It feels like it has been gone for ages, but we are now just weeks away from the beginning of the new United Rugby Championship season! Things are a little different this year, with the league kicking off later due to the World Cup, but some things remain the same, and that means the return of my “Players to Watch” series, where I look at all the players who have moved clubs this summer and pick out 7 players who I think we should be keeping an eye on this season. And as usual, we have a nice blend of domestic transfers and new arrivals to the league…
Paolo Odogwu
After years of being messed around by Eddie Jones, Odogwu nailed his colours to the mast of the Italian flag and finds himself at the World Cup, and he will be remaining in Italy following the tournament after moving to Benetton. Capable of playing 1 or wider, Odogwu is a talented and dangerous attacker, compact but lightning fast with good upper body strength. Became available following the demise of Wasps, having spent the remainder of last season on loan with Stade Francais.
Willie le Roux
A player I absolutely love watching and will continue to argue does not get the recognition he deserves. Though not the best defender, le Roux is a talented and experienced playmaker who can come in at first receiver but thrives in wider channels where he can release his outside man or send them over for a try with a perfectly timed pass. His move to the Bulls from Toyota Verblitz will give so much support to Johan Goosen/Jaco van der Walt at 10.
Santiago Cordero
That Cordero is so down the pecking order with Los Pumas seems a little wrong, but also shows the quality they have in the back 3. A player who I loved watching tear up the Premiership for Exeter (albeit grudgingly when it was against Gloucester), Cordero is an elusive attacking star who is capable of playing wing or fullback. After carrying on his top performances at Bordeaux, his move to Connacht will be a warning to teams not to kick loosely against them.
Alex Nankivell
Munster may be losing a talented centre in Malakai Fekitoa, but they are replacing him with Chiefs 13 Alex Nankivell. Though never capped by the All Blacks, he has been a capable and consistent performer for the Chiefs for years, with his reliable defence earning him multiple appearances in Māori All Blacks or All Blacks XV squads.
Taine Plumtree
A player already catching Warren Gatland’s attention, Plumtree was eligible for South Africa, New Zealand or Wales, but chose to leave the Blues for Wales and the Scarlets and found himself immediately brought in to Wales’ World Cup training squad, and may have made it to France had he not been disrupted by injury. A strong but dynamic player with a wide range of skills, he looks like he will be comfortable across the back 5 of the scrum at club level, and more likely a 6/8 at Test level.
Steven Kitshoff
With respect to Ulster, it is not easy to hold level with rival provinces Munster and Leinster, but the arrival of one of the best looseheads in World Rugby will certainly help with that! An impressive scrummager, he is also strong and dynamic in the loose, but also an elite jackal at the breakdown, likely to provide at least a couple of turnovers per game.
Danilo Fischetti
A key member of the Italian national team, Fischetti made the Premiership version of this list last year as he earned a move from Zebre to London Irish. Unfortunately, Irish’s demise and tight budgets see him returning to Zebre this season, where he will be a key player for them. He’s like the younger, Italian Kitshoff; good in the scrum, always willing to put in a hard carry or tackle and usually earning a couple of breakdown turnovers each match. Hopefully he will get his big move again soon.
Which new signings are you most looking forward to watching?
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