Ben Spencer's Bath future in question as ex-teammate's club calls

Bath could face a battle to keep hold of skipper Ben Spencer just two months after he signed a new contract to stay at The Rec until 2028, following an enquiry from Racing 92 over a potential move to the Top 14.

Racing, who are losing Nolann Le Garrec to La Rochelle when his contract runs out at the end of the season, have already signed a replacement: former France U20 international Léo Carbonneau from Pro D2 side Brive.

Carbonneau has spent the last two seasons playing in the French second tier and has made just 11 Top 14 appearances since breaking through at Stade Amédée-Domenech in October 2022.

The Paris club are also looking to bring in a more experienced option and had been tracking Bayonne’s veteran scrum-half Guillaume Rouet, but it appears they are now keen to move for Spencer.

Spencer, 32, won the last of his 10 England caps in the Autumn Nations Series defeat to Australia last November and has been a central figure in big-spending Bath’s push to win a first Premiership title since 1996.

A member of the England side beaten in the 2019 World Cup final by South Africa, Spencer joined Bath on a three-year deal from Saracens less than 12 months later and has since made 114 appearances for the West Country club.

Named in the Premiership Team of the Season for 2024 after helping Bath reach their first final in a decade, he also played a key role in their victory over Edinburgh two weeks ago to reach the Challenge Cup final, as they chase a domestic and European double.

Racing – home to Spencer’s former England teammate Owen Farrell – may yet have to look elsewhere, unless something has dramatically changed regarding Spencer’s commitment since his contract renewal. His non-JIFF status could also be a stumbling block, according to Midi Olympique.