Countries currently covered by Kolpak which are a significant source of players (not necessarily for us) are SA, Georgia, Fiji, Tonga & Samoa. Based purely on EU Association Agreements, not Commonwealth-related.

I think we will see more of Lynagh next season. He is getting lots of game time and scoring some nice tries at Richmond this season.

Once we leave the EU the position of Kolpak players becomes very uncertain. Currently they don't need work permits as they are allowed 'freedom of movement' as if they were European citizens (because of their country's trading relationship with the EU) and can play rugby here without needing a work permit or being classified as an 'overseas' player'. Once we leave the EU, and potentially freedom of movement ends, then the automatic right of Kolpak players to ply their trade here will go. They will then, I think, need work permits and would then be classified as 'overseas' players by the Premiership/RFU which under current regulations would limit how many could play for each Premiership team. Whether exceptions can be negotiated for players who are 'Kolpak' at the point of the UK's departure from the EU is possible I guess-and may account for our enthusiasm to sign some SA players at the moment.

Once we leave the EU the position of Kolpak players becomes very uncertain. Currently they don't need work permits as they are allowed 'freedom of movement' as if they were European citizens (because of their country's trading relationship with the EU) and can play rugby here without needing a work permit or being classified as an 'overseas' player'. Once we leave the EU, and potentially freedom of movement ends, then the automatic right of Kolpak players to ply their trade here will go. They will then, I think, need work permits and would then be classified as 'overseas' players by the Premiership/RFU which under current regulations would limit how many could play for each Premiership team. Whether exceptions can be negotiated for players who are 'Kolpak' at the point of the UK's departure from the EU is possible I guess-and may account for our enthusiasm to sign some SA players at the moment.

Sale - And Quinky - will be very worried.

Pretty sure he started out as a flanker. I saw him play U19s 7s v Scotland and he has a turn of pace. Perhaps he was drafted in to infill when we had a second row injury jinx the other year.

I think he has always been one of those players we’ve seen as a flanker cum lock - like George Robson, who was for a long time expected to move to blindside but became too integral to the lineout to move.

Sale - And Quinky - will be very worried.

Not at all... SA will still be the best team in the world, Kolpak or not 😁

Danger definitely started out as a 6

There aren't many areas where we need to sign players IMO. With oiur current squad and the academy guys coming through, I'd say we're pretty well stocked. In some areas we may even be over-stocked. That's providing at least the majority stay fit of course.