Stade Toulousain face further uncertainty over exits

Stade Toulousain could lose another major forward after Thomas Ramos and François Cros, with Lyon examining a move for Emmanuel Meafou. The interest adds to uncertainty around the French champions after two international players chose new destinations.

Ramos is due to join Racing 92 for the 2027-28 season, while Cros will leave Toulouse for Lyon at the end of the next campaign. Meafou’s contract also runs until 2027, making him a possible target as Lyon seek to reinforce the right side of their scrum. His second-row colleague Thibaud Flament is tied to Toulouse until 2029.

Lyon have room under the salary cap to pursue an ambitious recruitment strategy. The club are also in advanced negotiations with Tom Staniforth, the Castres lock who made his France debut this summer. That pursuit would give Lyon another option in the same position as Meafou.

The LOU’s plans extend beyond the second row. Pierre Bochaton, a European champion with Bordeaux-Bègles and a Lyon native who developed in Trévoux, is another international-level back-row player being considered. Lyon have already secured Cros, and further additions from Toulouse or other leading French clubs would strengthen their pack while increasing pressure on the champions’ squad depth.