Portugal superstar Raffaele Storti might be on his way out of Stade Français to join Castres, but it is a transfer that is far from complete.
In just a few days another season of the Top 14 kicks off with the likes of Owen Farrell, Siya Kolisi, Josua Tuisova, and Davit Niniashvili making the numbers of the overseas players ready to make the headlines and wrestle for the title.
Gloucester reached the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup with a 30-25 victory against Castres at Kingsholm.
Gloucester made it four wins from four in EPCR Challenge Cup Pool Three with a comprehensive 35-5 victory over Castres at Kingsholm.
Harlequins survived a late fightback from Top 14 opponents Castres to open their Heineken Champions Cup account with a hard-fought win.
Bizarre scenes played out in France's second-tier Pro D2 on Friday when a player was red carded for celebrating his side's win by lifting the referee into the air.
Fiji rugby stars Josaia Raisuqe and Waisea Nayacalevu have gone on trial in France over a drunken brawl outside a Paris nightspot, with Raisuqe answering charges of sexual assault.
Stade Francais wing Josaia Raisuqe was sent off but his side progressed to the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup by beating Ospreys.
