REPORT: Sam Underhill linked with shock Bath departure

12/09/2024 05:03 PM

Former Champions Cup winners La Rochelle have set their sights on England back-row Sam Underhill for next season, according to Rugby Pass.

Despite the Bath flanker still having a year left on his contract, the French giants are keen to swoop.

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Bath’s rock since 2017

Underhill, 28, joined Bath from the Ospreys in 2017 and has racked up 95 appearances for Johann van Graan's side. The former Gloucester academy graduate made his debut as an 18-year-old in the Premiership Cup and has since evolved into a defensive juggernaut.

England caps but no hybrid deal

A veteran of 41 England caps, Underhill was pivotal during the 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign and returned to Steve Borthwick's squad for the 2023 tournament after Jack Willis' injury. However, his omission from the 17 players awarded RFU hybrid contracts has reportedly put French clubs on high alert.

Ohio beginnings to English stardom

Born in Dayton, Ohio, Underhill's rugby journey started at Gloucester before heading to the Ospreys while studying at Cardiff University. A standout captain for the England U18s in their undefeated European Championship run in 2014, he made his senior England debut in 2017 against Argentina after impressing in a non-cap match against the Barbarians.

Could Underhill's next chapter see him cross the Channel? La Rochelle might just make it happen.

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Fans have spoken: All-time Lions XV revealed after 100,000+ votes

The countdown to the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour of Australia is officially on, and the anticipation is electric. While the next generation of rugby stars prepares to make history, fans have been busy selecting the ultimate legends of the game.

Over 107,172 votes were cast, answering age-old debates like Barry John vs. Jonny Wilkinson, Martin Johnson vs. Paul O’Connell, and the big one—Gareth Edwards vs. Matt Dawson.

A panel of Guardian experts set the shortlist, but the final say came down to you, the fans. Now, the all-time British & Irish Lions XV is locked in.

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So, did your picks make the all-time Lions XV? Let’s find out.

All-time Lions XV:

Fullback: JPR Williams (Wales) – 72%

Runner-up: Gavin Hastings (Scotland) – 10%, Jason Robinson (England) – 10%

He went on only two Lions tours, in 1971 and 1974, and the mark he left on both is still remembered fondly to this day. As a result he has one of the most impressive Test records with the Lions of any player, winning five Tests, drawing two and losing just once. To come away as a winner from two different series is a remarkable feat.

Winger: Gerald Davies (Wales) – 21%

Runner-up: JJ Williams (Wales) – 19%

Davies was a British and Irish Lion in 1968 and 1971, one of a raft of Welsh players alongside Barry John, Gareth Edwards and JPR Williams to enter into the folklore of both the Lions and Wales. Davies also served as the team manager for the 2009 Lions tour to South Africa.

Outside-centre: Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland) – 43%

Runner up: Will Greenwood (England) – 4%

Probably the best player ever produced by Ireland, O'Driscoll was Lions captain on the ill-fated 2005 series that saw his tour cut short in a controversial manner. His cutting runs in Australia four years previous were instrumental in getting the series win. He toured again in 2009 and 2013. This made him only the third player in 125 years of Lions history to go on tour four times.

Inside-centre: Jeremy Guscott (England) – 20%

Runner up: Mike Gibson (Ireland) – 15%

Hailed as “The Prince of Centres”, he was called up to the to the 1989 Lions tour to Australia, slotting into the side for the second and third Tests as they won the series. He went on the following two tours with Guscott’s finest moment coming in 1997, when he sent over the decisive drop-goal to win the second Test againsr the Springboks

Winger: Jason Robinson (England) – 22%

Runner-up: Tony O’Reilly (Ireland) – 9%

He made his England debut against Italy in the 2001 Six Nations and was subsequently selected for the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia that summer. He slotted in to the starting line-up for the first Test against the Wallabies and scored a stunning solo try, dancing past Australia fullback Chris Latham, to announce himself on the world stage.

Fly-half: Barry John (Wales) – 51%

Runner-up: Phil Bennett (wales) – 21%

John is the standout stand-off in Lions history. It's no surprise then that they nicknamed him, "The King". He scored 30 of the Lions' 48 points against the All Blacks in '71.

Scrum-half: Gareth Edwards (Wales) – 85%

Runner-up: Matt Dawson (England) – 9%

It was his partnership with Barry John in the half back line that was key to the Lions' only tour series victory in New Zealand in '71. His work rate in '74 was the corner stone on which the tourists won 21 and drew one of their 22 game

Loosehead-prop: Jason Leonard (England) – 21%

Runner-up: Gethin Jenkins (Wales) – 6%

Hooker: Keith Wood (Ireland) – 51%

Runner-up: Brian Moore (England) – 16%

He popped up everywhere around the field against South Africa in 1997, winning the Man of the Match award in the second test. Subsequently, the first ever world player of the year was a tourist in 2001 as well.

Tighthead-prop: Fran Cotton (England) – 24%

Runner-up: Graham Price (Wales) – 7%

Cotton was up front on the 1977 tour tests. It's never an easy task to make an All Blacks scrum creak but he did just that. Also a tourist in 1974 and 1980 in South Africa, he always gave a great display in the art of the scrum.

Lock: Martin Johnson (England) – 40%

Runner-up: Paul O’Connell (Ireland) – 9%

For some a controversial character, but for all one of the greats. His leadership earned him the captaincy in both 1997 and 2001. Johnson also toured in 1993's narrow series loss to New Zealand. His work in the loose and the lineout set him apart as a player.

Lock: Willie John McBride (Ireland) – 43%

Runner-up: Alun Wyn Jones (Wales) – 3%

A record 17 test across five tours for what many regard as the greatest lock ever produced by the home nations. Additionally, he was the captain of the great '74 team and always proved himself and inspirational figure on the pitch.

Blindside-flanker: Richard Hill (England) – 29%

Runner-up: Finlay Calder (Scotland) – 8%

Hill was a tourist on three occasions from 1997 to 2005. His decision making and worth at the breakdown have him lauded as one of the greatest blindsides to ever play the game.

Openside-flanker: Sam Warburton (Wales) – 23%

Runner-up: Fergus Slattery (Ireland) – 18%

Number 8: Mervyn Davies (Wales) – 43%

Runner-up: Lawrence Dallaglio (England) – 23%

"Mervyn the Swerve" was always instantly recognisable with his white headband. He was a key member of the pack for both the 1971 and 1974 Lions teams that beat New Zealand and South Africa.

Can you name every England Rugby captain of the professional era?

Whether it’s the grit of Will Carling in the 90s, the tactical brilliance of Martin Johnson, or the fearless leadership of Owen Farrell, this quiz will challenge even the most dedicated fans.

Think you can name them all? Grab your boots and let’s see how well you know the men who led England into battle on the world stage!

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