The rugby transfer market is beginning to heat up as clubs finalise their summer plans, with major names edging closer to headline moves.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Join the RUCK\u2019s WhatsApp community here<\/a> and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.<\/p>\n Rugby transfer round-up<\/p>\n Tuilagi return to Leicester<\/p>\n Fred Tuilagi could be in line for a Gallagher Premiership return next season following a series of eye-catching displays for Bedford Blues in the Championship, according to RugbyPass.<\/p>\n There is thought to be interest mounting from a number of top-flight clubs, including his former side Leicester Tigers, where he previously featured seven times across the Anglo-Welsh Cup and Premiership Rugby Cup.<\/p>\n Exeter Chiefs and Northampton Saints are also understood to be monitoring the situation as they assess back-row options ahead of next season.<\/p>\n \u2b50 Save us to your Google Favourites <\/a>for nonstop RUCK content!<\/p>\n All Blacks star signs new deal:<\/p>\n All Blacks and Chiefs scrum-half\u00a0Cortez Ratima\u00a0has pledged his future to New Zealand Rugby by signing a new deal that will keep him in the country until the end of 2028.<\/p>\n A product of\u00a0Hamilton Boys\u2019 High School, Ratima has rapidly risen through the ranks since making his professional breakthrough. He has played 38 matches for\u00a0Waikato\u00a0and 60 for the Chiefs to date, after making his club debut against the\u00a0Crusaders\u00a0in 2022.<\/p>\n The dynamic No. 9 has become a key figure at Super Rugby level and continues to strengthen his standing within the national setup as he commits his long-term future to New Zealand rugby.<\/p>\n New deal for Sammy Arnold:<\/p>\n Newcastle Red Bulls supporters can look forward to more of Sammy Arnold\u2019s trademark abrasiveness next season, with the powerful centre committing his future to the Tyneside club for at least another year.<\/p>\n The 29-year-old has made a big impression since arriving ahead of the 2024\/25 campaign, bringing a blend of physicality, direct running and uncompromising defence that has quickly made him a favourite at Kingston Park.<\/p>\n Born in England but having built his professional career in Ireland, Arnold returned closer to home when he joined from Brive in the summer of 2024. Since then, the Ireland international has racked up 24 appearances in Red Bulls colours, consistently providing go-forward ball with his line-breaking carries and bone-rattling hits in midfield.<\/p>\n Arnold says the decision to extend his stay was an easy one.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve loved my time here so far,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cNewcastle very quickly felt like home for my family and I, and we\u2019re happily settled here.<\/p>\n \u201cWe love the city, the people and the club, and I\u2019m happy to extend at a place with a really exciting future.<\/p>\n \u201cThe whole Red Bull project is one of a kind in world rugby right now, so that\u2019s cool to be a part of, and it\u2019s only a matter of time before things really take off here.\u201d<\/p>\n Join RUCK\u2019s Instagram broadcast channel <\/a>and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.<\/p>\n Vunipola a free agent: <\/p>\n According to RugbyPass, Pro D2 leaders Vannes are expected to inform former England and British & Irish Lions prop Mako Vunipola that he will not be offered a new contract when his current deal expires at the end of the season.<\/p>\n The report adds that Vunipola, who is widely tipped to move into coaching once he retires, has spent the past two seasons in Brittany following a decorated spell with Saracens and is now considering his next move.<\/p>\n Aki to the Prem:<\/p>\n Bundee Aki\u00a0is reportedly considering a move to the Gallagher Premiership this summer, with his current deal at\u00a0Connacht Rugby\u00a0set to expire at the end of the season.<\/p>\n