In fact, the first big recruitment news broke more than two weeks before the current campaign even kicked off, when Racing 92 confirmed that rising star scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec had signed a four-year contract with La Rochelle, starting in July 2025.
Sometimes quite often, in fact - all the speculation gets ahead of itself. There is, for example, a crucial problem with the flurry of reports linking players to Montpellier. In short, the JIFF numbers don't add up.
Montpellier skated close to the rules last season, too. It was only with the departure of former Exeter prop Harry Williams for Pau-confirmed in July - that they, belatedly, fell into line with the rule that limits the number of senior non-JIFF players on their books to 13.
If reports are to be believed, Montpellier have been by far the most active French club on the transfer market in the early part of the current campaign. And they seem particularly interested in overseas signings.
Esta historia es de la edición November 10, 2024 de The Rugby Paper.
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Esta historia es de la edición November 10, 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.
