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Cape Town - If there is truth in the rumours that have been doing the rounds lately in rugby circles, then Stormers and Springbok loose forward Francois (Flo) Louw could be continuing his rugby career at the end of this year in the Northern Hemisphere.
Click to vote and WIN in the Sport24 Annual Awards
Louw announced his arrival in Super rugby last year with a bang, where his determined playing style and merciless defence earned him a Springbok jersey.
But when the Bok tour group to Europe was announced at the end of October 2010, the grandson of Jan Pickard was left out against all expectations.
Rumours are circulating, however, that English club Bath will soon come looking for a substitute for Luke Watson, and that Louw's name is first on the list.
Watson, a former Springbok and Stormers captain, is in the last stretch of his contract with Bath and is set to join the Eastern Province Kings.
A Bath management team, possibly led by celebrated coach Ian McGeechan, is now looking for a loose forward "of world-class quality", who will have no trouble filling Watson's shoes – someone like Louw.
It would appear that no formal discussions have yet been held, and, although the Brits may get on the plane quietly optimistic, such a mission might well be regarded as opportunistic.
Louw is only 25 years old, and his best rugby is probably yet to come.
He will definitely have his eye on the World Cup tournament in New Zealand in September.
A good Super series could also convince the Bok selectors that Louw is a better choice in the squad than Deon Stegmann of the Bulls.
Modifications to the application of the rules at breakdown points have been to the advantage of attacking teams over the past year.
In addition, bigger ball carriers with efficient ball fetcher instincts – like Louw – have been preferred to smaller "diggers" like Stegmann and even Heinrich Brüssow of the Cheetahs.
For this year, the International Rugby Board has not suggested modifications to the rule applications that will influence loose forward play.
That is why players like Richie McCaw, David Pocock and Louw at their best still make the grade.
Allister Coetzee, head coach of the Stormers, said this week that teams which can dominate the game at the breakdown points in the Super15 would count amongst the top teams at the end.
"I think the fight at the breakdown points will this year be very tough and it is the one facet where a team has to be really sharp.
"We are positive about this kind of rugby, and have in the past scored many tries with it. Our defence system remains exactly the same.
"Out of our good defence we build confidence to also play attacking rugby. Defence is therefore important but I again emphasise how important play at the breakdown points will be," said Coetzee.
Louw this week sustained a light thigh injury and will miss the Stormers' warm-up matches against the Lions and Sharks later this month.
He should, however, be ready to begin the Super 15 with Schalk Burger and Duane Vermeulen in the loose trio.
Cape Town - If there is truth in the rumours that have been doing the rounds lately in rugby circles, then Stormers and Springbok loose forward Francois (Flo) Louw could be continuing his rugby career at the end of this year in the Northern Hemisphere.
Click to vote and WIN in the Sport24 Annual Awards
Louw announced his arrival in Super rugby last year with a bang, where his determined playing style and merciless defence earned him a Springbok jersey.
But when the Bok tour group to Europe was announced at the end of October 2010, the grandson of Jan Pickard was left out against all expectations.
Rumours are circulating, however, that English club Bath will soon come looking for a substitute for Luke Watson, and that Louw's name is first on the list.
Watson, a former Springbok and Stormers captain, is in the last stretch of his contract with Bath and is set to join the Eastern Province Kings.
A Bath management team, possibly led by celebrated coach Ian McGeechan, is now looking for a loose forward "of world-class quality", who will have no trouble filling Watson's shoes – someone like Louw.
It would appear that no formal discussions have yet been held, and, although the Brits may get on the plane quietly optimistic, such a mission might well be regarded as opportunistic.
Louw is only 25 years old, and his best rugby is probably yet to come.
He will definitely have his eye on the World Cup tournament in New Zealand in September.
A good Super series could also convince the Bok selectors that Louw is a better choice in the squad than Deon Stegmann of the Bulls.
Modifications to the application of the rules at breakdown points have been to the advantage of attacking teams over the past year.
In addition, bigger ball carriers with efficient ball fetcher instincts – like Louw – have been preferred to smaller "diggers" like Stegmann and even Heinrich Brüssow of the Cheetahs.
For this year, the International Rugby Board has not suggested modifications to the rule applications that will influence loose forward play.
That is why players like Richie McCaw, David Pocock and Louw at their best still make the grade.
Allister Coetzee, head coach of the Stormers, said this week that teams which can dominate the game at the breakdown points in the Super15 would count amongst the top teams at the end.
"I think the fight at the breakdown points will this year be very tough and it is the one facet where a team has to be really sharp.
"We are positive about this kind of rugby, and have in the past scored many tries with it. Our defence system remains exactly the same.
"Out of our good defence we build confidence to also play attacking rugby. Defence is therefore important but I again emphasise how important play at the breakdown points will be," said Coetzee.
Louw this week sustained a light thigh injury and will miss the Stormers' warm-up matches against the Lions and Sharks later this month.
He should, however, be ready to begin the Super 15 with Schalk Burger and Duane Vermeulen in the loose trio.
