Early transfers: LNR moves to regulate pre-agreements

The moves for the summer of 2027 were known before the Top 14 had even kicked off. The LNR says the situation is “not satisfactory” and is opening the file.

Emmanuel Eschalier sees two separate issues. “There is a question of substance and a question of form. On substance, the fact that agreements, or rather pre-agreements, are signed earlier between players and clubs is linked to the fact that there are few transfers. Most players move at the end of their contract,” the LNR director general told Le Figaro.

He added that players on fixed-term contracts do not want to wait until the final weeks to know where they will play next. That, he said, is the hardest part to regulate.

A rule that lasted one year

On form, the league has tried before. “In the past we regulated the announcement dates. A rule that lasted one year. Because while it was respected by clubs and players, it was widely circumvented through rumours spread by various people, agents in particular, which fed the press,” Eschalier recalled.

He does not want to leave things as they are, though. “It is not satisfactory either that moves are announced straight away. Neither from a sporting point of view, nor for the image of the championship. So it will be one of the subjects discussed with the clubs this year, to perhaps change the regulations on when pre-agreements can be signed and announced.”

Ramos, Cros, Montagne, Darricarrère

The debate was reopened in late August by Jean-Claude Pats, after Régis Montagne and Léon Darricarrère were announced as leaving Clermont for Toulon. The Clermont president called for rules against these early announcements. Before the first round, Thomas Ramos (Toulouse to Racing 92), François Cros (Toulouse to Lyon) and Beno Obano (Bath to Pau) had also made their destinations known.

The list has grown since. Exeter have confirmed that prop Josh Iosefa-Scott will join Provence Rugby next season, and Rugbyrama reports that Esteban Capilla has chosen Toulouse for 2027, with no official announcement so far.

The real question: when to negotiate

The idea raised by Eschalier goes beyond communication. By targeting the moment when pre-agreements can be signed, not just announced, the league would be touching on when an out-of-contract player can commit elsewhere. That is the most sensitive part of the file, since it affects players’ freedom of contract. Talks with the clubs are due to start this autumn.