Top 14 Rugby Transfer Rumors: Byrne, Christie And Tedder in Demand
Top 14 Rugby Transfer Rumors: Byrne, Christie And Tedder in Demand
French Top 14 rugby clubs, including Bayonne and Montpellier, target international stars like Ross Byrne and Finlay Christie to strengthen for next season
The French Top 14 rugby competition is heating up with potential transfers and signings as clubs seek to bolster their squads.
Fly-halves, in particular, are in high demand as the market continues to buzz with activity. Leading the headlines is Matthieu Jalibert, whose contract extension with Bordeaux-Bègles seems imminent, but numerous other key players are also making waves.
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Tristan Tedder, currently with Racing 92, and Ross Byrne of Leinster are two notable names circulating in transfer discussions. Tedder, a versatile fly-half, has garnered interest from several Top 14 clubs, with Bayonne leading the charge.
The Basque club is looking to replace veteran Camille Lopez and sees Tedder as a prime candidate. Tedder, who has previously played for Bayonne during the 2018-2019 season, faces stiff competition at Racing, with fly-halves Owen Farrell, Antoine Gibert, and Dan Lancaster ahead of him. Though Racing is open to keeping him, his future in the Paris region looks uncertain. Bayonne’s familiarity with Tedder and his offensive versatility makes him a likely target, though Castres Olympique is also closely monitoring the situation.
Leinster Rugby Star Ross Byrne Being Eyed BY MHR
Meanwhile, Ross Byrne has captured the attention of Montpellier Hérault Rugby (MHR). The Irish international, currently Leinster’s fly-half, has found himself slipping down the pecking order in both his national team and club due to emerging talents like Jack Crawley, Ciaran Frawley, and Sam Prendergast. Montpellier, eager to strengthen its squad, has entered discussions with Byrne, and he is reportedly open to exploring opportunities in the Top 14. Byrne's experience and skillset would be a valuable addition to Montpellier, particularly as they seek support for their current fly-half, Domingo Miotti.
Montpellier's ambitions extend beyond just Byrne. They have also targeted All Black scrum-half Finlay Christie, who is nearing the end of his contract with the New Zealand Rugby Federation. While New Zealand is keen to retain him, Christie is considering a European move, and Montpellier could be his next destination. If Christie and Byrne were to join MHR, it would significantly enhance their half-back pairing, bringing international experience and high-level performance to the team.
Additionally, Montpellier is eyeing promising talent in the form of English centre Lennox Anyanwu, currently with Harlequins. At just 23 years old, Anyanwu is viewed as a rising star in English rugby, and his powerful presence has attracted interest not only from Montpellier but also from Saracens. However, the RFU is keeping a close watch on his situation, as England would prefer to retain his services.
Despite their recent struggles, Montpellier remains ambitious and is looking to make strategic international signings. While they missed out on Scottish centre Sione Tuipulotu, who is likely to remain in Scotland, the club’s focus on recruiting abroad highlights their desire to remain competitive in the Top 14.
As the transfer window continues, the movements of top fly-halves and other international stars will undoubtedly shape the landscape of the French Top 14 for next season, with clubs like Bayonne, Clermont, and Montpellier looking to make significant moves.
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