Mark McCall has been in the Prem for more than 15 years. And he can’t remember anything like it.
“It’s busier than it has ever been,” says Saracens’ director of rugby of the top-flight player market.
Saracens have been the source of some of that activity.
Leicester and England second row George Martin committed to moving south last week. Gloucester’s star scrum-half Tomos Williams is expected to follow suit.
But the speculation swirls more widely.
England full-back George Furbank has been linked to a move from hometown side Northampton to Harlequins., external
Hoskins Sotutu, a star of Super Rugby, will apparently be a statement signing for Newcastle Red Bulls., external
Wales captains Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake confirmed their switches to Gloucester within an hour of each other on Monday.
The sudden flurry of movement is a product of two things.
Earlier this year, the prospect of ambitious start-up event R360 and its big money-contracts had a cooling effect. Agents kept options open and talks on hold.
The postponement of R360 until 2028 has ended that stand-off, with the prospect of the 2027 Rugby World Cup also spurring movement.
England players are only eligible for selection if they play, or have a contract to play, domestically.
A 2026-27 stint in the Prem is the best platform from which to make a case to head coach Steve Borthwick.
Prop Kyle Sinckler, currently at Toulon, is one of the French-based English-qualified stars rumoured to be considering a return for next season., external
Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson, who has signed up centre Joe Marchant from Stade Francais for next season in a similar deal, says the opportunities and Zoom meetings are coming thick and fast.
“It has been hectic, absolutely hectic for us,” he said of his recruitment drive.
“I’m enjoying meeting all these characters.
“There are early negotiations at the start of the season, and a lot of people try to close those deals before Christmas and New Year.
“Then Japanese clubs turf people out because of their quota system in February and March, and then there is a late churn in June as French teams try to balance their books.”