Aviva Premiership 2011 form guide - Bath Rugby looking good!

Makes good reading:

Leicester WWWW
Bath WWWW
Glaws LWWW
Quins WWLW
Sarries LWW
Sale WDLL
Exeter LLW
Irish LLWL
Leeds WLL
Wasps WLLL
Newcastle LDL
Saints LLLL

Thanks to TCM2007 from Bath Rugby ERE

Kyle Eastmond update...

Kyle Eastmond has NOT been named in either of the Rugby League England Elite Training Squad or the England Knights that is a total of 57 players.

This must mean he has switch codes or fallen out with the coaching staff!

Update (4pm)

The story has just been published in The Guardian:

'Kyle Eastmond has been omitted from an expanded England training squad for 2011, providing a further indication of the move to rugby union that is finally expected to be announced by Bath later today.'

Read more...


Update (9.30pm)

'Royce Simmons has confirmed on Radio Merseyside that Kyle Eastmond is going to Bath Rugby at the end of the season'

David Flatman: My money's on Geech for best director

When I played at Saracens, Francois Pienaar was our chief executive. He was, for that matter, our head coach too, and our captain. I was always a bit disappointed when he didn't find time to cook the lunch as well. I'm sure I did see him driving the team bus once, though. He was a busy man.

Naturally I would rib him while in the bath; suggesting his performance on the field was slipping due to an excessive workload, but inevitably he would reply by asking me who exactly I was, and what I was doing in the bath next to him. Then he would plug in his now archaic hands-free kit and stride, in his shoulder-padded suit, out to the luxobarge he called a car and begin barking instructions to his minions.

Read more: The Independent

Unbeaten in the Prem this year!

Match Reports

Exeter 9 - 12 Bath Rugby

In one of the tensest games of the season so far, Bath grounded out a hard fought win over local rivals Exeter Chiefs with Barkley slotting four penalties to provide all the points. Full time 9-12.
8Share
Tonight's showdown marked the beginning of a new West Country derby between Bath Rugby and Premiership newcomers Exeter Chiefs. With Bath's Boxing Day home fixture against the Chiefs being postponed due to a frozen pitch, the Devonshire outfit had the opportunity to use their home advantage and take first bragging rights.
With an already upbeat atmosphere following England's Six Nations Victory over France, the stage was set for both sides first ever Premiership encounter of each other, and a noisy one it was going to be

Bath Rugby
Exeter Chiefs
Premier Rugby
Bath Rugby ERE

Match Reaction

Head coach Steve Meehan admitted it had been a bit of a 'slog' at times but said that Bath's 12-9 victory at Exeter Chiefs demonstrated the character of his side.

Bath found themselves under pressure in defence on several occasions during the match but held firm and forced a number of turnovers.

Meehan also praised the composure of Olly Barkley, who kicked the four penalties that secured the victory.

This is Bath - Meehan
Premier Rugby - Haag

Kyle Eastmond to join Bath Rugby with IMMEDIATE effect!

Information from St Helens end. On Monday it will be announced that Kyle Eastmond is a Bath player with IMMEDIATE effect!

The delay in the announcement has not been about IF Eastmonds will be joining Bath Rugby but WHEN and what compensation St Helens will get!

Watch this space!

Tom Cheeseman signs for Quins

Twenty-four-year-old Welshman Tom Cheeseman will join the London club from Newport Dragons, where he was on loan from Bath.

Read more...

Kyle Eastmond to announce that he has signed for Bath Rugby this weekend!

SAINTS scrum half Kyle Eastmond is expected to announce within the next 48 hours that he has signed to play for Bath. The decision cannot come soon enough for some Saints fans, who booed Eastmond off after tonight’s defeat by Warrington. Eastmond walked off alone at the end instead of staying with his teammates to applaud the fans. Read More...

Bath Rugby team to face Exeter this weekend + TV, radio and Clubhouse information

Fresh from victory over Northampton Saints last weekend, Bath Rugby travel to Sandy Park tomorrow for their first Premiership meeting against Exeter Chiefs, kick-off 8pm.

Don't forget you can watch the game, live on ESPN, at the Bath Rugby Clubhouse, where we will have the England v France game on beforehand, and we will be offering a 6X pie and pint for £5.00 throughout both games. There will also be £1 off Wadworth 6X and Blackthorn pints.

If you can't make it to the Clubhouse, but still want to keep up to date with the score, BBC Radio Bristol, available on medium wave 1548 and on DAB, will be commentating on the game, and we will be providing live updates on Twitter, so follow us @bathrugby.

Bath Rugby team to face Exeter Chiefs

15. Nick Abendanon
14. Jack Cuthbert
13. Ben Williams
12. Olly Barkley
11. Tom Biggs
10. Butch James
9. Michael Claassens
1. David Flatman
2. Lee Mears
3. Duncan Bell
4. Stuart Hooper
5. Danny Grewcock
6. Ben Skirving
7. Luke Watson (c)
8. Simon Taylor

Replacements

16. Pieter Dixon
17. David Barnes
18. Kane Palma-Newport
19. Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe
20. Guy Mercer
21. Mark McMillan
22. Sam Vesty
23. Nick Scott

Hard decision to leave Gloucester - Attwood

Gloucester lock David Attwood has described his decision to leave for Bath as "unbelievably difficult."

The 23-year-old, who is returning at the weekend after a nine week ban for stamping, will move to the Recreation Ground at the end of the season.

Read more...

Banahan and Hape selected for England against France, Moody misses out!

Congrats to Shontayne Hape and Matt Banahan who have both retained their places in England's match day 22 who will face France on Saturday at Twickenham.

England Team to face France
15 Ben Foden Northampton Saints
14 Chris Ashton Northampton Saints
13 Mike Tindall (C) Gloucester Rugby
12 Shontayne Hape Bath Rugby
11 Mark Cueto Sale Sharks
10 Toby Flood Leicester Tigers
9 Ben Youngs Leicester Tigers
1 Andrew Sheridan Sale Sharks
2 Dylan Hartley Northampton Saints
3 Dan Cole Leicester Tigers
4 Louis Deacon Leicester Tigers
5 Tom Palmer Stade Francais
6 Tom Wood Northampton Saints
7 James Haskell Stade Francais
8 Nick Easter Harlequins

Replacements
16 Steve Thompson Leeds Carnegie
17 Alex Corbisiero London Irish
18 Simon Shaw London Wasps
19 Hendre Fourie Leeds Carnegie
20 Danny Care Harlequins
21 Jonny Wilkinson RC Toulon
22 Matt Banahan Bath Rugby

This Is Bath - Carraro's future and Bath Rugby's next 10!

Shontayne Hape's impending departure from The Rec could pave the way for fans' favourite Matt Carraro to have his contract extended
On Tuesday, Bath Rugby lost their fight to keep Hape, with the England number 12 opting to move to London Irish.
That has opened the door for the under-stated and industrious Carraro, whose contract is up at the end of this season.
The Australian's hard-running and hard-tackling approach has endeared him to Bath supporters since he arrived from the New South Wales Waratahs in 2009.

Hape departure opens door for fans' favourite Carraro

FAN'S VIEW: Make your voices heard on the future of The Rec

Bath's Hooper ready for battle with his hometown club

PETER SHORT: Our thoughts go out to the people of Christchurch

Bath Rugby skipper looking forward to facing mates turned rivals

VICTOR CHANDLER: Why you should back Bath on derby day

TOM BRADSHAW: Fans and directors pay a professional price

Bath Rugby may play a waiting game in search for fly-half

Bath Rec talks delayed by 'complex' land ownership issues

Flatman will continue to set the tone after signing new deal

Students set for French test after getting England call

COMPETITION: Win training from Bath Rugby stars

Hape signs a 2-year deal is London Irish

Bath have lost the battle to retain England centre Shontayne Hape, who will join Premiership rivals London Irish next season.

It is understood Hape has signed a two-year deal.

Read more...

Belly cleared!

Bath prop Duncan Bell has been cleared of making contact with the eye or eye area of Sale forward Chris Jones.

Bell was cited after his side's Aviva Premiership victory over the Sharks at Edgeley Park on February 11.

The former England international was confident Bath had built a strong case in his defence and the charges were dismissed by a Rugby Football Union disciplinary panel at a hearing in London on Monday.

Read more...

Sport.co.uk meets Hape

The Auckland-born 29-year-old says he is on a journey. It is a journey that has taken him from the Te Atatu Roosters near his hometown to the rugby league side New Zealand Warriors, to the other side of the world with Super League outfit Bradford Bulls and, since 2008, to the Recreation Ground, home to union club Bath Rugby. Now a central figure in Martin Johnson’s resurgent England team it is a journey he hopes to carry him back home to represent his adopted nation in the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Read more....

Moody returns to England squad.

England captain Lewis Moody has linked up with the squad ahead of Saturday's pivotal RBS 6 Nations showdown with France after making a successful return from a knee injury.

Read more...

Watch it again and again!

Want a chance to see Bath Rugby destroy Saints again?

Then don't forget to set your recorder for the ITV and ESPN highlight shows this week!

Sunday at 8pm on ITV4
Tuesday at 8pm on ESPN

David Flatman: I couldn't leave my best mates at Bath for France

I want 250 grand a week, for the next five and a half years, muck me about and I'm off. This is what I said to the gaffer. Then I had my agent "accidentally" inform the press that I was bound to leave and not a thing anybody could say would stop me. OK, so that's not quite how my contract negotiations went, but I did conduct all conversations in a Scouse accent, just in case. Well, it worked for Wayne Rooney.

Read more...

What a game!! - Bath Rugby V Saints match reports and reaction

Match Reports

Bath Rugby 38, Northampton Saints 8

A hat-trick from England's Matt Banahan propelled a magisterial Bath Rugby to their fourth Aviva Premiership victory on the trot.

Bath delivered their best performance of the season by some distance as they did more than enough to atone for the 31-10 drubbing suffered at Franklin's Gardens in September.

Banahan was his bull-dozing best, and also set up centre Matt Carraro's try with a sensational one-handed off-load.

Bath's fifth try came from replacement Sam Vesty, with Olly Barkley flawless from the kicking tee.

Northampton's points were provided by a try from Greig Tonks and a Stephen Myler penalty.

This Is Bath
Premier Rugby
Daily Mail



Match Reaction

Matt Banahan sent out a firm message to the England selectors today, running in three tries during a brilliant display for Bath Rugby.

Banahan, who has had to make do with a place on the bench for the opening two games of the RBS 6 Nations, guided Bath to a five-tries-to-one demolition of Northampton Saints at The Rec.

The last time he played in front of home support - against Aironi in the Heineken Cup in January - Banahan scored four times. He continued that blitz this afternoon, cutting some exquisite lines on his way to his hat-trick.

This Is Bath - Banner to start for England?
BBC - Audio interview with Jim Mallinder

Flatman commits to Bath Rugby

Bath Rugby are pleased to confirm that prop David Flatman has signed to stay with the Club for a further three years.

Read more...

Kyle Eastmonds the future of Bath Rugby!?

Barkley's new column in Blokey...

Facebook, coffee, tweet, coffee, a few weights, coffee, tweet again, some analysis on shiny new computers, facebook, eat enough food to sink an armada, tweet about it and then bed. Read more...

Bell cited!

Bath Rugby’s Duncan Bell has been cited for the first time in his career after allegedly making contact with the eye area of Sale Sharks’ Chris Jones during last Friday’s Aviva Premiership game at Edgeley Park.

Read more...

Bath V Saints teams

Bath Rugby welcome back Matt Banahan, David Wilson and Lewis Moody to the match-day 23 for the sold out Aviva Premiership Rugby match against Northampton Saints at the Recreation Ground tomorrow, kick-off 3.00pm.

 

Bath Rugby team to play Northampton Saints

15. Nick Abendanon
14. Matt Banahan
13. Matt Carraro
12. Olly Barkley
11. Tom Biggs
10. Butch James
9. Michael Claassens
1. David Flatman
2. Lee Mears
3. Duncan Bell
4. Stuart Hooper
5. Danny Grewcock
6. Ben Skirving
7. Luke Watson (c)
8. Simon Taylor

 

Replacements

16. Pieter Dixon
17. David Barnes
18. David Wilson
19. Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe
20. Lewis Moody
21. Mark McMillan
22. Sam Vesty
23. Jack Cuthbert

Ryan Caldwell signs for Bath on two year deal

Bath Rugby are thrilled to announce the signing of Ireland and Ulster lock, Ryan Caldwell, on a two year contract that will see him join the club this summer.

The 25 year old, 6ft 7in forward will further bolster the Bath pack next season, complementing the recent signing of Dave Attwood in the second row, alongside the well-established Bath forwards. Having joined Ulster on a development contract in 2003, Ryan made his debut in October 2005, and has since gone on to make 79 appearances for the Irish province.

 

Read more:

http://www.bathrugby.com/news/9812.php

This Is Bath - Thursday's Chronicle articles - New signing and much more...

Bath Rugby are gearing up to unveil a host of new signings, as well as confirm the retention of loosehead prop David Flatman.The club is closing in on young Sale Sharks flanker Carl Fearns, while confirmation of lock forward Ryan Caldwell's move to The Rec was announced this morning.Bath are also confident of being able to transform rugby league star Kyle Eastmond into a top back-three player.

Bath Prepare to Unveil Host of New Signings
Meehan: We'll Decide if Moody is Fit for Saints, Not England
Bath Pack Ready for Revenge
Bath Urged to Banish Humiliation Memories
Hape Fancies French Showdown
New Dates for Postponed Ties
Tom Bradshaw: Even the Best Takes Time to Bed In
Peter Short: Fat Jesus Veeting Kane Kong
Fans View: Can Lightning Really Strike Twice?
Bath Rugby's Happy Campers Turn Up Heat

 

Bath coach Steve Meehan waiting on Eastmond decision

Bath coach Steve Meehan is still hopeful that St Helens' England scrum-half Kyle Eastmond will switch codes and move to The Rec next season.

After playing for Saints in the season opener against champions Wigan in Cardiff on Saturday night, Eastmond, 21, said he would decide this week.

 

Read more:

http://tiny.cc/sbdf6

Bath confirm interest in Sale flanker Carl Fearns

Bath head coach Steve Meehan says the club would be keen on signing Sale back row forward Carl Fearns.

The 21-year-old former England Under-18s captain also played at Under-20s level in the World Championships in 2009.

 

Read more:

http://tiny.cc/je32s

Lewis Moody could return for Bath against Northampton

England captain Lewis Moody is back in training with Bath and could play in Saturday's match against Northampton.

The 32-year-old injured his knee in a Heineken Cup match on 15 January and missed England's first two Six Nations games, but could return against France.

 

Read more:

http://tiny.cc/vcowt

Kyle Eastmond to make his decision this week!

St Helens scrum-half Kyle Eastmond will reveal this week if he intends to switch codes.

The 21-year-old England international has spoken to Aviva Premiership side Bath, and Sale are also reported to be interested in acquiring his services.

Read more...

Ryan Caldwell signs for Bath Rugby!?

According to several media sources across the web Ryan Caldwell (Ulster) has signed for Bath Rugby and this is due to be announced shortly.

"Bath’s depth in the second row is set to be further bolstered by the signing of Ulster and Ireland lock Ryan Caldwell."
Tom Bradshaw (Bath Chronicle)


Ryan Caldwell profile...

Ryan Caldwell (born 1 September 1984) is an Irish rugby union footballer. He plays for Ulster. Caldwell joined Ulster on a development contract in 2003 following a successful spell in the province's academy. He made his full Ireland debut against The Barbarians on 27 May 2008 in an uncapped match at Kingsholm Stadium in Gloucester and received his first cap as a sub against Canada on 23 May 2009 in Vancouver.

In 2007 Caldwell was named in the IRFU's High Performance Select Group.

Caldwell has been named in Ireland's Churchill Cup squad in both 2007 and 2008.

Source Wikipedia

Ryan Caldwell attemps to drive over against Stade in 2008

Bath Rugby singing in the rain!

Sale Sharks 7, Bath Rugby 19

Olly Barkley’s unerring boot kicked Bath Rugby to their sixth win in seven games as the visiting pack sucked the life out of Sale Sharks at a slippery Edgeley Park.

The inside centre kicked 12 points in the south Manchester drizzle, with Nick Abendanon - fresh from England's training base - scoring Bath’s only try.

And while Barkley landed five out of five shots on goal, Sale fly-half Charlie Hodgson was only on target with one out of three efforts.

This Is Bath
Bath Rugby
Premiership Rugby
ESPN

Match Reaction

"That's six out of seven wins since the start of the year, and three on the bounce in the Premiership which is obviously very important," declared Meehan. "The teams that are sitting just above us will feel us now and know that there is pressure coming through. It's a much happier camp now, not that the morale was ever low, but it's a squad that has found it way."

ESPN - Meehan
Sky Sports - Meehan

Re-arranged fixtures confirmed

The dates for the postponed fixtures at home against Exeter Chiefs and away against Newcastle Falcons have now been confirmed.

The home game against Exeter Chiefs will now take place on Saturday 9th April, kick off 2.30pm, with the team travelling to Newcastle on Saturday 30th April, kick off 4.00pm.

Sale V Bath - team, TV and radio coverage information

The game is being shown live on Sky Sports 1, with radio commentary being provided by BBC Radio Bristol on Medium Wave frequency of 1548 and on DAB. A link from the BBC Sport website should also be available for the commentary.

 

Bath Rugby team to face Sale Sharks, Friday KO 7.45pm

15. Jack Cuthbert
14. Tom Biggs
13. Matt Carraro
12. Olly Barkley
11. Nick Abendanon
10. Butch James
9. Michael Claassens
1. David Flatman
2. Pieter Dixon
3. Duncan Bell
4. Stuart Hooper
5. Danny Grewcock
6. Ben Skirving
7. Luke Watson ( c )
8. Simon Taylor

 

Replacements

16. Lee Mears
17. David Barnes
18. Kane Palma-Newport
19. Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe
20. Guy Mercer
21. Mark McMillan
22. Sam Vesty
23. Nick Scott

Hape, Wilson and Banahan retain England places

Congratulations to Shontayne Hape, David Wilson and Matt Banahan, who have all retained their places in the England match day 22 to face Italy on Saturday.

 

Hape, Wilson and Banahan retain England places

This is Bath - Hipkiss, Flatman, Hape and more...

Dan Hipkiss says a visit to Bath Rugby's new HQ at Farleigh House persuaded him to make the move from Welford Road to the West Country.

The 13-cap Leicester and England centre told the Chronicle that a guided tour around the facility with Bath director of rugby Sir Ian McGeechan and head coach Steve Meehan helped clinch his signature on a two-year deal.

The main training pitch at the country estate in Farleigh Hungerford is now complete and by the time Hipkiss joins Bath in June, the HQ's gym and other pitches are also scheduled to be ready.

 

Farleigh visit sealed the deal for centre Dan

FAN'S VIEW: Beating Bath always a priority for Tigers

Bath veteran Flatman: "Scrum is over-complicated"

Bath Rugby supporter Henry set to face his heroes with Sale

Barkley: "My heart is here with Bath Rugby"

Bath's Cook among England stars of the future playing at The Rec

McGeechan: "We are determined to hang on to Hape at Bath Rugby"

TOM BRADSHAW: Why I'm sticking up for Shontayne

Welford success builds momentum ahead of Bath's trip to Sale

Scott's great introduction to Welford Road cauldron

Jack backed by fellow Scot McMillan

Abendanon returns to club from England duty

 

Andy Robinson pulls plug on Bath hopes

ANDY ROBINSON put an end to speculation over a return to Bath yesterday when he signed a contract extension with Scotland that will keep him at Murrayfield until after the World Cup in 2015.

Read more...

Dave Attwood signs for Bath

England lock forward Dave Attwood says a move to The Rec will take him out of his Gloucester “comfort zone”.

The Chronicle exclusively revealed in November that Bath were interested in signing the 23-year-old, and today the club confirmed Attwood would be making the move from Kingsholm on a two-year deal.

Read more...

Kyle Eastmond to decide his future...

Kyle Eastmond will definitely play for St Helens in their Grand Final rematch against Wigan on Saturday night, but the club are none the wiser about the England scrum-half's long-term plans. Eastmond has received offers to switch codes from Bath and Sale when his Saints contract expires at the end of this season and the 21-year-old is keen to resolve his future before he travels down to Cardiff.

 

Read more:

http://tiny.cc/zrijr

Hape leaving Bath?

London Irish and Wasps are leading the race to sign England centre Shontayne Hape from Bath.

Hape, who is out of contract in the summer, is believed to have become frustrated after talks over a new deal at the Rec stalled.

 

Read more:

http://tiny.cc/drfir

Bath, Toulouse eye McAlister

Bath are facing strong competition from Toulouse in the race to sign All Blacks international Luke McAlister.

Bath have lined-up McAlister, who had a successful two-year stint at Sale before returning to New Zealand, as the ideal replacement for Butch James in the No.10 jersey.

 

Read more:

http://tiny.cc/an2r1

Bath win at Tigers!!

Leicester Tigers 12, Bath Rugby 26

Bath Rugby beat 13-man Leicester for the first time in seven encounters with a forwards-led bonus-point win in the LV= Cup.

Tries by Nick Scott, Tom Biggs, Simon Taylor and David Barnes gave Bath their first win at Welford Road since 2003.

But despite recording three out of four wins in Pool 4, Bath will almost certainly not progress to the semi-finals. For that to happen, all three of their pool rivals will have to lose this weekend.

The game had no shortage of drama, not least when former Bath hooker Rob Hawkins was sent off in the first half for two separate acts of wanton aggression.

This is Bath
Bath Rugby

Match Reaction

Leicester Tigers boss Richard Cockerill played down his side's loss to Bath Rugby this evening, describing the LV= Cup game as "meaningless".

Bath won at Welford Road 26-12 tonight - their first win here in eight years.

That condemned Leicester to four losses out of four matches in this season's LV= Cup.

But director of rugby Cockerill dismissed the defeat to their arch-rivals, saying his side's priority was the Aviva Premiership.

This Is Bath

Barkley's second Blokey article

When the curtain falls on season 2010-11, I will have completed my tenth full season of domestic rugby and from the day I stepped out as a spotty little teenager the league has undergone some monumental changes. I’m not just talking about the rugby either. For me, it’s what has gone on behind the scenes over the last decade - in the administrative sections of the clubs and the RFU - that can ultimately take credit for the growing success of the Premiership.

Read more...

3 Bath ladies make the Wales squad

Congratulations to Caryl Thomas, Sian Williams and Aimee Young who have been selected for the Wales Women's 6 Nations squad.

Bath team to face Tigers - Friday 7.45pm KO

A strong Bath Rugby side will travel to Welford Road tomorrow to tackle the Leicester Tigers in the final group match of this year's LV= Cup, kick-off 7.45pm.

 

Bath Rugby team to face Leicester Tigers

 

15. Nick Scott
14. Matt Carraro
13. Ben Williams
12. Olly Barkley
11. Tom Biggs
10. Sam Vesty
9. Mark McMillan
1. David Flatman
2. Pieter Dixon
3. Duncan Bell
4. Stuart Hooper
5. Danny Grewcock
6. Andy Beattie
7. Luke Watson ( c )
8. Simon Taylor

 

Replacements

16 Ted Stagg
17. David Barnes
18. Kane Palma Newport
19. Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe
20. Ben Skirving
21. Matt Keyte
22. Paul Roberts
23. Jacques Boussuge

This is Bath - Thursday's Chronicle articles

Matt Banahan believes the close friendship he and England team- mate Shontayne Hape have forged will help bring out the best in both of them in the 2011 RBS 6 Nations.

The Bath duo have been room-mates ever since they entered the England set-up and are both named in the matchday squad for tomorrow's curtain-raiser against Wales at the Millennium Stadium (7.45pm).

Hape continues at inside centre following a successful autumn series for England, while Banahan is on the bench, providing cover at both outside centre and wing. Bath prop Davey Wilson is also named among the replacements.

 

Hape Retains England Spot
Hipkiss Confirms Bath Move
Meehan Points Finger After Jarvis Injury
Butch James Announces Move
Bath Duo Close Bond can help England Bid
Vesty Slams Cup SetupBath Rugby Ambition Impresses Hipkiss
Ben Williams Glad to Focus on Rugby Again
Eagle John Flies Back to States
Tom Bradshaw: Butch James - Demi-God, Prodigal Son or Rock Star

Hipkiss signs for Bath Rugby

Bath Rugby this morning confirmed that Leicester Tigers centre Dan Hipkiss will join the club on a two-year contract at the end of the season.

The 13-cap England centre said the "good reports" from Lewis Moody and Sam Vesty, who moved to The Rec from Leicester last summer, had helped persuade him to make the move.

Read more...

Hape a Toulon target!?

Those that appear to interest Toulon most are South African lock Bakkies Botha who was close to joining Toulon in 2010, Wallaby flank Rocky Elsom, who is such a force in Australian rugby, clever Wallaby back Matt Giteau's who can play 9, 10  or 12 and perhaps elsewhere, and England's New Zealand centre Shontayne Hape. Sonny Bill Williams could be making his way back.

 

Read more:

http://tiny.cc/z5d42

Lions confirm James deal

The Lions have confirmed they have agreed a deal to sign World Cup-winning fly-half Butch James from Bath.

James had been contracted to Bath until 2012 but he will now team up with the Johannesburg franchise in May.

 

The announcement ends months of speculation over the 32-year-old's future, with Lions having made James as their No.1 target.

 

Read more:

http://tiny.cc/44fc3