At the end of the season Bath will have to decide whether they can keep or want to keep certain players whose contracts are up. There's a lot to consider as to whether a player is worth keeping or if money will be an issue. The team will have to find ways to become better as Bath will have to add by subtraction. There will be a lot of moving parts, so it will be interesting how the club will make in their personnel decisions. The team might promote from the academy, move players up the depth chart, or find outside help while navigating the salary cap waters. These decisions are not always easy. With that being said, here are the players out of contract and whether they should be worth keeping.
Levi Douglas
Douglas is a product of the academy, so there's some good reason to keep him. At worst, Douglas provides depth and that might be something worth keeping around. That being said, there is a lot of players ahead of him on the depth chart like Charlie Ewels, Josh McNally, Elliott Stooke, and Matt Garvey. There is also the possibility that the club could look for an option from outside the club, so if he is looking to find more playing time then it probably would be best for him to move on.
Keep or Not: Depends. Unless Douglas wants a more prominent role, might be worth keeping. That being said, probably won't.
Henry Thomas
Thomas is an excellent prop, but he has dealt with injuries this season. While it would be nice to keep him around for depth reasons, there are too many factors here against him staying. The injuries are a concern, but he is also 29, which makes it even harder to keep him. The club has a plethora of other props like Beno Obano, Lewis Boyce, Christian Judge, Will Stuart, Nathan Catt, and Lucas Noguera, so that likely means that the team will move on from him. Besides, he probably could find another club who could better use his services.
Keep or Not: Probably not. Unless he's willing to sign cheap and act as depth, it's time to move on. He would be a nice depth piece, but injuries and him probably looking for more playing time, it's a no.
Will Chudley
Chudley is an interesting case here. He is a smooth player with quick hands and speed as he is an underrated player for Bath. He could easily find a starting role elsewhere, but that possibly could still be at Bath. The scrumhalf situation next season is a big unknown as Rhys Webb will return to the Ospreys and Chris Cook is headed to the Bristol Bears leaving Oliver Fox and Max Green as the only options if Chudley chooses to leave. There is speculation that the team is in on the services of Saracens scrumhalf Ben Spencer, but if a move was finalized, there is no confirmation. Honestly, it would make a lot of sense to keep him for as he could start or finish matches, his skill set fits perfectly in the offense, and with the uncertainty of scrumhalf situation for next season it just makes sense to keep him.
Keep or Not: Keep. There is so much uncertainty with the scrumhalf position that re-signing him should be a priority. Even if the Ben Spencer rumors are true, he is a quality player to keep.
Jackson Willison
The journeyman back certainly has had an interesting career. He does provide depth, but he is 31 and that hurts his chances at coming back. With the acquisition of Cameron Redpath and the possible attempt to retain Josh Matavesi, it would seem difficult to keep Willison. With other such players on the squad as Jonathan Joseph, Max Clark, and Max Wright, along with the emergence and promotion of academy product Tom de Glanville (though he is listed as a flyhalf), it would seem hard to see Willison with the club next season. Plus, with the possibility of Max Ojomah being promoted from the academy, the writing might be on the wall.
Keep or Not: Not Keep. Yes, he's a good serviceable player, but Bath has a number of great centers that it wouldn't make sense to retain him. After Redpath's signing, Wright's contract extension, and with Ojomah looking to break into senior team, it's hard to see him stay.
Josh Matavesi
Matavesi is a dynamic player who makes the Bath offense more explosive. There has been talks about him possibly joining the Bristol Bears next season, he's certainly a player the club should try to retain. While the team does have other strong players like Joseph, Redpath, Wright, and de Glanville just in case Matavesi does depart, if the team can find the financials to keep him, then that should be a priority as his playmaking skills fits in well with Bath's offense. It will be interesting to see what happens once the season ends.
Keep or Not: Keep. Maybe not top priority considering all the center options the club has, but with his skillset and what he brings to this offense, it's worth trying to keep him.
Aled Brew
Like Willison, Brew is another journeyman back that provides a lot of depth. While he has been a good player for Bath, he is 33 and that would be hard to keep a wing at that age. The club already has Joe Cokanasiga, Ruaridh McConnochie, Anthony Watson, and Semesa Rokoduguni as well as the emergence and promotion of academy product Gabe Hamer-Webb plus Levi Davis (who is currently on loan with Ealing), so the team has a lot of depth there. It would seem unlikely that he returns.
Keep or Not: Not. Brew has played well for the club over the years, but it's time for the team to get younger. His experience is invaluable, but the club has enough options to move on from him.
Tom Homer
Now Homer is another interesting case here as the club has other options at fullback to replace him if he leaves, but he is a dynamic player. Bath has Darren Atkins, McConnochie, and Watson as well as the academy product George Worboys just in case Homer leaves, but he is a player the team should try hard to keep. Sure, he might be 30, but what he adds to the offense is valuable. It would be hard to replace what Homer brings to the club. Otherwise, some team will aggressively pursue his services.
Keep or Not: Keep. This should be a top priority for the club as Homer and his skillset are perfect for the team's offense. He's an outstanding player and losing him would be be hard to replace even though they have other options. Bath should push hard to keep him.
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