Veteran lock Api Ratuniyarawa, winger Taqele Naiyaravoro and probably Bristol Bears No.8 Na­than Hughes could join the Swire Ship­ping Fijian Drua as soon as their con­tracts expire at the end of the season.

Drua chief executive officer Brian Thor­burn indicated yesterday that they have a couple of Europe based- players on their radar as they were coming towards the end of their contracts.

“There’s a couple who have reached out to us already and we have started discus­sions with. If they are available they can be signed. I cannot say anything because there are a large number players who wants to join.”

Thorburn added that the Drua coaching staff were looking at player’s performance.

Last week, Northampton Saints con­firmed they were releasing Ratuniyarawa, 35, and Naiyaravoro at the end of the sea­son. Already, the Saints have released half­back Frank Lomani, who has joined the Drua.

Ratuniyarawa had been a frequent start­er for the Saints, partnering with Eng­land’s Courtney Lawes. He also joined the Flying Fijians squad in the last November tour to Europe.

Naiyaravoro, is a former Wallaby, played for Waratahs when they won the Super Rugby title in 2014. He is now eligible to represent Fiji.

Hughes, a former England No.8, had indi­cated that he was switching allegiance to Fiji after World Rugby changed the eligi­bility laws.

The Lautoka-born loose forward is com­ing to the end of his contract with Bristol Bears.

Also, Bears head coach Pat Lam was quick to put an end to speculation that star Fijian centre, Semi Radradra, could leave soon due to a salary cap squeeze. Lam in­dicated that Radradra would complete the remainder of his two-year contract since he had signed it before the new salary cap rule came into place.

However, Radradra who played in Fiji’s 7s rugby gold medal triumph at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, has made his mark in the National Rugby League (NRL), French Top 14 and the Gallagher Premiership but he is yet to play Super Rugby. Interestingly, NRL clubs Sydney Roosters and Dolphins are also chasing Radradra’s signature.

Thorburn said they were looking at op­portunities to bring a selected number of players to fill the gaps left by injured play­ers.

“At the moment we are reviewing every player’s performance and deciding on what the 2023 roster looks like. There are some guys who are on the top of our list for either extension or to resign. We are also working with those who can’t continue.”

Thorburn said they still had faith in the current Drua squad, who did exception­ally well in their first year.

“First things first, that is to focus on the players that we have in the squad,” he said.

“We have put faith in the squad that we have selected this year. These players have worked hard throughout the entire off sea­son to pre-season and during the season. They have worked incredibly hard to be match fit and to learn about Super Rugby. But most importantly learn about the pace and the intensity of Super Rugby. We are not just going to dump them and go over­seas,” he added.