Zimbabwe have bolstered their coaching ticket ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup appearance, an ex-Wallaby forward is considering staying in France after becoming a free agent and a Welsh great is set to step away from his British and Irish Lions role.
Here is all the latest rugby transfer news and rumours.
Sables bolster coaching ticket
Ex-Wallabies assistant Laurie Fisher has joined former Exeter coach Ricky Pellow in helping Zimbabwe prepare for the upcoming Nations Cup matches ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup in Australia.
The Sables are due to play Wales, England and Tonga at next year’s finals, their first appearance at the tournament since 1991, and ahead of November Nations Cup matches against Samoa and Uruguay in England and then Chile in France, Fisher and Pellow are working with the squad ahead of this weekend’s warm-up versus Namibia.
Fisher exited his role as Wallabies forwards coach in July following the departure of head coach Joe Schmidt while Pellow last year ended a 16-year stint at Exeter before joining Camborne as part-time sporting director. World Rugby assisted the Sables in the consultancy recruitment of breakdown specialist Fisher, with Pellow linking up as backs and attack coach under head coach Pieter Benade.
Liam Middleton, Zimbabwe’s high performance director, explained: “It was a very encouraging Nations Cup competition for us in July. Part of our review process afterwards, we identified that the breakdown was an area we wanted to make some big improvements in over the next few months.
“With the help of World Rugby, we were able to get Laurie Fisher here. Laurie is a world-class coach. He’s a breakdown specialist, a font of incredible rugby coaching knowledge and he’s here in our camp this week as we prepare for the Test match against Namibia next week.
“So Laurie will be working with our players, working with our coaches; he’s going to do some coach development sessions for local club coaches and schools coaches, and he’ll make a huge difference to how we play in that area.
“Another addition to our coaching team is Ricky Pellow. Ricky is going to come in as backs and attack coach. Again, out of the review of the Nations Cup in July, we just established that we wanted to make some gains in that area.
“With such a good basis of what we saw in the Nations Cup, a lot of athleticism, a lot of ability, some additional input from a coaching perspective was always going to give us a big improvement going into November. Ricky is a seasoned coaching professional. He’s been with the Exeter Chiefs. He’s won two Premiership titles and the European Cup, so I know Rick is going to add some great pedigree and quality to the Sables.”
Fisher said: “I’m here short-term trying to help the Zimbabwe Sables around their breakdown and collision work. Really exciting bunch to work with. A lot of power, a lot of energy, and we’re just trying to put some fundamentals in place that’ll help them through the Test against Namibia into the Nations Cup and carry forward into the World Cup next year.”
Zimbabwe are currently bottom of their Nations Cup pool, but all their July losses were hard-fought matches – Tonga (26-36), USA (15-31) and Canada (19-23).
Ex-Wallaby’s French talks
Ex-Wallaby back-rower Rob Leota could soon be back in action in the Top 14 as he is in discussions about joining Clermont following last week’s immediate-effect departure from Bayonne.
Christophe Urios’ side is searching for a medical joker due to several injuries in the back area of its pack. The casualty list includes Selevasio Tolofua (sprained ankle and fractured fibula), Tevita Ratuva (wrist), Pio Muarua (hamstring) and Baptiste Veschambre (shoulder).
Clermont, who were well beaten at home on Saturday by Leinster in the Champions Cup, reportedly had Fijian Kitione Kamikamica, formerly of Vannes, on trial at the club last week, but talks have apparently opened with free agent Leota.
The former Rebels and Waratahs player secured an exit from Bayonne even though his contract was only set to expire at the end of the current season.
L’Equipe are reporting that a meeting is expected in the coming days with Clermont following initial talks, but it’s reported that some other Top 14 clubs are interested in the 29-year-old, who won the last of his 21 Test caps with Australia in Rugby World Cup 2023.
Lions begin new chair search
Former British and Irish Lions star Ieuan Evans has stepped away from his role as chairman of the famed tourists. The ex-Welsh star took on the position in 2022 and toured Australia last year with Andy Farrell’s series-winning squad. He was also involved in the formation of the Lions’ women’s team, which will tour next year for the first time.
Evans, who toured Australia in 1989, New Zealand in 1993 and South Africa in 1997 as a player, said: “It has been an enormous privilege to serve as chair of the British and Irish Lions.
“The Lions have played a hugely important part in my life, from the honour of representing the jersey as a player to helping shape its future as chair.
“I am incredibly proud of what has been achieved over the past four years, particularly the success of the 2025 tour, the progress made towards the first Lions women’s tour and the strength of the organisation as it looks ahead to an exciting new chapter.”
Lions CEO Ben Calveley added: “Ieuan has given an extraordinary amount to the British and Irish Lions over the years, both as a player and through his leadership as chair. His infectious passion for the Lions and understanding of what makes this organisation so special has been evident throughout his time in the role.
“His contribution has been particularly significant during a period of real progress for the organisation, from the record-breaking success of the 2025 tour to helping lay the foundations for the inaugural Lions women’s tour, and strengthening the governance of the organisation.
“I am truly grateful for his guidance, encouragement and unwavering support over the past four years. It has been a real privilege to work alongside him during such an important period in the Lions’ history… He leaves with our enormous gratitude, respect and very best wishes for the future.”
The Lions will appoint an independent chair in due course, with a further announcement to be made upon conclusion of the recruitment process.