Gloucester Rugby is once again pursuing the sought-after All Black number eight, Hoskins Sotutu, after narrowly missing out on signing him last year. However, they face strong competition from Gallagher Premiership rivals Saracens and Newcastle Red Bulls.
The Cherry and Whites initially held discussions with Sotutu last autumn, prompted by the departure of key back-row forwards Zach Mercer, Ruan Ackermann, and Albert Tuisue. To fill those gaps, Gloucester brought in Jack Mann from Glasgow Warriors, Will Trenholm from Harlequins, and Hugh Bokenham from Cornish Pirates, but they remain eager to add a world-class ball carrier like Sotutu to their pack.
At 27, Sotutu recently earned the Super Rugby Pacific MVP award in 2024, following an outstanding season with the Blues, who clinched the championship. Despite 13 caps for New Zealand since his Test debut in 2020 against Australia, he has not been selected for the All Blacks since 2022.
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Intriguingly, Sotutu has explored the possibility of switching international allegiance to England, qualifying through his English mother. Discussions between Sotutu and England head coach Steve Borthwick have circulated, with eligibility for the 2026 Six Nations possible as the competition occurs more than 36 months after his last Test appearance. However, his current contract with the Blues and New Zealand rugby runs until June, making summer Tests a more realistic timeline.
According to The Telegraph, Saracens—who are set to lose England international Tom Willis to Bordeaux Begles—have opened talks with the 6ft 4in forward. Newcastle and Gloucester remain interested, though initial offers will not include one of England’s new central contracts worth around £160,000 per year. Borthwick is keen on these contracts being awarded based on merit rather than used as enticements.
While no player has yet switched senior international allegiances to represent England, the practice is growing globally. For example, former Exeter Chiefs prop Scott Sio, who earned 74 caps for Australia, recently debuted for Samoa in a World Cup qualifier.
Sotutu could be the ideal solution England needs at number eight as Borthwick experiments with his squad. With Tom Willis moving to France next season, England has relied on flankers playing out of position, such as Saracens’ Ben Earl, Harlequins’ Chandler Cunningham-South, and Northampton Saints’ Henry Pollock. Harlequins captain Alex Dombrandt has also fallen out of favor.
Meanwhile, Gloucester is close to securing a new contract for promising homegrown back-row forward Jack Clement. The 24-year-old, sidelined with an ankle injury from the opening-day defeat at Sale Sharks, has risen through Gloucester’s academy since under-17s and boasts over 100 appearances. His physical, standout performances have drawn attention from Premiership scouts, but he looks set to continue his career at Kingsholm.