Leicester Tigers and Harlequins battle to sign Gloucester's England centre Seb Atkinson

Gloucester face a genuine fight to keep England centre Seb Atkinson, with Leicester Tigers and Harlequins both pursuing the 24-year-old as contract talks at Kingsholm continue to stall.

Atkinson, who has earned seven England caps, is viewed by Leicester as the answer to a problem position at inside centre. The Tigers are prepared to go head-to-head with Harlequins if Gloucester cannot agree terms, and a move to London is understood to appeal to Atkinson personally — his girlfriend, Siena, works for Goldman Sachs in the capital.

Atkinson began his career at Worcester Warriors before joining Gloucester in 2022, winning the PREM Rugby Cup two years later. Gloucester are described as desperate to retain him.

Edinburgh retain Satala despite rival interest

Edinburgh have secured a new deal with Scotland-qualified winger Malelili Satala, fending off interest from the Gallagher Premiership and Japan. Satala, who was born in Edinburgh while his father played for the club and served in the 1st Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, previously had stints at Leicester Tigers and Nottingham. Edinburgh were particularly keen to tie him down given uncertainty over the future of Duhan van der Merwe, who is attracting interest from Japan and France.

Marx weighs Bulls and Sharks offers

Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx is at the centre of a tug-of-war between the Bulls and the Sharks as both South African franchises bid to bring him back to the United Rugby Championship when his Kubota Spears contract expires next June. Marx, 32, is a two-time World Cup winner under Rassie Erasmus. Bulls coach Johan Ackermann — who handed Marx his Lions debut — had been leading the chase, but the Sharks have now tabled a strong rival offer as Marx weighs up ending a six-year stint in Japan.

Toulouse suffer Tupou setback

Top 14 champions Toulouse have been forced back to the transfer market after a move for Tongan lock Jimmy Tupou collapsed when the 34-year-old failed a medical. Toulouse had been targeting Tupou to cover a significant injury crisis, with Clément Vergé, Emmanuel Meafou, and Thibaud Flament all sidelined with serious knee and shoulder problems. Tupou, who has played for the Crusaders, Blues, Chiefs, Moana Pasifika, and Urayasu D-Rocks, had been at Toulouse’s training facility before the deal fell through.

Pollock lands magazine covers

Northampton Saints and England flanker Henry Pollock is set to appear on the covers of both Men’s Health and Tatler next week, the latter alongside Valentina Pinault — daughter of actress Salma Hayek — after being named among the UK’s 200 most eligible bachelors.