Jalibert is top of the 'Wanted' list again

NEVER mind that the words ‘Stade Toulousain’ have only just been meticulously punched into the plaque on the Bouclierde Brennus to mark them forever more as 2023/24 Top 14 champions.

- JAMES HARRINGTON

Never mind that the ink is barely dry on one or two contracts for next season – or that promoted Vannes have until this Tuesday to formally close the book on their roster for their first season in the French top flight.

Never mind, either, that all French clubs will soon be able to recruit a couple of out-of-contract – and, therefore, technically unemployed – players as ‘additional signings’ in the weeks to come to bolster their squads for the rapidly approaching new season.

Most of the above is last season’s news, for all that the final in Marseille was little more than a week ago, and Top 14 players are mainly on holiday. Except for those who are with the various international squads this summer. Or prepping for the Olympic Games in Paris.

The transfer market for the Top 14’s 2025/26 campaign – and the ProD2’s come to that – opened last Monday. That was when players who have entered the last year of their current contracts – officially – become fair game.

And there are more than a few interesting names in French rugby, right now, who have less than a year of their current deals remaining, cueing up no small amount of contractual scrambling. Not to mention some loud whispers over the next few months.