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Williams will stay at the Chiefs
EXETER Chiefs have won their battle with Gloucester and Harlequins to keep England tight-head Harry Williams at the club next season. Bath were also interested in Williams, who is out of contract at the end of this campaign.
But now sources are saying he has agreed to stay at Sandy Park while Gloucester dropped a massive hint that they had failed to lure Williams away from Devon when they announced Fraser Balmain had himself agreed to a new deal.
The Chiefs were also looking at Balmain, but Williams, below, has now agreed to stay following extended talks with Rob Baxter.
Auterac set to become a Saint
NORTHAMPTON Saints want to sign Nick Auterac from Premiership rivals Harlequins when his contract runs out this summer.
The former England U20 loosehead came through the academy ranks at Saracens before moving to Bath in 2014. He then moved to the Twickenham Stoop two years ago but the 27 yearold, who went to Mill Hill School, could be on the move again.
Bok Esterhuizen joins Harlequins for £340k
HARLEQUINS have agreed to pay André Esterhuizen around £340,000 a year to tempt him to the Twickenham Stoop next season.
The Sharks centre who can also play at full-back had been linked with a move to France and the Sale Sharks next term.
But Blindside has been told from a source in South Africa that Quins have won the race to sign the Springbok international, 25, after agreeing to his enormous wage demands.
Esterhuizen, who come through the system with the Sharks but has played in Japan for the Munakata Sanix Blues, wants to become the latest to quit the Durban-based franchise.
His future in South Africa has been in doubt since he was axed from the Springboks World Cupwinning squad, but that now looks to be sorted with a move to Quins.
Quins have been looking to add a marquee player to their squad especially with the future of Kyle Sinckler, who is out of contract this summer, still unresolved.
THE RUGBY Union Writers Club held their annual dinner in London at the start of the last week.
And hacks were assembling when a well known club chairman checked into the hotel where the event was being held having arrived with his club's Press officer.
Unfortunately while the club chairman booked himself into the five star establishment the Press officer asked for directions to a budget hotel nearby.
