ON THE BLINDSIDE
England boss Steve Borthwick hit the phones last week in a plea to stop London Irish players moving to France after having their contracts terminated when the RFU suspended the club.
Blindside understands that Borthwick spoke to several players to reassure them they are in his plans and to reject any offers coming their way from across the Channel.
Borthwick doesn’t want to lose any members of his World Cup training squad to French sides, so he decided to make a personal plea for them to consider offers from Premiership clubs even though funds are limited.
Wing/full-back Henry Arundell, belpw, was the star jewel in the Exiles crown and has been linked with a move to Racing 92 in France, but we understand that they have no room in JIFF regulations.
Under JIFF rules, clubs must average 15 French-qualified players in their matchday squads over a season, which could be an obstacle to them signing the England flyer.
Bath have had talks with Arundell, who spent time at Beechen Cliff School in the city, and is the most likely destination for him unless Racing make some room in their JIFF quota.
Scotland scrum-half Ben White is speaking to the Scottish Rugby Union, and Edinburgh and Glasgow are keen on him. The Warriors also have an eye on former Wallabies prop Ollie Hoskins.
Saracens have been linked with Hoskins and Will Joseph, the younger brother of Jonathan, but Harlequins are also understood to have spoken to him.
Northampton have emerged as possible suitors for Bath-linked Tom Pearson, below, while Ben Loader is speaking to the Stormers in South Africa, with Saracens and Bristol also expressing an interest.
The Bears are expected to make an offer for Zimbabwean tighthead Lovejoy Chawatama, while Exeter like Chandler Cunningham-South but face competition from New Zealand and France.
Former Wallaby lock Adam Coleman, one of the Premiership’s highest earners has got interest from Toulouse and Bayonne, but they will struggle with his estimated £900,000 a year wages.
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