By Duncan Wood
May 3 2002

There have been various transfer rumours regarding Bristol's international second row, Garath Archer, in recent weeks. The Western Daily Press today suggests that Bridgend have definitely made a move for him.

The first rumour regarding a supposed move from Bristol emerged around about the time of the away game at Leeds. On this occasion, he was linked with a move to Premiership rivals, Sale. This was flatly denied and Arch insisted that he would be seeing out the final year of his contract.

The link with Bridgend only emerged this week. Bridgend have just appointed Allan Lewis as their Director of Rugby on a three year deal and are obviously looking towards next season. They also have a lock missing through meningitis, Chris Stephens.

The rumour was flatly denied by both parties earlier this week with Bridgend owner Leighton Samuel being quoted as follows:

"These reports are rubbish. We are always interested in quality players but Garath Archer is not going to come here."

However, the Western Daily Press has run a piece today (Friday) where Samuel claims that they are interested in Archer, have made him an offer and are just waiting for the player to get back to them.

Obviously, if a move is in the offing, the player is under contract and some sort of fee will have to be paid or arrangement made.

It's a dilemma for Bristol. We always look a better team when he's in the side. He seems to add that edge to the team. However, he misses games for disciplinary reasons the back problem that has nagged him in recent seasons seems to have flared up again.

In fact, Arch is a doubt for Sunday's game against Leicester and, indeed, for the remaining fixtures this season. If he does miss them and a move is imminent, we may well have seen the last of him in a Bristol shirt.

A lot of this is rumour and speculation. The only definite quote from the player himself is that he intends to see out his contract. The statement from Bridgend in the WDP today leads you to believe that there's no smoke without fire...

If Arch were to move on, then the club would certainly be a duller place without him!