Paddy Jackson gave a uncommon interview when he was interviewed pitchside earlier than Lyon’s Challenge Cup defeat to treble-chasing Bath in Cardiff on Friday night.
The previous Ireland fly-half missed the sport as he continues to get better from a shoulder operation, sustained on solely his second look of the season in opposition to Perpignan in October.
Jackson, 33, who has executed nearly no media within the final seven years, is beneath contract till 2026 however RugbyPass understands he has attracted Premiership curiosity this yr from at the very least one membership. He surprisingly obtained a impartial reception from the gang.
Dan Lancaster has once more been linked with a transfer to Glasgow Warriors when his contract with Top 14 outfit Racing 92 runs out on the finish of the season.
Warriors assistant coach Pete Murchie tried to close down the rumours of a transfer to Scotstoun for Lancaster, who qualifies for Scotland via his Dumfries-born grandmother, once we broke the story in April.
Former Racing president Laurent Travers, who’s taking on at Bayonne subsequent season, has additionally been linked, however a Fissler Confidential snitch says the rumours resurfaced once more over the weekend.
Kevin Sorrell’s departure from Saracens, when his contract ends on the conclusion of the season, is prone to imply that the retiring Alex Goode will be a part of the teaching employees.
Sarries boss Mark McCall admitted final month that he needed to maintain Goode on the membership in some capability, and we imagine he’ll grasp up his boots and transition into a training position.
It’s not the one change to McCall’s employees, because it has already been introduced that Phil Morrow will probably be becoming a member of England as head of crew efficiency when Saracens’ Premiership marketing campaign ends.
Leicester Tigers are near securing a Premiership return for former Wasps, Bristol Bears and Worcester Warriors fly-half Billy Searle, who has been launched by Pro D2 aspect Agen.
Searle scored 117 factors in 22 video games for Agen this season and is about to turn into the second fly-half to reach at Welford Street this summer time, following the return of Charlie Titcombe after two years with the Scarlets.
The Tigers are shedding Handré Pollard, who’s signing for the Bulls, and Jamie Shillcock is becoming a member of Brive. They’ve been eager on touchdown Searle, who had a launch clause in his contract.
Western Province have provided former England Underneath-20 lock Alex Groves a one-year contract, and he’ll be a part of them for the Currie Cup subsequent month.
Groves, who has been taking part in for Caldy within the Championship, was provided the deal after impressing throughout a two-week trial however nonetheless must move a medical for it to proceed.
The 24-year-old underwent seven hours of open-heart surgical procedure in February 2024, and information of the provide comes two weeks after Cornal Hendricks died from a coronary heart assault.
Former England winger Denny Solomona is taking his first steps into teaching after being named player-head coach of Orrell for subsequent season.
Cross-code ace Solomona, 31, who broke data in Tremendous League throughout his time with Castleford Tigers, will mix the twin position with working a plumbing and heating enterprise.
He had largely disappeared from view in recent times and, at one level, turned out for level-five outfit Rossendale following a stint in his native New Zealand.
Soyaux-Angoulême No.8 Alex Masibaka, who was on the radar of Gregor Townsend and on the verge of a Scotland cap after being known as up forward of the 2025 Six Nations, is re-joining Montpellier.
Masibaka qualifies for Scotland via his Paisley-born mom and has made 41 appearances in two seasons for Soyaux-Angoulême after a earlier stint with Montpellier.
The previous Western Reds starlet returns to Montpellier on an enhanced contract to fill the emptiness left by Nicolas Martins’ departure for Colomiers.
