Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Cokanasiga signs a new three-year Bath contract
JOE Cokanasiga will start for Bath Rugby against Exeter Chiefs in today’s European Champions Cup clash after the powerful winger signed a new deal at the Recreation Ground this week.
The Blue, Black & Whites have seen off competition from a number of Gallagher Premiership rivals to retain the England international on a deal that keeps him at the club for the next three seasons.
Cokanasiga, who was strongly linked with interest from both Gloucester and Saracens, has been on superb form this season, sitting joint-top in tries scored for Bath, and sixth in the Premiership overall, crossing the whitewash half-a-dozen times so far this year.
While currently out of the picture with England, Cokanasiga, 26, has 15 international caps to his name, scoring on his debut against Japan in November 2018 shortly after joining Bath from London Irish. He made his Bath debut against Bristol Bears in August 2018 and has gone on to make 82 appearances in the Blue, Black and White despite a couple of years of injury hell with a knee issue – thankfully behind him.
Cokanasiga said: “I love playing for Bath. Seeing the journey we’ve been on this year compared to last is special. Bath has seen me grow both personally and professionally and I’m very excited for what the future holds for us as a group.”
The winger’s contract was due to expire this season, but Cokanasiga has now committed his long-term future to the hoops of the Blue, Black and White, seeing him remain at the club until the summer of 2027.
Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan added: “Joe has been class since I arrived at the club. He brings power, he brings speed and he brings tries. He’s a brilliant human being and fits into our club so well.”
Cokanasiga will celebrate his new contract with a starting berth in the Bath XV to face Exeter in Devon this afternoon. Will Muir is on the other wing, while Matt Gallagher starts at full-back.
Van Graan names the same front row for a third consecutive week, with Beno Obano at loosehead and Thomas du Toit on the opposite side at tighthead. Between the two, Tom Dunn retains his hooker jersey.
Quinn Roux remains in the second row and he will be partnered by the returning Charlie Ewels.
Ted Hill is named on the blindside flank after making an impressive return from injury, with another man with a new contract, Sam Underhill, on the openside.
Barbeary starts at number eight, while captain Ben Spencer plays at scrum-half, partnered by Scotland playmaker Finn Russell, and Cam
Redpath and Ollie Lawrence join forces in the centres.
On the bench, Niall Annett, Juan Schoeman and Will Stuart remain unchanged as van Graan’s front row replacements. Elliott Stooke, Miles Reid and Jaco Coetzee complete the forwards in reserve, while scrumhalf Louis Schreuder and fly-half Orlando Bailey cover the backs.
Bath Rugby: M Gallagher; J Cokanasiga, O Lawrence, C Redpath, W Muir; F Russell, B Spencer; B Obano, T Dunn, T du Toit, Q Roux, C Ewels, T Hill, S Underhill, A Barbeary. Reps: N Annett, J Schoeman,W Stuart, E Stooke, M Reid, L Schreuder, O Bailey, J Coetzee.
Dings Crusaders will aim to move a step closer to the National Two West title when they play away to lowly Newport this afternoon.
Title rivals Luctonians welcome Hornets, while Clifton are on the road at Loughborough Students, and Old Reds host Hinckley.
In National League One, Taunton Titans go to Sale FC, and Cinderford are at home to Rosslyn Park.