1
Two former Bath Rugby old boys are set to return to English rugby – according to reports from France.
ADVERTISEMENT
Former England fullback prospect Nick Abendanon – who was back at The Rec last night, told media on Tuesday that he was being let go by Clermont after six seasons at the club.
Abendanon put out a come-get-me call, saying: “If a club is looking for an experienced back, they can call me.
“I have an optional year for next season, but the club told me they will not activate it.”
Capped just twice by England in 2007, his release from the French giants opens up the possibility of a return to the Gallagher Premiership.
“I do not want to stop. I feel like I can still do a year or two,” said the 33-year-old.
Clermont's Nick Abendanon says he'll leave the #Top14 side at the end of the season
"If there's a club looking for an experienced full-back they can call me"https://t.co/WB0LnklG28
— Illtud W. Dafydd (@IlltudDafydd) December 3, 2019
Former Bath backrow Carl Fearns is also reported to be potentially on his way back his native land.
Fearns, who was also never capped by England, is reported not to be expected to extend his fruitful stay at Lyon.
ADVERTISEMENT
https://twitter.com/Carl_Fearns/status/1203033166715531265
Now 30, the 6’3, 19 stone 4Ibs No.8 has been linked with a move to Northampton Saints, who Lyon played last month in Europe.
“If there is English interest then there will be a sit-down with the family to decide what’s best for them,” Fearns told The Telegraph last month.
The uncompromising forward made 73 appearances for Bath and is renowned for his physical style of play in both attack and defence.
Fearns had expressed a desire to represent France should he have been given the call-up. While his England ship has proverbially left the dock – Eddie Jones famously said he was too unfit to play international rugby – there is little doubt the blockbusting backrow could make a sizeable dent back in the Premiership, should he return.
ADVERTISEMENT
Joe Schmidt’s not-so-fond farewell as IRFU blame him for World Cup failure.
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
40 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
40 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
40 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
40 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
40 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
40 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
40 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments