England international Beno Obano is set to bring his long association with Bath Rugby to an end, with the loosehead prop reportedly agreeing a move to France for the 2027/28 season.
According to L’Équipe, the 31-year-old has agreed a two-year contract with Top 14 side Section Paloise, with the deal finalised between the two parties in recent hours.
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Obano set for Pau move
Obano will remain with Bath for the 2026/27 campaign before making the switch to Pau next year.
The England international had reportedly been considering his future for several weeks, with extending his stay at Bath among the options on the table.
Remaining in the Premiership would have allowed Obano to continue pushing for a place in Steve Borthwick’s plans ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
However, there was significant interest from France.
L’Équipe reports that Bordeaux-Bègles had also spoken to Obano as they searched for a replacement for Jefferson Poirot.
Pau, who finished fourth in the Top 14 last season, ultimately proved the most convincing and have now secured his signature on a two-year agreement.
End of a long Bath association
The move will bring an end to a lengthy association with Bath for Obano, who first joined the club’s academy system as a teenager.
He has since established himself as a major part of the Bath front row and featured 25 times during the 2025/26 campaign, making 20 starts.
Obano has also forced his way back onto the international scene.
The powerful loosehead featured against France A in June before earning his fifth England cap against South Africa in July.
His move to France will inevitably raise questions over his international future, particularly with the World Cup approaching.
