Newcastle miss out on Fineanganofo as Premiership transfer window heats up

Newcastle Red Bulls appear to be losing their pursuit of Hurricanes winger Fehi Fineanganofo, with growing signals from New Zealand suggesting the 16-try Super Rugby standout wants to remain at home and protect his World Cup prospects. Fineanganofo has scored hat-tricks against the Highlanders, the Reds and the Brumbies across 12 appearances this season, making him one of the most sought-after backs in the southern hemisphere.

With the Fineanganofo deal looking increasingly unlikely, Newcastle are now exploring alternatives and could move for Leinster winger James Lowe if he does not extend his contract at the Irish province this summer.

In France, former England Under-20 international Junior Kpoku is close to converting his loan spell at Toulon into a permanent three-year deal from next season. Kpoku, who has one year remaining on his Racing 92 contract, has been told he is surplus to requirements in Paris, and Racing are expected to receive financial compensation to release him. He has made 11 appearances for Toulon after nearly joining Sale Sharks earlier this year, and talks are expected to conclude before the end of the current campaign.

Bristol Bears are set to lose Argentinian back-row Santiago Grondona when his contract expires at the end of next month, with the 27-year-old expected to return to former club Pau. Grondona, capped 27 times by Argentina, scored six tries in 31 appearances for Bristol after joining from the French side three years ago. He had a brief earlier spell at Pau in early 2023 before being released ahead of Sam Whitelock’s arrival following the Rugby World Cup.

At Bristol, head coach Pat Lam marked nine years at Ashton Gate this week and firmly dismissed suggestions his position is under threat despite the club facing a fifth-place finish or lower. Asked directly whether he remained the right man to lead the Bears, Lam replied simply: “Yes,” declining to elaborate. “I don’t need to explain, I’m here to talk about Bath. I have been around a long time, and my life and identity doesn’t revolve around what people say, so I enjoy my summer every year,” he said.

Sale Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson has indicated he intends to speak with cross-code athlete Regan Grace about a return to the club for pre-season. Grace’s most recent stint at Sale was cut short by another Achilles tendon injury, and Sanderson acknowledged that Grace initially told him he was considering retiring from sport altogether following a difficult run of injuries.