Scotland star Jamie Richie has had his arrival at Glasgow Warriors confirmed, with the former Edinburgh man joining the club ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
“I’m really looking forward to joining the Warriors,” he told the Glasgow website. “It’s a club for which I’ve always had a lot of respect, and I can’t wait to get started.
“Some of my best mates are there, so I’ve had a good idea of what the place is like for a while. They talk about how it pushes them to be better players, but also how close they all are off the field. That means a lot to me. You want to be somewhere you feel part of something, and Glasgow genuinely has that.
“Franco has done a brilliant job with the club. You only have to look at how competitive they’ve been over the last few years to see that, and I really enjoy the way they approach the game. It’s a style that suits me and I’m excited to be a part of it.”
The Scotland international had previously made 133 appearances for Edinburgh, scoring 10 tries in a stint that saw him become a firm fan favourite.
“I obviously know the Scotstoun crowd well enough from being on the other side of things – hopefully I’ll be getting a slightly warmer reception this time around!
“Ultimately, I just want to come in, work hard, and play my best rugby for this club. I’m really looking forward to representing Glasgow and giving everything I’ve got.”
Worcester Warriors sign PREM talent
Worcester Warriors have announced the signing of scrum-half Charlie Chapman from Exeter Chiefs ahead of the 2026/27 Champ Rugby season.
The 27-year-old made almost 100 appearances for Gloucester in his first seven years of professional rugby before spending a year at the Chiefs, where he made 23 appearances, most recently in the PREM Rugby Cup final in March.
Speaking ahead of his move to the Warriors, Chapman said: “I’m really excited to be joining Worcester Warriors. To join after the season they’ve had is great, and I’m motivated to help create more history for the group.”
Scarlets sign Welsh-qualified Kiwi
Scarlets have signed 20-year-old Isaac Murray-Macgregor, who has joined from the highly respected Canterbury and Crusaders pathway in New Zealand, one of the most recognised player development environments in world rugby.
He was named in the Crusaders U20 squad for the 2025 Super Rugby U20 tournament and was involved in the Crusaders’ pre- season squad earlier this year.
Interim Director of Rugby Nigel Davies said: “Isaac is a player we are genuinely excited about.
“This is not just a signing based on potential; it is a signing based on the quality of environment he has come through, the level of rugby exposure he has already had and the characteristics we believe he can bring to Scarlets now and in the future.
“He has grown up in a Canterbury and Crusaders system that is known throughout the game for developing smart, skilful and highly competitive players. That background matters because players from those environments are used to high standards, detail and accountability from a young age.”
Munster miss out on All Black star
Irish side Munster have failed to secure the services of All Black star Tyrel Lomax, who has signed a three-year contract extension with the Hurricanes.
Munster Rugby chief executive Ian Flanagan recently confirmed that the province had made an offer for the 48-cap All Black to join from 2027 after being granted permission by the IRFU to recruit a non-Irish-qualified tighthead prop.
Lomax has credited the opportunity to continue playing for the All Blacks as a major motivation in his re-signing.
“My family and I love being based here and I still have a lot to contribute and achieve,” the prop said in a statement.
“Rugby has played a huge part in my life and the opportunity to continue representing these teams means a lot to me.
“The next few years are incredibly exciting too. We’ve got a Rugby World Cup coming up and a British & Irish Lions tour in 2029. Those are opportunities every rugby player wants to be part of and having the chance to keep building towards those campaigns and wear the black jersey was a huge factor in my decision.”
‘That is a lot of hogwash’ – SA Rugby president blasts Champions Cup speculation
The Harlequins exodus continues
Just days after the women’s side announced the upcoming exit of Ellie Kildunne, Harlequins men have announced a leavers list consisting of 13 senior players.
They include former captain and PREM winner Stephan Lewies, who will depart after making 88 appearances across seven seasons, and club centurion Tom Lawday, who has made 104 appearances since arriving in 2019.
Joe Launchbury will retire from professional rugby after 17 years at the top level of the game, having made 51 appearances during his time in South West London, while Wales international Jarrod Evans also moves on from The Stoop following 48 appearances across three seasons.
Head Coach, Jason Gilmore, said: “This point in the season is always emotional and can be difficult, because it gives us the opportunity to recognise and thank players who have made a huge contribution to Harlequins during their time at the Club.
“Each of these players has represented Quins with commitment, professionalism and pride, giving everything for the jersey and for their teammates. They should all be incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved and the impact they’ve had on and off the field.
“We’ll come together as a group to celebrate and thank our departing players, and supporters will also have the chance to say their goodbyes at The Stoop on Saturday (06 June) following our fixture against Northampton Saints.”
First-team departures: Tom Lawday, Stephan Lewies, Jordan Els, Joe Launchbury, Jarrod Evans, Jamie Benson, Hayden Hyde, Max Green, George Turner, Joe Jones, Jack Grant, Luke Yendle (Loanee), Andrew Turner
Academy departures: Jake Murray, Cameron Doak, Jack Doorey-Palmer, Conor Byrne, Guy Rogers, Felix Champain, Math Jones, Mattias Woollard, Tom Humphreys
Bath make space within their ranks
Bath have announced six major leavers at the end of this season, including Thomas Du Toit, who will return to the Sharks this summer after three tremendous seasons in Blue, Black and White.
Academy graduates Will Butt and Ethan Staddon will remain in the PREM, joining Exeter Chiefs and Bristol Bears respectively, while Alfie Barbeary heads to Saracens after four years at Bath.
Francois van Wyk and Chris Harris complete the six members of the squad to depart the club.
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Gloucester free up their roster
Gloucester Rugby have also confirmed several first-team and academy players will depart the club following the conclusion of the 2025–26 season.
Departing first-team players include Josh Basham, Jono Benz-Salomon, Hugh Bokenham, Will Butler, Nepo Laulala, Archie McArthur, Rob Russell and Tomos Williams – the latter of whom will join Saracens ahead of the new season.
Head Coach George Skivington wished a fond farewell to this season’s leavers.
“I’d like to thank every player who is leaving the Club for their commitment and contribution during their time at Kingsholm,” he told the club website.
“They’ve all played their part, whether that’s across a number of seasons or during a shorter spell, and they leave with our very best wishes for the future.
“It’s always a difficult time saying goodbye, particularly to those who have been with us for several years, and I know our supporters will join us in thanking them for everything they’ve given in Cherry & White.”
First-team departures: Matías Alemanno, Josh Basham, Jono Benz-Salomon, Hugh Bokenham, Will Butler, Kirill Gotovtsev, Cam Jordan, Nepo Laulala, Archie McArthur, Jake Morris, Rob Russell, Tomos Williams.
Academy departures: Rio Ebanks, George Dufty, Ollie Minnis, Dan O’Reilly, Dan Owen, Rhys Price, Pete Paramore, Freddie Stevens.
READ MORE: ‘That is a lot of hogwash’ – SA Rugby president blasts Champions Cup speculation