Henry Arundell signed a one-plus-two contract with a top-14 team. Photo: Getty Images/Dan Mullan
Bath and Gloucester are vying to sign Henry Arundell for the 2024-25 season if the England newcomer decides to return to the Premier League after one season with Racing 92.
Arundell, who scored a record five tries in the England pool against Chile at this year's World Cup, has agreed terms with Racing 92 this summer after the London Irishman entered administration four months ago and faces further decisions regarding his future.
The 20-year-old has applied to remain eligible for the 2024 Six Nations squad but is unlikely to be available for the tour of New Zealand next July unless he secures a return to the Premier League club.
Bath and Gloucester appear to have expressed interest, although there are no official offers yet. The two West Country clubs could find room under the salary cap given they each have three defenders out of contract at the end of the season. Will Muir, Tom de Glanville and Joe Cocanasiga are in the same situation at Bath, while Louis Rees-Zammit will extend his contract at Gloucester.
However, Arundell will be tempted to stay at Racing. He has signed a one-plus-two contract with a top-14 team, meaning that after a first season that will earn him around £200,000, he will be able to renegotiate terms.
In Paris he will play together with superstars like Siya Kolisi and Joshua Tuisova the other two new recruits. It is known that Stuart Lancaster's coaching was also a great success. Hugo Keenan's development at Leinster into one of Ireland's most influential players and one of the best defenders in the world is testament to how Arundell could improve under Lancaster.
In addition, senior Racing sources are confident that Arundell will qualify for JIFF (joueurs issus des filières de formation) within three years. This could significantly increase his earning potential in the future, given that clubs are liable for fines if they do not select enough JIFF in their matchday squads.
Like all players in England, the internationals face the uncertainty of ongoing discussions over a 'professional playing partnership'. Telegraph Sport exclusively revealed this week that there could be hybrid deals for a core group of 20 England frontline players. However, it has been noted that more and more members of Steve Borthwick's current team are being targeted by French clubs.
Despite his five-try streak against Chile, which is sure to make him one of the most prolific scorers at the World Cup, Arundell is understood to have been left out of the squad to take on Samoa and it is possible he could finish. this is a one-appearance tournament.
Joining Bath or Gloucester will ensure that Arundell remains in the England squad. He spent some of his youth near Bath, attending Beechen Cliff School and playing for Trowbridge RFC. A move to The Rec will also mean a partnership with precocious Scotland midfielder Finn Russell, himself a former Racing player, and attack coach Lee Blackett. Bath are known to be keen to add pace to their back line as quickly as possible.
Where possible, Premier League clubs are keen to complete the majority of their recruitment a year in advance. Losing Rees-Zammit would allow Gloucester to put forward a strong bid for Arundell with a 10-team league, which would likely encourage clubs to retain smaller squads. Back in May, the Cherries and Whites unveiled James Lightfoot-Brown, a former London Irish academy coach and well-known Arundell player, as their new attack coach.
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