Pure speculation on my part, but with Bath losing one of their centres for the rest of the season, and with Kyle being seen as fitting in at centre in union, could they now try to bring him in earlier, to provide cover at centre?
[urlhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/bath/9415790.stm[/url

They've got no cap room so I doubt it.

By the time Kyle has learnt how to play the game the union season will be over.

but on the other side if he goes in november, it'll be half way through next RU season before hes picked it up properly

Aww shame.

Do you think the SC is stringently policed in RU?

I dunno, but that was their reasoning on one of the Bath forums I was trolling on in light of his betrayal.

No, it isn't even audited proprly (its a "self audit). Wasps and Saracens have both complained that certain clubs are totally ignoring it.

I wouldn't lose any sleep if he went early. I'd rather we didn't go through some protracted season-long farewell as Wigan did with Chris Ashton. His form and commitment to the cause didn't do the Pies (as well as his reputation) any favours and given our current difficulties a repeat of such could prove catastrophic.

Sure, we're likely to take a hit in terms of results as Kyle (when fit) is a game winner. But I'd rather we struggled to the finish line as one harmonious group - eagerly anticipating the challenge of what may be the most important season in the club's history - than a fractured, disjointed and disillusioned bunch of individuals each pointing fingers at each other.

I just can't see how bath wouldnt want him early, our season finishes in late october, after unions has started. Any player would need at least a month off after a long season before starting training, but kyle isnt the toughest of cookies to start with. Then he'll basically have to go to an intensive Union school, to learn the game, its harder than it looks to remember all the technicallities when you're in the heat of battle. I cant see how he'll be anywhere near ready for first team before march or april next year?! So bath will be paying a player for basically a whole season before he can start to play properly for them. That doesnt make much sense to me but hey ho.

The RU season ends in May. They will start pre season July / August and I would think that is when Eastmond may be released from his Saints contract.

I hope so, so we can prepare for next season by trying other options at 7.

I believe it's voluntary.

so they dont have one then!

A bit like Warrington's view of the salary cap then?

How long does it take to learn how to pile on?

it wont be like when jason robinson went and union was only just professional, and they were amazed by his fitness and skill, imo kyles got a tough test ahead of him

Almost identical to the Chris Ashton situation

Its hard to deny the old chap has a point though, its virtually identical, and i can see a similar result come August

He does have a point, it's similiar.

The only real difference is that Ashton was marginalised at Wigan, first by the club bringing Radlinski back and then by Noble signing Withers with the reports at the time stating he was expected to replace Ashton.

We on the other hand showed that we were prepared to back Eastmond by letting Long go and then by giving him the number 7 shirt.

He also has to learn how to not freeze to death while nothing is happening and the fat boys trundle up the pitch for another scrum (which will collapse 3 times resulting in a penalty).

Maybe he can count his money in between scrums.

No,
Ashton was Wigans third top appearance maker in 2006 with 27 appearances, Radlinskis 5 games were all at centre.
In 2007 Withers was signed as back up, and Ashton was given the number one jersey.
Ashton made 22 appearances, Withers 7.

Stick him in the reserves and let him rot while his contract runs out.

what a ridiculous statement !

not that long ago he was the bees knees at KR - he has to play if he's fit enough and if the coach feels he's motivated enough - he played well at Perpignan on saturday and we still need him to do a job

I know this. Ashton was in my Fantasy League side at the time. But this is what he would have read,

[urlhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/wigan/6211222.stm[/url

The key line being "Withers, who made 170 appearances for the Bulls, teams up again with his former boss Noble and is expected to take over the full-back role from youngster Chris Ashton"

But it didn't happen because Withers got injured