Saracens want Obano to link up with cousin Maro
ON THE BLIND SIDE
SARACENS have lined up a move for Maro Itoje's cousin Beno Obano to replace England and Lions loosehead Mako Vunipola next season.
Vunipola, 30, out of contract at the end of the season, has been linked with moves to Bristol and Top 14 clubs in the summer even though France would mean the end of his England career.
Sarries boss Mark McCall has drawn up a list of possible replacements, and one of the names on his wanted list is Obano, who could have played his last game for Bath.
London-born Obano, 27, is expected to miss the rest of the season with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament suffered against Premiership champions Harlequins last month.
It is the second time he has suffered a career-threatening knee injury. The first was just after he was called up by England for the first time three years ago.
Obano battled back to regain his fitness and won three England caps this year after making his debut against Scotland in February, with the last coming against Canada in July.
But like Vunipola, he has dropped down the pecking order with Bevan Rodd breaking through to back up Ellis Genge.
Obano has been a target for Exeter Chiefs and joined Bath seven years ago. He could jump at the chance to play with his cousin in north London next season.
