Jacobson weighs Top 14 move as Bayonne table offer for All Blacks skipper

Bayonne have tabled a contract offer to All Blacks back-rower Luke Jacobson, with the Chiefs captain set to weigh up a move to the Top 14 when his deal expires late next year following the Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Jacobson, 29, earned his 30th All Blacks cap in the Nations Championship victory over Ireland this summer but will miss the second phase of the competition with an elbow injury. He has made more than 100 appearances for the Chiefs and is now assessing his options. The New Zealander has already watched Bayonne’s recent defeat to Lyon in person, and Clermont Auvergne and Racing 92 have also registered interest after his details reached their recruitment teams.

Elsewhere in the transfer market, Sale Sharks are pivoting to English-qualified scrum-half targets after failing to lure Springbok international Embrose Papier back to the North West. Papier, 29, who holds eight Springbok caps, has extended his contract with his URC club by 12 months until June 2028. The Sharks had already added Xavier Roe from the Chiefs but lost Raffi Quirke to Newcastle Red Bulls at the end of last season.

Gloucester are expected to extend Arthur Clark’s contract to fend off interest from French clubs who took notice of the lock’s performance in the 36-36 Champions Cup draw with Bordeaux last month. The Oxford-born 23-year-old, who earned an England cap against the USA in July 2025, had already signed an extension seven months ago — just days after receiving his first international call-up from Steve Borthwick. His father Barry represented Gloucester during the 1980s.

Toulouse, chasing a seventh Top 14 title in nine years, are tracking Bristol Bears winger Kalaveti Ravouvou, according to Midi Olympique. The 28-year-old Fijian has yet to feature for Bristol this season after suffering a ligament injury while representing Fiji at the Pacific Nations Cup in Japan in September. Toulouse have monitored Ravouvou for the past two years and are now reportedly ready to step up their pursuit.

Finally, former Springbok hooker Joseph Dweba appears set to leave Exeter Chiefs when his contract expires at the end of the season, with South African URC clubs understood to be monitoring the 31-year-old’s situation.