Rugby rumours and transfer news: Wasps lock wanted in France; Saracens back departs; Newcastle Falcons secure key players

All the latest rugby rumours and transfer news and gossip from around the Gallagher Premiership

It might be transfer deadline day in the football world but it is also open season in the rugby transfer market as directors of rugby up and down the land are now allowed by league rules to speak to players at rival clubs.

With Bristol Bears in their second season back at the top table of European rugby, playing in the Gallagher Premiership and European Challenge Cup, we take a look at all the latest transfer news and rumours from them and their rivals.

Here is all the latest.

Wasps lock wanted by Toulouse

Wasps lock Thibaud Flament has been linked with a move to Toulouse.

Midi Olympique reports the second row has been lined up to replace Florian Verhaeghe who’s move to Montpellier has been confirmed.

At just 22, Frenchman Flament has a bright future ahead of him.

The 6ft 8in forward  joined Wasps’ Senior Academy for the 2019/20 season from Loughborough Students.

Former Gloucester and Leicester Tigers winger aiming for Bristol Bears stay

Bristol Bears emergency signing Henry Purdy says he is hoping for a long-term contract at the club.

Purdy, 25, was signed as injury cover in the backs with Bristol suffering a series of injuries in the centre.

The former Leicester Tigers academy product was plying his trade at Coventry in the Championship having been squeezed out at Gloucester due to the salary cap.

But in just two weeks Purdy, who spent the summer playing for Otago in New Zealand, has made quite the impression at the Bears making his European debut less than seven days after first training with the club and then making his full debut against his former employers the Cherry and Whites last weekend.

Asked if he is hoping to get a longer contract having signed on to the end of the season, Purdy simply replied: “I hope so, mate.”

Saracens full back to make Munster switch

Saracens full back Matt Gallagher will leave the Premiership club for Munster next season.

His move to Limerick will end a nine-year spell at Saracens having risen through the Academy system to first-team level.

Joining at 14-years-old, Gallagher made his senior debut for the Men in Black against Ospreys in the 2014/15 LV= Cup before starring for England Under-20s in their 2016 World Rugby U20 Championship-winning campaign.

He made his Premiership bow in 2016/17 and has gone on to feature in the Heineken Champions Cup, making 45 senior appearances to date as well as impressing in the Premiership Rugby Shield.

Gallagher, who is Irish-qualified, has ambitions to play international rugby for Ireland.

Falcons flyer Radwan commits

Newcastle Falcons have confirmed they have secured exciting young winger Adam Radwan on a new two-year deal.

The 22-year-old winger has scored 25 tries in his 31 first team appearances for the Falcons, touching down nine tries in 11 games this season as Newcastle lead the Greene King IPA Championship.

Radwan said: “This season I’ve worked my way more into the first team squad and I’ve been given a massive opportunity to try and make that shirt my own.

“I feel like I’ve listened to the coaches, worked hard on my game and taken my opportunity, but I’ve still got a lot to learn and that process is ongoing.”

Newcastle Falcons secure in demand Scottish international

Newcastle Falcons have locked down Scottish international back-rower Gary Graham despite significant interest reported elsewhere.

The flanker has signed a new two-year deal with the Greene King IPA Championship leaders who look set for an immediate return to the Gallagher Premiership.

Graham, 27, has scored 12 tries in his 57 appearances for the Falcons since joining from Jersey two and a half years ago.

Harlequins secure lock Symons

Second row Matt Symons has signed a new deal to extend his time at Harlequins.

The 30-year-old, who has made 36 appearances for Quins since signing from Wasps ahead of the 2018/19 season, has established himself as a powerful, commanding second row and a regular in the Harlequins side.

Before playing in the Premiership, the former rower enjoyed a spell in New Zealand playing Super Rugby for two-time champions Chiefs, making 28 appearances in the 2014/15 season.

Symons returned to his home nation in 2015, signing for London Irish before making the move to former London rivals Wasps ahead of joining Harlequins in 2018.