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'Extremely valuable, talented individual': Bath sign Piers Francis
By Kim Ekin
Bath have confirmed they have signed England midfielder Piers Francis 21 days after Northampton revealed he would be leaving them at the end of the season. It was April 7 when the Saints outlined that Francis, along with Ahsee Tuala, Api Ratuniyarawa and Taqele Naiyaravoro, would all exit Franklin's Gardens with Phil Dowson set to succeed Chris Boyd as director of rugby.
The 31-year-old Francis, who can also play out-half, has now quickly secured his future after being an influential figure in the Northampton backline for the past five seasons.
Bath CEO Tarquin McDonald told the club website: “Piers’ experience will prove extremely valuable. He is a talented individual who will complement the young group of backs we have at the club.”
Francis, who represented England at the 2019 World Cup as well as playing for the Blues in Super Rugby, added: “With the players the club currently has and the ones that have been recruited, it is an exciting fresh start for me. Every time I have played at the Rec you feel the buzz from the supporters. I can’t wait to play in front of them and help the club progress.”
Francis is the latest signing unveiled by Bath who are looking to transform their fortunes next season with a rejigged coaching set-up under the director of rugby, Stuart Hooper. They are currently 13th and last on the Gallagher Premiership table but are hoping to lift themselves up the table with three games remaining in the 2021/21 season.
Ex-England lock Dave Attwood is another who will join Bath for next season from Bristol along with Munster duo Chris Cloete and Matt Gallagher, Newcastle's Louis Schreuder, Worcester's Niall Annett and Jersey's Wesley White. As well as these seven new faces, the likes of Jonathan Joseph, Will Muir, Beno Obano, Orlando Bailey and Max Ojomoh have all recently committed their futures to Bath.
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Latest Comments
I wonder Jake, who do you think is the best fit for Australia as a coach? Not since Joe Schmidt took over as coach did Australia look any good, however, there is always this debate around not having an Aussie coach by the fans and so called pundits and old players.
Some of them are changing their minds now however, but I would love to see who you would choose. I think Joe Schmidt is an excellent coach, who puts in everything for the team he is coaching. To him, there is no such thing as being biased.
Go to commentsExcept for the 6N he has won nothing. No WC's, no Lions tours not anything. He is ranked even behind Eddie Jones, who has won a WC with SA and have a better victory rate than Gatland. Keep your so called "best coach" in the world. No one but Wales wants him. A very harsh Hell No comes to mind if anyone asks if they would want Gatland as head coach.
Guess the man is wearing blinders. Rob Howley is howling mad describing Gatland as the best. What a load of 💩
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