Chev Walker joins Bath Rugby

BATH RUGBY have signed Great Britain Rugby League international Chev Walker from the Leeds Rhinos in a deal supported by the Rugby Football Union.

He will link up with the Guinness Premiership club in November when the current Super League season finishes in a move that will see him stay at the Recreation Ground until at least the end of the 2008/09 season.

Even though he is only 23-year-old, Walker brings with him a wealth of experience, having been part of the Leeds Rhinos first team squad since he was sixteen and played for England and Great Britain.

Bath Rugby have been able to secure Walker’s signature as a result of support from the RFU and each is keen to ensure that his conversion to rugby union is a success both at club and international level.

England Head Coach Andy Robinson OBE said: “I am pleased that Bath have signed Chev and that a deal has been agreed between Bath and the RFU. I have been tracking him for some time and he has a lot to offer rugby union.”

RFU Chief Executive Francis Baron added: “Chev is highly rated by Brian Ashton and Andy Robinson, with great proven ability in rugby league and huge potential in rugby union. This is a smaller support package than for previous cross-code transfers (Jason Robinson, Henry Paul, Andy Farrell) but one we feel will be beneficial to Chev, England, and Bath Rugby.”

In 2004, Walker helped Leeds clinch the Super League title when they beat Bradford Bulls in the Grand Final, and by the end of the 2005 season he had scored 75 tries in 156 appearances for the Rhinos, a strike rate of one try every two games. He was also part of the Rhinos team which won the 2005 World Club Challenge when Leeds defeated the Canterbury Bulldogs.

Walker played for England in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup and made his Great Britain debut in 2004 just after his 18th birthday, coming off the bench against Australia in the opening game of that year’s Tri-Nations competition. In total Walker has six caps for Great Britain and six for England and has league representative honours with England A, England Under-21s and Yorkshire.

Walker said: “After eight seasons with Leeds Rhinos, it is time for a new challenge with the end of my Rhinos contract coinciding with my 24th birthday.

“Rugby union offers a new stage club and potentially international level. Having decided to switch codes, Bath Rugby offers the promise of an exciting brand of rugby at a traditional union club with a great heritage."

Bath Director of Rugby Jack Rowell said: “Chev is a young player with proven skills in the cauldron of Super League and he has also represented Great Britain. He has made a strong impact in rugby league and is now coming to rugby union. He is a quick, powerful and skilful player who will reinforce the Bath Rugby back line.

“He is joining a great club in Bath Rugby and he will have one eye on translating his talents onto the international field with England. However patience will be needed with Chev as it will take time for him to adapt to rugby union as other players who have crossed between the codes have shown.”

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