London Irish back-row Richard Thorpe looks set to become the latest player to swap the Madejski Stadium for Leicester's Welford Road home. A message, which was subsequently deleted from the 27-year-old back-row forward’s Twitter account, claimed last Friday: "Thanks for a great decade of rugby London Irish. Now for a new challenge . . . signed with Leicester Tigers this afternoon #happylad"

Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal has revealed that he has the budget available if he wants to add a couple of fresh faces once the current season of Super Rugby is over. Boudjellal said: "We want to build with players of a very high level but we have time. We'll start with this group and we'll see in November. We have the means to add if we need, we have budgeted for two players of a high level. For now, they are all taken by the Super XV."

Reports in The Rugby Paper suggest that Sir Ian McGeechan may take up a part-time consultancy role with Leeds Carnegie next season. Originally from Yorkshire, McGeechan is still to decide on his next post but the paper reports that Leeds have made tentative enquires to the Lions legend.

Reports in the Australian press suggest that the Western Force have turned their attentions to Waratahs boss Michael Foley to fill the void left by Richard Graham. Force and Wallabies openside David Pocock is reportedly involved with the negotiations and has earmarked Foley as the right candidate to take the side forward.

Former Leinster and Stade Francais boss Michael Cheika seemed to be the hot favourite but Foley now appears to be in pole position.

The Newcastle Falcons have completed the signing of Fijian versatile back Waisea Luveniyali. The Newcastle Journal claims that Luveniyali's arrival could mean that Jeremy Manning is off to pastures new.

Argentina Under-20s skipper Juan Cruz Guillemain and Lisandro Gomez Lopez have both joined Stade Francais ahead of the new season. Guillemain impressed during the recent Junior World Championship while Lopez arrives from Pampas XV.

Leicester Tigers boss Richard Cockerill has confirmed the Premiership side are "still in the process" of recruiting a back-row replacement with Tom Croft and Craig Newby sidelined through injury.

Former Tigers player Brett Deacon is in the fram but no deal has been done. "We are still in the process of talking to lots of people, and Brett is one of them," he said. "At the moment, there is no further news. These things take time. We want to get it right and we want to get the right person in. It's important we get cover and we need to make sure it is right."

Reports suggest that Zebre have bolstered their front-row resources with ex-Leeds and Edinburgh prop Dave Young ahead of next season. He is believed to be on a dual-registration deal with Lazio and will turn out in the RaboDirect PRO12 for the new side.

The Gloucester Citizen reports that London Welsh are on the verge of bringing in scrum-half Nick Runciman ahead of next season. Runciman is currently a free agent after being released by the Cherry and Whites at the end of last season.

Toulouse have reportedly agreed a deal with Lyon to sign their young prop Antoine Guillamon. The prop was said to be keen on leaving the PROD2 side after their relegation from the Top 14 with a move to Toulouse in the pipeline. But Toulouse have now stumped up a transfer fee for the 21-year-old with his transfer expected to be completed in the coming days.

Despite reports suggesting that London Welsh have signed Tom Voyce, ESPNscrum understands that it is yet to happen. The Exiles are in the market for players of proven Aviva Premiership quality but they are yet to tie up a deal for the former Wasps and Gloucester winger. Their priority is understood to be in the front-row with a tight-head top of their shopping list.

Blues flanker Chris Lowrey will join Toyota Heavy Industries in Japan at the end of the current season according to player management company Esportif. The 25-year-old has signed a two-year deal.

With TJ Perenara out for the rest of the season and Chris Eaton also struggling, the Hurricanes have turned to veteran half-back Jamie Nutbrown to boost their resources in that department. Nutbrown has previously turned out for the Crusaders, Chiefs and the Ospreys.

RaboDirect PRO12 new-boys Zebre have announced the signing of 53-cap hooker Carlo Festuccia on a two-year deal. Festuccia said: "I'm very happy I'll continue to play my rugby in Parma, a city I'm very grateful to both from sport and personal point of view.

"I can't wait to play in the RaboDirect PRO12 and Heineken Cup again."

Reports on rugby-transferts.com claim that Gavin Henson has no offers on the table across the Channel in France. With London Welsh rumoured to be interested in securing the controversial utility back's services, it seems that they could be his only option with no potential suitors in the Top 14.

Reports in France suggest that Biarritz have lined up a deal for Stormers prop Wicas Blauuw. Blauuw has spent time at Castres in the past as their medical joker, and RugbyRama claims that his next port of call could well be Biarritz.

Reports suggest that the Blues' Isaia Toeava is set to turn his back on the All Blacks and journey to Japan to join the Canon Eagles.

Reports on Code13rugbyleague.com suggest that London Irish have recruited ex-super league player Michael Worrincy from Championship 1 side London Skolars. He has played for the Bulls and Harlequins RL and looks set to make the switch ahead of next season.

Sonny Bill Williams is set to leave New Zealand at the end of the Super Rugby season and not return until 2014, according to reports in New Zealand. The Herald on Sunday reports that the All Blacks and Chiefs centre and former rugby league star will announce a one-season deal with Japanese club Panasonic Wild Knights and then plans to move back to rugby league in early 2014, potentially with the Sydney Roosters.