All the latest rugby transfer rumours and gossip, confirmed moves, contract renewals and the last breaking news from around the Gallagher Prem
Sam Underhill of England goes past Thibaud Flament (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)(Image: )
It is ‘silly season’ in the Gallagher PREM transfer market as directors of rugby up and down the country are building their squads ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Here is a look at all the latest confirmed signings, contract renewals and rumours from around the Gallagher PREM…
Gloucester attack coach Alex King (left), assistant forwards coach Trevor Woodman and head coach George Skivington prior to kick-off during the Gallagher Premiership match at Sixways Stadium,(Image: PA)
Gloucester forwards coach linked with Connacht job
Gloucester Rugby scrum coach Trevor Woodman has been linked with replacing Colm Tucker as Connacht’s scrum coach at the end of the season.
Tucker is leaving Connacht after being appointed as head coach of Ireland U20s. RugbyPass report Woodman is on a shortlist with former Georgia head coach Richard Cockerill and Northampton’s Matt Ferguson.
Woodman has been on the coaching staff at his former club Gloucester since 2014.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 21: Bath player Sam Underhill makes a break during the Gallagher PREM match between Newcastle Red Bulls and Bath Rugby at Kingston Park Stadium on December 21, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)(Image: Getty Images)
Sam Underhill set to sign new contract with Bath
England flanker Sam Underhill is expected to sign a new contract extension at Bath Rugby, RugbyPass reports.
Underhill, 29, joined Bath from Ospreys back in 2017 and, despite plenty of competition in the back row at Bath, is set to sign a new deal at the club.
Despite being widely recognised as one of the most devastating tacklers in world rugby, Underhill has just 45 England caps having suffered with injuries during his career.
Elliott Stooke of Bath celebrates (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)(Image: )
Leicester Tigers sign former Bath and Gloucester lock
Former Bath and Gloucester lock Elliott Stooke has become Leicester Tigers’ second confirmed signing ahead of the 2026/27 season, joining Welshman Aaron Wainwright.
The lock joins from Red Hurricanes in Japan and brings a wealth of experience to the club.
Tigers head coach Geoff Parling said: “Everyone I spoke to highlighted what a great character he was to have in the changing room, so we look forward to him adding value to what we are trying to do here and see him run out in a Tigers shirt.”
Newcastle Red Bulls snap up Hurricanes prop
Hurricanes Pouri Raketi-Stones will help power Newcastle Red Bulls into the next phase of the club’s evolution, with the English-qualified prop-forward having signed a two-year contract.
The 28-year-old has represented the All Blacks XV and the Maori All Blacks, playing more than 50 Super Rugby games for the Hurricanes.
Able to operate on both sides of the scrum, Raketi-Stones has amassed almost a century of NPC appearances for his home province of Hawke’s Bay.
A Junior World champion with New Zealand Under-20s, the six-foot scrummager spoke of his excitement at joining Newcastle Red Bulls at such a formative stage of the club’s new era.
Nika Abuladze of Exeter Chiefs looks to pass the ball. (Photo by Patrick Khachfe/Getty Images)(Image: )
Exeter Chiefs bring back former loosehead
Rob Baxter has expressed his delight at bringing Georgian powerhouse prop Nika Abuladze back to Sandy Park from the 2026/27 season.
The 30-year-old loosehead prop left Devon for Montpellier in June 2024 after making 16 Chiefs appearances in all competitions. Tbilisi-born Abuladze has 22 caps for his country, including games at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, and became the first Georgian to play for Chiefs, making an immediate impact at the Gallagher PREM club.
Chiefs’ director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “We’re thrilled to be bringing Nika back to Exeter, we’ve got very fond memories of him from his time here. He was definitely one of the strongest scrummaging looseheads in the Prem in his time pre-injury. He went very well for us, helped us have a very dominant set piece.
Ewan Richards of Bath tackles Joe Owen of Bristol during the Premiership Rugby Cup (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)(Image: )
England A lock commits to Bristol Bears
Bristol Bears have confirmed that versatile forward Joe Owen has penned a long-term contract at the club.
The 24-year-old, who can operate in the second row or back row, has made 51 appearances for the Bears since arriving from National Two side Clifton, signing his first professional contract with the club in 2022 and making his England A debut in November 2025.
Owen made his Gallagher PREM debut against Exeter Chiefs in December 2023 and has scored four tries for the Bears, including a crucial score in the victory over Sale Sharks at the beginning of the month.
Bristol director of rugby, Pat Lam, said: “While it was fantastic to see him recognised with England A earlier this season, we firmly believe he has the potential to continue developing towards full international honours if he maintains this level of application. We’re delighted he’s committed his future to Bristol Bears.”
Joe Joyce on the charge for Bristol Bears (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)(Image: )
Gloucester Rugby confirm deal for former Bristol Bears favourite
Gloucester Rugby have revealed the signing of former Bristol Bears lock Joe Joyce ahead of next season as the Cherry and Whites look to add experience to their squad for the 2026/27 season.
The Bristol-born second row established himself as a cult hero at his hometown club, making 150 appearances for the Bears between 2014 and 2023, before heading over the Irish Sea to join Connacht, where he has continued to impress, often captaining the United Rugby Championship side.
Joyce becomes Gloucester’s fifth confirmed signing ahead of next season, joining Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan from the Ospreys, Dan Robson from Pau and Jean Kleyn from Munster.
Saracens’ Director of Rugby Mark McCall (Photo by Bob Bradford – CameraSport via Getty Images)(Image: )
Saracens make director of rugby switch
Saracens director of rugby, Mark McCall has taken the decision to step down from his role at the end of the current season. Mark will continue as Technical Adviser for the Club and will also be joining the Board of Directors. Brendan Venter will rejoin the club in a full-time capacity and assume the role of Director of Rugby from the start of the 2026/27 season, returning to a position he first held at the club in 2009.
When Brendan Venter first joined Saracens as Director of Rugby in 2009 he recruited Mark McCall, his former centre partner at London Irish, as First Team Coach. Together they established the blueprint that would underpin the most successful period in the club’s history. When Brendan stepped away from being full-time at Saracens in early 2011, Mark became Director of Rugby and Brendan took on the part-time role of Technical Adviser and he has performed that role helping Mark and the other coaches for the last 15 years. That sense of continuity and collaboration will continue under the new structure.
Hurricanes winger signs up for Red Bulls
Pace and power will be in no short supply for Newcastle Red Bulls next season, with Kiwi break-out sensation Fehi Fineanganofo heading to Tyneside.
The 23-year-old took Super Rugby by storm last season with six tries in 12 games for the Hurricanes – part of a remarkable rise which has seen him starring for New Zealand’s national 7s team at the Paris Olympics.
Standing at an imposing 6 foot 1 and with footwork to boot, his elusive running and ruthless finishing helped propel New Zealand 7s to tournament victory in Singapore before earning his spot in the Olympic squad.
Touching down 16 times in 24 games for Bay of Plenty at National Provincial level, Fineanganofo will be bringing his X-factor to the Gallagher PREM next season when he arrives on a two-year deal.