I'm sure lots of teams are interested in an experienced EQ international prop. What salary he's looking for might temper that interest somewhat. Exeter are well under the cap, ditto Newcastle so they might well be open to making moves. Bath have du Toit money to spend but that's not the biggest as he signed at the right time for Bath, probably the best place to be to put himself in the England shop window though.francoisfou wrote: ↑Tue Dec 23, 2025 9:33 am Midi Olympique say that Toulon's Kyle Sinckler, who apparently had a stormer against Bath, is looking to go back to England with view to being in contention for the 2027 World Cup. Newcastle, Exeter and Bath are mentioned as teams who could be interested in signing him - among others too.
Brits abroad
Moderator: Puja
-
FKAS
- Posts: 4663
- Joined: Thu Jul 09, 2020 4:10 pm
Re: Brits abroad
- Puja
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6388
- Joined: Tue Feb 09, 2016 9:16 pm
Re: Brits abroad
I'd be surprised if Bath wanted him long-term - they may have Du Toit leaving, but they also have Stuart, Sela and Griffin. Might be an option for a medical joker for the rest of this season to cover Stuart's injury though.FKAS wrote: ↑Tue Dec 23, 2025 10:11 amI'm sure lots of teams are interested in an experienced EQ international prop. What salary he's looking for might temper that interest somewhat. Exeter are well under the cap, ditto Newcastle so they might well be open to making moves. Bath have du Toit money to spend but that's not the biggest as he signed at the right time for Bath, probably the best place to be to put himself in the England shop window though.francoisfou wrote: ↑Tue Dec 23, 2025 9:33 am Midi Olympique say that Toulon's Kyle Sinckler, who apparently had a stormer against Bath, is looking to go back to England with view to being in contention for the 2027 World Cup. Newcastle, Exeter and Bath are mentioned as teams who could be interested in signing him - among others too.
Puja
Backist Monk
-
FKAS
- Posts: 4663
- Joined: Thu Jul 09, 2020 4:10 pm
Re: Brits abroad
Nah not long term but a season or two to cover the world cup and then he'll be back off for the riches of France or Japan. Valuable couple of seasons for Sela's development.Puja wrote: ↑Tue Dec 23, 2025 11:44 amI'd be surprised if Bath wanted him long-term - they may have Du Toit leaving, but they also have Stuart, Sela and Griffin. Might be an option for a medical joker for the rest of this season to cover Stuart's injury though.FKAS wrote: ↑Tue Dec 23, 2025 10:11 amI'm sure lots of teams are interested in an experienced EQ international prop. What salary he's looking for might temper that interest somewhat. Exeter are well under the cap, ditto Newcastle so they might well be open to making moves. Bath have du Toit money to spend but that's not the biggest as he signed at the right time for Bath, probably the best place to be to put himself in the England shop window though.francoisfou wrote: ↑Tue Dec 23, 2025 9:33 am Midi Olympique say that Toulon's Kyle Sinckler, who apparently had a stormer against Bath, is looking to go back to England with view to being in contention for the 2027 World Cup. Newcastle, Exeter and Bath are mentioned as teams who could be interested in signing him - among others too.
Puja
-
francoisfou
- Posts: 1146
- Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2016 7:01 pm
- Location: Haute-Garonne
Re: Brits abroad
Round 13 in the Top14 is taking place this weekend:
Racing 61 - Montauban: Racing - Jonny Hill 4, Nathan Hughes 18 scored a try (must've been running backwards - if that's possible?)
Castres 36 - Lyon 21 : Castres - Will Collier 23, Lyon - Paddy Jackson 21
Bayonne 35 - Stade Français 34: Bayonne Ewan Johnson 18; no Manu (concussion) nor Alex Moon (don't kmow why); SF Joe Marchant 14
Clermont 34 - UBB 18; UBB Jonny Gray 18
Pau - Dan Robson 21 (Joe Simmons not recovered from injury)
Montpellier - Adam Beard 4, Ali Price 9, No Billy V or Stuart Hogg
Toulon - Ben White 9, Zach Mercer 8, Lewis Ludlam 6, Dave Ribbans 4, Kyle Sinckler 3
Perpignan - Kieran Brookes 23
Toulouse - Jack Willis 6; Blair Kinghorn 21
La Rochelle
Racing 61 - Montauban: Racing - Jonny Hill 4, Nathan Hughes 18 scored a try (must've been running backwards - if that's possible?)
Castres 36 - Lyon 21 : Castres - Will Collier 23, Lyon - Paddy Jackson 21
Bayonne 35 - Stade Français 34: Bayonne Ewan Johnson 18; no Manu (concussion) nor Alex Moon (don't kmow why); SF Joe Marchant 14
Clermont 34 - UBB 18; UBB Jonny Gray 18
Pau - Dan Robson 21 (Joe Simmons not recovered from injury)
Montpellier - Adam Beard 4, Ali Price 9, No Billy V or Stuart Hogg
Toulon - Ben White 9, Zach Mercer 8, Lewis Ludlam 6, Dave Ribbans 4, Kyle Sinckler 3
Perpignan - Kieran Brookes 23
Toulouse - Jack Willis 6; Blair Kinghorn 21
La Rochelle
-
francoisfou
- Posts: 1146
- Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2016 7:01 pm
- Location: Haute-Garonne
Re: Brits abroad
Will Collier is in Castres' starting XV in tomorrow evening's home match against Bath.
-
francoisfou
- Posts: 1146
- Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2016 7:01 pm
- Location: Haute-Garonne
Re: Brits abroad
There are several Brits (and honorary Brits) in French teams in this weekend's Champions' Cup matches:
Bayonne (v Tigers) - 12 Manu Tuilagi, 19 Ewan Johnson
La Rochelle (Leinster) - 14 Jack Nowell
Toulouse (Saracens) - 10 Blair Kinghorn, 6 Jack Willis (brother Tom at 8 for Sarries)
Bordeaux/Bègles (Northampton) - 6 J-L du Preez, who didn't take long to force himself into B/B's first team
Toulon (Munster) - 9 Ben White, 8 Zach Mercer, 6 Lewis Ludlam, 5 Dave Ribbans, 3 Kyle Sinckler
Pau (Scarlets) - 22 Dan Robson
Bayonne (v Tigers) - 12 Manu Tuilagi, 19 Ewan Johnson
La Rochelle (Leinster) - 14 Jack Nowell
Toulouse (Saracens) - 10 Blair Kinghorn, 6 Jack Willis (brother Tom at 8 for Sarries)
Bordeaux/Bègles (Northampton) - 6 J-L du Preez, who didn't take long to force himself into B/B's first team
Toulon (Munster) - 9 Ben White, 8 Zach Mercer, 6 Lewis Ludlam, 5 Dave Ribbans, 3 Kyle Sinckler
Pau (Scarlets) - 22 Dan Robson
-
francoisfou
- Posts: 1146
- Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2016 7:01 pm
- Location: Haute-Garonne
Re: Brits abroad
Round 15 of the Top14 is this weekend:
Perpignan - 7 Jamie Ritchie (c), 3 Kieran Brookes
Montauban
Racing - 8 Nathan Hughes, 4 Jonny Hill
Lyon - 8 Sam Simmonds
Toulon - 6 Lewis Ludlam,4 Dave Ribbans, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 20 Zach Mercer, 21 Ben White, 18 Jr Kpoku (his Racing début)
Montpellier - 9 Ali Price, 8 Billy Vunipola, 21 Stuart Hogg
Toulouse - 15 Blair Kinghorn, 20 Jack Willis
Pau - 2 Julian (honorary Brit) Montoya
UBB - 4 Jonny Gray
SF - 14 Joe Marchant
Bayonne - 4 Ewan Johnson, 18 Alex Moon (no Manu Tuilagi)
Castres - no Will Collier
Clermont v La Rochelle ko Sunday evening
Perpignan - 7 Jamie Ritchie (c), 3 Kieran Brookes
Montauban
Racing - 8 Nathan Hughes, 4 Jonny Hill
Lyon - 8 Sam Simmonds
Toulon - 6 Lewis Ludlam,4 Dave Ribbans, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 20 Zach Mercer, 21 Ben White, 18 Jr Kpoku (his Racing début)
Montpellier - 9 Ali Price, 8 Billy Vunipola, 21 Stuart Hogg
Toulouse - 15 Blair Kinghorn, 20 Jack Willis
Pau - 2 Julian (honorary Brit) Montoya
UBB - 4 Jonny Gray
SF - 14 Joe Marchant
Bayonne - 4 Ewan Johnson, 18 Alex Moon (no Manu Tuilagi)
Castres - no Will Collier
Clermont v La Rochelle ko Sunday evening
-
francoisfou
- Posts: 1146
- Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2016 7:01 pm
- Location: Haute-Garonne
Re: Brits abroad
Brive's push for promotion from ProD2 is petering out, so the players like Lawes, Shillcock, Olding, Cooney and Hirbst may have to look elsewhere if they want to play Top14, but Lawes has already been linked with a move to Stade Français next season.
Brive are currently in 6th position - which will qualify for the play-offs, but were well beaten at lowly Mont de Marsan on Friday and will have to significantly improve to be in with a chance of staying in the first 6.
Brive are currently in 6th position - which will qualify for the play-offs, but were well beaten at lowly Mont de Marsan on Friday and will have to significantly improve to be in with a chance of staying in the first 6.
-
francoisfou
- Posts: 1146
- Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2016 7:01 pm
- Location: Haute-Garonne
Re: Brits abroad
Round 17 of the Top14 is today and tomorrow:
Bayonne - 5 Alex Moon, 19 Ewan Johnson. No Manu.
Racing - 5 Will Rowland, 8 Nathan Hughes (rave reviews from his coach!), 15 Sam James
La Rochelle - 14 Jack Nowell
Montpellier - 8 Billy Vunipola, 9 Ali Price. No Hogg.
Toulon - 8 Zach Mercer, 6 Lewis Ludlam, 4 Dave Ribbans, 24 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Jr Kpoku
Clermont
Perpignan
Pau - 9 Dan Robson. 2 Julián Montoya . Joe Simmons still not back from injury
Stade Français v Toulouse on Sunday night. Teams yet to be announced
Bayonne - 5 Alex Moon, 19 Ewan Johnson. No Manu.
Racing - 5 Will Rowland, 8 Nathan Hughes (rave reviews from his coach!), 15 Sam James
La Rochelle - 14 Jack Nowell
Montpellier - 8 Billy Vunipola, 9 Ali Price. No Hogg.
Toulon - 8 Zach Mercer, 6 Lewis Ludlam, 4 Dave Ribbans, 24 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Jr Kpoku
Clermont
Perpignan
Pau - 9 Dan Robson. 2 Julián Montoya . Joe Simmons still not back from injury
Stade Français v Toulouse on Sunday night. Teams yet to be announced
- Oakboy
- Posts: 2049
- Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2016 9:42 am
Re: Brits abroad
Your aside about Nathan Hughes puts you at risk of being banned.francoisfou wrote: ↑Sat Feb 14, 2026 10:04 am Round 17 of the Top14 is today and tomorrow:
Bayonne - 5 Alex Moon, 19 Ewan Johnson. No Manu.
Racing - 5 Will Rowland, 8 Nathan Hughes (rave reviews from his coach!), 15 Sam James
La Rochelle - 14 Jack Nowell
Montpellier - 8 Billy Vunipola, 9 Ali Price. No Hogg.
Toulon - 8 Zach Mercer, 6 Lewis Ludlam, 4 Dave Ribbans, 24 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Jr Kpoku
Clermont
Perpignan
Pau - 9 Dan Robson. 2 Julián Montoya . Joe Simmons still not back from injury
Stade Français v Toulouse on Sunday night. Teams yet to be announced
-
francoisfou
- Posts: 1146
- Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2016 7:01 pm
- Location: Haute-Garonne
Re: Brits abroad
Oakboy wrote: ↑Sat Feb 14, 2026 10:24 amYour aside about Nathan Hughes puts you at risk of being banned.francoisfou wrote: ↑Sat Feb 14, 2026 10:04 am Round 17 of the Top14 is today and tomorrow:
Bayonne - 5 Alex Moon, 19 Ewan Johnson. No Manu.
Racing - 5 Will Rowland, 8 Nathan Hughes (rave reviews from his coach!), 15 Sam James
La Rochelle - 14 Jack Nowell
Montpellier - 8 Billy Vunipola, 9 Ali Price. No Hogg.
Toulon - 8 Zach Mercer, 6 Lewis Ludlam, 4 Dave Ribbans, 24 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Jr Kpoku
Clermont
Perpignan
Pau - 9 Dan Robson. 2 Julián Montoya . Joe Simmons still not back from injury
Stade Français v Toulouse on Sunday night. Teams yet to be announced![]()
![]()
This board hates him traditionally.
- Which Tyler
- Posts: 4730
- Joined: Tue Feb 09, 2016 8:43 pm
- Location: Tewkesbury
- Contact:
Re: Brits abroad
TBF, he was fine at club level, just a flat-track bully who couldn't do it at a higher level
-
francoisfou
- Posts: 1146
- Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2016 7:01 pm
- Location: Haute-Garonne
Re: Brits abroad
SF v Toulouse kicks off this evening.
SF - 14 Joe Marchant
Toulouse - 15 Blair Kinghorn, 7 Jack Willis (c)
Another aside for Oakboy is that the two former England 8s, Mercer and Hughes, were both given crap reviews by Midi Olympique on their performances yesterday. Mercer, they wrote, has been a shadow of his former self this season.
SF - 14 Joe Marchant
Toulouse - 15 Blair Kinghorn, 7 Jack Willis (c)
Another aside for Oakboy is that the two former England 8s, Mercer and Hughes, were both given crap reviews by Midi Olympique on their performances yesterday. Mercer, they wrote, has been a shadow of his former self this season.