ON THE BLINDSIDE
Henry Arundell, one of England's most exciting talents, could be unavailable to Steve Borthwick for the next three years after signing up with Top 14 giants Racing 92 after the demise of London Irish.
Racing, who are being coached by former England boss Stuart Lancaster next season and were Top 14 semi-finalists in the campaign that has just ended, confirmed the signing on Friday evening.
Blindside revealed a couple of weeks ago that Arundell, a target for Bath, was at Racing's state-of-the-art training facilities at Plessis Robinson, putting the finishing touches to the move.
Arundell will join Joe Marchant, David Ribbans, and Jack Willis among the English players who won't be eligible for national service following the World Cup later this year.
He has signed up for next season, but there is an option for the contract to be extended for another two years, which will be a blow to Borthwick unless the RFU change their selection criteria.
