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After months of speculation Anthony Watson has finally made a decision on his future. The England international’s contact with Bath was due to run out at the end of the season. Watson was one of the stars during the British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand and was reportedly being pursued by four French clubs.
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The 24-year-old has been a key figure for England with an impressive 15 tries in his 33 appearances. A move abroad would have put an end to his international future, with only domestic players considered.
Watson is in his fifth season with Bath and is closing in on 100 appearances and it’s now been confirmed he and three other senior players have committed the futures to Bath to “long-term” deals
Director of Rugby, Todd Blackadder, said: “Ant is one of those rare players who is incredibly talented yet so hungry to learn and get better every day. His performances for Bath have earned him games at the very highest level with England and the Lions, he is a role model to our players with his work ethic and commitment to the club. He’s currently out with an Achilles injury but that has not stopped him working tirelessly with our medical team to ensure he gets back to the field performing at the levels he expects of himself asap. We’re really looking forward to seeing him back in the Blue, Black and White in the New Year.”
Watson said: “I’m obviously happy to have re-signed with the club. We have a good bunch of lads and world class players who all desperately want to achieve something here.
“The coaches past and present have been key to me getting to where I am today and because of the opportunities they’ve given me, I feel a huge sense of loyalty to the club.
“Lastly a big thanks to the medical team who have worked so hard to help me in my rehab and get me back to full fitness.”
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Fresh from agreeing deals with Taulupe Faletau, Semesa Rokoduguni, Zach Mercer and Beno Obano, Bath have agreed deals with three other key senior players too – Charlie Ewels, Nathan Catt and Elliott Stooke.
Blackadder said: “We have not shied away from the fact that we want to play smart attacking rugby, whilst also developing our own unique style of play. We know we are not there yet.
“To re-sign such an exciting group of players is testament to their belief in our direction of travel and the environment we have created here at Bath. Anthony Watson, Charlie Ewels, Nathan Catt and Elliott Stooke all have fundamental roles to play in our future and we are delighted to have ensured they are a part of it.
“Catty and Ewelsy are Bath men through and through and have played a crucial role both on and off the field throughout my time here. Both have deep-rooted knowledge of our game and our club, which has been invaluable to the squad and ensuring or culture remains strong.
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“Stookie has developed his game considerably over the last few seasons. I’m incredibly proud to see him involved in the England set up, and I know the prospect of international rugby will drive his performances for our Club even further.
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Watch: England can only improve from 16-15 defeat to New Zealand says Jones
Charlie Ewels, who came off the bench against the All Blacks last Saturday said: “We’re heading in an exciting direction as a Club and I’m really looking forward to being part of that journey.
“I’ve come through the Academy and it’s always been my focus to win trophies at this Club. I have no doubt that with the coaches and players we have here combined with the long-term vision, we can do just that.”
Stooke another within the England camp also spoke about his new Bath deal and said: “I feel like this place is home to me – the Club is definitely going in the right direction and we’re in a good place. There’s a good core of people here and they are the right boys to take Bath Rugby forward.
“I’ve had a sniff of the England setup, and this is without doubt the right place to progress myself as an international player. I’m really happy that I’m staying, and I’m looking forward to creating more memories with the lads and winning silverware in the future.”
Meanwhile Nathan Catt added: “I started my career with Bath over a decade ago, and it’s the place I want to finish as a player. I have a real attachment with the Club, supporters and the city as a whole, and I couldn’t be happier to continue my rugby journey here.”
Watch: Anthony Watson talks to RugbyPass
Comments on RugbyPass
“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
3 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
2 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
3 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
3 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
3 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
4 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to comments