Since my last musings on who Bath Rugby's next fly-half will be, I believe Barry John has now dropped out of the reckoning.

And fellow Welshman Gavin Henson, who could well be casting around for a new club should Toulon convert his suspension for brawling into an expulsion, is also unlikely to be pulling on the blue, black and white.

Bath assistant coach Brad Davis didn't exactly leap up with excitement on Tuesday when it was conveyed to him by members of the press that L'Equipe was reporting that Henson would be having his contract terminated.

So don't expect Bath to be putting in any offers for the Glamorgan glamour boy. Chairman Bruce Craig and Sir Ian McGeechan are seeking a harder edge for next season and Henson's flaky unpredictability and all- consuming self- obsession just wouldn't fit.

In culinary terms, Henson would be a bit like a shiny glacé cherry atop a meaty shepherd's pie – a good-looking distraction to the satisfying main event.

A goodly number of the galaxy's stand- offs have been linked to a Rec move over the past four months or so but the truth is that the Bath management have been batting away the questions like Geoff Boycott on a good wicket.

Craig has conceded to me that securing All Black pivot Dan Carter is highly unlikely, given the restraints caused by the English game's salary cap.

And when you consider that the likes of Racing Metro – Craig's former club, ironically enough – are reportedly offering Carter close to £4million for a three-year sojourn in Paris, then it looks like the Kiwi can be scrubbed off the list.

Bath did make preliminary enquiries into the availability of Newcastle's Jimmy Gopperth earlier this season and South African Derick Hougaard has been approached but both would seem to be outside bets.

Australian playmaker Berrick Barnes was another who Bath signalled their interest in but the Waratahs inside back turned down "enticing" offers from the northern hemisphere to remain Down Under.

Australia and Queensland Reds fly-half Quade Cooper, meanwhile, would certainly provide flair behind the pack and pull in the crowds. He also has the added benefit of being available after the World Cup, assuming he rejects the overtures of Australian rugby league sides.

Whoever Bath finally sign, it looks like an announcement will be made in May. Until then, just watch that rumour mill spin.

Congratulations to Bath skipper Luke Watson for being short-listed for the Aviva Premiership's Performance of the Season.

The South African's heroic effort against Leicester at Welford Road in October is in the running alongside performances by Tom Johnson of Exeter Chiefs and Leeds' Hendre Fourie.

I seem to recall that even Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill was complimentary about Watson's showing that day.

And if it was enough to impress a notoriously hard-to-please taskmaster like Cockers, then Watson must be in with a shout.