Former Sale favourite Valery Morozov joins Bath

Bath have announced that former Sale Sharks prop Valery Morozov has joined them for the remainder of the 2021/22 season.

The Russian international loose head who has won 33 caps for his country is well known to Gallagher Premiership followers following a two-year spell in Manchester which ended earlier this year – a season ahead of schedule – for ‘personal reasons.’

The 27-year-old arrives at the Rec from CSKA Moscow and has begun training with his new teammates at Farleigh House.

West on playing for France

West on playing for France

Morozov made his Russia debut in 2016 and went on to help the Bears win the Cup of Nations that year.

He made four appearances at the 2019 Rugby World Cup by which point he had also made the move to England with Sale Sharks.

The 6ft 3 forward is a dynamic scrummager who became a key part of the front row at the AJ Bell Stadium, featuring 37 times in a two-year spell which included Premiership Rugby Cup success.

Bath’s statement explained that Morozov will “provide cover in the loosehead position with Beno Obano sidelined for the remainder of the 2021/22 campaign.”

Director of Rugby Stuart Hooper said: “Valery is a high-calibre prop with international experience.

“He has solid fundamentals including excellent scrummaging ability. His ball-carrying challenges defences and he will significantly add to our pack for the remainder of the season.”

Prior to joining Sale Morozov played for Enisei-STM for three seasons between 2015 and 2018 before Andrei Ostrikov and Vadim Cobilas recommended him to then Sharks boss Steve Diamond.

Unless COVID-19 intervenes, bottom-of-the-table Bath next face London Irish at the Brentford Community Stadium on Monday afternoon before hosting Worcester Warriors at the Rec six days later.

Hooper’s team are then scheduled to resume their Heineken Champions Cup campaign with a tough looking trip to La Rochelle before multiple winners Leinster make the journey across the Irish Sea in the competition’s closing round of pool stage action.