Bath have confirmed that Elliott Stooke will be leaving Bath Rugby at the end of this 2023/24 season.
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Stooke re-joined the Blue, Black and White last November having previously played for the club before leaving in 2021 to sign for Wasps and later Montpellier.
The 6ft6 lock made 14 appearances for Bath during the 2023/24 season, including as a replacement in this year’s Premiership final against Northampton Saints.
Stooke 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 and team are doing and silverware for this team isn’t far away.”
Head of Rugby, Johann van Graan, said: “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.”
Bath to sign six players after Premiership final defeat
Bath’s recent spending spree shows no sign of slowing down with the black, blue and whites having already confirmed six signings for next season.
#1. Guy Pepper
The 20-year-old joins the Blue, Black and White from Newcastle Falcons.
The 20-year-old, former England U20s back row has agreed to join Bath Rugby for the start of the 2024/25 season initially until the summer of 2027.
Hailing from Harrogate, Pepper is a product of the Newcastle Falcons Academy having made 22 appearances for the North East club.
In his first seven appearances for Falcons, the commanding 6ft 3in back rower scored three tries in his 2022/23 breakthrough season.
Bursting onto the international scene earlier this year after playing for England A in their victory over Portugal in February, Pepper was named in Steve Borthwick’s England training squad for their Guinness Six Nations finale against France.
Pepper comes from a strong rugby family, with his father Martin being an ex-Harlequins player, and brother Max representing Great Britain in Sevens code.
He is also completing a degree in Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Durham which he will complete remotely on a part-time basis during his time at Bath.
Head of Rugby, Johann van Graan, said: “Guy is one of the most talented and exciting back rowers in the English game. His hunger to improve and develop is evident and I believe he will be a big part of our team in the years to come.”