Michael Le Bourgeois set to leave Jersey after rejecting new deal

Jersey fly-half Michael Le Bourgeois is set to leave the Championship club after rejecting a new deal.

The 22-year-old was the first Jersey-born player to sign professional terms with the island side.

"Mikey had an offer some time ago to stay with us for next season, but he has elected not to sign the new deal," said Jersey boss Ben Harvey.

"We now understand that he and his agent are looking at alternative offers with other clubs."

Le Bourgeois has scored four tries and kicked 27 conversions and 29 penalties for Jersey as they survived their first season in English rugby's second tier.

He has been a virtual ever-present since they were in the old London One back in the 2008-09 season and has been part of the side which moved up from National Three to the Championship in successive seasons.

Jersey have signed two new fly-halves for next season, Ulster's Niall O'Connor and Aaron Penberthy of Cornish Pirates, and it seems unlikely there is a place left in the squad for Le Bourgeois or former Leicester number 10 Ross Broadfoot.

"Our new signings will offer real strength in the key fly-half position," Harvey said.

"Niall is a genuinely talented player, while Aaron is just 20 and has a very bright future in the game."

O'Connor, 25, joined Ulster from Connacht last summer and played in eight Celtic League matches, kicking 35 points.

Meanwhile, Jersey have also signed 27-year-old Wasps and former England Sevens lock Alex Rae.

He has made four replacement appearances for the Premiership club this season, having signed a short-term deal in February after four years at Bedford, for whom he played against Jersey in September.

"The fact that Alex was called up by a Premiership club in recent months is testament to his ability," Harvey added.

"He's also got vast experience at Championship level which I expect to be a real asset to Jersey."