Reports today suggest that World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi has requested to be released from his contract with French club Racing 92.
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The flanker is keen to make a remarkable return to South Africa, with his former club, the Sharks, emerging as the frontrunners to sign him.
According to Rugby Pass, Kolisi held crucial talks with Racing 92 this week, expressing his desire to leave La Defense Arena due to difficulties in settling in Paris.
While the specifics of the transfer are still under negotiation, Racing 92 is expected to seek a significant fee for his release, having previously paid approximately R17 million (€850k) to secure him from the Sharks.
Kolisi’s return to South Africa would also be welcomed by Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus, who has publicly stated his preference for the national team captain to be based domestically moving forward.
England stars wages revealed with Marcus Smith only the fourth highest earner
The salary ceiling within the Gallagher Premiership has undergone a downward revision, descending from a foundational threshold of £6.4m in the 2020/21 season to £5m in 2021/22 and the subsequent two campaigns. Notably, the allowance for marquee players, whose compensations transcend the cap, has dwindled from two to one.
Consequently, a notable exodus of high-earning English luminaries to foreign shores has materialized, exemplified by the departures of Courtney Lawes, Owen Farrell, and a cadre of others.
This phenomenon has prompted the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to contemplate the implementation of central contracts, aimed at deterring the migration of England’s star players overseas.
#5. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks) – £430,000
Curry became the youngest player to start an international for England in 90 years when he made his senior debut five days before his 19th birthday in Argentina on the 2017 summer tour.
Tom and Ben both studied at Oundle School – where the master in charge of rugby was their uncle and former England international John Olver.
The Sale Sharks flanker had a breakthrough season in 2016/17 and made his Twickenham bow in an uncapped game against the Barbarians in May 2017, after twin brother Ben had withdrawn because of a back spasm. The following month Tom appeared in the first Test against Argentina in San Juan – only Jonny Wilkinson has been a younger Test debutant for England.
He started every game of the 2019 Six Nations, scoring tries against Wales and Scotland and was part of the England squad that reached the 2019 Rugby World Cup final. His performances across that year saw him nominated for the World Rugby player of the year.
He’s missed the 2024 Six Nations after undergoing serious hip surgery.