It’s been a busy week, and indeed a busy morning, in terms of signings around the premiership, with only Northampton shying away from any news. The up-to-date transfer chart can be seen here.

Bath have pulled off unquestionably the biggest coup of the season so far with the audacious signing of league star Sam Burgess from South Sydney Rabbitohs. After initial reports that the RFU would be helping to cover a release fee, it appears the club have footed the bill entirely and have locked down the big man for 3 years. This is a sensational deal and though Burgess is new to the code his potential to be a star is undeniable. Given his likely position of inside centre and his massive salary, it’s now a certainty that Gavin Henson’s proposed move to Dragons, rumoured heavily last week, will go through.

One of the worst kept secrets on the market was confirmed this week, with Moray Low completing his move from Glasgow. The Scotland tighthead is a like-for-like replacement for Cardiff-bound Craig Mitchell and a tidy bit of business, but Chiefs will still need another prop to replace Hoani Tui. Meanwhile Romana Graham, who failed to make any impact at the club, will move on to D2 promotion hopefuls La Rochelle next season.

A bit of a surprise was the news that Argentinean lineout specialist Mariano Galarza was headed down the M5 to Kingsholm from Worcester. Galarza effectively replaces both Will James and Lua Lokotui, though he’s more likely to compete with James Hudson at no5, with Elliott Stooke and Tom Savage in the no4 jersey.

No other signings have been announced yet but there are rumours that England u20 captain Callum Braley is incoming from Bristol to replace Tavis Knoyle. Two other championship players, Bedford utility back Mark Atkinson and Leeds fullback Stevie McColl, are also strongly linked to the club. Stephen Brett had been thought to be headed as a replacement for Freddie Burns, but several other clubs are now interested, and he could yet be retained by Bayonne.

Long-term club stalwart Tom Guest has at last opted to switch camps, moving to London Irish in search of more regular playing time. The mobile no8 had long been considered an England prospect but nearing his 30th birthday this move probably should have been made a couple years ago. With Joe Trayfoot and Jack Clifford coming up through the ranks it’s unlikely Quins will seek a direct replacement. Veteran Samoan flanker Maurie Fa’asavalu is out of contract but a one year extension through to the World Cup is a possibility.

Richard Cockerill is on the hunt for a new prop as Boris Stankovich confirmed his move to Dragons, and Fabien Barcella opting for Toulon. Alberto de Marchi is a rumoured target, though he himself has moved from Treviso to Toulon as a medical joker until the end of the season. The current Italian test loosehead is a strong player capable of playing both sides of the scrum, though his inevitable absences with international duty could be an issue.

Elsewhere unsettled flyhalf Ryan Lamb has moved to Worcester with immediate effect, and with Daniel Bowden off contract and a target for several clubs there is noise that Tigers have signed veteran Fijian Seremaia Bai from Castres. The potential move could also sway Vereniki Goneva to stay at the club after initially courting a move the other way. Should Goneva opt for France, Treviso pair Michele Campagnaro and Christian Loamanu have been mooted as possibly replacements.

Guest’s arrival at the club almost certainly spells the end for Christopher Hala’ufia, with powerful back rower Ofisa Treviranus extending his stay for a further three years the back row slots appear all but filled, though a specialist openside could yet be on the way. Announced today by the club is the signing of Connacht centre Eoin Griffin, a surprise given his relatively high profile their and the seemingly well-stocked midfield already at Irish. He has played on the wing in the past so perhaps he is seen as a replacement for Marland Yarde?

With Carlo Del Fava’s immediate retirement announced last week, the club has moved quickly to bring in Ian Nagle from Munster. The Ireland ‘A’ lock could prove a savvy signing, and will likely be kept on further if he impresses. Another newcomer is Lee Smith, a speedy outside back brought in from cross-code club Wakefield until the end of next season.

Bristol’s NZ Maori halfback Ruki Tipuna could be on his way in the off-season to replace Warren Fury, out of contract and not expected to be retained. Falcons have a plethora of players also coming off contract, with Grant Shiells, Joel Hodgson, and Alex Crockett, among others, strongly rumoured to be on their way out.

In a signing somewhat out of the blue, Sale have signed Chris Cusiter from Glasgow. The former British & Irish Lion scrumhalf has been released from his contract a year early to allow for the move, and should prove a very good bit of business as a replacement for departing Dwayne Peel. Greig Laidlaw had been thought to be a target but appears to have ‘priced himself out’ of the running at several clubs.

Matt Stevens is heading to South Africa following the season after signing a 2 year deal with the Sharks. The move is not a big surprise but leaves a considerable gap at tighthead prop, with Adam Jones a target but an increasingly uncertain one given his tug-of-war between interested parties in Wales and France. Meanwhile Jim Hamilton is reportedly keen on heading back to England early from Montpellier, with Saracens considering putting up the transfer fee to replace Steve Borthwick.

Most of the club’s signings have already been announced, though Hugo Southwell this week confirmed the rumours that he is retiring, unable to recover from long-term injury. Rob Miller has already been signed in his place, leaving only a hooker and possibly a prop still to come in. Italian duo Leonardo Ghiraldini and Lorenzo Cittadini are rumoured to be on Dai Young’s rader, with the latter in particular said to be very nearly a done deal.

With Galarza leaving and Dean Schofield unlikely to be re-signed, there appears to be a gap now at lock, although the signing of both G.J. van Velze and Andries Pretorius suggests that club captain Jonathan Thomas could be moved there next season. Dynamic openside Jake Abbott is out of contract and the target of several clubs, but is a top priority to be retained.

In better news Ryan Lamb has come in from Leicester this past week in the hopes of finally cementing a starting spot, and both scrumhalf Jonny Arr and centre Ravai Fatiaki have re-signed for a further 2 years. With Arr and now Charlie Mulchrone on the books for next season, one or both of Paul Hodgson and Jeremy Su’a will be leaving, with the latter the most likely given his World Cup aspirations for Samoa.