>> Bath chase Boks’ Pollard
BATH are in advanced talks with Springbok fly-half Handré Pollard about a move to the Rec following the World Cup in Japan next year. Pollard, 24, who can also operate at inside-centre, has spent the last four years with the Bulls. He is out of contract at the end of next year. And he has been locked in talks with Bath about a move to the Rec which should be completed early in the New Year. Pollard has a three-year contract on the table to link up with the West Country club who have been busy recruiting players for next season. Pollard, who had a three month stint in Japan’s Top League with NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes, has scored 339 points in 39 Tests for the Springboks. And last week he was named as one of five nominees for the SA Rugby Player of the Year Award following outstanding performances for the Boks. Last month he ended Scotland’s hopes of a first win over South Africa in eight years when he masterminded a 26-20 win with 18 points at Murrayfield. The move for Pollard could place a question mark over the future of Rhys Priestland at Bath. He is coming to the end of the twoyear deal he signed in January 2017. Freddie Burns is under contract to his home town club until 2020 having rejoined in the deal that took George Ford to Leicester.