south-africas-andre-esterhuizen-englands-ollie-lawrence-and-guy-pepper
Harlequins are reportedly preparing for Springboks centre Andre Esterhuizen’s potential departure, while Bath are lining up a swoop for a rising Premiership star.
In recent weeks, Esterhuizen has been linked with a move away from the London club, and Harlequins are making contingency plans if he does depart.
Ollie Lawrence lined up to replace Andre Esterhuizen
Top 14 giants Toulon were reportedly keen to sign the World Cup-winning centre but were rejected by the Bok star, with more recent reports linking the midfielder with a return to the Durban-based Sharks.
The Sharks would need to pay Quins £500,000 (about R12 million) to buy Esterhuizen out of the final year of his contract, which expires in June 2026.
Harlequins look set to put that cashflow to good use with Rugby Pass reporting that England centre Ollie Lawrence is one of their top targets, although they would also need to buy him out of the final year of his contract at Bath.
Lawrence has been a standout for Bath under Johann van Graan’s guidance and could move to the London club if Esterhuizen returns to South Africa.
Quins do have some young stars in their ranks to fill Esterhuizen’s void, with Lennox Anyanwu impressing when given the opportunity, while Will Joseph and Oscar Beard are other midfield options, although they are primarily outside centres. While Lawrence has featured in the outside centre berth for Bath and England, he has the kind of frame and style of play suitable for the number 12 jumper.
Springbok makes mid-season switch to Japan to cover for Faf de Klerk and Jesse Kriel
Bath target rising back-rower
Meanwhile, Van Graan is reportedly looking to improve his back-row stocks going forward and is keen to add Newcastle Falcons’ highly-rated flanker Guy Pepper to his ranks.
According to the Telegraph, Bath have emerged as favourites to secure Pepper’s signature, but they will face competition from rivals Bristol Bears.
The report adds that Pepper’s potential signing would not impact Sam Underhill’s future at the club despite the openside flanker’s current contract expiring at the end of the season.
Pepper has enjoyed a breakout season at Newcastle despite the club’s struggles in the Premiership. The 20-year-old has made 154 tackles and 83 carries in his 10 appearances for the side in the league and has been tipped to feature for England ‘A’ against Portugal.
Bath have been busy in recent weeks with several contract extensions confirmed, including that of Miles Reid, Louis Schreuder and Sam Harris.
Harlequins star heads to Benetton
On Monday, Harlequins confirmed that Louis Lynagh will join Benetton Rugby next season as the winger aims to represent Italy.
The son of Wallabies great Michael Lynagh, Louis was born in Treviso and also qualifies to represent England and Australia.
He has signed a two-year deal with the option to extend the agreement until 2027.
“It’s been a difficult decision to leave my boyhood club but I feel the time is right for a new challenge in Italy,” Lynagh said.
“I have lived in England since I was four years old, but Italy and Treviso have always been in my heart.
“My father played a fundamental role not only in my rugby career, but also in my life. He always wanted the best for me and always agreed with every decision I made.
“He told me that playing in Treviso will be the best for me and my style of rugby.”
News Related
-
Asylum seekers travel in an inflatable boat across the English Channel, bound for Dover on the south coast of England (Photo: Ben Stansall/AFP) Up to 40 Conservative MPs are poised to rebel over Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda deportation policy as they question ministers’ commitment to the scheme. A major row is ...
See Details:
Up to 40 Tory MPs ‘set to rebel’ if Sunak’s Rwanda plan doesn’t override ECHR
-
In the saltmarsh fringing where the Ballyboe River dissolves into Trawbreaga Bay, a little egret wears its plumage like a windblown stole. Our car swoops across the 10 arches of Malin bridge and we park along the village green. Malin is almost as far north as you can get on ...
See Details:
Country diary: A tale of three churches
-
Photograph: Chris Ratcliffe/EPA Hampton Court is an enduring monument to the power of Henry VIII, a pleasure palace down the Thames from Westminster and the City of London. On Monday it was the scene of power projection of a different kind, as Rishi Sunak pitched for investment from some of ...
See Details:
Sunak woos business elite with royal welcome – but they seek certainty
-
-
Tottenham interested in move to sign “fearless” £20m defender in January Tottenham Hotspur have joined the race to bring an overseas defender to the Premier League in January, according to a fresh report. Postecoglou’s centre-back options The Lilywhites currently have Micky Van De Ven, Ashley Phillips, Cristian Romero and Eric ...
See Details:
Tottenham interested in move to sign “fearless” £20m defender in January
-
A £100m campaign urging households and businesses to use less water will be funded from customers’ bills, Ofwat has said. Bill payers to stump up cost of £100m water usage campaign The regulator’s chief executive David Black told MPs that if the measures worked it would be cheaper than building ...
See Details:
Bill payers to stump up cost of £100m water usage campaign
-
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 – Group B – Canada Training – Olympic Park, Melbourne, Australia – July 24, 2023 Canada’s Christine Sinclair during training REUTERS/Hannah Mckay/File Photo (Reuters) – BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, will be renamed “Christine Sinclair ...
See Details:
Soccer-Venue renamed 'Christine Sinclair Place' for Canada soccer great's final game
-
Michael van Gerwen is hunting down a fourth World Championship title (Picture: Getty Images) Michael van Gerwen is Phil Taylor’s tip to lift the World Darts Championship trophy for a fourth time in January, expecting a backlash from the recent defeat in the Players Championship Finals. The 2024 World Championship ...
See Details:
Phil Taylor makes his pick for 2024 World Darts Championship winner
-
Michael van Gerwen is hunting down a fourth World Championship title (Picture: Getty Images) Michael van Gerwen is Phil Taylor’s tip to lift the World Darts Championship trophy for a fourth time in January, expecting a backlash from the recent defeat in the Players Championship Finals. The 2024 World Championship ...
See Details:
Soccer-Howe aims to boost Newcastle's momentum in PSG clash
-
Michael van Gerwen is hunting down a fourth World Championship title (Picture: Getty Images) Michael van Gerwen is Phil Taylor’s tip to lift the World Darts Championship trophy for a fourth time in January, expecting a backlash from the recent defeat in the Players Championship Finals. The 2024 World Championship ...
See Details:
Hamilton heads for hibernation with a word of warning
-
Michael van Gerwen is hunting down a fourth World Championship title (Picture: Getty Images) Michael van Gerwen is Phil Taylor’s tip to lift the World Darts Championship trophy for a fourth time in January, expecting a backlash from the recent defeat in the Players Championship Finals. The 2024 World Championship ...
See Details:
Carolina Panthers fire head coach Frank Reich after 1-10 start to the season
-
Michael van Gerwen is hunting down a fourth World Championship title (Picture: Getty Images) Michael van Gerwen is Phil Taylor’s tip to lift the World Darts Championship trophy for a fourth time in January, expecting a backlash from the recent defeat in the Players Championship Finals. The 2024 World Championship ...
See Details:
This exercise is critical for golfers. 4 tips to doing it right
-
Michael van Gerwen is hunting down a fourth World Championship title (Picture: Getty Images) Michael van Gerwen is Phil Taylor’s tip to lift the World Darts Championship trophy for a fourth time in January, expecting a backlash from the recent defeat in the Players Championship Finals. The 2024 World Championship ...
See Details:
One in three households with children 'will struggle to afford Christmas'
-
OTHER NEWS
Kobbie Mainoo made his first start for Man Utd at Everton (Photo: Getty) The Football Association are reportedly confident that Manchester United starlet Kobbie Mainoo will choose to represent England ...
Read more »
Michael Smith will begin the defence of his world title on the opening night (Picture: Getty Images) The 2024 World Darts Championship is less than three weeks away and the ...
Read more »
For the first time a long haul commercial aircraft is flying across the Atlantic using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). A long haul commercial flight is flying to the US ...
Read more »
The King has met business and finance leaders from across the world at a Buckingham Palace reception to mark the conclusion of the UK’s Global Investment Summit. Charles was introduced ...
Read more »
After Ohio State’s 30-24 loss to Michigan Saturday, many college football fans were wondering where Lou Holtz was. In his postgame interview after the Buckeyes beat Notre Dame 17-14 in ...
Read more »
Darius Slay wouldn’t have minded being penalized on controversial no-call No matter which team you were rooting for on Sunday, we can all agree that the officiating job performed by ...
Read more »
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) Quarterback Mac Jones remains committed to finding success with the New England Patriots even though his future is up in the air following ...
Read more »