Report: Glut of international wingers looking to land French deals with Top 14 clubs

England international wing Jack Nowell was confirmed this week as a signing for La Rochelle but a French media report suggests Nowell is the first of an influx of wingers looking to land in the Top 14 next season.

French publication Rugbyrama has published a list of wingers whose 'CVs' are being looked at by Top 14 clubs and it curiously includes a Springbok still under contract.

Springboks World Cup hero and Cell C Sharks winger Makazole Mapimpi is on the list despite having a contract in place with the Durban-based club until 2025.

The 32-year-old signed a three-year contract extension last year to stay in South Africa after turning down lucrative offer to re-join the NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes in the Japan Rugby League One.

Also listed is England star Anthony Watson, who returned to international duty for the first time in two years against Wales in this year's tournament.

The 29-year-old is currently with the Leicester Tigers on a one-year deal having left Bath in 2022 but might be eyeing up the 2023 World Cup as his last in England colours.

Capped Wallaby and Queensland Reds flyer Filipo Daugunu has been named on the Top 14 clubs radar.

The Fijian-born has seven Tests since his debut in 2020 but fell down the pecking order at both the Reds and Wallabies, losing game time to the likes of Tom Wright and Marika Koroibete while newcomer Mark Nawaqanitawase has also pushed into the frame.

The others on the list are Italian international Monty Ioane, former All Black and Tongan international Charles Piutau and young Crusaders winger and 2022 debutant Leicester Fainga'anuku.

Lyon have been active in the market recruiting Lions pair Josh Adams and Liam Williams while pulling off the big signature of Fijian star Semi Radradra.

Adams is still contracted to Cardiff for the next two years but Lyon are prepared to buyout his deal with a transfer fee to secure the Welsh wing.

The Top 14 club has been on a spending spree and have also reportedly signed Sharks flyer Thaakir Abrahams, the 24-year-old drawing comparisons to Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse.