Racing ramp up interest in Ford

In July, The Rugby Paper reported that ‘grand’ Top 14 side Racing 92 had Sale and England fly-half George Ford in their sights, after previously being linked to his England team-mate Marcus Smith, and South Africa’s Manie Libbok.

The Ford speculation has resurfaced recently in France, with Midi Olympique apparently able to confirm reporting here that the player’s CV has found its way onto the desks of high-ups at Plessis-Robinson, as French rugby’s transfer market – and its concomitant transfer speculation mill – swings back into action after a brief hiatus.

And it looks like he won’t be the only Premiership star linked to a French club ahead of next season.

We’ve already had some transfer news. Before August was out, Racing confirmed that they had signed France prop Demba Bamba. And the only thing that seems to be absent from Joris Segonds’ widely accepted switch from Stade Francais to Bayonne on a five-year deal is an official public nod from the Basque Country club.

Rumours, meanwhile, are already circulating about a number of other players. The rumour mill for 10s is already particularly active, with the futures of Lyon’s Leo Berdeu, Racing’s Antoine Gibert, Perpignan’s Jake McIntyre and Clermont’s Jules Plisson – as well as Ford and Segonds – already the subject of increasing speculation.

Toulouse, Midol reports, are interested in Gibert’s ability to play nine or 10, as they look for long-term support for Dupont – who could feature at next year’s Olympic Games for France Sevens – and the injured Romain Ntamack. They are also, reports say, interested in Castres’ and Uruguay scrum-half Santiago Arata.

These are merely the early exchanges in the 2024-25 transfer market in France. Rumours will come and go as the weeks and months pass.