The 12 most significant transfers of 2015

12. George Smith (Lyon to Wasps)

At the ripe old age of 34 this wily Aussie is certainly long in the tooth, but he remains one of the best openside flankers in the world. He couldn’t save Lyon from relegation, but the breakdown savant still finished top of the stats in the French rugby writers’ unique points system, which rewards players for their performances over the season as whole. Consistency is his middle name.

11. Dan Carter (Crusaders to Racing 92)

Carter’s arrival in Paris will certainly make a splash, and yet there is a niggling doubt that his powers are on the wane. He is no longer guaranteed the All Black fly-half jersey, and is increasingly injury-prone (as his ill-fated stint at Perpignan years ago proved). That said, he remains one of the biggest draws in world rugby, one of the few genuine worldwide superstars, and his commercial impact alone will make this a worthwhile signing.

10. Nasi Manu (Highlanders to Edinburgh)

Edinburgh fans should be properly salivating at this signing – they have snaffled the co-captain of one of the Super Rugby finalists and a team that has thrilled crowds with their running rugby all season. Manu is, as would be expected, a tough-carrying number eight who also enjoys an offload. After a decent season in the Scottish capital, this is the kind of signing that can help them kick on and chase down Glasgow.

9. Jamie Roberts (Racing 92 to Harlequins)

Roberts, in a similar vein to Carter, is a blockbuster signing, but with several caveats. He is a player that has, in recent seasons at least, saved his best form for international appearances – but he has clearly not been happy at Racing. If Quins can get the best out of him – and with Conor O’Shea’s man management that is not unlikely – then he could be a revelation in what has been one of the club’s blind spots for a while.

8. Taqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs to Glasgow Warriors)

This one comes with a massive asterisk attached, as it is believed Naiyaravoro will be included in the Wallaby squad for the Rugby Championship – and possibly the World Cup – with the ARU working on a deal that would see him stay in Australia and renege on his move to Scotland. If it does come off, however, Glasgow have signed one of the most lethal finishers in world rugby, a 120kg powerhouse with devastating pace to match.

7. Duane Vermeulen (Stormers to Toulon)

Despite the acrimonious situation surrounding his arrival in the south of France, there’s no doubt that Toulon have added another genuine superstar to their squad of galacticos. Vermeulen has tussled with Kieran Read for the title of best number eight (and indeed, best player in general) in the world for the past couple of seasons, and is a line-breaking carrier with a keen nose for a turnover at the breakdown, too.

6. Conrad Smith (Crusaders to Pau)

Signing one half of the best centre partnership in international rugby is a decent way of announcing yourself to the Top 14. Clearly, Pau have some money to spend but even then, it is a hell of a statement. Smith is the kind of player that will, you imagine, immediately buy into his new environment and consistently raise the standards to where they need to be if Pau are to make a real go of their Top 14 challenge.

5. Julian Salvi (Leicester Tigers to Exeter Chiefs)

Salvi is no where near as famous as some of the names behind him on this list, but his worth to Exeter cannot be overestimated. He has been probably the most consistent performer in the Premiership for several seasons, and has Teflon-like durability. The second Australian flanker with sublime technical ability at the breakdown on this list, Salvi also has a footballer’s streak, possessing fine hands and a decent motor for a man his age. It is not an exaggeration to say that he could be the man that finally propels Exeter into the play-offs.

4. Charles Piutau (Blues to Ulster)

Piutau’s move to Ulster has a great number of people in the New Zealand rugby establishment very concerned, because he represents a first: a current international (and most crucially, one who looked to have a long All Black future) committing himself long-term to a contract abroad, in the process shunning the national side. Whether he appears at the World Cup or not, Ulster have a world-class outside back joining their ranks.

3. Samu Manoa (Northampton Saints to Toulon)

Northampton have a good set of forwards but if there was one man amongst their ranks that they would have deemed irreplaceable, it is the hulking American lock/back-row hybrid. His highlight reel of hits over the past couple of seasons has fly-halfs everywhere wincing, while his ball-carrying and offloading abilities have been second to none. He will find himself in exalted company at Toulon, but there is absolutely no reason why he can’t be amongst their best players.

2. Johnny Sexton (Racing 92 to Leinster)

One of Dublin’s favourite sons returns to the province that made him, with quite a job on his hands. Similar to Jamie Roberts, he didn’t really thrive in the Parisian atmosphere, but he returns to find his province in (relative to their standards) dire straights – finishing fifth is just not where the new Leinster expect themselves to be. Sexton was the heartbeat of the side that won three European and a couple of domestic titles, and returns as the only man who could really fill the void that he himself left two years ago.

1. Kieran Brookes (Newcastle Falcons to Northampton Saints)

This is not a transfer that will have made many headlines outside of England, but in terms of potential future importance it is, in my eyes, the biggest of the summer. Brookes has been nothing short of excellent in his cameo appearances for England so far, combining solid scrummaging (a skill that will improve with experience) with boisterous ball-carrying that few, if any, tighthead props worldwide can boast. At the age of 24 he is young for a prop, and could be the cornerstone of the Northampton, not to mention England, pack for years to come.

Do you agree with our list? Feel free to leave your own in the comments section below.

By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images