Bath centre Matavesi heads to Japan’s Shuttles

JOSH Matavesi has followed in the footsteps of former Bath fly-half Freddie Burns in signing a lucrative contract in Japan.

Burns, who came through the academy at his hometown club, but also had spells at Gloucester and Leicester, was told his services were no longer required at Bath last year and in June 2020 he left the club to join the Shokki Shuttles.

The team has recently rebranded as Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi ahead of the changing of the Top League to the Japan Rugby League One in 2022, but their interest in signing top talent from abroad has not changed.

Matavesi, pictured, said: “It was a really tough decision to make.

“I had no thoughts of leaving Bath; it’s not as if it’s been happening for a while, it’s happened really quickly.

“It wasn’t a case of Stu (director of rugby Stuart Hooper) trying to get rid of me because of the salary cap or anything like that; it was just that an opportunity came up for me.

“Being the wrong side of 30 now, and with people like Max Ojomoh and Will Butt coming through, I just saw it as a really good opportunity to secure my future after I’ve stopped playing. I’m not going to sit here and say it’s purely a rugby decision. It’s something I can help my family with; I want to support my wife and my kids and make sure I’m well looked after when I’ve finished playing.”

Bath chief Hooper added: “Josh goes with our blessing, and we wish him all the best.”

The Blue, Black & Whites were in pre-season action in Cardiff last night, while Gloucester play away to Coventry this afternoon.