The Top 14 transfer market has caught fire in recent days. Starting with La Rochelle, who have not been spared by a long list of injuries. The seaside club therefore announced the arrival of two medical jokers on Wednesday.

Young Fijian Watisoni Waqanisaravi (22) arrives from Kazbegi, a club in the Georgian top flight. Blessed with quite a physique (1.95m, 127kg), the powerful Pacific islander can play at lock or in the back row. Waqanisaravi is already training, La Rochelle state.

A South African at Montpellier

That is not all. Ronan O’Gara and his staff will also be able to count on the arrival of Andy Timo (21), an Olympic sevens champion at the Paris 2024 Games. Short of game time this season, the Massy-born player will be looking to (re)launch his career. He arrives on 9 March. Coming from Stade Français, Timo can play in the back row or on the wing.

The other transfer news of the morning is the official announcement of Guillaume Cramont’s arrival on loan at Bayonne next season. The 25-year-old international hooker (1 cap) has extended his contract with Stade Toulousain by four years but will spend a season at Aviron. A native of Annemasse (Haute-Savoie), Cramont also moves closer to the Landes region where he learned his trade, having come through at US Dax.

Montpellier have also signed a new player for next season. Still in the race for the signature of Dimitri Delibes (Toulouse), MHR will at least be able to count on South African Ruben Van Heerden (28). The abrasive lock, never capped by the Springboks, arrives from the Stormers after a spell at Exeter, in England.

As you will have gathered, with the end of the season approaching, French clubs are stepping up and becoming increasingly active on the transfer market.