Sport
Has Rokoduguni set his sights on exit?
Bath and England winger Semesa Rokoduguni flew to France on Sunday to undergo a medical with Prod2 side Beziers, the Bath Chronicle understands.
Fijian-born flyer Rokoduguni signed for Bath in 2012 and has gone on to prove himself as one of the most deadly finishers in the Gallagher Premiership and a big fan favourite at The Rec, making more than 150 appearances for the club.
At 32, the winger who is still a Lance Corporal and reconnaissance tank soldier in the British Army, is understood to be looking for one more lucrative contract before hanging up his boots.
The Bath Chronicle understands that in the wake of the financial crisis which has hit domestic rugby due to the Coronavirus pandemic, and subsequent shut down of the league, Bath Rugby have asked the four-cap England international to take a 25 percent pay cut to stay at the club despite being in contract until 2022.
Rokoduguni is one of a number of high paid stars who is understood to have been asked to take a bigger pay cut than the majority of the squad with most agreeing to a 15 percent cut.
Beziers are in the second tier of French club rugby but are in the later stages of a takeover from Emirati billionaire buyers, hence a huge potential injection of cash to fund an assault up the leagues. However the takeover deal is yet to be signed off by the French financial watchdog DNACG.
French rugby also has a formal transfer window which was yesterday, July 15, meaning that any big signings would needed to have happened quickly.
The club have been linked with a number of high profile stars in recent months including Leicester Tigers centre Manu Tuilagi who has been released by the Premiership club following a dispute over his contract but has now joined Sale Sharks.
While Rokoduguni’s departure would be a blow to the club’s ambition, Bath are blessed with talent on the wings with the likes of England stars Anthony Watson, Joe Cokanasiga and Ruaridh Mcconnochie to call upon as well as emerging talent Gabehamer Webb and Darren Atkins.
One players who was released by Bath, former skipper Matt Garvey, has signed for Gloucester and will be available for the restart of the season on August 15.
The Gallagher Premiership has announced the first round of fixture dates for when the season restarts.
Harlequins will face Sale Sharks on August 14, with Worcester Warriors versus Gloucester Rugby, Exeter Chiefs versus Leicester Tigers, Bristol Bears versus Saracens and Bath versus London Irish on August 15. Northampton Saints will take on Wasps on August 16.
Kick-off times are still to be decided with the live television selections for both BT Sport and Channel 5 not yet determined. That will also be followed by the announcement of the next four rounds of the season.
With Garvey moving to Gloucester, it could see him return to The Rec in round 21.