DONE: Anthony Watsons will be staying in the Gallagher Premiership

Initially listed as "unattached" in the recent England squad update, the 29-year-old has now been granted a direct payment from the RFU until the conclusion of the World Cup.

This significant development took place after his previous contract with Leicester expired. Interestingly, RUCK sources suggest that Leicester Tigers have agreed to sign Watson after the World Cup.

Despite interest from French clubs, particularly Castres, the RFU intervened and secured Watson's services, heeding the recommendation of England's head coach, Steve Borthwick. The decision was made to retain the exceptionally talented player within the Premiership.

Throughout the challenging 2023 Six Nations campaign, Watson shone as one of the few bright spots for England, even though the team ultimately finished fourth in the tournament.

It's important to clarify that this agreement differs from a central contract, as seen in Ireland, where the Irish Rugby Union directly covers the wages of its top players. Instead, the RFU's move was a short-term solution to ensure Watson's continuity after his contract with Leicester came to an end.

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Billy Vunipola and Ollie Lawrence have returned to the England training squad as preparations continue for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers) and Jack Walker (Harlequins) will also join up with the squad to continue their rehabilitation.

See who fell out of favour this week.

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Murley joined Harlequins’ Academy full-time in the 2017/18 season.

He made his debut for the Club against Scarlets in the Anglo-Welsh Cup in January 2018.

A combative runner who represented England U18s and England U20s, Murley has enjoyed a steady rise in the pecking order at the Club since the 2018/19 season where he scored three tries in 12 appearances.

He followed that up with seven tries in 20 games in 2019/20 and three tries in 14 appearances in 2020/21 including a start in the Premiership Final win over Exeter. 

He brought up his 50th appearance in the first home match of the current season against Worcester Warriors.

apava-Ruskin arrived at Gloucester Rugby in the summer of 2017 after catching the eye of many admirers during a spell with Worcester Warriors.

The Georgian born prop possesses a powerful scrummaging game combined with mobility around the pitch and is a real nuisance at the breakdown where he is capable of winning key turnovers.

Rapava-Ruskin played 16 times for Gloucester Rugby in the 2020/21 season and with each season that passes, his experience and leadership become more and more valuable to the Cherry and Whites.

Born in New Zealand but raised in Wales and Gloucestershire, the prop was educated at the prestigious Millfield School and made his professional debut for Bristol Rugby before joining Saracens’ Senior Academy in 2011.

Since then he has gone from strength to strength in north London, amassing over 200 appearances, including 50-plus in Europe, and has been an integral part of the club’s success domestically and in Europe.

Vunipola’s explosive carrying, stable scrummaging and fly-half-esque play in the loose has led him to be just as important for England as well as Sarries, with 70 caps for his country. The loosehead made his international bow in 2012 and has since won back-to-back Six Nations titles.

His high-level performances have seen him represent the British & Irish Lions on three tours (Australia 2013, New Zealand 2017, South Africa 2021).

Mako comes from a rich vein of rugby talent. His father and uncle played for Tonga while cousin Taulupe Faletau has been capped by Wales and British & Irish Lions. Brother Billy is a Saracens and England teammate and younger cousin Manu made his senior Sarries debut in the 2018/19 campaign.