Bath reveal Sharks' Butch bid
Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:41
Wanted man: Bath flyhalf Butch James.
Following recent speculation regarding the future of Springbok flyhalf Butch James, Bath Rugby have admitted to an approach by the Durban-based Sharks, but insist that the pivot is going nowhere.
Rumours circulating in the UK last week speculated that the combative No.10 was on his way to Cape Town, but his agent Craig Livingstone dismissed that possibility in no uncertain terms, saying that he had not had any contact with the Stormers.
It has since emerged on Bath's official website that the Guinness Premiership club has been contacted by another South African Super 14 franchise - James' former team, the Sharks.
It makes sense that the approach from South Africa came from the Sharks, as John Plumtree's side have suffered a recent flyhalf crisis.
They have lost Argentinean Juan Martin Hernandez through injury and Frans Steyn to France, while Ruan Pienaar wants to play scrumhalf and recent signing Steve Meyer controversially retired just weeks after arriving in the Sharks camp.
The approach for James though, was quickly shot down as Bath intend to hold onto the player until his contract runs out in June 2012. Andy Goode has since been signed up by the Sharks.
"Butch still has two more seasons of his contract left to run," said Bath Rugby's Chief Executive Nick Blofeld.
"Butch is still very much a key member of Bath Rugby's squad and will inevitably continue to attract interest from other clubs, as he is a world class talent."
It seems as if James is thinking in the same way as several other Southern Hemisphere stars currently plying their trade in Europe, who are returning to their home countries in order to stake a claim in their respective World Cup squads.
The Springboks have an unofficial policy of only selecting players based in South Africa, but their European tour at the end of last year showed that it was not a hard-and-fast rule.
Bath do not want to stand in the way of the 35-times capped pivot's ambitions of helping defend the trophy that he played a big part in winning in 2007, but they are hoping that he can secure a trip to New Zealand on the basis of his form in the English top flight.
"He has said to us that he would like to play for South Africa again and we would, of course, love to see him do that, but believe he can do so from Bath having done so in the past."
James is due to return to match action in the next few weeks, following a shoulder injury sustained against Worcester Warriors on 20th February.
LATEST NEWS
Super Rugby
Six Nations
Sevens
Premiership
Latest news
- Stormers to turn up the heat
- Bulls to tap into Bok coach's wisdom
- Pietersen takes centre stage at Sharks
- Wallabies rush back for Reds
- Hurricanes' captain finally on board
- Bulls have plenty to ponder
- Stormers snuffed out at the breakdown
- Will the Cheetahs kick on?
- Force see positives in defeat
- White not getting ahead of himself
- Lam's selection headache
- Bulls edge willing Kings
- Cheetahs win Newlands arm-wrestle
- White's Brumbies demolish the Force
- Blues put down early marker
- Chiefs dismiss star-studded Rebels
- Crusaders off to a flyer
- Bryce was 'the final straw'
- Lions pack a mighty punch
- Preview: EP Kings v Bulls
Contact Us | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Advertising
