More may follow Watson out in big Bath shake-up
WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - JULY 01: Anthony Watson of the Lions celebrates with fans after winning the International Test match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the British & Irish Lions at Westpac Stadium on July 1, 2017 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
ANTHONY Watson might not be the only big name leaving Premiership basement dwellers Bath when their contract runs out this summer.
Flyer Watson, 27, is poised to leave The Rec at the end of the season after allowing his contract to run down and has been linked with a return to London Irish.
The England and Lions winger, who also operates at full-back, spent two seasons with the Exiles before moving to Bath in 2013.
Another player whose future at Bath is in doubt is Watson’s fellow England and Lions tourist Jonathan Joseph, whose deal is also coming to an end.
Sale Sharks are said to be interested in luring him to Manchester if they lose Rohan Janse van Rensburg, who has a get-out clause in his contract and could return to South Africa.
The slashing of the salary cap means that Bath could allow the stars to move on rather than offer new deals and use the money to remodel their squad.
The future of Danny Cipriani is also in doubt with Bath in talks with Springbok Curwin Bosch about a switch to the West Country.
Beno Obano has attracted interest from Saracens, while Semesa Rokoduguni has also been mentioned as a possible leaver.
Johann van Graan, taking over as head coach in the summer, is likely to want to bring in his own men, and moving players on gives him wiggle room.
