Radradra linked with move to top French club
STAR Fijian centre Semi Radradra was in France this weekend touring the training ground of Top 14 club Lyon according to sources across the Channel.
Radradra, 30, is understood to be out of contract at the end of the season as one of the Bears’ marquee players meaning his salary sits outside of the £5m baseline salary cap.
Clever accounting means Bristol, despite being bottom of the Gallagher Premiership, have two marquee players while many clubs only have one this season, with Charles Piutau the other high earner.
However, with both men’s current contracts expiring this season in 2023/24 the club will only be able to have one marquee players.
Eleven-cap Fijian international Radradra has been linked with several possible overseas clubs with his former side Bordeaux-Begles speaking with him before seemingly ruling out a move in recent weeks.
Now, leading French newspaper L’Equipe report Lyon are leading the chase to sign the superstar as a replacement for Josua Tuisova who is set to join Racing 92 next season.
The publication reports that Radradra was in France this weekend to speak with senior club officials, tour their facilities and have his knees medically examined following double surgery.
Radradra is reported to have satisfied the doctors and now has a decision to make about his future.
Earlier this month his current director of rugby Pat Lam said he was pleased with the physical condition and form of his star man.
Radradra was in terrifying form during the first half of Bristol’s 33-19 win over Perpignan on Friday night which set up a home tie against ASM Clermont Auvergne in the last 16 knockout round of the European Challenge Cup.
Radradra finished the game with the most metres gained by a back and managed four successful defence-splitting offloads to emphasise his importance to this Bristol side.
■ England prospect Jack Walker has signed a new deal with Harlequins as he closes in on making his international debut.The 26-year-old is in his second season at Twickenham Stoop, where he has been a mainstay of the front row.
Having toured Australia under Eddie Jones last year, he is on course to win his first cap in the Guinness Six Nations opener against Scotland on February 4 as England contend with an injury crisis at hooker.
“It’s great to sign a new deal with Harlequins,” Walker told the club’s website. “I’ve enjoyed every minute of my first two seasons since starting with this team.”