Rising star likely to sign deal at the Rec
Rising star of English rugby Alfie Barbeary is set to arrive at Farleigh House this week according to the latest reports as Bath have beaten a number of rivals to the dynamic back-rower’s signature.
Barbeary, 22, was among the 167 Wasps players, coaches and staff to be made redundant last month when the club entered into administration following their failure to repay debts.
The explosive number eight, who has moved into the back row having started out as a hooker, is currently injured having damaged his hamstring in the second game of the season against Bristol Bears before Wasps collapsed off the field and were suspended for the rest of the season.
Eight weeks ago, former Wasps head coach Lee Blackett said Barbeary would be out for between ten to 16 weeks with his injury, meaning if he is on the positive side of that time frame the big ball carrier could be nearing a return to action soon.
The Bath Chronicle understands Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan made contact with Barbeary’s representatives as soon as the situation at Wasps became clear, as he, along with the likes of Worcester Warriors duo Ted Hill and Ollie Lawrence who have also both signed on long-term deals, were transfer targets for the Blue, Black and White even before their respective clubs went into administration.
The now widely reported signing of Barbeary, who had been linked with a move to play for Top 14 side Bordeaux for the rest of the 2022/23 season, is another massive transfer coup for van Graan who has leapt upon the opportunity to reshape his squad earlier than anticipated.
Van Graan is particularly keen to add big ball carrier to his pack having seen Wales great Taulupe Faletau depart for Cardiff Rugby in the summer before his arrival from Munster, and England international Zach Mercer leave the season before, to be replaced by the less impactful GJ van Velze, Jaco Coetzee and Wesley White.
The Bath Chronicle understands the recent flurry of headline signings have been made using the additional £400,000 of injured player credits available to clubs to spend on top of the baseline £5m salary cap to replace long-term injured players, with the likes of England internationals Charlie
Ewels (ACL), Beno Obano (dislocated knee), Josh Mcnally (shoulder) and star winger Will Muir (ACL) amongst those sidelined for significant periods of time.
Barbeary, who stands at 6ft 1in and weighs in at 116kg, has represented England at U18s, U19s and U20s and senior head coach Eddie Jones is an admirer of the former Wasps man’s talents, pulling him into multiple training camps over the past three years without awarding him a debut cap - yet.
But with Exeter Chiefs star Sam Simmonds leaving the Premiership for Montpellier next season and Billy Vunipola now 30, it seems only a matter of time before Barbeary pulls on the red rose; but before that is seems he will be donning the Blue, Black and White.