Rugby Transfers: The ten worst signings of the season

Injuries, adaptation issues, form, coaching changes and simple bad luck can all play a role in a player failing to make the desired impact.

Some names on this list have barely had the chance to prove themselves, while others simply have not delivered.

With that in mind, here are the ten worst signings of the season, plus one special inclusion from the previous campaign.

In March 2025, it was confirmed that Marius Louw would join Sale Sharks on a two-year deal starting in the 2025/26 season. So far, though, his impact has been underwhelming.

Louw arrived with a strong reputation after spending his entire career in South Africa with the Sharks before captaining the Lions, but he has yet to truly deliver for Sale.

He has not performed badly, but he also has not lived up to expectations. Adapting to life and rugby in the UK may have contributed to his slow start.

Jean-Luc du Preez remains unavailable for Union Bordeaux Bègles, and the timeline for his return is becoming increasingly uncertain.

The South African back row has not featured since January 18, when Bordeaux faced Bristol in the Champions Cup.

He was forced off that night after suffering another concussion, his third in just a few months, adding to those sustained while on international duty with the Springboks over the summer.

It is not the first setback of the season for du Preez, who also suffered a knee injury in September. It has been a difficult campaign for the former Sale Sharks player, who only joined Bordeaux last summer.

Boeta Chamberlain joined the Bulls in July 2024 and made his debut in the Currie Cup against Western Province.

A year later, in August 2025, he signed a one-year deal with Newcastle following the conclusion of the Currie Cup.

The move appeared to be a short-term signing aimed at adding squad depth. Although Chamberlain showed some promise on paper, his performances have largely disappointed.

With Newcastle looking to build a stronger long-term squad, it would not be surprising to see him move on sooner rather than later.

It has been more than a year since Solomone Funaki arrived at Rodney Parade, meaning he is technically not a signing from this season. However, the long wait for his full Dragons debut ended without him playing a competitive fixture.

Injuries meant the Tonga international back row missed the entirety of last season after joining from Moana Pasifika.

In December, he left the Dragons early without making a competitive appearance because of continued injury problems. It was unfortunate rather than anyone’s fault, but it is difficult to leave him off this list.

Another signing by the Dragons, Mackenzie Martin earned his Wales debut against Ireland in 2024 at the age of just 20, having made only a limited number of appearances for Cardiff.

After falling out of the spotlight, a loan switch to Rodney Parade was seen as an opportunity to revive his career, but the move has yet to deliver the desired impact.

Martin’s season has been hampered by injury setbacks, and when fit, he has found it difficult to cement a regular place, quickly falling out of favour at the Dragons.

Another injury-related case, it has already been confirmed that Jamie Ritchie will cut short his time at USA Perpignan and return to Scotland.

Ritchie’s move to the Top 14 last year was viewed as a bold step in his career, but injuries and the physical demands of French rugby limited his influence.

Despite occasional flashes of his trademark breakdown ability, the 29-year-old never managed to find consistency during his spell at Perpignan.

Rob Russell came through the Leinster academy during the 2021/22 season before earning his first senior contract in April 2023.

In 2025, he joined Gloucester ahead of the 2025/26 Premiership campaign, but his time in England has been disrupted from the beginning.

A calf injury during pre-season delayed his progress and, although he returned to action, he has struggled to build momentum. His most recent appearance ended after just 24 minutes against Leicester Tigers in December.

So far, injuries have prevented Russell from making any meaningful impact.

At 35, Gareth Anscombe joined Bayonne at the start of the season after spending the previous year with Gloucester.

The former Cardiff and Ospreys playmaker has made only five appearances in his first campaign in France, with injuries severely limiting his involvement.

Most notably, Anscombe has played just two minutes since November, with a serious shin injury earlier this year becoming his latest setback.

To make matters worse, Bayonne lost all five matches in which he featured.

Although Liam Williams has enjoyed an outstanding career, his move to Newcastle simply did not work out.

He made only three appearances after joining early in the season before deciding to retire.

In March, Williams announced his retirement from professional rugby following a persistent knee injury that troubled him throughout his brief spell at the club.

It is difficult to blame the player, but ultimately the signing proved ineffective and, in hindsight, unnecessary.

Ross Byrne arrived at Gloucester with high expectations and reportedly on a significant salary, but his performances have fallen well short.

Despite an impressive pedigree, including international experience with Ireland and memorable moments such as the late winning penalty against Australia in 2022, Byrne has struggled to reproduce that form at club level this season.

Following a series of disappointing displays, he was dropped in favour of Charlie Atkinson, cementing his place as the biggest flop on this list.

His move from Leinster, confirmed in February 2025, was expected to be a major signing, but it has yet to pay off.

From dominant dynasties to dramatic underdog triumphs, this quiz will test how well you remember every club that has lifted the title. Can you name every Premiership Rugby winner since the league began?