Gloucester reportedly interested in signing French star Vakatawa

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A TRIO of Gallagher Premiership clubs are reported to be interested in signing Fijian-born French international Virimi Vakatawa, including Gloucester.

English professional rugby clubs continue to face a tough time financially having been severely hit by the coronavirus pandemic, which has forced games to be played behind closed doors.

With less money in the game, Premiership clubs have agreed to reduce the salary cap from next season. However, with all leagues around the world also feeling the pinch that has not stopped some of the biggest names being linked with a move to England.

The Rugby Paper reports Bath Rugby, Gloucester and Northampton Saints have expressed interest in signing the try-scoring centre.

Twenty-eight-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 reported to be out of contract at his current club Racing 92 at the end of the 2020/21 season.

The Rugby Paper reports 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 pay cuts at Welford Road, decide to move on from Steve Diamond’s side at the end of the 2020/21 season.

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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