>> Quins line up All Black Saili
HARLEQUINS are close to doing a deal that will see them sign former All Black centre Francis Saili from Munster.
Saili, 26, has been pushed out of Thomond Park after new boss Rassie Erasmus decided to extend the contract of former Springbok Jaco Taute, who ironically arrived in September 2016 on a four-month contract as a replacement for the injured Saili.
Taute, last week named in the PRO12 Team of the Season, will become the second overseas player in their squad from next season, meaning the sacrifice of Saili. Erasmus is having talks with the Stormers, who hold Taute’s contract until the end of the year, about an early release.
Munster have also signed Irish centre Chris Farrell and flyhalf JJ Hanrahan for next season leaving Saili, whose elder brother Peter plays in France for Bordeaux, out in the cold.
Quins were quick to make a move for Saili who moved to Ireland from the Auckland Blues, after being signed by the late Anthony Foley two years ago.
Saili had been attracting the interest of a number of Premiership clubs and his signing will place a question mark over the future of Wales star Jamie Roberts.
Roberts, who is leading his country on their summer tour of Samoa and Tonga, joined Quins in May 2015 from French side Racing Metro. He combines playing with studying for a masters degree to become a surgeon at Cambridge University and is assessing his options.
It is widely anticipated Quins will announce that Roberts, who has won two Grand Slams with Wales, is going to leave.
Meanwhile, Quins lock Mark Reddish, 32, who was signed from the Highlanders at the end of last season appears set to return home. According to sources at the Twickenham Stoop, Reddish, who began his career with the Huricanes, is considering retiring from the game.