28 October 2014

Bath Rugby can confirm that loosehead prop Paul James will be joining Ospreys Rugby at the end of the season.

The 32-year-old, who has been capped 55 times by Wales, will return to the Swansea-based region from which he joined Bath in 2012. He has made 59 appearances so far for the West Country side, during which time he has played an integral part in the resurgence of the Club's pack as one of the most formidable in the Aviva Premiership.

"I can't speak highly enough of the people here at Bath, in terms of both the Club and its supporters," said James. "From a family perspective, it's been a wonderful experience for us living here too, but it's the right time for us to move back home to Wales. However, there's still a lot to play for here at Bath and I look forward to finishing this season on a high with the team."

Bath Rugby Head Coach Mike Ford said: "Paul has been an outstanding competitor for the Club since his arrival. He's a great leader, a guy who turns up to training with the right attitude every day and gives you everything he's got on matchday. We wish him the best of luck with his move."

James was last week named in Warren Gatland's Wales squad for the Autumn Series, where they will face Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and South Africa at the Millennium Stadium.