Bailey makes hard decision to depart

Fly-half Orlando Bailey has left Bath Rugby to join Leicester Tigers ahead of the 2025/26 season in a bid to play more regular rugby in the Gallagher Premiership.

- John Evely

Bailey, 23, had another year on his contract with champions Bath but has been allowed to leave his boyhood club having made 99 appearances for in five seasons after debuting as an 18-year-old.

Capable of playing fly-half, full-back or centre, Bailey has registered almost 300 points for Bath but with Scotland star Finn Russell signing a contract extension, the arrival of Santi Carreras from Gloucester Rugby and the emergence of Ciaran Donoghue, his playing opportunities next season looked limited.

The former England U20s back, who he was included in the England senior men's squad ahead of the 2022 Six Nations and featured for the national side against the Barbarians at Twickenham that year, said: "I am lucky and excited to be moving to a historic club, with a bright future and I'm feeling ready to take on this new challenge.

"Leicester Tigers is a club I've always respected, and I am looking to contribute towards future success on the pitch."