Cokanasiga signs extension
Giant powerhouse winger Joe Cokanasiga has committed his future to Bath Rugby.
The 23-year-old has been at the Rec for three years since joining from London Irish and has agreed an extension until the end of the 2022/23 season despite significant interest to bring him back to the Exiles.
Earning his England debut in 2018, he has crossed the whitewash for seven tries in his nine caps to date and earned a place in Eddie Jones’ squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
A knee injury thereafter resulted in a lengthy period on the sidelines but he has since returned and been working hard to get back to the devastating form which saw him nominated for World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year in 2019.
Cokanasiga said: “I’ve definitely improved a lot, matured a lot; I feel like a different player.
“That’s a credit to the staff and the players that I’ve been around.
“We’ve got a young group comfreddie ing up, something is building nicely here and I want to be part of it. “It’s exciting.
“I’m really happy. I think what we’re setting up here is exciting and I can’t wait to see what we can achieve.”
Bath director of rugby Stuart Hooper said: “Joe is an exceptional young man, both on and off the field.
“He’s constantly looking to find ways to improve his game and is a hugely popular member of our squad. His physicality and ability to offload through the tackle make him hard work to play against - and an exciting player to watch!
“Joe is an integral part of our plans, and at 23, he’s at the start of what we believe will be a hugely successful career both here at Bath and with England.
“I’m so pleased he’s chosen to stay with Bath for the next few years.
“He joins an exciting group of players who are committed to the Blue, Black and White over the coming seasons.”