Ollie Phillips: Elliot Daly’s proposed move to Saracens makes sense for the England man – but Wasps need to be weary of their brewing exodus
The rumour mill has begun to turn and there are some big names considering moves in the Premiership right now.
The most active club appear to be Wasps – but not in the way they’d like, with the makings of an exodus brewing in Coventry.
A third of the squad's contracts expire at the end of the season and, having seen, Danny Cipriani and James Haskell leave in the summer, it seems some more big names could follow them out.
At the top of that list is Elliot Daly. The 26-year-old’s deal isn't one whose deal expires next summer but he has a clause which allows him to depart if a new training ground isn’t developed.
Wasps’ move to the Ricoh Arena saved the club, but their proposed new facility in Leamington is taking time and could cost the club one of their stars.
Daly has an attachment to the club having come through Wasps’ academy, but is a British and Irish Lion, a regular for England, in his prime and ambitious.
A move to Premiership champions Saracens, who made their interest public this week, would fit his objectives.
Daly played the autumn internationals at full-back, but presumably he wants to make the No13 shirt his, and with Marcelo Bosch heading towards retirement he could do that at Sarries – while also winning trophies.
Needless to say Daly would be a fantastic acquisition for Saracens, who are already streets ahead of most of the opposition.
Director of rugby Mark McCall has said they can make space within their salary cap through the potential retirements of Bosch, David Strettle, Schalk Burger and Dom Day, so it looks a likely move.
Fellow England international Nathan Hughes is another reportedly eyeing the door at Wasps, with Bristol offering attractive terms.
Pat Lam is a wonderful coach and would undoubtedly be influential in that move coming off, but money is obviously going to be a factor.
Bristol are currently seventh in the Premiership following their promotion last season and have shown ambition to establish themselves in the division, but it would be a huge risk for Hughes.
The 27-year-old has won 17 caps for England at No8 and trading in Wasps for Bristol could make him less attractive to Eddie Jones.
Manu Tuilagi is another who could be on the move, with his Leicester contract ending in the summer.
The centre is an incredible talent, a game-changer and in good form, but his persistent injuries over the past three years have to be a consideration.
Leicester have stuck by him and head coach Geordan Murphy admitted this week that the club can’t compete with others financially, so are depending on his loyalty.
Tuilagi has a great history with the Tigers but equally knows that clubs worldwide would be interested if he decided to move on. Given his England ambitions I’d be surprised if he ventured beyond the Premiership though – but where?
Bath have an owner with deep enough pockets, and with Rhys Priestland, Freddie Burns, Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Joseph it would be interesting move.
Lining up alongside Cipriani in Gloucester’s midfield is an even more exciting idea, while Northampton could offer a local option.
One thing's for sure: if Tuilagi maintains his current form and decided to up sticks then each and every Premiership club will consider him.