England back-row Sam Underhill has become the center of attention for French Top 14 heavyweights Racing 92 and Bordeaux, who have set their sights on luring him away from his current club, Bath, with a prospective move next summer.
At the age of 27, Underhill, originally born in the United States, made the transition to Bath in 2017 after leaving Gloucester, leaving a lasting impression with the Ospreys in the Pro 12. Since then, he has notched up an impressive 79 appearances in the rugby arena.
While initially omitted from Steve Borthwick’s World Cup squad, Underhill received a surprise call-up when Jack Willis suffered a neck injury during England’s triumph over Chile.
According to The Rugby Paper, both Racing 92 and Bordeaux are actively seeking a robust back-row player known for their defensive prowess, a description that perfectly aligns with Underhill’s skill set. However, it’s important to note that a potential move to France would render him ineligible for selection by Borthwick for the upcoming season.
Meanwhile, there’s speculation that another prominent player who might be in the final season at The Rec is England’s tight-head prop, Will Stuart, who has piqued the interest of Gloucester, their fierce rivals in the West Country.
Sam Underhill could now swap nations for next Rugby World Cup
Although some players are more likely to do so than others, here we discuss five players who could potentially switch.
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#1. Sam Underhill to USA
The Bath back-rower, originally hailing from Dayton, Ohio, possesses the potential to represent the United States due to his place of birth.
Following a temporary absence from the England national team, he could become eligible to join the USA squad.
According to the stipulations, a three-year period of ineligibility would be imposed after his final international appearance for England, which occurred during a match against Tonga in November 2021.
Consequently, he would be able to don the Eagles jersey starting from November 2024.
The USA’s recent failure to qualify for the 2023 Rugby World Cup necessitates any available assistance, and his inclusion would provide valuable support to the team.
During his childhood, his father Greg was stationed in Dayton with the RAF, yet the family relocated to Gloucester when he was approximately ten years old.
Considering his last appearance for England in 2022, he would have to wait until 2025 to represent the Eagles, coinciding with his age of just 30.
