Aviva Premiership
Eastmond close to Bath debut
ESPNscrum Staff
October 25, 2011
England and St Helens scrum-half Kyle Eastmond, England v Australia, Four Nations Grand Final, Elland Road, Leeds, England, November 14, 2009
England rugby league international Kyle Eastmond is close to making his Bath debut © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Kyle Eastmond
Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership
Teams: Bath Rugby | England

Bath are set to unleash cross-code signing Kyle Eastmond in the coming weeks with the former St Helens stars closing in on full fitness.

Eastmond agreed to join Bath in March after turning down a new contract with Super League club St Helens. The 22-year-old linked up with the club at the end of the Super League season but his debut has been delayed by a groin injury.

"He's probably seven to ten days away from being able to train," coach Brad Davis told BBC Radio Bristol. "He had an injury prior to joining us but the staff have been working extremely hard to get him in the right shape."

Eastmond did not feature in St Helens' last eight games of the season and Bath will slowly introduce him into rugby union. However Davis is convinced the England rugby league international has the ability to make an impact in the Aviva Premiership.

"We are excited about when he is going to be available but we'll probably drip-feed the rugby to him and let him bed in," added Davis. "We know he's a very talented individual and we have no doubts whatsoever that he's going to be a success. He's excited and can't wait to get out on the field and show what he can do."

Meanwhile, Bath expect New Zealand fly-half Stephen Donald to arrive at the club in the next two weeks following his successful role in the All Blacks' World Cup triumph.

"It was great to see him get on the field and he's got a World Cup winners' medal to show for it," Davis said. "Obviously he's got a lot of commitments there now but we'll see him in the not too distant future."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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