Dave Denton is all set to up sticks and move to Bath as cover for the departing Sam Burgess who has legged it down under to return to his preferred code and presumably the warm embrace of Superman’s dad himself.
While it is on paper a major blow for Edinburgh’s pack with one of Scotland’s biggest stars moving on after a World Cup in which he returned to top form, it might actually make things a little easier for Alan Solomons. Edinburgh’s coach is currently trying to figure out how you fit Denton plus John Hardie, Hamish Watson, Cornell du Preez, Nasi Manu and Roddy Grant into three shirts, not to mention club captain Mike Coman and the younger players like Magnus Bradbury.
According to the Daily Mail, Bath will buy out the remainder of Denton’s contract with Edinburgh (subject to medical) in order to move him into their squad as quickly as possible. That they can afford to do this suggests that the SRU were unable to match Bath’s offer.
Money aside it’s a good move for Denton who gets a chance to test his battering ram style against some of England’s top bosh merchants and defences. Their league might not have suited the likes of Chris Paterson, but for a battering ram forward if he can keep making gains and breaking tackles down in the Premiership, it is only going to make him better for Scotland. Bath too play an adventurous style of rugby so it should not be too unfamiliar to someone coming away from the Vern Cotter mindset.