Ross Byrne set to leave Gloucester early as Perpignan close in on deal

Ross Byrne is closing in on a move to Perpignan that would end a difficult debut season at Gloucester, with the French Top 14 club in advanced negotiations to sign the 31-year-old fly-half only 12 months into his three-year deal at Kingsholm.

Byrne made 15 appearances for Gloucester after joining last summer but quickly found himself at odds with the club’s style of play under head coach George Skivington. He has not been included in any matchday squad since Gloucester’s PREM Rugby Cup win over Sale Sharks in February, despite being fit, and has since fallen behind Charlie Atkinson in the pecking order following Atkinson’s successful conversion from full-back.

Perpignan are seeking a new playmaker ahead of next season, with veteran Benjamín Urdapilleta set to retire and Tommaso Allan departing for Zebre Parma. The Catalans pursued several alternatives before settling on Byrne — Wallaby Tom Lynagh opted against a move and signed a contract extension with the Queensland Reds, while Toulon’s Paolo Garbisi, who has a year remaining on his contract, appears to have turned down the club and chosen to see out his time on the Côte d’Azur.

A move to Perpignan would reunite Byrne with former Leinster team-mate Luke McGrath, whose own signing with the club has already been confirmed for July. Byrne won the United Rugby Championship five times with Leinster and was part of Ireland’s 2023 Grand Slam-winning squad, though he has not earned an international cap since departing for England.

The Sharks had also been keen to bring Byrne back to the URC, and Skivington has acknowledged he has limited visibility over the player’s situation and the interest from South Africa. Perpignan, who face a play-off to retain their top-flight status next season, will be hoping the deal with Byrne reaches completion without complication.