TRANSFER | Homer turned down Bath and Leicester to join hometown club

According to The Rugby Paper, Tom Homer rejected the opportunity to re-join Bath or sign for Leicester Tigers in favour of joining his hometown club.

The 30-year-old started his career with Exiles, signing his first professional contract with the club in 2008 before going onto make 113 appearances, scoring 767 points in the next seven years.

He then joined Bath, where he'd spend the next five years before departing last month.

Homer is a composed, intelligent fullback, who is as staunch a defender as he is an attacking threat, and with his kicking ability - from hand and from the tee - he should prove to be an excellent signing.

London Irish are also closing in on signing 100-cap Wallaby Rob Simmons.

The 31-year-old, who can also play in the back-row, won his 100th international cap against Georgia in Shizuoka at the Rugby World Cup in Japan last October.

Simmons has has spent the last two seasons playing for the Waratahs after spending the majority of his career in Queensland, making over 100 Super Rugby appearances for the Reds.

Players in: Rob Simmons (Rumoured), Tom Homer (Rumoured)

Players out: Belgium Tuatagaloa (Rouen), Barney Maddison (Ealing Trailfinders), Will Partington (Hartpury College), Dave Porecki (Waratahs), Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi (Northampton Saints), Stephen Myler (Ospreys), Scott Steele (Harlequins), Franco van der Merwe (released), Pat Cilliers (released), Saia Fainga’a (released), Tom Stephenson (released), Bryce Campbell (released), Aliveriti Veitokani (released), Sam Collingridge (released), Jack Beltcher (released), Finlay Rossiter (released).

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National League 2 South Bury St Edmunds RUFC have confirmed the signing of former England international Tom Varndell as a coach and player for next season. Still the Premiership’s record try-scorer with 92 from 180 appearances, primarily from spells at Leicester and Wasps – two of the most successful clubs in the modern era – the 34-year-old had looked to have played his last game after departing Yorkshire Carnegie.

The 36-year-old is set to join National League 1 side Chinnor RFC in a player/coach capacity ahead of the 2020/21 season. With 26 England caps, a place in the England 2011 Rugby World Cup squad and European and Top 14 winners’ medals, Armitage enjoyed a very successful professional career.

The former England fullback often turns out for hometown club Chester RFC alongside his brother Tom during the off-season of Major league Rugby. Foden suited up for the England National Side for 34 appearances after he got his first cap during the 2009 Six Nations tournament and he recorded 29 starts in those 34 matches. He also got called up to the national side for the 2011 World Cup where he scored two tries.

England legend and World Cup winner Mike Tindall plays a selection of matches for Minchinhampton, the club close to his home.  The centre played outside centre for Bath and Gloucester, and won 75 caps for England between 2000 and 2011. He was a member of the England squad which won the 2003 World Cup.