Louw ‘pretty close’ to deal

Bath Rugby are “pretty close” to agreeing a contract extension for Francois Louw. The South Africa flanker is in the third and final year of his current deal at the Rec. In recent seasons, he has struggled to put together a long run of games due to international commitments and serious injuries. But in 2018/19; having represented the Boks in the Autumn, he has been a regular for Bath in the big games, shown that he is still a world-class breakdown operator and can also do a good job at six and eight, as well as his usual position on the openside. As previously reported Louw, who is 33 and settled with his wife and children in Bath, is keen to stay on and admitted his international future would have a bearing on negotiations with the club. One of the highest paid members of the squad, he aims to make the Springboks’ squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan at the start of next season but, to date, has not made a commitment to continue his Test career after that. When the Chronicle asked how close club and player were to agreeing a contract extension, Blackadder said two words that should make many Blue, Black and White supporters happy. “Pretty close,” was the director of rugby’s response. Jonathan Joseph, Zach Mercer, Anthony Watson, Semesa Rokoduguni, Charlie Ewels, Nathan Catt, Chris Cook and Elliott Stooke have already signed contract extensions. Rhys Priestland will leave at the end of the season and Dave Attwood is joining his home club, Bristol Bears, in the Summer.