Transfer Centre - Rugby Transfers News & Rumours: 15/01/2017

Wasps have confirmed that fly-half Lima Sopoaga will be joining them for the 2018/19 season following his Super Rugby commitments with the Highlanders. The 26-year-old has 16 caps and has scored 55 test points since making his All Blacks debut against South Africa in July 2015. FULL STORY

Danny Cipriani has been talking about his future to the Guardian. “There are a couple of options in the Premiership, there’s a chance to stay at Wasps and there’s a great opportunity to go to France. A French club has talked with my agent but nothing has been decided. I just want to play well for Wasps now.” FULL STORY

Fly-half Josh Lewis is to join Dragons from Bath for the start of the 2018-19 season. The Aviva Premiership club signed the 25-year-old from Ebbw Vale in 2017, but he will return to Wales under Dragons boss Bernard Jackman. FULL STORY

Ireland captain Rory Best will meet the IRFU and coach Joe Schmidt to discuss his international future ahead of the Six Nations. The 35-year-old Ulster hooker says he is playing as well as he was seven years ago and has not ruled out appearing in the 2019 World Cup. FULL STORY

Jackson Willison will join Bath Rugby from Worcester Warriors next season. The centre said: “Whilst my immediate focus is with Worcester and putting all my effort in for them until the end of the season, I’m really excited to be joining Bath. FULL STORY

Bath have also announced that Jack Walker has extended his stay with the Club. A physically abrasive, skilful player, the 21-year-old has made 12 appearances for the Club to date since he joined in 2016. Whilst game time has been limited through injury, the hooker – who has represented England at U20 level, and was the youngest player to captain former club Yorkshire Carnegie – has impressed the coaches hugely.

Ex-Worcester Warriors ace Cooper Vuna looks set to return to the Aviva Premiership with Bath, according to reports. The BBC and Bath Chronicle understand the Somerset side are looking to bring in the 30-year-old wing on a deal until the end of the season as injury cover for Semesa Rokoduguni.

Toulon are set to lose 39-cap South Africa international Duane Vermeulen at the end of the season according to reports coming out of France. French newspaper L'Equipe says Vermeulen, 31, has already made the decision to leave the Top 14 side and return to Super Rugby side the Stormers as he aims to prepare for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.