England international set to leave Bath for Japan

Bath have announced that former England centre Piers Francis will be leaving the club in order to join Japan's Kurita Water Gush Akishima Rugby Club.

The 33-year-old joined Bath in the summer of 2022 from Northampton Saints and will leave the Rec having made 20 appearances and scored 109 points. Francis earned the last of his nine England caps at the 2019 World Cup.

Japan will be the fourth country Francis has played in having previously played for Edinburgh in 2012 and the Blues in Super Rugby in 2016.

Francis said: “I am very grateful to Johann (van Graan) and Bruce (Craig) for giving me the opportunity to join such a historic club. Thanks to all the coaches, physios, and athletic performance staff for investing their time and effort into improving me as a player and person on a daily basis. The staff at the club have made my and my family’s experience a special one and their work is much appreciated. I hope my contribution has left the club in a better place and I wish everybody every success in the future.”

Bath head coach Johann van Graan said: “Piers is one of the best professionals I have ever had the pleasure of coaching, in terms of the standards he sets himself in training, recovery, and preparation, through to the way he carries himself off the pitch – a true role model for any young players looking to reach the very top of the game. Whilst we recognise his departure will be a big loss to our squad, we appreciate this is a brilliant opportunity for Piers to take on an exciting new challenge overseas and we wish him, his wife Amanda, and his young family all the very best for what lies ahead.”