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.
Esta historia es de la edición July 07, 2024 de The Rugby Paper.
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Esta historia es de la edición July 07, 2024 de The Rugby Paper.
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Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
