Tapuai leaves Bath for Premiership rivals

Bath Rugby and Australia centre Ben Tapuai will join Harlequins at the end of the season.

Tapuai has spent the last two seasons with Bath following his arrival from Super Rugby outfit Western Force at the end of 2016.

The 29-year-old has played 40 times for the Blue, Black and White, scoring four tries.

Harlequins director of rugby John Kingston commented: “I am absolutely delighted to have secured Ben to join Harlequins next season. A number of clubs were interested in signing him and I was thrilled when he confirmed he wanted to come to us.

“Comfortable playing either 12 or 13, he is an excellent decision maker and footballing centre, who will undoubtedly provide a different dimension to our attacking game. We will also benefit from having an International quality player who will be available throughout the season.”

Tapuai, who has won seven caps for the Wallabies, said: “I’m delighted to be joining Quins and I’m very excited at the prospect of working with the playing squad, John and the coaching team.”

“Harlequins is an incredibly well supported and famous club. Playing in the Premiership has always been an ambition of mine so to be able to continue to play in one of the best club competitions in world rugby in the capital city for Quins is a prospect I’m very much looking forward to.

“I’d like to thank the Bath rugby family for giving me such a warm welcome and it will be sad to leave such a great club. I have made friends on and off the field that will live in the memory but at the same time I feel privileged to be joining Quins and I’m looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.”

Bath director of rugby Todd Blackadder said: “We would like to thank Taps for the contribution he has made to the Club since his arrival, and we’d like to wish him all the best for the future.

“There’s still a lot of rugby to be played between now and then, and I’m sure he will continue to make an impact in the last few months of the season.”