Quote: nathan_rugby "Surely he will replace Keighran next year?
I recall Keighran signing a 2 year deal - Is there a 1 year in the clubs favour?
Maybe its too early for Zack to be our starting centre, so if we could keep Keighran for 1 more year that would be great, but not at the expense of risking losing Zack.'"
I think he will take that centre birth in 2026 however he will have to keep earning that right.
Keighran signed for 2 years and the shirt is rightfully his at the moment he will also still only be 28/29 at the start of the 2026 season so will still have plenty of rugby left in him and still be in what should be his career prime.
What goes with his age though will be an expectation of one last big contract and the fact he is on quota which goes against him.
If Eckersley continues like he is though whilst being a tough call to let a centre in Keighran go to accommodate him I’m sure they will make it. I think too it will depend on Miski, I can maybe see ZE taking Miski’s shirt in 2025 which if he does could see him settle there for a further year or 2 before he settles in the centre and he’d still only be 22/23.
Next year….and rest of this with his ability to play wing, centre and fullback he will still get plenty of opportunities to play and continue to develop in the match day 17.