Perpignan have assembled one of the boldest recruitment drives in the Top 14, headlined by All Blacks winger Sevu Reece and his Crusaders team-mate Braydon Ennor. The Catalan club, admittedly coming off a difficult start to last season, have thrown the chequebook at 2026-27.
Toulouse’s response was quieter and more pointed. The four-time defending champions signed only one senior name for the new campaign, Italy centre Tommaso Menoncello, and left the rest of the summer market to their rivals. Ugo Mola’s side beat Montpellier 28-20 in the final at Stade de France on 27 June for a 25th title overall.
Reece and Ennor lead the Perpignan overhaul
Reece leaves the Crusaders after seven seasons and Super Rugby’s all-time try-scoring record of 66 tries. New Zealand Rugby confirmed his departure in December, freeing him to sign a three-year deal with Perpignan that effectively closes his All Blacks career at 37 Test caps.
“This club has given me everything and I will forever be grateful for all the opportunities I have had in the red and black,” Reece said in the Crusaders’ statement.
Ennor followed his team-mate through the same door a month later. The 28-year-old centre, capped nine times by New Zealand, signed for Perpignan after nine years and three serious knee injuries at the Crusaders.
“This decision comes with a lot of emotions. I love this place and the people here, but I’m really excited for what’s next,” Ennor said.
Ireland scrum-half Luke McGrath, Italy fly-half Paolo Garbisi and Italy prop Marco Riccioni round out the marquee arrivals at Stade Aimé-Giral. President François Rivière had promised in a December press conference that “USAP remains a very attractive club” and that more international signings were coming, a line relayed by Planet Rugby. The winter promise turned into a full class of internationals.
La Rochelle’s nine-man reset
Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle went even wider. The club unveiled nine new signings on 3 July, led by former Stormers captain Salmaan Moerat, the 28-year-old Springbok lock who has joined on a three-year deal from Cape Town after 11 caps for South Africa.
Read also: Erasmus braces Springboks for 'World Cup knockouts' as unbeaten All Blacks land at Ellis Park
Fellow South African David Kriel, a 27-year-old centre, arrives from the Bulls. Scotland fly-half Ben Healy, Ireland-born and 27, has signed a two-year deal from Newcastle Red Bulls to replace New Zealander Ihaia West, who has moved to Stade Français.
Former All Black George Moala ends eight seasons at Clermont at 35, and Samoa international Theo McFarland joins from Saracens after five years in north London, The 42 reported. The intake reshapes O’Gara’s forward pack and midfield in one go.
Menoncello joins the champions’ midfield
Menoncello, 23, was crowned Player of the Tournament at the 2024 Six Nations and has 39 caps for Italy. Toulouse confirmed the deal on 28 May, tying him to the club until 2029 after six seasons at Benetton.
He joins a midfield already stacked with Pierre-Louis Barassi, Argentina’s Santiago Chocobares and rising 22-year-old Kalvin Gourgues, in a squad still built around Antoine Dupont.
Read also: The Barcola deal that nearly stalled: PSG's discount offer and Liverpool's rejected bid
The 2026-27 Top 14 season opens on Saturday 5 September, with Toulouse chasing a fifth straight Bouclier de Brennus.
