Aviva Premiership
Eastmond to cross codes
ESPNscrum Staff
March 1, 2011
England and St Helens scrum-half Kyle Eastmond, England v Australia, Four Nations Grand Final, Elland Road, Leeds, England, November 14, 2009
Kyle Eastmond will cross codes at the end of the season © Getty Images
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England rugby league halfback Kyle Eastmond will cross codes at the end of the season to join Aviva Premiership side Bath.

St Helens, Eastmond's Super League club, confirmed on Tuesday that the 21-year-old had turned down their offer of a new contract.

He was on Monday omitted from the England wider training squad for the Four Nations by coach Steve McNamara, opening the door for him to sign a deal with Bath through to June 2014.

"St Helens have been fantastic with me since I joined them 10 years ago and I am deeply indebted to them for their amazing support," Eastmond said. "I intend to give everything to the club, its supporters and my fellow players in my final season."

The announcement of Eastmond's switch ends weeks of speculation over the player's future. Eastmond came through the Saints youth system after joining the club at the age of 13 and made his Super League debut at stand-off against Salford at the age of 17 in June 2007. He then won the first of four England caps against France in 2009 but missed all last year's internationals through injury.

His form in Saints' first three games this season has been indifferent however and he was booed off by supporters after Friday's loss to Warrington. Eastmond stormed off the pitch after that match and later issued a public apology to the club's fans for failing to acknowledge them.

Bath director of rugby Sir Ian McGeechan believes Eastmond will make a smooth transition from league to union. "Kyle is an exceptionally promising young talent, who has already developed a set of skills in league that will prove very useful in union," McGeechan said. "He's a hard working player who will fit in well with the squad here and we are all very excited about the opportunity to work with him."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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