Rugby transfer rumours and news: Released Leicester Tigers, Gloucester and Saints players find new clubs

Directors of rugby around the Gallagher Premiership are moving quickly to put the final touches on their squads now all 13 clubs are back in pre-season training.

Here is a look at all the latest transfer rumours and confirmed moves from around the league.

Bath Rugby have announced the signing of experienced leader GJ van Velze who will join the club for the 2022/23 season.

The South African is player who can play multiple positions across the back five of the scrum, including second row, however throughout his rugby career has more generally been employed as a number eight.

Somerset Live understands van Velze is not considered a replacement for club captain Charlie Ewels who has been sidelined with an ACL injury sustained on England duty last month, but rather provides depth and experience at number eight with Taulupe Faletau leaving Bath for Cardiff Rugby this summer.

Van Velze will compete with Jaco Coetzee, new signing Wes White who joins the club from Championship side Jersey Reds, 21-year-old academy product Nahum Merigan and the versatile Josh Bayliss for the number eight jersey.

Further signing options are being pursued to cover Ewels' absence.

Get the full story.

Northampton Saints are reported to be frontrunners to sign Worcester Warriors' rising star at fly-half Fin Smith ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Twenty-year-old Smith's reputation continues to rise having made 25 appearances for Worcester last season following an injury to Welsh international Owen Williams early in the 2021/22 season.

Smith was England U20's starting fly-half during the Six Nations Summer Series and also qualifies for Scotland through his former international rugby prop grandfather Tom Elliott.

Worcester head of rugby Steve Diamond will