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Two internationals among 8 players to leave Bath

Johann van Graan - PA

Bath have confirmed the departure of eight players, including Scotland international Darcy Rae, at the end of the season.

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Rae, who joined Bath in 2021, has been a consistent performer for the club, having played in 44 matches out of a possible 52 Premiership and European fixtures, as well as a Premiership Rugby Cup outing.

The tighthead prop has been praised for his durability and his attitude of putting the team first, making him a valuable member of the Bath squad. DoR Johann van Graan said that Rae has “has been an exceptionally dependable team man for us. He holds an attitude to always put the team first which is very commendable. A proper member of the front row club, we wish him well for what is next.”

Russian prop Valeriy Morozov is also leaving. Morozov first arrived at The Rec as injury cover for Beno Obano in the 2021/22 season and made 13 appearances in the second half of the campaign following a debut in the Heineken Champions Cup against Stade Rochelais. After a brief stint at Worcester Warriors, he returned to Bath in October 2022.

In addition to Rae and Morozov, the six other players leaving Bath are Darren Atkins, Tom Doughty, Max Green, Gabriel Hamer-Webb, Will Spencer, and Wesley White. Bath Rugby has thanked them for their significant contribution to the club and wished them all the best in their future ventures.

“The contribution of these men to Bath Rugby has been significant,” said van Graan. “We wish nothing but the best for Daz, Doughts, Greeny, Gabe, Val, D’Arcy, Spenny and Wes in their next ventures.

“They have had a positive influence on our group throughout the season and we have enjoyed having them as part of our journey. I have no doubt they will succeed in their future endeavours. We wish them all the very best of luck for what’s next.”

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G
GrahamVF 1 hour ago
Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

"has SA actually EVER helped to develop another union to maturity like NZ has with Japan," yes - Argentina. You obviously don't know the history of Argentinian rugby. SA were touring there on long development tours in the 1950's

We continued the Junior Bok tours to the Argentine through to the early 70's

My coach at Grey High was Giepie Wentzel who toured Argentine as a fly half. He told me about how every Argentinian rugby club has pictures of Van Heerden and Danie Craven on prominent display. Yes we have developed a nation far more than NZ has done for Japan. And BTW Sa players were playing and coaching in Japan long before the Kiwis arrived. Fourie du Preez and many others were playing there 15 years ago.


"Isaac Van Heerden's reputation as an innovative coach had spread to Argentina, and he was invited to Buenos Aires to help the Pumas prepare for their first visit to South Africa in 1965.[1][2] Despite Argentina faring badly in this tour,[2] it was the start of a long and happy relationship between Van Heerden and the Pumas. Izak van Heerden took leave from his teaching post in Durban, relocated to Argentina, learnt fluent Spanish, and would revolutionise Argentine play in the late 1960s, laying the way open for great players such as Hugo Porta.[1][2] Van Heerden virtually invented the "tight loose" form of play, an area in which the Argentines would come to excel, and which would become a hallmark of their playing style. The Pumas repaid the initial debt, by beating the Junior Springboks at Ellis Park, and emerged as one of the better modern rugby nations, thanks largely to the talents of this Durban schoolmaster.[1]"


After the promise made by Junior Springbok manager JF Louw at the end of a 12-game tour to Argentina in 1959 – ‘I will do everything to ensure we invite you to tour our country’ – there were concerns about the strength of Argentinian rugby. South African Rugby Board president Danie Craven sent coach Izak van Heerden to help the Pumas prepare and they repaid the favour by beating the Junior Springboks at Ellis Park.

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