Rugby transfers: Fresh twist in Taniela Tupou saga, where next for Leigh Halfpenny and Toulouse sign Dupont cover

In our latest rugby rumours and transfers update, we recap the reports on Taniela Tupou and his Melbourne Rebels teammates while Welsh backs Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Patchell find new clubs.

Taniela Tupou saga

Following the collapse of the Melbourne Rebels, much has made of the future of tighthead prop Taniela Tupou.

The Wallabies powerhouse reportedly turned down the Queensland Reds’ advance, the Super Rugby club that he broke into, and was linked with a move to Leinster that ultimately did not materialise.

Recent reports stated that he was one of the Rebels players who also refused an offer from the NSW Waratahs, citing the lack of vision of the side despite several coaching changes, including the additions of Simon Rawauli and Dan McKellar.

However, the situation looks to have changed with the Sydney Morning Herald reporting that he is close to finalising a deal with the club.

And it looks as if he won’t be alone in making the move as fellow Rebel and Wallaby Isaac Kailea looks set to join the Waratahs as well, with the side recruiting in the front row after bidding farewell to Harry Johnson-Holmes (Western Force) and Matt Gibbon (Queensland).

Darby Lancaster is also being lined up and reportedly close to signing with the Tahs who actively tried to persuade Lukhan Salakaia-Loto to turn down the Reds and head to NSW but have failed.

Meanwhile, Waratahs pivot Tane Edmed has joined NPC side North Harbour.

Leigh Halfpenny to return to France

Following a season in New Zealand with the Crusaders, Welsh fullback Leigh Halfpenny looks set to return to France.

The British and Irish Lions number 15 played for Toulon between 2014 and 2017 before returning to Wales, and now, seven years later, looks set to return to the Top 14 with newly promoted side Vannes.

Several reports from France state that the 35-year-old is close to finalising a deal with the side, having undergone his medical tests earlier this week.

It would be another huge signing for the club who have secured the services of former England and Saracens prop Mako Vunipola ahead of next season.

They have also signed ex-All Blacks centre Francis Sailli following his departure from Racing 92 as well as Salesi Rayasi from the Hurricanes, Tani Vili from Bordeaux, Chile star Inaki Ayarza from Soyaux-Angouleme, Kitione Kamikamica from Racin 92 and Santiago Medrano from the Western Force.

In anticipation of their first season in the Top 14, the club’s website servers crashed in demand for the season tickets, with 9,000 sold in a stadium capacity of just shy of 12,000.

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Rhys Patchell heads to Japan

Staying with the Welsh backs, former Scarlets fly-half Rhys Patchell is off to Japan, signing a deal with second-division club the NEC Green Rockets.

Patchell enjoyed a strong season with the Highlanders in Super Rugby Pacific and will now link up with former Wales boss Wayne Pivac at the Japanese side.

He will also link up with former teammate Jake Ball at the Rockets, coming in as a replacement for the departures of Lomano Lemeki and Tiaan Swanepoel.

Patchell’s Highlanders teammate Billy Harmon is also heading to Japan, signing with the Canon Eagles.

Toulouse add depth

Champions Cup and Top 14 winners Toulouse had added depth ahead of the 2024/25 season including a recruit to back up Antoine Dupont.

Scrum-half Baptiste Germain has joined Bayonne from Toulouse, and in response, the Top 14 holders have signed Japanese international Naoto Saito, who returns to the club where he enjoyed a loan spell.

This after signing Leo Banos from Mont-de-Marsan and Hugo Reilhes from Brive.

More recently, the club have announced the contract extension of Fijian winger/centre Setareki Bituniyata for the upcoming season after they did not extend his contract.

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Georgian star off to Montpellier

Montpellier looked to have made another signing ahead of next season, with Georgian fly-half Luka Matkava signed with the Top 14 club.

The club are in the market for a fly-half after the departures of Paolo Garbisi, Louis Carbonel and Louis Foursans, and the LNR website has confirmed that Matkava will join the side from the Black Lions.

The signing of the highly-rated number 10 follows Montpellier’s signings of Domingo Miotto, Maël Moustin, Madosh Tambwe, Billy Vunipola, Nicolas Martins, Wilfrid Hounkpatin, Nika Abuladze, Mohamed Haouas, Alexis Bernadet, Thomas Vincent, Christa Powell, Stuart Hogg and Josh Moorby.

Montpellier clean house

Montpellier have cleared out space in their wage bill ahead of next season with eight players heading out on loan in the PROD2.

The move to allow younger players to get more experience in the challenging second-division competition is becoming more and more popular with the Top 14 clubs, but Montpellier has taken it to another level.

The club has confirmed the following season-long loans for the 2024/25 season:

Mathieu Uhila to Vannes; Valentin Welsch, Mael Perrin and Karl Martin to Aurillac; Alexander Masibaka to Soyaux-Angouleme; Gabin Rocher to Nevers; Alexandre de Nardi to Mont-de-Marsan; Adrien Sonzogni to Massy.

25-year-old De Nardi is the oldest player departing the club, with the others being 22 or younger.

READ MORE: Premiership ins and outs: The complete list of the 2024/25 player transfers