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Leone Nakarawa closing in on a return to Glasgow - reports
By Online Editors
Star Fijian lock Leone Nakarawa is reportedly on the verge of a sensational return to his former club Glasgow Warriors, according to French media.
Nakarawa was sacked by Top 14 club Racing 92 after he returned from the World Cup in Japan two weeks late, with a statement from the club slating the 62-test international for setting “deplorable example” for his now-former teammates.
Widely regarded as one of the world's premier second rowers, Nakarawa's newfound free agency has spurred interest from clubs around the globe.
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However, French newspaper Midi Olympique reported on Monday that the Glasgow managing director Nathan Bombrys has made contact with the 2016 Olympic gold medallist while in France for the Warriors' Champions Cup victory against La Rochelle on Saturday.
An approach has allegedly been made for Nakarawa to return to his former club, of whom he played 69 times for between 2013 and 2016, and Midi Olympique are reporting that the 2018 European Player of the Year has verbally accepted the offer to move back to Scotland.
Premiership side Sale were thought to be interested bringing the 31-year-old to England, but their director of rugby Steve Diamond ruled them out of the race to acquire his signature over the weekend.
Premiership rivals Wasps are also believed to be chasing Nakarawa's services, as are Top 14 club Bayonne - who Midi Olympique claims have offered a six-month contract which would commence on January 1 - and the one-time Super Rugby champion Waratahs.
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Latest Comments
I think it was a better rugby destination for him.
He was developed in Melbourne and had a relatively brief stint there. I think he was possibly dropped out of the squad for the return of someone like To'omua (also a Melbourne local) in 2019 ahead of the RWC. But then he wasn't picked up by another Australian team and went to play in Japan when he only really seemed to play a hat full of top level games (maybe injured for long periods??) before he went on to Scotland. But it was only in Scotland that he started to get a lot of consistent game time and selection.
The thing is, no one talked about him being a missed opportunity in Australia before he left - a little like Mac Hansen. But he has been able to forge a top level career since leaving. Both men only had a handful (5 or 6?) games at Super Rugby level before they made a decision to leave (or had it made for them I suppose). Other countries have gone on to develop them and that is great for them and it is probably good for the global game as it means the best players are rising to the top - if not in their birth country than in another. I think there are a lot of issues with poor player development in Australia but I don't know if these two blokes are very good examples of it.
Go to commentsOk I understand. Give them my number please Nick.
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