Bailey searching for new club

JAMES BAILEY has officially ended his time at Kingsholm and

is currently looking for a new club.

The winger had been hopeful of a transfer to French outfit

Toulon, but that move has fallen through in the last month,

making him a free agent.

Bailey, who turned 25 yesterday, was offered a new contract

by Gloucester but took the decision to look elsewhere at the

back end of last season after four years with the club.

“The club and I came to a mutual agreement that I would

leave,” he said.

“I felt I wasn't getting the number of first team

opportunities I needed to show what I can do at this stage of

my career.

“I leave with no bad feeling. I have met some great friends

and had a great time playing rugby for Gloucester.

“Hopefully our paths will cross again in the future.”

Bailey, who joined from rivals Bristol in 2004, says there

are clubs both at home and in France interested in his

signature.

He is also pursuing a central contract with the England

Sevens outfit, with the World Cup in the shortened form of the

game coming up this season.

This after the Toulon move was called off just as Bailey was

due to fly out and sign.

“I think the deal went flat after Toulon failed to sign Dan

Carter,” he said.

“They wanted to sign a high profile southern hemisphere

player so everything was put on hold when that fell

through.

“Now they've signed Sonny Bill Williams (from rugby league)

and haven't been back in touch.”

Bailey, known for his raw speed, made 48 starts for

Gloucester and scored 13 tries during his time at

Kingsholm.

His most famous try came against Wasps at Kingsholm in the

2005/2006 season, finishing off a length of the field move

involving Ryan Lamb and James Simpson-Daniel.

“Sinbad was the major part of that move, but it was nice to

finish it off,” Bailey added.

Personal highlights for the London-born star include winning

the Middlesex Sevens in 2005 and the European Challenge Cup

final win in 2006.

He said: “The sevens win sticks out because it was a team

full of young guys out to show what they could do. And winning

the Challenge Cup was big because of the style of rugby we

played along the way to the final.

“I'll never forget either day.”

Bailey made just 10 starts for Gloucester last season, but

attracted plaudits for his performances when asked to switch to

full back due to injuries and players being called up to

international duty.