Transfer market that never sleeps
ACCEPTED wisdom has it that the shortest period of time is the New York Second – helpfully defined in the Urban Dictionary as the time it takes taxi drivers to sound their horns after the lights turn green.
The Urban Dictionary’s editors, however, may have ignored or be unaware of French rugby recruitment speculation, which apparently operates to eye-wateringly tiny units of time, particularly between one season and the next. There certainly seems to be little, if any, pause, even during summer months when actual recruitment is thin on the ground.
Whether the French Rugby Recruitment Speculation Second is shorter than the fabled New York one is moot. It would probably give mere scientific standards, such as the nanosecond or even the picosecond which are both so fast as to seem instantaneous outside high-speed computing territory, a run on the clock.
The 2022/23 seasons are yet to get under way – the second-tier ProD2 kicks off on Thursday evening, with Biarritz v Oyonnax, while the Top 14 starts on Saturday, September 3.
There may be an entire rugby campaign between now and then, but questions over who may head where next July is already a hot topic – without much in the way of noticeable pause after the end of the official recruitment period for the new campaigns.
In fact, such is the speed of the switch from this season’s recruitment to next season’s recruitment that it has caught out some rugby media outlets before now. For example, rugby news websites in France and elsewhere breathlessly reported that Mont-de-Marsan’s nine-try winger Wame Naituvi was due to head to Racing 92 this summer.
Those reports weren’t entirely accurate. The agreement is for next summer, rather than this one.
Racing had tried to recruit the Fijian try-scorer sooner, it’s true, but the switch from one season’s recruitment to the next happened so fast that it was reported as a done-deal for this year as opposed to next.
It’s easy to see how the confusion occurred – after all, this season’s recruitment isn’t yet complete. Reports, for example, that Francis Saili was about to move to Stade Francais from relegated Biarritz have proved premature, after the two clubs hit a stumbling block over an early release fee.
Stade have offered to take Saili on a season-long loan with a view to a longer deal at the end of the campaign. The offer makes sense. Stade need a centre following the early departure of last season’s flagship signing Ngani Laumape, while Biarritz could do with getting Saili’s salary off their books – the club has already confirmed that another of last season’s big-name signatures, Tevita Kuridrani, is no longer one of their players – but it needs to be finalised.
Meanwhile, Matthieu Bastareaud’s long-predicted return to Toulon after a spell at Lyon remains unconfirmed. The player has been training at the club’s Berg training centre all through pre-season, under the watchful eyes of Toulon’s medical staff as he recovers from serious injuries to both knees, and the signs are – according to the coaching staff – positive.
No decision is likely to be made for another month at least, however, and Bastareaud remains officially unemployed. For now, at least.
And, while Christian Wade’s name makes waves in France amid speculation he could join Racing 92 on a short-term “medical joker” deal as cover for injured league convert Regan Grace, the greater focus already is on the French internationals out of contract at the end of the upcoming campaign.
Following Cameron Woki’s earlier-than-anticipated move – it was no secret he was planning to return to the capital sooner rather than later – the main recruitment speculation focus has now shifted to Clermont’s Damian Penaud. While he may remain at Marcel Michelin, it’s thought he is looking for a move, with Toulouse considered the mostlikely possible destination. The problem is that Toulouse have only just revitalised their back three, bringing in Melvyn Jaminet, Ange Capuozzo and Arthur Retiere, while Matthis Lebel has an option on an additional year in his contract.
Racing 92 could be another destination for Penaud. Donovan Taofifenua and Louis Dupichot are both out of contract at La Defense Arena at the end of the campaign, so there may be room for the interParisse, national winger. Virimi Vakatawa, who has fallen down the international pecking order after a difficult, injury-troubled season, is also up for contract talks. The 30year-old is settled at Racing, where he has played all his club rugby in France, but any remaining international ambitions may be improved by a move outside his comfort zone, while impressive young team-mate, lock Pierre-Henri Azagoh, will have a number of suitors from within the Top 14.
In fact, expect a heavy year in the lock market in France. Azagoh’s Racing compatriot Boris Palu, Bordeaux duo Thomas Jolmes and Cyril Cazeaux, and La Rochelle’s Remi Picquette are all out of contract in June. The latter is already in talks with the club over an extension.
Toulouse No.8 Selevasio Tolofua will be in high demand, as his contract ends at a key time for a number of clubs. He has already been repeatedly linked with a move to Toulon, who are looking for a longterm replacement for Sergio for all the Italian’s apparent agelessness. Montpellier, too, are likely to be in the market for a linebreaking back row, amid widespread expectation that the lure of an overdue England recall will be impossible for Zach Mercer to ignore.
And Clermont may also be on the hunt for a younger model at eight, with 33-year-old Fritz Lee’s current deal due to run out in June 2023.
Brice Dulin should find a contract extension offer from La Rochelle easy to sign, having enjoyed something of a renaissance since moving to the Atlantic coast club from Racing.
Lyon’s currently injured prop Demba Bamba has also officially been on the market since July 1, when he entered the final year of his existing deal. His current club has the inside track, but there may be a few discussions to be had in the coming weeks and months as others dangle tempting offers.
Whatever happens over the coming months, it’s more than clear that time and recruitment plans wait for no one in the Top 14.
“The recruitment speculation focus has now shifted to Clermont winger Damian Penaud”