Latest Rumour Mill
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With all live sport on pause, the rugby rumour mill is going wild!
We take a look at some of the rumours around player movements, league returns and much more:
Dave Rennie could leave the Wallabies before his first test as head coach
The Wallabies could be in the market for a new head coach with Dave Rennie not even coaching the national side in a single test match according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
According to the report by SMH, sources close to Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said the three-time Super Rugby title winner would reconsider his future if Rugby Australia chief Ralene Castle is let go.
Fearns wants Premiership return
Carl Fearns is set to return to the Premiership after five years across the Channel. The 30-year-old is yet to sign a new deal with Lyon despite playing a key role as they rose from Pro D2 to the cusp of winning a Top 14 title.
The global health crisis threatens to scupper his chances, with Fearns telling The Rugby Paper: “A lot of things have gone on which are out of my hands but the most frustrating thing now is that the market is collapsing and it’s an awkward position to be in.
“First there was the salary cap business in England which was making clubs a bit wary anyway and now there’s the coronavirus, so everything’s up in the air and clubs are not talking about contracts or new signings while they’re knocking 25 per cent off current players.
The PRO14 Consider Radical End To The Season - Report
The PRO14 are considering drawing its season to an end with a single match between conference leaders Leinster and Edinburgh.
The global pandemic has left the competition on hold with eight rounds of fixtures remain to be played before the knockout stages can take place.
However, a report by the Rugby Paper has said that the PRO14 organisers have been exploring several options which would prevent them from declaring the 2019-20 season null and void.
Ospreys are reportedly interested in Faletau
The Ospreys are reportedly considering an audacious attempt to bring Lions No. 8 Taulupe Faletau back to Wales.
The 80-cap player signed a long-term deal with Bath in 2018, extending the arrangement he took up when moving from the Dragons two years earlier.
But The Rugby Paper reports that the Ospreys are looking into the option of signing him.
Ringrose pens his first central contract
Garry Ringrose is believed to have signed a two-year contract with Leinster and Ireland until at least the end of the 2021-22 season.
The Irish Times has reported that the 25-year-old has signed his first central contract with the IRFU following the likes of James Ryan.
A Second Six Nations in 2020?
The idea of a second Six Nations is being considered by the Northern Hemisphere unions according to a report in the Daily Mail.
The plans have surfaced as southern hemisphere teams may not be able to travel North due to the global pandemic. The contingency idea could become a reality this autumn as no November internationals would mean 'serious issues' for home unions' finances.
US Investors Reportedly Interested in Australian Rugby
Rugby Australia is one of the sporting codes Down Under that is under threat at being forced to declare itself insolvent.
Andrew Kline, the founder and managing director of Park Lane, a firm that specialises in helping high net-worth individuals become owners of sporting franchises has facilitated deals for his clients to buy and sell teams across all the major American sporting leagues, including the National Basketball Association, National Football League, Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League.
"We have clients who are very interested in Australia; not just purchasing a team, but an entire league," Kline told the Sun-Herald.
Hadleigh Parkes linked with a surprising move
Wales' star inside centre, Hadleigh Parkes has become a prime target of big-spending Japanese club Kobe Steelers, according to reports.
The current Top League champions are said to have targeted Welsh centre Parkes. It's unclear when Parkes' existing contract with the Scarlets, which he signed two years ago, runs out, or whether they have offered him an extension.
Greig Laidlaw Set For Japanese Switch?
Former Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw is set to leave Clermont at the end of the season.
According to reports in France, Laidlaw has since reportedly signed for an unnamed Top League club in Japan for the 2021 season.
The Top League has terminated its 2020 season early due to the coronavirus pandemic but Laidlaw’s reported move there suggests thoughts are already looking towards next year.
Ross Moriarty ends speculation over his future
British & Irish Lions and Wales loose forward Ross Moriarty has ended the speculation around his future by rejecting advances from Premiership, TOP14 and other PRO14 clubs by signing a new long-term contract to extend his stay at Dragons.
Jake White's Bulls chase exciting quintet for 2021
Having been confirmed as the new Director of Rugby at the Bulls, Jake White has started piecing his shortlist together with the former Rugby World Cup-winning looking to nab two exciting signings from their rivals Stormers and as well as two other exciting additions to the side.
South African newspaper the Rapport reported this weekend that the Bulls are keen to bring both Damian Willemse and Rikus Pretorius to Loftus Versfeld. The report continues to state that former Springbok and Stormers fullback Gio Aplon could also make the move to the Bulls for the 2020 Currie Cup season.
Meanwhile, the Rapport have also linked the Bulls with a move for Cheetahs lock Sintu Manjezi. Manjezi has enjoyed a fantastic run of form with the Cheetahs in the PRO14 and the 24-year-old is also believed to be on Western Province’s radar.
Joe Marler on the verge retiring following a 10-week ban
England prop Joe Marler is considering quitting rugby with immediate effect according to a report by the Mail.
According to the report, Marler has become “disillusioned” after receiving a 10-week ban and widespread criticism on social media which led to him to suspend both his Twitter and Instagram accounts.
Wales 'resigned' to summer tour being off
Wales are resigned to their summer tour of Japan and New Zealand being called off, according to reports.
The Rugby Paper report that the Covid-19 crisis could force a decision on the future of the tour in the near future.
