Joseph is absolutely committed – Hooper

ENGLAND international Jonathan Joseph will be a Bath Rugby player in the 2021/22 season – but the future of his centre partner from Fiji, Josh Matavesi, is undecided.

Bath director of rugby Stuart Hooper has clarified the situation for both players following months of speculation, with Joseph, 30, linked with a move to Toulon back in the Spring and Matavesi, also 30, reported to be a target for a number of Japanese clubs.

Cornwall-born Matavesi has 24 caps for Fiji and joined the Blue, Black & Whites in January 2020 from Newcastle as a direct replacement for Jamie Roberts, who was allowed to leave the Rec mid-season to join South African Super Rugby side the Stormers.

But having already played for Exeter, Newcastle, Ospreys, Racing Metro and Worcester, as well as Bath, Matavesi is in talks about signing for a seventh club.

Talking exclusively to Somerset Live, the sister website of the Daily Press, Hooper said: “JJ (Joseph, above) is fully committed.

“He and I have had a number of conversations. There was some speculation in the press, but JJ is absolutely committed to Bath and he is desperate to have a great season, which is great for us.”

The situation with Matavesi, however, remains in flux. Added Hooper: “We are talking, me and Josh, about what the future looks like for him. There hasn’t been any agreement yet, so I can’t confirm either way if he will or won’t be here, but he could leave.”