Suitors line up for Sarries star Isiekwe
BARNET, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Nick Isiekwe of Saracens is congratulated by team mate Sean Maitland after scoring the fifth try during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Saracens and Worcester Warriors at StoneX Stadium on December 26, 2021 in Barnet, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
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.
