Kyle Eastmond set for Sale switch after leaving Bath

30 June 2016 03:23

Kyle Eastmond has left Bath and is expected to complete a move to rival Aviva Premiership club Sale Sharks.

Press Association Sport understands the England back has left The Recreation Ground outfit after Bath bosses opted not to trigger a two-year contract extension that was agreed in January.

Eastmond signed a heads of agreement with Bath over a lucrative new deal driven by former director of rugby Mike Ford.

But once ex-England defence coach Ford was sacked by Bath in May, the club's hierarchy chose not to complete Eastmond's new contract.

The 26-year-old former rugby league star broke into England's Test ranks under former boss Stuart Lancaster, but has been unable to court the attention of new coach Eddie Jones.

Eastmond struggled along with Bath as the 2015 Premiership finalists slumped to a ninth-place finish in the 2016 campaign.

Boss Ford paid with his job for the lacklustre season, and Eastmond's departure leaves Bath light in the inside-back division.

Springboks assistant coach Johann van Graan has previously been linked to joining Bath, along with hints at ex-South Africa boss Heyneke Meyer moving to the west country.

Bath owner Bruce Craig is yet to finalise the coaching set-up for the forthcoming season, though head coach Toby Booth remains in post.

Neal Hatley joined Eddie Jones' England set-up as scrum coach at the end of April, so Bath could yet make two additions to their backroom staff.

Source: PA