Home : Rugby : Planetsport Homepage Rugby : Priority News : Bath : News : New Zealand : General Priority Sport Top Stories

Donald to be with Bath next term

2012-04-16 12:36:02

Bath chief executive Nick Blofeld has revealed that Stephen Donald will be at the club next season after frank but successful talks with the fly-half

Frank talks: Stephen Donald

Donald, who has struggled to impress at the Rec since his arrival following that World Cup-winning penalty for the All Blacks, recently told Radio Sport in New Zealand that he wanted to move home at the end of his two-year contract in England.

However, Blofeld insists the 28-year-old pivot will remain in the West Country for the final year of his deal after the duo sat down to discuss his “poor performances” that have ultimately seen Bath youngster Tom Heathcote take the fly-half reins.

“Stephen’s not going back, there is no truth in that,” Blofeld told the Bath Chronicle.

“There has been a frank conversation with him after some poor performances, but he has come back strong and has asked to play on Monday night for United.

“He probably came back a bit too soon against Northampton, but we’ve had a season where players have had to do that. We want him to have a full pre-season with us and be fully fit and raring to go.

“We have seen some flashes of brilliance from Stephen but he has had a disjointed season.”