Fissler Confidential: Conor Murray's 'come and get me' message

Former Ireland and Lions scrum-half Conor Murray says his body is in good shape and he is keen to postpone his retirement for another year, sending a clear “come and get me” message to French clubs.

Murray, who called time on his 125-cap Ireland career after the Six Nations win over Italy, has announced that he will leave Munster when his contract runs out at the end of the season.

The 36-year-old, who has attracted interest from Top 14 giants Racing 92, told The Rugby Pod that he wants to continue his career playing abroad at a decent level but has no deal yet on the table.

Springbok winger Kurt-Lee Arendse has confirmed that he will see out the final year of his contract with the Bulls despite being linked with a return to Japan next season.

Arendse, 29, was a target for Japanese clubs willing to buy him out of his contract after he caught the eye playing for the Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars during a sabbatical from the Bulls.

But he gives no guarantees about his future beyond next summer: “I’m with the Bulls for now. I’m still unsure about (the path) going forward,” Arendse told South African newspaper Rapport.

Former Worcester Warriors and Sale Sharks tighthead Nick Schonert is moving to France after signing a one-year deal with Pro D2 outfit Vannes, who are planning for a quick return to the Top 14.

The Warriors, who are returning to the Championship, were keen on a deal, but Schonert is heading to France this summer. He is the second tighthead signed by Vannes, who have also loaned Thomas Duchene from Clermont Auvergne.

The South African-born prop had a short stint with Japan Rugby League One side Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars after being released by Sale, where he made only one appearance last season.

Western Force, who have lost winger Harry Potter to the Waratahs, are now looking to swoop on the New South Wales outfit to sign his replacement, Darby Lancaster, who is out of contract at the end of the year.

Lancaster, 22, who started his career with the Melbourne Rebels, moved to the Waratahs when they went out of business, scoring four tries in eight games during the Super Rugby Pacific campaign that has just ended.

The former Australia U20 and ‘A’ international, who won his sole senior Wallabies cap against Georgia last July, had feared that his career was over as a 16-year-old after tearing his ACL but is now a leading target for the Force.

Soyaux Angoulême Rugby XV Charente, who are planning another assault on promotion to the Top 14, have lured former Wallaby Richie Arnold to the club on a two-year contract.

Lock Arnold, 34, who has won nine caps for his country, has spent seven seasons at Toulouse, winning four French championship titles and two Champions Cup crowns.

Arnold, who also played for the Force, the Brumbies and Japan’s Yamaha Júbilo, moved to Toulouse in 2019. He now joins SA, who finished fifth in the Pro D2 last season but lost 49–22 to Provence in the play-offs.

Salesi Rayasi, one of the standout performers in Vannes’ failed bid to remain in the Top 14, is set to stay in the French top flight next season and is closing in on a move to Bordeaux.

Despite reports that the deal is complete, it is understood that Bordeaux must still agree a fee with Vannes to buy Fijian star Rayasi, 28, out of his contract.
The Wellington-born winger, who previously played for the Hurricanes and Moana Pasifika, scored six tries—including two against Bayonne in their final game—in 21 appearances.

Georgian international fly-half Luka Matkava, who was a medical joker for utility back Pierre Popelin at Castres, is in talks with Oyonnax and Brive to stay in France next season.

Matkava, 24, has won three Rugby Europe Championships with Georgia and four Rugby Europe Super Cups with Black Lion. He made one appearance for Castres against Toulouse in April.

But it seems the Tbilisi-born playmaker has done enough to convince Brive, who are overhauling their squad, and Oyonnax, who are favourites to sign him, that he is worth a deal.

Former Harlequins flanker Viliami Taulani is set to return to rugby after securing a contract with Pro D2 outfit Aurillac following a long break from the game.

The Tongan international, who left Harlequins in 2023 after 16 appearances and also played 13 games for London Scottish, had last featured for Counties Manukau in New Zealand’s NPC.

Taulani, 28, had been a target for French third-tier sides US Carcassonne and RC Narbonnais. He is only Aurillac’s second signing for next season, following the arrival of Brumbies winger Ben O’Donnell.