2019/20 Premiership Rugby season: which transfers will have the biggest impact?

Sport fans always look forward to summer with a mix of excitement and trepidation – for those who follow rugby union, it is no different.

Although it is hard to have no domestic games taking place, it does give fans a chance to catch up on where players will be for next season and how teams are shaping up. As the new season kicks off in September, we are now beginning to see just how the various clubs will line up – barring any last-minute deals.

Of course, some transfer stories are bigger than others when you have international names involved. Keeping up on them all can be a real task, though online news sites can often be the easiest way to go about it. A sportsbook news site is a popular choice with many rugby fans as they always have the freshest stories to take in. If you have not had a chance to keep up with what has been happening in time for the 2019/20 season though, the below transfers are the biggest to have happened as yet.

Stuart Hogg

Although this was a deal done quite a while ago, it is still one of the biggest that will affect the coming season. A British and Irish Lion, Stuart Hogg is widely recognised as one of the most exciting broken-field runners in modern rugby. Previously at Glasgow Warriors, he inked a two-year deal to move to Exeter Chiefs for 2019/20 back in November of last year. The Chiefs will hope that the world-class talents that Hogg brings at fullback will help them continue their progress of recent years and even lead to trophies.

Allan Dell

Tough prop Allan Dell is another big transfer story that will affect the upcoming 2019/20 season. Previously, Dell was at Edinburgh, but he announced early in 2019 that he would be joining London Irish for 2019/20. Many in rugby welcomed the move and expect him to help London Irish in a key area where they may not be up to the highest standard currently. As with Hogg, he has international quality from playing for Scotland along with the British and Irish Lions. This high-level experience makes him a big-name move in the rugby world and one that should pay off handsomely.

Elliot Daly

One more player with a great reputation and international pedigree who has agreed a deal to move clubs is Elliot Daly. The flying winger was at Wasps but will line up for champions Saracens for the coming season. Able to play at centre and fullback, he will bring experience and versatility to his new team. Daly had been at Wasps since 2010, but it is thought that he was looking for a new challenge, hence his decision to move. At 26, Daly looks to be a great signing for Saracens and will certainly give them even more quality.

Michele Campagnaro

Another big transfer story for rugby union fans to factor in for the coming season is the move to Harlequins of Italian international Michele Campagnero. Previously at Wasps, this imposing centre had seen his efforts there restricted by injury. Many in rugby see this as a good move for Harlequins as Campagnaro will bring versatility to their squad and serious international pedigree. With Christian Wade leaving recently, it will certainly help them fill a gap in their ranks.  

Santiago Cordero

Flying Argentine winger Santiago Cordero had a decent season last year for Exeter Chiefs with 24 games played and an Anglo-Welsh Cup victory under his belt. This made the move announced at the end of June a bit of a shock for rugby fans. Moving to play in the Top 14 for Bordeaux, he could be a player that Exeter miss with his pace, try-scoring and knowhow in wide areas. His injury in April seems to be what hampered his progress at Exeter and what may have been behind this big transfer deal.

What could happen next?

With the season not yet underway, it is possible that the transfer stories are not done with yet. As all the clubs try to bag the best players and refresh their squads, we could well see more comings and goings. In a way, that is what makes this time in the rugby calendar so exciting. Although there are no domestic games to enjoy, just keeping up with all the transfer news is fun. One thing is for sure – when the action does start again, the above players will surely have a hand in all the major incidents.