The French transfer season is now officially closed - as much as it ever is - for clubs in Top 14 and ProD2. The latest deadline to pass (on Thursday night) was the extended one given to newly promoted clubs such as SU Agen, La Rochelle, Aix-en-Provence and Carcassonne.

Top 14 Transfers 2010/11

All four clubs were busy in the final hours leading up to the window closure, but there is still scope for further signings as 46 players remain on the unemployed list (and have a further month to find clubs) while the ever-diminishing number of professionals left at bankrupt Montauban have also been granted extra time to sort out their futures. with a new deadline of August 5.

There is also the season-long use of 'medical jokers' available to clubs seeking to replace players sustaining long-term injuries. Indeed, Toulon have already used this method before the season has even begun with their recent signing of Paul Perez (as cover for the injured Christian Loamanu).

The ongoing Montauban exodus continued unabated this week with the departures of Alejandro Campos (to SU Agen), Romain Sazy (La Rochelle), Scottish duo Andrew Henderson (to Newcastle Falcons) and Scott Murray (to Castres), and Adrien Figueiredo (to Carcassonne).

The away-drift of talent is to be expected after the club was relegated from Top 14 to Fédérale 1, but there was also a notable reversal of the trend this week when former club captain and coach Marc Raynaud said he would come out of retirement to help Montauban next season.

SU Agen, who are conversely readying themselves for their Top 14 return, signed Welsh centre Jamie Robinson this week, with the 30-year-old joining on a two-year deal from Toulon after failing to secure regular game time. He was joined at the eight-times French champions by Argentine number eight Campos after the proposed deal to sign Welsh international Andy Powell fell through.

Fellow Top 14 newcomers La Rochelle, meanwhile, strengthened their squad with the addition of French lock Sazy. The clearly relieved 24-year-old described himself as happy after confirming his departure from Montauban.

Down in ProD2 Carcassonne continued their recruitment following promotion from Fédérale 1 with the capture of Biarritz lock Cesar Damiani, Ireland's Peter Bracken and Figueiredo. The latter is the club's fifth arrival from Montauban, following the earlier signings of Cédric Rosalen, Laurent Deboulbes, Joel Koffi and Emmanuel Etien.

ProD2 Transfers 2010/11

The recent burst of signings was welcomed by Provale, the French players' union, which confirmed the final number of unemployed (as of Friday) was 46. This is down 24 from just a week ago, less than half the original total announced at the end of the initial transfer deadline, and way down on last year's total of 85 at the same time. Furthermore, a Provale select team of unemployed players will go up against Aurillac in Millau on August 7 to showcase their talents to any would-be employers.

One of those on show will be former Brive winger Régis Bianco. He told Midi Olympique that would contemplate dropping down to Fédérale 1 to secure club rugby, but that he still held out hope of a pro contract in 2010/11. "I am waiting to see if I have other proposals, but I do not want to turn my back on amateur rugby," he confirmed.

But, despite the likes of Bianco still looking for a club, Provale CEO Gael Arandiga described the current number of unemployed as "very positive". He said the fact players had become more "realistic" in their wage demands had proved beneficial, but still said it was a "surprising phenomenon".

Nicolas Vergallo, the Argentine scrum-half who left Dax for Stade Toulousain in the summer,  has said the huge competition for a starting place will motivate him at his new club. The 26-year-old, who has 14 international caps, will be up against former All Black Byron Kelleher, French international Frédéric Michalak (currently injured) and youngster Nicolas Bezy.

"It makes me want to work harder and make every effort possible to raise my level of play. It does not scare me, although I am well aware that it will be difficult for me to get a start," he told rugbyrama.  "The goal is to grow and evolves in my rugby and there is no better club than Toulouse for that," he added.

New Montpellier head head coach Fabien Galthié was in bullish mood when he met the French press this week. "A new adventure begins," he said. "I feel there is an appetite about the team. I see it in their eyes. There is a strong desire and an expectation. It's nice," he added.

The former Stade Francais boss said he would have joined Montpellier a year ago but for an existing two-year deal to assist the Argentine national team, but added he was excited by his latest challenge. "Rugby is a passion for me," he confirmed, before describing the recent political infighting at the club as "tormented".

Top 14 Fixtures 2010/11

Former Stade Francais centre Mark Gasnier, meanwhile, has also spoken of his decision to return back to Australia and rejoin his old rugby league side St George Illawarra. the 28-year-old signed a two-year-contract with the Dragons after having spent a similar amount of time in the French capital having briefly changed codes.

"The last two years have been great, I've learnt a lot both on and off the field and I think living overseas, especially in Europe, teaches you a lot," Gasnier told the Australian press. But he said the urge to return home had been strong, adding that he had "a burning desire" to win the NRL with the Dragons before he retired.

Finally, Toulon are the first Top 14 side to play a pre-season friendly when they take on Aix-en-Provence in Draguignan tonight. The game is a charity event to raise cash for the recent flood victims in Draguignan.