Rugby transfer round-up: Ellie Kildunne, Louis Rees-Zammit, new England coach

Add Northampton Saints’ exciting new signing and England’s potential coaching shake-up, and it’s shaping up to be a week of major moves.

,  with R360.

Louis Rees-Zammit has returned to rugby with a bang, scoring a spectacular try on his debut for Bristol Bears after signing a one-year deal following an 18-month NFL adventure. 

Yet, the winger’s stay at Ashton Gate could be far shorter than fans hope — with reports confirming he is a prime target for lucrative approaches from the emerging R360 rugby league

Leading Red Roses players are being lined up by R360’s breakaway league, sparking fears at the Rugby Football Union that the moves could fracture England’s World Cup-winning legacy.

The rebel league, fronted by Mike Tindall, is preparing to launch a grand prix-style competition next October, with four women’s franchises set to feature alongside six men’s teams.

According to the BBC, Byron McGuigan could be the latest addition to Steve Borthwick's England coaching set-up after the Rugby Football Union opened talks with Sale to bring in the 36-year-old.

Inspirational captain and new centurion, Fitz Harding has committed his future to the club by signing a new deal in Bear Country.

The skipper, who made his 100^th competitive appearance – and 50^th as captain – in the round one victory over Leicester Tigers at Ashton Gate, joined the Bears from University of Durham in the summer of 2020 and in 2023, became the second youngest Premiership captain in the club’s history after England international Martin Corry in 1996/97.

Harding became the 15^th youngest player to reach a century of appearance and the 10^th youngest to captain 50 games last weekend.

Northampton Saints today announce the signing of Italian hooker Marco Manfredi, who arrived at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens earlier this week.

The 28-year-old, capped three times at Test level by the Azzurri, joins the men in Black, Green and Gold for the 2025/26 campaign – a timely arrival with hooker Curtis Langdon recently undergoing surgery on a shoulder injury.

Manfredi makes the switch to Northampton from United Rugby Championship side Benetton Rugby, and has been helping to prepare Phil Dowson’s side for their second Gallagher PREM clash of the new term against Gloucester Rugby this weekend.

Saracens are facing a challenge to retain England No. 8 Tom Willis, who could follow in the footsteps of his older brother Jack and head to France once his contract with the former Premiership and European champions expires at the end of the season, according to Rugby Pass.