L’Équipe report this afternoon that Montpellier are looking to sign Lens striker Ignatius Ganago, with the Cameroon international forward emerging as a potential option in particular should Stephy Mavididi leave the club. The Englishman is open to leaving the Ligue 1 side.

The Sang et Or have valued Ganago in the region of €5m to €6m, with MHSC open to putting €4m along with bonuses on the table. His contract expires at the end of the 2023/24 season. 

Despite a promising start to his spell at the club two years ago, Ganago has only managed 12 Ligue 1 goals in his time at the club and has been relegated in the strikers’ pecking order. He nevertheless scored a dramatic goal on the final day to equalise against Monaco, meaning the Principality side lost their automatic Champions League qualification spot.

The 23-year-old has been linked to a host of clubs this summer, with his departure from the Artois club set to take place this summer – he recently turned down a move to Charleroi amid interest from another Belgian club, Anderlecht.

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Within Ligue 1, interest from Lorient and Saint-Étienne was reported, while Newcastle reached out to his representatives this winter.

Fly-half Richie Mo’unga will likely finish his All Blacks career following the next Rugby World Cup after agreeing to join Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo.

The playmaker has signed a three-year deal with the Japanese club from 2024 which will make him ineligible for international selection.

Putting family first

“It’s a touchy thing when people are going overseas but you can’t hide away from the fact it’s life-changing for me and my family,” Mo’unga told the New Zealand Herald.

“My job as a father and a husband is to provide for my family and put them first in decisions. That’s basically what I’m doing.”

Mo’unga is not the first All Black to head to Japan but he is one of the few to commit there long-term, despite being a key player in the New Zealand set-up.

Most have tended to take up a sabbatical while committing their futures to NZR, but the pivot, alongside Shannon Frizell who has also joined Toshiba, have bucked that trend.

The 28-year-old enjoyed another fine year for both club and country, helping the Crusaders to yet another Super Rugby title before ending the season as the All Blacks’ first choice fly-half.

He is expected to take that role into the 2023 World Cup in France next year, but that tournament will likely be his last for the national team.

Mo’unga will also depart the Crusaders, who have played a huge role in his development.

“The Crusaders have been my life forever, even before I joined the team it was my life, dreaming of being part of the family,” Mo’unga said.

“Looking back at my time with the team since 2015, it makes me so grateful to be part of such a franchise, part of some really awesome memories, some great achievements and great moments, and to just meet some really special people.

“My energy going into this season is no different to any other, I’m here to give my everything. I still want to perform, to do the best for the Crusaders, our members and our fans. There’s still a heck of a job to do before I leave.”

Mo’unga made his Crusaders debut in 2016 and was the linchpin in the dynasty Scott Robertson built.

He has claimed six Super Rugby titles – in its various guises – and will look to add a seventh in 2023 before concentrating on All Blacks matters.

The fly-half has earned 44 New Zealand caps and will hope to reach the half-century mark before he departs for Japan.

A special man

Crusaders head coach Robertson said: “If there’s one player that continues to leave their mark on this team, that’d be Richie Mo’unga.

“Through his performances in the biggest games, the biggest moments – he stood up, which Crusaders do. He’s a special man, a local boy, pride of the community, and there’s no doubt about it – Richie can play.

“When Richie is on, the team is on. He brings out the best from all the players. For me, he is one of the most influential Super Rugby players ever – how he plays the game, his ability to score points consistently year after year in those crucial moments.

“The biggest thing for me with Richie is how much he cares about the team and the club, about the players he plays with and the people he plays for.

“He means a lot to the Crusaders and we wish him all the best. There’ll be a time to properly say goodbye to him at the end of the season, but for now we’re all focused on the job in front of us.”

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Hoping to impress against rugby powerhouse France, giant lock Will Skelton admits he has so far under-delivered in his Wallabies career.Skelton joined the Australia squad this week ahead of their weekend Test clash with Les Bleus at Stade de France and said he wanted to "lay some foundations" ahead of next year's World Cup, which also take place in the European nation.Since making his international debut back in 2014, the 30-year-old has only played 19 Tests – starting in six – with his career shift off-shore five years ago to England and then the French Top 14 competition contributing to this low figure.He did not don the gold jersey between 2016 and 2021 and said that last year, when he played a bench role in three Tests on the spring tour, was mostly spent getting up to speed with changes under new coach Dave Rennie.But Skelton is hoping for more opportunities to prove his worth to the Wallabies."I don't think I've been the happiest with my form coming to this national team, I don't think I've played my best," Skelton told reporters."It's tough coming in just for three games but you see others doing it too, and they're performing well, so that's probably down to my preparation and getting it right for that week."Last year was a tough one – my first three or four days (with the squad) was all learnings, trying to get the detail down and then during the match it didn't fall our way. "Hopefully I can work, trying to build the foundation for myself, trying to get all the cores nailed down to hopefully be available for next year."Playing week in, week out with his club side, the reigning european champions La Rochelle, against many members of the France squad, Skelton said the world No.2 outfit would provide formidable opposition."(Antoine) Dupont is the best player in the world, guys like Greg Alldrit, (Julien) Marchand are great over the ball – they've got talent everywhere across the field," Skelton said."For us, it'd be trying to stick to our systems, being strong in defence and stay connected – that'll be one of the main things this week."He could find himself paired in the second row with Brumbies youngster Nick Frost, who at 206cm shades Skelton in height by three centimetres.But with Skelton tipping the scales at 140kg, there is no contest in the weight department.Skelton said he kept an eye on Frost, one of the Wallabies' best performers in last week's 16-15 win over Scotland, and had been impressed with what he had seen so far."I watch Super Rugby too, he did really well (against Scotland)," he said of the 23-year-old, who made his Test debut in July against England. "He's rangy, athletic, physical; all the attributes for starting lock so hopefully I get to play with him in the next few games – he's a great kid."Click Here: maori all blacks rugby jersey

Metz have announced the arrival of defender Ismaël Traoré on a free transfer, with the Ivory Coast international having left Angers at the end of this past season after a seven-year spell at the club.

The 35-year-old has signed a two-year deal with Les Grenats, who were relegated to Ligue 2 after finishing 19th in the top flight last year and start life in the second tier next week against Amiens at home.

Traoré made 227 appearances for Angers, becoming a key member of the squad and taking up the captain’s armband, but was not kept on in what he described as a surprise, last-minute decision which could have been handled better.

The Ivorian now joins his fourth club in French football, with the Paris native having previously turned out for Sedan for a six-year spell before spending three years at Brest.

He becomes the eastern side’s first signing of the summer, although the club have also brought in László Bölöni to take over the manager’s spot from Frédéric Antonetti after last year’s relegation.

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Dave Rennie believes his Wallabies will be up against the best team in the world after France named a formidable outfit for the Paris Test, headed by their superstar halfback Antoine Dupont.The European champions are currently ranked second in the world but coach Rennie was adamant on Thursday that Les Bleus are at the moment without equal on the global stage.Since the French lost to the Wallabies in Brisbane in July 2021, they've been unbeaten, winning a Six Nations grand slam and now ready on Saturday to become the first generation of Les Bleus to win 11 straight Tests."We're well aware this side's the best in the world, regardless of what the rankings say," Rennie told reporters."They're unbeaten in about 15 months, they've beaten No.1-ranked side Ireland, so we're looking forward to the challenge. We're certainly going to go out there and give it a crack."Rennie said he believed the Gallic ascent has been clear for a number of years. "The best French players play in France, the most money in the rugby world is in France, so their best players don't leave, so they've got access to their very best. "There's phenomenal depth in the club sides here, 28 professional sides up here so there's a hell of a lot of quality players to pick from – and they've done it well. "They play a simple game. They've got massive forwards, good athletes, their backline can play when they want too, but they play a lot of territory and back their defence."Not to mention having one very special player in halfback Dupont."He's incredible," said Rennie. "Unbelievable running game and kicking game, he kicks well off both feet and incredibly long."Whether he's the best in the world, it's difficult to make comparisons with different positions, but he's certainly highly respected by us. He's had a hell of a couple of years."Dupont will be boosted by the return of his halfback partner Romain Ntamack following his recent injury troubles.After last featuring for the Top 14 leaders in September, No.10 Ntamack was the headline selection in the team as coach Fabien Galthie made 11 changes to the side that started July's Test win in Japan.Wallabies' No.10 Bernard Foley conceded: "They've been the world's best halves' combination for the last 12 months."They've got the world player of the year in Dupont and Ntamack has done really well at club and international level, so it's always a challenge to come up against the best."Charles Ollivon, who missed France's triumphant Six Nations campaign due to a lengthy injury lay-off, starts at flanker and joins Gregory Alldritt and Anthony Jelonch in the back row.France (15-1): Thomas Ramos, Damian Penaud, Gael Fickou, Jonathan Danty, Yoram Moefana, Romain Ntamack, Antoine Dupont; Gregory Alldritt, Charles Ollivon, Anthony Jelonch, Thibaud Flament, Cameron Woki, Uini Atonio, Julien Marchand, Cyril BailleReplacements: Peato Mauvaka, Dany Priso, Sipili Falatea, Romain Taofifenua, Kilian Geraci, Sekou Macalou, Maxime Lucu, Matthieu Jalibert.Click Here: Portugal football tracksuit

Portuguese outfit Estoril have announced the signing of midfielder James Léa Siliki on a permanent deal from Rennes, with the 26-year-old putting pen to paper on a deal that will run until the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

The Cameroon international had spent last season out on loan at Middlesbrouh, in a spell which he himself described as difficult, in which he only made eleven appearances for the Championship side. He was even looking to leave early back in January.

With his Rennes contract expiring next year, he has made the move to last year’s 9th-placed side in Portugal, for a fee which has yet to transpire.

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Léa Siliki leaves Brittany having made 113 appearances for the first team after coming through the youth academy, scoring four goals in that time.

Memorable moments during his spell at the Roazhon Park include winning the Coupe de France in 2019 as well as setting up Ismaïla Sarr’s goal to make it 3-1 in a Europa League win over Arsenal in 2019.

L’Équipe report this morning that five men suspected of a breaking into the home of Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos’ father and holding him and the defender’s two sisters hostage are now set to go on trial.

The centre-back’s family had been at home in Chatou – in the Paris suburbs – and preparing to watch Marquinhos take on Nantes on March 14, 2021, when two individuals wearing balaclavas entered the home.

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The intruders would proceed to ask for jewellery, watches and money, before the bigger of the two elbowed the Brazilian’s father in the ribs after the latter told them he had nothing. The smaller of the men, described as the leader of the operation by the victims, then forced the two sisters – aged 14 and 16 – to follow him as he searched around the ground floor.

Having searched the house, and with one of the intruders continuing to punch the father, they then led the three victims into a closet and made off with €2,400, a golden bracelet and two luxury handbags.

The Versailles public prosecutor has now called for four of the five suspects to be tried in court, while a fifth individual will appear in a minors’ court. Investigators notably tracked down the suspects thanks to a stolen Peugeot 308 GT, which was filmed near the scene of the crime and was already being monitored by police.

After four of the alleged culprits were arrested on May 18, 2021, the minor admitted that he had moved the car at the request of an older individual but was unaware that it would be used for a robbery. The three others, aged 21, 29, and 30 years old had denied this but two of them had their fingerprints found on a balaclava in the car. They were then placed under investigation for “robbery with violence”, “kidnapping” and “criminal conspiracy” while the minor was placed under judicial supervision. All of the individuals have denied their involvement in the events.

A fifth suspect was arrested last April. The man, who was already incarcerated for home robberies, is nicknamed “Pikachu“, and is of small stature. Investigators are convinced that he was the second intruder, although he also denied these accusations. Marquinhos’ father has nevertheless identified the individual as indeed being one of the robbers.

A trial could be set to take place before the end of the year.

The Queensland Reds have claimed the inaugural Queensland-Saitama Shield, running out 55-30 winners over the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium.In what was the first game between the clubs since 1991, eight players made their Queensland debut – Connor Anderson (Wests), Ben Navosailagi (Wests), Wilson Blyth (Bond University), Phransis Sula-Siaosi (Souths), Louis Werchon (Brothers), Floyd Aubrey (GPS), Taine Roiri (Easts) and Joey Fittock (Bond University) – in a capped Queensland fixture.Matt Faessler, Harry Wilson, Kalani Thomas and Suliasi Vunivalu scored doubles for the Reds in a comprehensive display by the visitors, with the victory seeing the side go unbeaten on their two-game tour of Japan.Queensland and Saitama share a sister-state relationship, with the Wild Knights and Reds coming together to form an innovative partnership in 2020.Queensland opened the scoring early, winger Vunivalu snatching a loose pass and racing 60-metres to score. Isaac Henry made no mistake with the conversion to give the visitors a 7-nil lead.Fellow Wallaby Wilson soon had his side’s second, the number-eight finding the line courtesy of a Vunivalu break and Thomas assist. Henry added his second conversion of the night to extend Queensland’s advantage to 14-nil by the seventh-minute.The Wild Knights responded with their first points of the clash in the 10th minute, flyhalf Kyohei Yamazawa slotting a penalty-goal.Faessler crashed over off the back of a rolling-maul for Queensland’s third soon after, before Yamazawa’s second penalty brought the scores to 21-6 in the 20th minute.A pair of rolling-mauls gave Queensland their next two tries, Sam Wallis and Faessler the beneficiaries.Thomas dove over to score from close range twice in the final 10 minutes of the opening-half, Henry adding his fourth and fifth conversions to extend the Queensland lead to 45-6 at the break.A flying Akira Takeyama collected an inch-perfect Wild Knights attacking kick to score the hosts first five-pointer of the night in the 54th minute, cutting the deficit to 45-11.Vunivalu proved too strong for his opposing winger in the 60th minute, beating him one-on-one to cross for his second try of the night, before Yamazawa added to his personal points tally with his team’s second try. The flyhalf converted his own five-pointer, bringing the scores to 50-18 with 13-minutes to play.Wilson became the fourth Queenslander to score a double in the 72nd minute, the number-eight juggling a cross-field Lawson Creighton kick and regathering to barge his way over for a try.Yamazawa made it a double himself with a superb solo chip-and-chase effort, once again converting his own try to make the scores 55-25 with three-minutes to play.Takeyama scored his second late, bringing the final score to 55-30 at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium.Queensland Reds 55Tries: Matt Faessler 2, Kalani Thomas 2, Suliasi Vunivalu 2, Harry Wilson 2, Sam WallisConversions: Isaac Henry 5Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights 30Tries: Kyohei Yamazawa 2, Akira Takeyama 2Conversions: Kyohei Yamazawa 2Penalties: Kyohei Yamazawa 2Click Here: hurricanes rugby jersey