ON THE BLINDSIDE
England international Nick Isiekwe is being lined up by a trio of clubs interested in signing him after entering into the final year of his deal with Premiership champions Saracens.
A year ago, the 6ft 7ins second row underwent open-heart surgery at London Bridge Hospital but returned to play a key role in the Sarries' 35-25 Premiership final win at Twickenham over Sale Sharks.
Isiekwe, 25, who made three appearances for England in the Six Nations earlier this year, has played 120 times for Saracens, scoring four tries, after making his debut in April 2017.
He was highly rated by former England boss Eddie Jones, who tipped him to become the next Maro Itoje, and he won his first two England caps on the 2017 summer tour of Argentina after only a couple of club games.
Isiekwe penned a four-year deal with Saracens in May 2020 before spending a season with Northampton after Saracens' relegation to the Championship for salary cap breaches. The ex-Old Albanians youth made 22 appearances for Saints, scoring three tries, and they would like to take him back to Franklin's Gardens at the end of this season.
Isiekwe, a Premiership winner in 2018 before winning the Premiership and Champions Cup double a season later, is also a target for Bath, who have asked to be kept in touch with developments.
Toulouse are also keen on taking him across the Channel, but that would spell the end of his 12-cap England career, which is still bright despite his World Cup snub by Steve Borthwick.
Why would Isiekwe want to leave Sarries ? They have just returned to the top of the Premiership, seem to have recruited well with the likes of Martinez and Cinti, and with players of the calibre of Christie, Earl, Tizzard, Riccione, McFarland and the established England stars would look to have a formidable pack. Other than a struggle to keep within the Salary Cap I can’t see why a young player of his potential would take a punt on a Bath resurgence to further his career, unless someone is offering megabucks. He has time on his side.
“Other than struggle to keep within the salary cap.” You’ve hit the nail on the head. In the past Saracens stock piled a lot of young talent, much as top Premier League football teams do. Those players progress and want paying commensurate with their talents, with the salary cap now being adhered to, you can’t keep them all.
Also for Isiekwe, following his heart issue, he will be starkly aware, particularly in rugby, it may appear like you have time on your side but one bad moment it can all be over.