From the Touchlines: Six Nations gossip
All the latest from our Six Nations blog, "From the Touchlines", and we want to hear all your news, views and rumours...
With the Six Nations now on hold until the weekend after next, attention has turned back to the Guinness Premiership and the latest transfer rumours. We'd mentioned before that Leeds captain Stuart Hooper was off to Bath next season and that deal remains on the cards. But it transpires Bath are also set to sign Australian lock Justin Harrison, who was once branded as a "plod and a plank" by Austin Healey, in time for next season.
Staying at Bath, Olly Barkley's court case for actual bodily harm will be heard on Thursday. The England star had been due in court on Monday following an altercation with a Sky Sports producer but the case was adjourned. He is expected to plead not guilty to the charge.
Also in the transfer market, Leicester are making a surprise bid to bring Biarritz scrum-half Julien Dupuy in time for next season. The Tigers are concerned about Harry Ellis's immensely slow return from injury so have acted quickly to ensure top-quality distribution at number nine regardless of Ellis's progress. Dupuy, 24, boasts plenty of Heineken Cup experience with Biarritz, having played for the club in European ties against Glasgow and Saracens earlier this season.
That's all the gossip we have for now. We want to hear your gossip so please post your comments below...
saw dupuy play against sarries this season. that's a top notch signing. england could do with ellis coming back from injury as gomarsall's not really all that. he had a good world cup but he's distinctly average right now. for me ellis is the only world-class scrum-half we've got that qualifies for england right now. he might be an irritant but that's what you want from a scrum-half!
Posted by: Sinno | 14 February 2008 at 07:38
I heard a rumour Leicester might jump in for Hooper as Bath have been faffing too long. Come on the Tigers
Posted by: MJ | 13 February 2008 at 08:15
Surely the rumours are gonna start about Ashton's replacement, only a matter of time now
Posted by: Jonny Wall | 12 February 2008 at 16:36
I didn't know barkley had a court case coming up. wonder if that was why he wasn't picked by brian ashton for the six nations. either that or the fact he slagged off ashton during the world cup!!!! should have kept his mouth shut on both fronts!!!!???!!!
Posted by: Chaz | 12 February 2008 at 14:48
Why would Bath want both Hooper and Harrison when they've already got Grewcock? Either this is blog nonsense or Bath have lost their marbles! Probably the latter if past experience is anything to go by.
Posted by: Nige Addison | 12 February 2008 at 13:23