Rugby Rokoduguni looks set for shock move from Bath to Beziers
BATH and England winger Semesa Rokoduguni flew to France on Sunday to undergo a medical with ProD2 side Beziers, Somerset Live 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 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.
Somerset Live 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 have asked the fourcap England international to take a 25 per cent pay cut to stay at the club despite being in contract until 2022. Rokoduguni is one of a number of highly-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 per cent 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 is July 15 meaning any big signings would need to happen 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 who yesterday joined Sale Sharks.
While Rokoduguni’s departure would be a blow to the club’s ambition, Bath are blessed with talent on the wings.