Furlong, Gray, Haskell… the 20 best players in Europe whose contracts expire in 2018
Rugby NewsWednesday, 29 November 2017 at 14:45
WHICH top players throughout Europe could be available for nothing when their contracts expire at the end of the season?
In no particular order...
1. CJ Stander - Munster
Stander isn’t currently on an IRFU contract as his international career was only beginning when he signed his deal. The Ireland and Lions back-rower would certainly attract interest from all over Europe if he chooses not to accept a new deal with Munster.
2. James Haskell - England
The 75-cap England and Lions flanker James Haskell told the BBC that he is "playing for a contract" in the final year of his Wasps deal. If the black and golds do not extend Haskell's contract, there'd be no shortage of interest from both at home and abroad.
3. Tadhg Furlong - Leinster
In the last 12 months, he's become a regular for both Ireland and Leinster and started all three Tests for the Lions over the summer. Arguably the best tighthead in the world right now, he'll be in demand if he doesn't sign a new contract in Ireland.
4. Danny Cipriani - Wasps
Rehabbing from a knee injury and with his international ambitions squashed, Danny Cipriani is reportedly looking for a move. Talking Rugby Union have suggested that France’s table-toppers Lyon Olympique Universitaire are the favourite to sign the number 10.
5. Peter O'Mahony - Munster
Currently on an IRFU contract, but has turned now a new one as of now. Negotiations will continue, but it’s clear O’Mahony, who captained the British & Irish Lions in the summer, would be in demand.
6. Vereniki Goneva - Newcastle Falcons
Bordeaux are reportedly interested in signing Newcastle winger Vereniki Goneva when his contract expires at the end of the 2017/18 Premiership season. The Falcons are nevertheless keen for the Fijian winger to extend his stay at Kingston Park.
7. Alex Lewington - London Irish
London Irish will find it difficult to hold onto highly-rated winger Alex Lewington when his contract expires at the end of the 2017/18 season. The speedster, who represented the England Saxons in South Africa in 2016, is tipped to be on the radar of Saracens.
8. Rory Best - Ulster
The 105-cap hooker is not likely to uproot his young family and move at the end of his contract. Could the 35-year-old retire? We will have to wait and see.
9. Iain Henderson - Ulster
The Ulster and Lions second-row has said he is keeping his options open.
10. Joe Launchbury - Wasps
It has been reported that the England second-row has signed a new deal but there has been no official confirmation from Wasps. It's been widely reported that Sale wanted him with an offer of £500,000 per year on the table to swap the Ricoh Arena for the AJ Bell Stadium.
11. John Afoa - Gloucester
The World Cup-winning prop, who was the highest paid player in English club rugby when he moved to Kingsholm, will not come cheap and it remains to be seen whether Gloucester will offer him a new deal.
12. Ben Foden - Northampton Saints
The former England man is looking likely to move across the channel when his contract at Franklin’s Gardens expires in the summer.
13. Jared Payne - Ulster
With his ongoing injury problems it remains to be seen whether Payne will sign a new contract with Ulster. If he can get back to his best, he'd be an in demand player.
14. Semesa Rokoduguni - Bath Rugby
Signing a new two-year deal in 2016, the Bath winger is out of contract in the summer.
15. Jamie Roberts - Harlequins
There have already been murmurs suggesting Wales’ summer captain could return home at the end of his stay in the Premiership with Harlequins. Roberts's original deal with the Quins is due to expire at the end of the coming season.
16. Jonny Gray - Glasgow Warriors
Jonny Gray could be the latest high-profile Scotland international to leave Glasgow Warriors amid concrete interest from Bristol. It has reported that English Championship side has made an offer to sign the 23-year-old lock, whose contract at Scotstoun expires at the end of this season.
17. Alun Wyn Jones - Ospreys
The Wales skipper ended months of speculation by signing a fresh NDC in January 2016, committing his future to the Ospreys. It is understood that the deal was due to take him through until the end of the 2017-18 campaign.
18. Christian Wade - Wasps
The winger signed a contract extension to stay at Wasps for the "foreseeable future" in 2014. That deal reportedly concludes at the end of this season with Top 14 clubs lining up for the speedster.
19. Alex Cuthbert - Cardiff Blues
The Wales wing signed a new two-year contract with Cardiff Blues in April 2016. He's still only 27 and will feel he still has plenty to offer at Test level.
20. Matt Banahan - Bath Rugby
Bath reportedly offered their longest-serving player Banahan a new two-year deal and gave him a deadline to make a decision. That deadline has since passed and the 30-year-old hasn’t agreed to the terms.
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