After rugby’s proposed breakaway league R360 pushed back its slated start date from 2026 to 2028, hundreds of players around the world who had planned on joining the new competition next season are now on the lookout for a contract for 2026-27.
Rugby’s transfer market is a hive of activity as we approach Christmas, and clubs look to snap up the best talent.
Here, Daily Mail Sport rugby writers Alex Bywater and Nik Simon wrap up the latest goings on…
Sinckler eyeing England return
PREM clubs have been made aware of Kyle Sinckler’s determination to throw himself back into the England mix for the 2027 World Cup.
The powerful tighthead prop is in his second season with French giants Toulon after moving from Bristol for the start of the 2024-25 campaign in a transfer which made him ineligible to represent England. The last of his 68 caps for his country came in the 2023 World Cup.
Now 32, it is understood Sinckler is open to returning to a PREM Rugby club next season with a long-term goal of featuring for England at the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
Kyle Sinckler is open to returning to a PREM Rugby club next season with a long-term goal of hoping featuring for England at the 2027 World Cup in Australia
Exeter, revived this season under Rob Baxter’s guidance, could be one team who would be a good fit for Sinckler, who delivered a powerhouse display in Toulon’s Champions Cup win over Bath at the weekend. It was a timely reminder of his Test quality.
Sinckler’s Toulon contract runs until 2027 which does complicate his desire to return to England, but a move is not impossible.
Newcastle Red Bulls, who are busy recruiting for next season following their takeover by the global energy drink giant in the summer, are another possible option for him, though they also have Hurricanes and Maori All Blacks prop Pouri Rakete-Stones on their list.
They had been interested in bringing their former tighthead and England international Trevor Davison back to the city in which he was born. But Davison is set to follow the likes of Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith in re-signing with his current club Northampton. Rakete-Stones, 28, has emerged as a likely arrival instead and recently followed Newcastle on Instagram.
The Red Bulls are also set to sign lock Cam Jordan from Gloucester. Rakete-Stones is likely to be the second New Zealander to arrive in the North East, following England-qualified former All Blacks No 8 Hoskins Sotutu. Exeter full-back Josh Hodge, who started his career with Newcastle, is also a target.
Bath could also be in for a new front-rower after Will Stuart, who was England’s first-choice No 3 and a Lion in Australia earlier this year, suffered a serious achilles injury.
PREM Rugby rules allow teams extra funds to replace players on the sidelines, so Bath director of rugby Johann van Graan could look at Sinckler, especially given South African giant Thomas du Toit is returning to his homeland. But Van Graan does have two other young tightheads in Billy Sela and Archie Griffin on his books.
Sinckler (centre) was at the heart of Toulon’s commanding win over English champions Bath in the Champions Cup on Sunday – and he could now be heading to the Rec next season
Bristol eye new deal for Rees-Zammit
Bristol have begun talks with star wing Louis Rees-Zammit over a new contract.
When the Welshman returned to rugby this season after a stint with the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars, he signed a one-year deal at Ashton Gate with a view to then joining R360 for 2026-27.
That option is no longer on the cards for the 24-year-old, whose ability, combined with his profile and marketability, makes him an attractive proposition on and off the field for top clubs.
Bristol are keen for him to stay, but the player is likely to want an increase to his current terms, so finances will be at the heart of the negotiations.
Bristol are keen for Louis Rees-Zammit to stay, but he is likely to want an increase to his current terms, so finances will be at the heart of the negotiations
Scots lock up Scott
Scotland lock Scott Cummings is set to re-sign with Glasgow Warriors despite interest from a host of top clubs across Europe after his exploits with the Lions last summer.
Enforcer Cummings, 29, is a key figure for club and country and was part of Andy Farrell’s victorious squad in Australia, playing in five warm-up matches.
It saw him catch the attention of Glasgow’s rivals including Leicester Tigers, who are looking for a second-row replacement for England’s George Martin when he joins Saracens next season.
But Cummings, who is born and bred in Glasgow, is poised to recommit to Scotland’s No 1 club, whom he helped win the United Rugby Championship title in 2024.
Glasgow’s epic Champions Cup fightback from 21-0 down to beat six-time European champions Toulouse last weekend showed the Warriors are continuing to head in the right direction under the guidance of well-regarded South African head coach Franco Smith.
Scott Cummings was a surprise call-up for the Lions tour last summer but impressed across five warm-up matches
George set for new Sarries deal
Jamie George is in talks over a new contract at Saracens.
The 35-year-old England hooker has played all his professional club rugby with Sarries, winning six Premiership titles and three European crowns.
Despite nearing the end of his career, George remained a key figure for England head coach Steve Borthwick throughout 2025 and has set his sights on the 2027 World Cup.
The 105-cap veteran told Daily Mail Sport before the autumn internationals: ‘As a 35-year-old, a lot of people would say you just cling on. But you’re only as old as you allow your head to think you are. I still feel really good physically.
‘I still feel like there’s plenty for me to get after and contribute here. If I didn’t feel like that, I would have retired by now.’
Jamie George (left) is set to extend his trophy-filled stay at Saracens, the only club he has ever known
O’Connor’s up in the air
Leicester’s Australia fly-half James O’Connor plans on waiting until the new year before deciding whether to stay at Welford Road next season.
O’Connor, 35, arrived in the East Midlands earlier this year after featuring for the Wallabies in the Rugby Championship, answering a Tigers No 10 SOS after they lost Springbok No 10 Handre Pollard.
He does not yet have a deal for next season, but is likely to have options back in Australia while he remains under international consideration.
Billy Searle has been Leicester’s regular playmaker in recent weeks, while the Tigers have also been linked with young Ospreys and Wales No 10 Dan Edwards.
Tigers director of rugby Geoff Parling has already been hit hard for next season, after Martin’s decision to join Saracens and Wales prop Nicky Smith agreeing a deal with Sale.
Leicester and Australia fly-half James O’Connor is still waiting to decide on whether he will return to Welford Road next season
Springbok superstar Jesse Kriel has set PREM clubs on alert, as he is on the market for next season
The Kriel deal?
PREM and Top14 clubs are set to go to war over South Africa’s double World Cup-winning centre Jesse Kriel, who is on the market for next season.
Kriel, 31, is one of the great outside centres in world rugby and currently plays for Japanese side Yokohama Canon Eagles.
He has been a key figure for the Springboks at the last two World Cups, racking up 87 caps for his country and scoring 20 tries since his debut in 2015.
Kriel has also captained Rassie Erasmus’ side on occasion when regular skipper Siya Kolisi has been absent.