, Racing 92 said: “This decision, made for personal reasons, will allow the South African flanker to return to South Africa to be with his family. Having always maintained exemplary conduct towards the club and his teammates, Racing 92 gave its approval to facilitate this early departure.
“Having arrived at the club during the 2024/2025 season, Hacjivah DAYIMANI has worn the Sky and White jersey 19 times.
“Racing 92 thanks Hacjivah Dayimani for his commitment and wishes him all the best for the rest of his career. Hacjivah, for his part, thanks Racing 92 for the confidence shown in him and wishes him every success for the remainder of the season.”
Dayimani previously made 57 appearances in his first stint at the Stormers, helping the club win the URC title in 2022.
Trevor Davison commits to Northampton Saints
England tighthead Trevor Davison has joined an ever-growing list of players to re-commit their futures to Northampton Saints, signing a new deal with the PREM table-toppers.
Davison, who made his return to the Test side against Wales last weekend, joined Northampton from Newcastle in 2023 and has made 64 appearances in that time. He was also a prominent member of their title-winning team in 2023/24.
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Commenting on his decision to stay at Franklin’s Gardens, Davison said: “Ever since I arrived in Northampton, I have felt really settled here and I am loving playing for Saints. It’s a great group to be part of, and the backing we get every week from our supporters means a lot to us, so staying on was an easy decision for me.
“Being here has really helped me improve as a player. The coaches have pushed me, the standards in training are high, the group is really connected, and the lads around you make you better just by how they work.
“I feel like my game has gone up a level since coming to Northampton, and that’s played a big part in getting another opportunity with England. Getting back into that international environment has been a big moment for me, as I’ve been working towards it for a while, and it’s only made me hungry for more.”
Saints director of rugby, Phil Dowson, added: “Trev has added so much to our group since the day he arrived – not just in the front row, but right across the squad. The way he goes about his work, the standards he sets, and the presence he brings all lifts the atmosphere around the place, so we’re delighted he’s chosen to stay on.
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“He’s a leader through his actions and his toughness. Trev is one of the enforcers in our squad, and someone the younger players naturally look towards. He supports them in his own quiet way, and he’s also the type of character who keeps people on track when they need it.
“It was a big decision for him to leave home and move to Northampton when he did. That move was driven by his ambition to win and to get back into international rugby, and it meant stepping away from a close family and support network. For him now to commit again says a lot about how settled he feels here and how much he values the environment at Saints.”
Newcastle Red Bulls coaching exodus continues
Meanwhile, Scott MacLeod will leave his post at Newcastle Red Bulls at the end of the season, the club have confirmed.
The lineout coach is currently in his second spell at Kingston Park, but will follow current head coach Alan Dickens in moving to pastures new at the end of the campaign.
Commenting on his exit, MacLeod said: “This club means a huge amount to me, and I’m proud of the work I’ve done in trying to upskill and improve our line-out.
“The players have been fantastic in how they have taken things on board, and it has been really pleasing to see us starting to make improvements as a team.
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“I’m obviously disappointed to be leaving a club that I have such a fondness for after more than a decade working here, but I wish Newcastle all the best for what I’m sure will be a really exciting future.”
Newcastle Red Bulls sporting general manager, Neil McIlroy, added: “Scott has done an outstanding job to improve our line-out during his time with us and is a highly regarded coach, as well as being a very well respected individual.
“Our incoming staff, who will be announced in due course, have strong experience in the areas Scott has been coaching. It’s an unfortunate consequence that Scott will move on as a result, but this in no way diminishes the value we place upon the work he is doing.
“He still has an important job between now and the end of the season, and we thank him for the contribution he has made during his time with the club.”
His exit also comes amid speculation that current Scotland boss Gregor Townsend will take the reins at the newly cashed-up PREM outfit after the 2027 World Cup, with him already working behind the scenes on a consultancy basis.