Rugby rumours and transfer news: Sale Sharks move for South African stars; Wasps sign prop; Worcester Warriors forwards to exit
All the latest rugby rumours, gossip and transfer news from the Gallagher Premiership
John Evely
Akker van der Merwe of the Cell C Sharks goes over for a try during the Super Rugby match between Cell C Sharks and Blues (Image: Getty Images)
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It's now well into 2019 and Gallagher Premiership clubs are quickly building their squads ahead of next season.
With Bristol Bears back at the top table of European rugby, playing in the Gallagher Premiership and European Challenge Cup, we take a look at all the latest transfer news and rumours from them and their rivals.
Bristol Bears star likely to miss key Gloucester clash
Nottingham prop steps up to the Premiership
Wasps have confirmed the signing of tighthead prop Mike Daniels.
The 26-year-old will make the switch to Ricoh Arena in the summer from Championship outfit Nottingham Rugby.
Wasps fans will be no stranger to the powerful prop, who made his debut for the Club in December against Saracens at Allianz Park when he stepped in as injury cover.
In his earlier years, Daniels played for Northcote Birkenhead in New Zealand before studying at Loughborough University while representing Loughborough Students in National League One.
He then made the switch to Worcester Warriors in 2014, making 34 first-team appearances before moving to Hartpury in 2017 and then Nottingham last summer.
Akker van der Merwe of the Sharks is tackled by Melani Nanai of the Blues (Image: Getty Images)
Sale add South African international hooker
Sale Sharks have signed Springbok forward Akker van der Merwe from Super Rugby side the Cell-C Sharks.
The lively hooker will make the switch to the AJ Bell Stadium after the conclusion of this year's Super Rugby competition.
Van der Merwe burst onto the World Rugby scene in 2014 as a surprise inclusion in the Lions touring squad for the Super Rugby Season. Making his debut against the Chiefs in Hamilton, Akker scored his first try for the Lions a week later against the Highlanders in Dunedin.
Following his debut season, he joined French Top-14 outfit Racing 92 on a short-term contract before returning to Johannesburg for the start of Super Rugby in 2016, notably helping them reach the final of the competition alongside current Sale Shark Faf De Klerk.
After making 50 top flight appearances for the Lions, in 2017 van der Merwe joined the Durban based Sharks where he helped the team to a Currie Cup Final in his first year, winning the competition a year later alongside Rob and Jean-Luc du Preez.
Known in South Africa as 'The Raging Waterhog' due to his constant energy and determination around the pitch, Akker made a real impact in his first season with the Sharks, earning his first call up to the Springboks for the 2018 June internationals he went on to make 3 appearances that summer for the national side.
The hooker is currently joint top try scorer in the 2019 Super Rugby competition, with three tries to his name in two games.
Newcastle Falcons Evan Olmstead pushes off Harlequins Jamie Roberts (Image: PA)
Falcons bring in forward reinforcement to aid injury crisis
Canadian international back-five forward Evan Olmstead has returned to Newcastle Falcons with immediate effect as the Kingston Park club bolster their ranks for the Gallagher Premiership run-in
The 28-year-old was part of the Falcons squad which last season achieved their best finish for 20 years, ending up fourth in the Premiership table and making three semi-finals.
Making 28 appearances in his two seasons on Tyneside Olmstead left the club last summer to help Auckland win New Zealand's Mitre 10 Cup final, and as recently as three weeks ago was in pre-season action for Super Rugby side the Blues.
But with the Falcons facing relegation he has made his return.
Ulster land Warriors prop
Warriors prop Gareth Milasinovich will join Pro14 side Ulster at the end of the season to try and break into the Ireland international side.
Milasinovich was born and raised in South Africa but the tighthead qualifies for Ireland through his grandfather Norman McFarland, a former Ulster player.
The prop, 26, joined the Warriors' academy in 2015 from the University of Johannesburg and has made more than 50 senior appearances for the club.
Rob Du Preez of Sale Sharks kicks for goal (Image: Getty Images)
Sale beat Leicester Tigers to South African fly-half
Sale Sharks have announced the signing of fly-half Rob du Preez on a three-year deal.
Du Preez will be re-joining the North-West Gallagher Premiership club after the 2019 Super Rugby campaign concludes following an impressive loan spell in Manchester earlier this season.
The 25-year-old fly-half started his career with the Western Province and the Stormers in Cape Town, making 57 appearances over 4 years, scoring 483 points. He then went on to join the C-Cell Sharks in Durban at the start of the 2018 season, where he won the Currie Cup under the tutelage of his father Robert Snr before spending a short time on loan with Sale in the Gallagher Premiership at the end of the year.
He instantly impressed, often in adverse conditions, scoring 81 points in 9 games for the Manchester based side.
Worcester second row leaving for France
Warriors lock Pierce Phillips has confirmed that he will be joining French Top 14 club Agen at the end of the season.
Phillips, 26, joined Warriors from Greene King IPA Championship club Jersey Reds in the summer of 2017 and has made 34 first team appearances since he arrived at Sixways.
The 6ft 8ins tall forward previously played for Darlington Mowden Park in his native North East and Yorkshire Carnegie and won representative honours with England Counties.
Coventry snap up rival's centre immediately
Coventry Rugby have signed local product Will Owen with immediate effect.
The 25-year-old centre, who has spent the last two seasons at Doncaster Knights has signed a three-year deal at the Butts Park Arena.
Owen claimed 12 tries in 23 games for the Knights including scores against Cov earlier this season in both the Championship Cup and the league.
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