Aviva Premiership
Claassens confirms Bath exit
ESPN Staff
April 11, 2013
Bath's Michael Claassens celebrates his try, Bath v Sale Sharks, Aviva Premiership, The Recreation Ground, Bath, England, December 3, 2011
Michael Claassens will leave Bath with France his likely destination © Getty Images
Enlarge
Related Links
Players/Officials: Michael Claassens
Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership

Bath Rugby scrum-half Michael Claassens has confirmed that he will leave the Aviva Premiership club at the end of the season.

The eight-cap Springboks No.9 is rumoured to be on Toulon's radar as they look to bolster their resources ahead of next season. Claassens has been at the Rec since 2007 and has been one of their key players. He has made more than 160 first team appearances for Bath, with just 12 of those outings having been off the replacements' bench.

Claassens admits it was a tough decision but he is looking forward to a new challenge. "This has been a very difficult decision for me to make, but one I feel is right," Claassens said. "I have loved my time here at Bath. I originally came for two years, and have ended up staying for six.

"I've worked with some fantastic coaches and players, and my wife and I have made many good friends since we moved over, but just feel it is the right time to make a change and have a new challenge."

Bath head coach Gary Gold added: "Mikey has been a wonderful player for Bath. On and off the field he is the ultimate professional, and his good nature will be missed greatly. We completely respect his decision to move on though, and he goes with all our best wishes as he looks to continue his career elsewhere."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices