Bath confirm Stooke exit

Gallagher Premiership finalists Bath have confirmed that popular lock Elliott Stooke is leaving the club.

The 30-year-old returned to Bath in November last year and played an important role in helping Bath to within 80 minutes of winning their first league title of the professional era.

However, Bath will have to make do without his services in the 2024/25 season when they will look to go one better and bring the Premiership trophy back to The Rec.

Stooke, who previously spent five years at Bath from 2016-2021 before joining Wasps and later Montpellier, made 14 appearances in the Premiership and Champions Cup this season, including as a replacement in this year’s  final against Northampton.

The 6ft 6 lock said: “I had a great time at Bath, it was a shame we couldn’t get it over the line, but I believe in what Johann (van Graan) and team are doing and silverware for this team isn’t far away.”

Van Graan added: “What a brilliant team man Elliott is. He made a great return to Bath this season both on and off the field. We wish him the very best, and I can’t speak highly enough of him. His best is definitely yet to come.”