Chase on for centre ‘Colossal offer’ to make Vakatawa a marquee signing
jonathan.evely@reachplc.com
GLOUCESTER Rugby are reported to have made ‘a colossal offer’ to land French international centre Virimi Vakatawa from Racing 92.
Earlier this month we reported that a trio of Gallagher Premiership clubs were interested in signing the Fijian-born powerhouse including the Cherry and Whites.
Bath Rugby and Northampton Saints are the other Premiership outfits reported to have ‘expressed interest’ in signing the try scoring centre but French sports newspaper Midi Olympique reports Gloucester head coach George Skivington has tabled an offer to make Vakatawa the Premiership clubs’ marquee player for the 2021/22 outside the deduced salary cap.
Fijian born 28-year-old Vakatawa, who has 24 caps for France having qualified for the national side through residency, was the top scorer in the Top 14 in 2019/20 before the season was abandoned having crossed the line for 13 tries.
Vakatawa, who is also a former sevens star, is understood to be out of contract at Racing 92 at the end of the 2020/21 season.
The signing would be the first significant move in the transfer market by Skivington who only stepped up into the role of head coach at Gloucester in June after leaving London Irish to replace Johan Ackermann.
Gloucester are currently well stocked at centre with Billy Twelvetrees, 31, Mark Atkinson, 30, Chris Harris, 29, Henry Trinder, 31, and Matt Banahan, 33, to select from but with a number of those options reaching the twilight years of their careers Skivington appears to be looking to the future.
Earlier this month, The Rugby Paper reported Sale Sharks could also come in for Vakatawa should Manu Tuilagi, who left Leicester Tigers during the coronavirus lockdown for the northern club following a dispute over paycuts at Welford Road, decide to move on from Steve Diamond’s side at the end of the 2020/21 season when his current deal expires.
Sharks boss Diamond confirmed last week the club won’t open talks with Tuilagi about 4. Charlie Beckett - 6
Sin-binned late in the firsthalf which proved costly with the Chiefs scoring twice. A strong defensive effort.
3. Logovi’i Mulipola - 5
Fronted up in defence with more than 10 tackles but contributed to his side’s struggles in the scrum.
2. Henry Walker - 6
Strong in the ruck, and also contributed to a long period of defence, making 11 tackles. extending his stay until after Christmas time.
Vakatawa, who stands at 6ft 2in and 14 and a half stone, returned to the international fold after 18 months out of favour following an injury to Geoffrey Doumayrou ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
He has been virtually an ever present since, last running out for Les Blues against Scotland in the 2020 Six Nations. He has scored eight tries for his adopted country.
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1. Corne Fourie - 6
Won his side’s only scrum penalty of the game. Fronted up in defence against an experienced Chiefs side.
16. Todd Gleave - 6
Solid in the set-piece and held his own defensively.
17. Alex Seville - 6
Gloucester’s scrum improved in the closing stages and Seville contributed to this.
18. Ciaran Knight - 6
Gloucester’s scrum improved in the closing stages and Knight contributed to this.
19. Cameron Jordan - 5
Wasn’t on the pitch long enough to make an impact.
20. Will Crane - 6
Made an instant impact winning a penalty and held his own defensively.
21. Joe Simpson - 8
Showed his usual sniping qualities to set up Banahan’s second try and instrumental in the build-up to Gray’s score.
22. George Barton - 7
Showed impressive pace to assist Banahan’s opening try and showed glimpses of an attacking threat.
23. Jacob Morris - 5
Wasn’t on the pitch long enough to make an impact.
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