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It’s the rumour Bath Rugby fans had been praying wasn’t true.

Matt Banahan - the club’s longest-serving player - will join West Country rivals Gloucester at the end of the season.

The 31-year-old will follow the likes of Mike Tindall and Olly Barkley up to Kingsholm to trade in his blue, black and white hoops for cherry and white.

Banahan, who has 16 England caps, joined from London Irish Academy in 2006.

With 90 first-team tries, he is joint sixth on the club's all-time list and broke the 250-appearance barrier against Toulon at the Rec in the Champions Cup.

As previously reported, Banahan initially had no intention of leaving the club when his five-year contract expired this summer.

In October, Bath offered him a new two-year deal, on the same salary as he has been on since 2013, and gave him a deadline to make a decision.

Banahan did not agree to those terms, the deadline passed and no revised offer was made.

Both Gloucester and Bristol were interested in bringing in the versatile back and, as has also been reported in today's Rugby Paper, Gloucester will be his next club.

The married father-of-three moved to a new house in the Bath area earlier this year and renovation works are still ongoing.

Although it will not be popular with the Bath supporters who have cheered him on over the years, the Chronicle understands Banahan felt a club close to home and a better contract financially was the best option for him and his family.

According to the Rugby Paper, London Irish winger Joe Cokanasiga and Worcester centre Jackson Willison are possible targets for Bath.

The club already needed a centre – with 34-year-old James Wilson only on a deal to the end of the season – but such is Banahan’s versatility they may need to bring in two players to replace him.

(Image: Merv Clingan/Taking Pictures (Sport) Ltd)

He has played in every position from 11 to 15 so far this season.

Amongst many highlights of his Bath career, the one that stands out for many was becaming the first player to score a Premiership play-off hat-trick, in the 47-10 thrashing of Leicester Tigers at the Rec in 2015.

Banahan has missed the last two games with a minor foot injury but should be back in action soon.