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14 Gallagher Premiership players exiting the league

By Ian Cameron

31 Mar 2023

(Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)

A bevvy of top rugby players in the Gallagher Premiership will be leaving for new challenges overseas next season.

Here’s a look at 14 big names departing English rugby at the end of this term.

Rob Simmons to Clermont from London Irish
Former Wallabies lock Rob Simmons joined London Irish in 2020 and played an important role in their squad since. He’s set to join French side Clermont for the upcoming season.

David Ribbans to Toulon from Northampton Saints
It’s not exactly an ideal bellwether for English rugby when an in-situ England lock heads abroad. Northampton lock David Ribbans has done exactly that and is set to join Toulon.

Jack Nowell to La Rochelle from Exeter
Long rumoured, the England back three star appears to be the latest senior Chiefs player to head to the exit and out of the country, following hot on the heels of a number of his Exeter teammates.

Joe Simmonds to Pau from Exeter
Exeter Chiefs’ playmaker Joe Simmonds has been a key player for the club, leading them to a Premiership and European Champions Cup double in 2020. Although it hasn’t been officially confirmed, the talented fly-half is set to join French Top 14 club Pau for the upcoming season.

Luke Cowan-Dickie to Montpellier from Exeter
Cowan-Dickie has been a stalwart for the side since making his debut in 2011 as an 18-year-old. A question mark still remains over a potential G3 ban on him playing rugby in France [due to a neck injury], but if he can get over that hurdle it appears he’s set to join French side Montpellier for the 2023-24 season.

Sam Simmonds to Montpellier from Exeter
Brother of Joe, Sam Simmonds is a prolific number eight who has been in exceptional form for Exeter in recent years. His move to Montpellier in the Top 14 will give the British & Irish Lion a chance to showcase his skills on a new stage. He leaves despite finally breaking into the wider England squad.

Semi Radradra to Lyon from Bristol Bears
Fijian superstar Semi Radradra was a marquee signing for Bristol Bears in 2020 and played a key role for the Ashton Gate-based side when not injured. He’s set to join French side Lyon and continue his impressive form.

Harry Williams to Montpellier from Exeter
The Exeter tighthead has been a reliable presence for the club, helping them win multiple titles over the years. He’s set to join his buddies in Montpellier in France for the upcoming season.

Jannes Kirsten to the Bulls in South Africa from Exeter
Exeter lock Jannes Kirsten has been a valuable member of Rob Baxter’s forward pack and helped them win the Premiership in 2020. He’s set to return to his native South Africa and join Jake White’s Bulls for the 2023 season.

Wilco Louw to Bulls from Harlequins
Another major signing for the Bulls, Harlequins prop Louw is heading home after he played his part in their Quins’ Premiership triumph the season before last.

Dave Ewers to Ulster from Exeter
Giant back row behemoth Ewers has been a consistent performer for the club and helped them win the Gallagher Premiership and Champions Cup double in 2020. He’s set to join Irish province Ulster for the upcoming URC season.

Jake Polledri to Zebre Parma from Gloucester
Another URC switcher, Gloucester back-rower Jake Polledri has been a standout player for the Cherry & Whites and has earned international recognition with Italy. After battling back from injury in recent seasons, he is set to join Italian side Zebre Parma.

Tomasso Allen to Perpignan from Harlequins
Harlequins fly-half Tomasso Allen has been a key player for the West Londoners since joining in 2019. He’s set to join French side Perpignan for the 2023-24 season.

Charles Piutau – released by Bristol Bears
It’s not been confirmed where exactly he is going but one thing is clear, the purported million-pound man is leaving Bristol. At 31 years old, it’s unlikely he’ll be hanging up his boots just yet and another Gallagher Premiership seems unlikely.

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Comments

4 Comments

Mike 782 days ago

Apparently they are going to let the current England #7 stay in France and lose him to England. Incredible especially when England are such a weak outfit to start with.

bit of a flanker 784 days ago

Gary Graham to Carcassone from Newcastle????

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 11 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 11 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 11 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 11 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 11 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 11 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 11 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 11 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 11 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 11 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 11 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

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Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 11 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 11 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 11 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 11 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 11 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 11 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍