Bennett Kumeroa, who was appointed to Highlanders squad for Super Rugby Pacific 2027, has the potential to be Irish and English qualified, so a potential move to United Rugby Championship and Gallagher PREM.
Bay of Plenty stubborn Kumeroa, 26, represented M?ori All black people and the All Blacks XV, also won international weightlifting awards for his country and made eight appearances for the Bosses last season.
Bristol He will be closely watched by the Bears and four Irish provinces after being called up by Highlanders boss Jamie Joseph, with Jermaine Ainsley expected to miss most of the season with a shoulder injury picked up while playing in the NPC.
Back-to-back Champions Cup winners Bordeaux The Bègles went into action Leicester Tigers inside center Solomon Kata.
The Tongan international can also play outside center and on the wing, and has played over 60 games for the Tigers following a stint with the Brumbies, Pacific Ocean and Exeter Chiefs. His long-traveled career began in the NRL New Zealand Warriors and Melbourne Storm.
That could be a potential headache for Geoff Parling, who failed to impress England international Seb Atkinson away from Gloucester this week when he decided to sign a new deal to stay at Kingsholm.
Bath inside center Cam Redpath, who is out at the end of the season, has attracted interest from French clubs, with no deal agreed to stay with the former Gallagher PREM champions beyond the summer.
Scotland international Redpath, 26, has played over 100 games in his seven years and qualifies for a French passport after being born in Narbonne, where his father, Bryan, played at the Parc des Sports et de l’Amitié.
Bath also have Max Ojomoh in the final year of his contract, and there are whispers of a new deal in the works for the player who has been linked with Gallagher PREM rivals Leicester Tigers in the past.
All Blacks superstar Damian McKenzie has been linked with a move beyond 2027 Rugby World Cup move to Top 14 outfit Lyon, but it looks like they could have competition for his services.
McKenzie, 31, is one of several All Blacks being touted for a move to clubs around the world, including Beauden Barrett, who is rumored to be a target for Bristol Bears.
McKenzie, who plays full-back and fly-half, has had some interest from Japan, which could throw a wrench into Lyon’s bid to take him to the Top 14.
Saracens have seen off the offer of undefeated United Rugby Championship leaders Edinburgh in their battle to keep Scotland fly-half Fergus Burke in north London when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Edinburgh wanted to sign Burke, who was also attracting interest Newcastle Red Bulls in the summer, at the Border next season, but the signs are that he is staying at Gallagher PREM.
Burke, 27, won his first cap for Scotland in 2025 and has made 50 appearances for Saracens since moving from Crusaders when Owen Farrell moved to France play for Racing 92.
Harlequins Boss Jason Gilmore says the club’s recruitment focus next season will be to add depth to their pack to help develop the highly rated youngsters who support their squad.
Fissler Confidential realizes Gilmore’s shopping list includes lock and stiffness and says he is pleased with the progress Quins’ pack have made this season.
“There’s still some recruiting work to be done next cycle. We’ve got some great youngsters coming through that we’re showing faith in,” he said.
Emma Sanderson, Sale’s wife Sharks boss Alex could hold the key to Courtney Lawes extending her contract beyond the end of the season and a deal could be struck on the padel tennis court with Miss Saints legend Jess.
Sanderson said Fissler Confidential this week he wants Lawes to extend his career for another year, but he may have to win the Mrs Lawes round, where his secret weapon could come into play.
“My wife plays padel with her every Friday at the moment and they kick her ass. They’re all pretty shit except Jess Lawes, whose dad built a padel court in the back garden. She’s really good,” he said.
Long-serving Bath winger Will Muir is out of contract at the end of the season and has been linked with a move to clubs in France, with Stade Français rumored to be one of the clubs being offered.
Muir, 31, won two caps for England Argentina in July 2025 after helping Bath to the PREM title with a win over Leicester Tigers, and scored 43 tries in 90 appearances during his spell at The Rec.
Bath have already lost loose Ben Oban, who joins Pau next summer, while they are understood to have signed Saracens and Wales international Rhys Carre, who was devastating against Harlequins last weekend, as his replacement.