A new favourite to sign Kyle Eastmond emerges as League deal looks dashed
Kyle Eastmond’s desire to stay in the Rugby Union and reap the rewards of a lucrative contract are thought to be the main reason behind contract negotiations with Warrington Wolves reaching a standstill.
According to reports from France, Eastmond had all but signed a deal to return to League, but his unwillingness to put pen to paper has seen the chance of a return to his former sport wither in recent weeks.
Treize Mondial reported that Eastmond was to be signed by Warrington Wolves after Wasps did not renew his contract.
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Eastmond would have been signed as a marquee player (two are now allowed in the 13 man code), as Super League’s salary cap of £2 million would have left precious little room for a player who was thought to have been on in the region of £400,000 at Wasps.
However Warrington grew tired of Eastmond’s refusal to commit to the deal – which was waiting to be signed – and described the negotiations as coming to a standstill.
The reason for the Oldham-born centre’s reticence appears to have emerged, with a new favourite to win his signature being heavily rumoured.
Although previously linked with Sale Sharks, Eastmond is – according to Neil Fissler of the Rugby Paper – now understood to be in negotiations with Leicester Tigers.
Leicester Tigers have spoken to Kyle Eastmond. Deal is believed to still be a way off.
— Neil Fissler (@neilfissler) July 11, 2018
Rumours of a move to Welford Road took off this week after it was revealed that Matt Toomua looks likely to leave the midlands club and return to Australia in time for the Rugby World Cup in 2019.
The Sydney Morning Herald are reporting that the sought after Wallaby is set to sign for the Australian Super Rugby franchise – the Melbourne Rebels.
Tigers need a high-quality centre replacement and Eastmond could be a very good fit for the Matt O’Connor coached side.
With pre-season well underway across the Premiership, time is running out for the talented Eastmond.
The dual-code international centre left Bath for the Ricoh Arena during 2016, and subsequently played 23 times for Wasps, scoring four tries.
Undoubtedly talented, many have put the 5’7, 85kg back’s lack of size as being a stumbling block in his falling out of favour at international level.
The former St Helen’s scrumhalf did pick up six caps for England, all of which came at centre, the last being in November 2014. He was overlooked for the 2015 Rugby World Cup in favour of code-hopping flop Sam Burgess, a disappointment that greatly frustrated the then 25-year-old.
If the Tigers move falls through there may well still be the possibility of a move to the Top 14, where he has already been linked with Toulouse, who lost the services of Gael Fickou to Stade Francais.
Now 28, he certainly has lots more to offer, whichever code he chooses.
Comments on RugbyPass
Ouch. Even Nohamba is a better flyhalf than Ford.
2 Go to commentsI hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
2 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
25 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“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.
25 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
6 Go to comments