The Top 14’s annual recruitment ‘Deadline Day’ for the following season is officially June 30 – for all sides except any promoted ones. It usually passes fairly quietly, with clubs able to sign more new players later under strict ‘additional player’ rules, and most closing the book well before the transfer market closes.
But there was something of a coup this year, as Racing 92 prised France international Cameron Woki from Bordeaux a year before his current deal was due to expire on the last day. As reported recently, Woki had been havering on agreeing a new contract at Bordeaux for some time and it seems that the strong words directed at his players from manager Christophe Urios after the final weekend loss at Perpignan that cost the club a bye through to the semi-finals were the final straw.