BRISTOL are understood to be close to completing a deal to sign scrum-half Craig Hampson from GKIPA Championship promotion rivals Leeds.
The 23-year-old would join Bristol this summer – meaning that, for the rest of this season, he would effectively be competing against his future employers for promotion to the Aviva Premiership.
Bristol hope to conclude a deal for the highly-rated No 9 within the next week – which would add spice to their Championship trip to Headingley on March 23 and any potential play-off games against Leeds.
Hampson is one of a number of players Bristol are strongly pursuing – with the club increasingly hopeful of persuading Ospreys fly-half Matthew Morgan to join their revolution.
A number of other targets – from Britain, Ireland and beyond – have also been identified and offered deals ahead of next season.
If Bristol are to be promoted to the Premiership, it cannot happen before June 4 – the date of the second leg of the play-off final – which would offer them little time to prepare for life in the top flight.
So, director of rugby Andy Robinson and coach Sean Holley are working tirelessly to secure as many new faces as possible and prevent a mad, last-gasp dash for Premiership-standard signings in June and July.
Hampson, who has scored nine tries in 63 appearances for Leeds, has been one of the stand-out performers in the Championship this season, helping Leeds to second place behind Bristol.
With Bristol having already signed scrum-half Dwayne Peel for next season – and Luke Baldwin also being under contract – Hampson’s arrival would intensify the speculation surrounding the future of Callum Braley.
The England Under-20 captain has been linked with a move to Gloucester – and it is understood England are keen for him to join a club that is guaranteed a place in the Premiership next season.
Another of Bristol’s scrum-halves, the popular New Zealander Ruki Tipuna, is now almost certain to leave the club at the end of the season, while James Grindal also looks set to move on.
In addition to receiving encouraging signs in his quest for new recruits, Robinson has also been boosted by Jason Hobson’s return to contact training.
The 31-year-old prop has not featured since injuring his knee against Rotherham in November – but is now close to a return.
Sunday’s home game against Cornish Pirates will come too soon for the tighthead – but he may be in contention to face Leeds at Headingley two weeks later.
Bristol forwards coach Matt Ferguson said: “We’re at a stage now where we’re getting some boys back (from injury). Hobbo was on the field today doing a contact session, which is a good sign.
“That was the longest contact session he has done – we have phased him in. When you come back from an injury here at Bristol, you return to perform, not just to play, and that was the longest session he has done.
“This weekend will be too soon for him – and we will have to see how he responds to the amount of work he does.
“There is no urgency to rush him back – we’re happy with what those in the front row are doing – but it’s obviously pleasing to see him back out there. We want all of our players to be fit – and Hobbo is a natural leader.”
Article source: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/rugby-ireland-targeting-aerial-battle-043959731--spt.html
Leeds star Craig Hampson set to join Bristol Rugby
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