1
Bath eyeing up another English-qualified prop
By Alex Shaw
As we approach January 1st, when Gallagher Premiership players can officially put pen to paper with a rival club from the same competition, more and more deals are getting closer to completion.
Two of the more prominent trends to recruitment and retention so far this season have been that Bath are looking for front row reinforcements and that Wasps are struggling to retain a number of key players in their squad. Earlier this season, RugbyPass reported that Lewis Boyce (RPI - 57) is inching closer to a move to the Rec, whilst Wasps are set to lose a number of their key players.
Jake Cooper-Woolley (82) looks set to sign a lucrative deal with Sale Sharks, whilst the Daily Mail have reported that Elliot Daly (82), Nathan Hughes (79) and Willie le Roux (74) will all be leaving the Coventry-based club.
It looks as though Bath are ready to swoop on the Wasps exodus, too, and RugbyPass understand that the club are lining up Will Stuart (71) to bolster their stock of tightheads, where they have been very reliant on Henry Thomas this season.
Stuart, 22, is a former England U20 international and was part of the victorious side that lifted the World Rugby U20 Championship on home soil in 2016. His opportunities were limited in the immediate aftermath, but he was awarded a senior contract for the 2018/19 season and was playing an increased role for Wasps earlier in the campaign, due to the absence of the injured Cooper-Woolley.
He has been making waves this season with his ability in the loose and he clearly has an admirer in Bath, who are keen to add him to their squad for the 2019/20 season.
Should Bath be able to get deals for both Boyce and Stuart over the line, not only will they have enviable depth in the front row, they will have acquired two players with their best years ahead of them, as well as two more English-qualified players to help them meet the RFU’s matchday quota.
Watch: Bernard Jackman leaves the Dragons with immediate effect.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
South Africa player ratings | 2024 Autumn Nations Series
3
Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu admits anger at Australian rugby
4
Fissler Confidential: Willie le Roux rumours ignite after Bok star spo
5
Latest Comments
Even with absences we still had the cattle to make the playoffs. As it was, we nearly stumbled our way into the top 8. Which shows just how easy it was to get there. And still we failed. As for Razor, there are many instances of him patching up the Crusaders roster. Numerous. Several players Id never heard of. Also, using AB legend John Afoa was a classic.
But, some of the games we were losing were from schoolboy errors, or downright confusion. Either the players were really dumb (they weren’t) or they were poorly coached. Given the repetitive nature of errors, brain fades, poor decision making, & loose structures, this all lands with the coaching group.
With only six playoff spots now in SR, & Aussie franchises now consolidated to four, 2025 looks like a tight one. We'll have to tough it out under Penney & hope for the best.
Go to commentsAgree we need a 10, 12, 13 refresh. ASAP. Well, next season now lol. Reiko should be put back on the wing. He'll be an absolute menace there. Imagine 11 Reiko 14 Clarke 15 Jordan as the backfield unit.
Go to comments