Northampton have signed an Italian and South African prop while the Bulls are hunting a kicking coach and an England prospect has confirmed his long-term future with a fresh deal.
Here are all the latest rugby rumours, transfers and contract renewals.
Saints snap up another Italian
Northampton Saints have announced the signing of Ion Neculai ahead of the 2026/27 season, with the tighthead prop joining the PREM Rugby club from Zebre Parma.
The Moldovan-born Italy international arrives at Franklin’s Gardens after making 51 appearances across five seasons for Zebre, and linked up with his new teammates last week as Saints returned for pre-season training.
Neculai follows former Zebre teammates Malik Faissal and Danilo Fischetti to Northampton, and is excited to make the move to the home of the reigning PREM champions.
“I’m very excited to be joining a club with the history and reputation of Northampton Saints,” said Neculai.
“To have the opportunity to test myself in this environment, with the reigning Gallagher PREM champions, is something I’m really looking forward to.
“The quality of the coaching, the facilities and the players around me were all major factors in my decision. I believe this is the right place for me to continue developing my game and challenge myself at the highest level.
“I want to make the most of this opportunity, work hard every day, and do everything I can to help the team succeed.
“I’m excited to get started, meet the supporters and be part of what Saints are building here.”
Neculai was included in Italy’s squad for their 2022 summer tour and made his Test debut against Portugal before featuring against Romania and Georgia.
The 25-year-old earned his fourth Italy cap last month in Perth, coming off the bench alongside Fischetti as the Azzurri faced Australia.
“Ion is a very physical prop who enjoys the tough side of the game. He wants to improve, he’s eager to be coached, and he’s determined to play more international rugby,” said director of rugby Phil Dowson.
“What stood out when we watched him was his physicality and aggression, but also the amount of potential he has.”
“He’s still a relatively raw player, but he has the right intent and a real desire to get better. That’s something we place a huge value on when we’re recruiting players.
“From the conversations we’ve had and seeing him settle into Northampton last week, he comes across as a very good person who isn’t afraid of hard work.
“I spoke to [Italy head coach] Gonzalo Quesada about Ion, and he was hugely positive. Gonzalo has been brilliant to work with around Danilo Fischetti and Edoardo Todaro, always open and helpful, and he spoke very highly of Ion. The fact he’s continued to back him at international level and selected him again this summer speaks for itself.
“Having a group of Italian players together within the wider squad is a positive too. You never want players to stay within their own circles, but having familiar faces around can help people settle more quickly and make Northampton feel like home.”
South African also joins Saints
Northampton have also announced the signing of South African prop Jordan Els ahead of the 2026/27 campaign on a short-term contract.
The experienced loosehead arrives from Harlequins, where he made 58 appearances across a seven-season spell in south-west London.
Having also represented Ealing Trailfinders, London Scottish and United Rugby Championship outfit the Sharks, Els adds valuable experience to Saints’ front-row options as the squad prepares for the new campaign.
The 29-year-old linked up with his new teammates at Franklin’s Gardens last week as Saints returned for pre-season training.
Bulls eye up ex-France coach
Staying with South Africa, it seems that Johan Ackermann’s Bulls are looking to bring in former France kicking coach Vlok Cilliers to their backroom team.
According to Rapport, the 58-year-old coach is favourite for the job at Loftus Versfeld after joining Shaun Edwards in parting ways with Les Bleus earlier this season.
It would be a homecoming for Cilliers as he was kicking coach at the Bulls during the hugely successful eras of Heyneke Meyer and Frans Ludeke in both the Currie Cup and Super Rugby.
WATCH: Chaos erupts as players and parents involved in mass brawl during schools match
Rapport also suggests Johan Goosen is a potential option for the role. He is currently working with the Bulls’ Currie Cup team and was involved in the U23 set-up earlier this year.
England prospect pens fresh long-term deal
In England, Sale Sharks hooker Nathan Jibulu has pledged his long-term future to the North West outfit, signing a deal through to at least 2030.
The 23-year-old forward, who has also featured in the back-row, arrived at Sale at the start of last season from PREM rivals Harlequins and made 23 appearances in all competitions.
His form saw him drafted into the extended England training squad back in June, as well as feature for England A against Spain in November.
Commenting on his new deal, the London-native said: “I’ve loved my first year at Sale. The boys are so together on and off the pitch. We all see each other away from Carrington and that’s been brilliant.
“We know the season didn’t go as we wanted, but the atmosphere has been really good, and so many young lads got a lot of experience in big games. It’s so exciting to think where lads like Alfie Longstaff and Ralph McEachran could be in two or three years.
Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for world-class coverage you can trust.
“With the signings we’ve made this season, we’re building a squad that can win titles, and I want to be a part of that. I can’t see myself wanting to leave so it was an easy decision to stay.”
Sale director of rugby, Alex Sanderson, added: “Nathan has fallen in love with the club during a really disappointing season and that’s credit to both him and how well he’s fitted in, and how the lads have made him feel so welcome.
“For all the aspects of the game with ball in hand that seem to be evolving, there are certain fundamentals that you have to keep, but Nathan gives you quality in both aspects.
“When he has the ball in his hands, things are going to happen with his skill and his feet, and I haven’t seen many, if any, players with more power.
“Nathan has so much ability and he’s been in and around England training squads and A squads. He knows that to take the next step he has to perform week in, week out for us and that’s what he’s focused on.”
READ MORE: Quade Cooper backed by SA Rugby boss after stunning Wallabies hint ahead of Rugby World Cup