Saints in bid to take Joseph from Bath
NORTHAMPTON Saints have held talks with England and Lions centre Jonathan Joseph about making a switch to Franklin’s Gardens next season.
Joseph is currently out of contract with Bath at the end of the season. Talks about a new deal have stalled and he could be on his way from the Rec.
The outside-centre, who was a mainstay of Eddie Jones’ England set-up until he was injured last season, looks set to miss this year’s Six Nations.
He is yet to recover from the foot injury that has kept him sidelined all season and it would appear that his days at Bath, where he has played since 2013, are numbered.
Bristol and Leicester Tigers had been linked with the 27-year-old, who started his career with a four-season stint at London Irish.
Any club signing Joseph will want him to prove that he is completely over the injury problems that are threatening to derail his hopes of playing at the World Cup.
Saints director of rugby
Chris Boyd has made no secret of the fact that he wants to sign another top class centre and has been looking at who is available.
He has got former England international Luther Burrell out of contract at the end of the season and Burrell is weighing up his options.
Burrell’s name has been circulated around French clubs ahead of a possible move across the Channel and he is waiting to see what offers come in should Saints not decide to keep him.
Burrell, who lines up at No.12 against Wasps today, is enthused by the set-up under Boyd.
“What’s happened is that we’ve gone full circle in 2018,” he said. “We’ve come under new management – Chris and Sam (Vesty) – and youthful players have stepped up.
“The club is moving in a very positive direction. We want to cap off what was a very good finish to 2018.
“We’ll look forward to pushing on in the league in 2019 and for us the main thing now is consistently backing up the Exeter performance.”