Vunipola-Simmonds, the competition is announced in 8 in Montpellier
74 selections with the fifteen of the Rose, of which he was one of the captains during the 2019 World Cup, triple European champion (2016, 2017, 2019) and five-time English champion (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2023) with Saracens, the powerful number 8 (1.88 m, 130 kg) will arrive this summer in Montpellier, where he was seduced by rugby director Bernard Laporte, with a flattering CV (without costing too much). At 31 years old, and even if he has been overtaken in the selection by Ben Earl and is no longer part of Steve Borthwick’s plans, Billy Vunipola has serious assets to put forward in the Top 14.
A nice move achieved by the MHR, except that the position is already filled with another renowned Englishman, Sam Simmonds (29 years old, 18 caps), under contract until 2025 with an optional year and who has not not disappointed for his first season in Hérault. The two will find themselves in competition, without forgetting that Montpellier should attract Biarrot Temo Matiu (22 years old) and extend Marco Tauleigne (30 years old). From this point of view, the bet may raise questions, especially since the MHR is recruiting a new non-Jiff player, while its squad needs to balance out. Montpellier has an average of 15.47 Jiff this season, below the sixteen required by the League under penalty of points penalty the following season.
Tuilagi wanted France and Bayonne
Manu Tuilagi in France, it was just a matter of time. The solid and experienced center of the England team (32 years old, 59 caps, 1.85 m, 110 kg) has always had in the back of his mind playing in the Top 14. Already, after the 2019 World Cup , his name had been circulating insistently (Racing 92). Several reasons this time convinced him to say “yes” to Bayonne for the next two seasons.
First, his international future with the fifteen of the Rose seems blocked. The financial aspect is obviously important, even if he will not be overpaid due to his age and his non-Jiff status (his salary would be less than 30,000 euros per month). But impatriation and benefits in kind, non-existent in English clubs, have had their effects. The choice also seems family-friendly. Of Samoan origin, Manu Tuilagi has family in France, starting with his brother Henry Tuilagi, who had his best days in Perpignan and whose son Posolo has just made his debut for the French team. Finally, the living environment on the Basque Coast, the fervor of Jean-Dauger and the attractiveness of the Top 14 finally convinced him after several discussions with the sports manager Grégory Patat and the three-quarter coach Gérard Fraser.
In Racing 92, Farrell as Carter
Andrew Mehrtens, Juan Martin Hernandez, Johnny Sexton, Dan Carter, Finn Russell… The recruitment of Owen Farrell, for the next two seasons, is in line with those made by Racing 92 as fly-half for more than ‘a decade. The former captain of England (32 years old, 112 caps) will have the mission of bringing back a title that has been slipping away from the Ile-de-France club since the Brennus of 2016 under the leadership of a certain Dan Carter, an emeritus scorer and strategist. The number 10, who can also play in the centre, wanted to experience abroad after playing his entire career at Saracens. The presence of his compatriot Stuart Lancaster, at the head of Ciel et Blanc since the start of the season, was one of the determining factors in his arrival. It was the latter who offered him his first caps with England in 2012.
If president Laurent Travers assures that Farrell will be paid less well than at Saracens, the flyhalf will not be unhappy either in Hauts-de-Seine (annual salary estimated at 800,000 euros) where the quality of the facilities has also has its effect. Farrell will finally have the mission of playing the transmission card with the youngest, starting with Antoine Gibert.
