Piers Francis will be leaving Bath Rugby to join Kurita Water Gush Akishima Rugby Club in Japan.
The 33-year-old back, who joined the Blue, Black and White from Northampton Saints, has decided to take on a new challenge overseas after spending just over a year at the southwest club.
Francis made 20 appearances for Bath during this time, scoring 109 points including two tries.
Francis said: “I am very grateful to Johann (van Graan) and Bruce (Craig) for giving me the opportunity to join such a historic club.
“Thanks to all the coaches, physios, and athletic performance staff for investing their time and effort into improving me as a player and person on a daily basis.
“The staff at the club have made my and my family’s experience a special one and their work is much appreciated. I hope my contribution has left the club in a better place and I wish everybody every success in the future.”
Born in Gravesend, Francis was a member of the Saracens Academy in his teens before moving to New Zealand aged 18 where he played provincial rugby for both Auckland and Waikato.
He returned to the UK with Edinburgh in 2012 and after injury, rediscovered his form in the Championship with Doncaster Knights before heading back to the Southern Hemisphere for further ITM Cup rugby with Counties Manukau.
After a strong showing in a side coached by Tana Umaga, Francis followed the All Black great to Super Rugby franchise Blues for the 2016 season, scoring 117 points in 24 matches.
In 2017, he was signed by Northampton Saints and was subsequently selected by England for a summer tour of Argentina, where he earned two caps, crossing the whitewash once.
Francis has nine caps to his name in total and appeared at the 2019 Rugby World Cup and collected 197 points in 83 Premiership, European and Premiership Rugby Cup games for Saints before joining Bath Rugby in 2022.
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