Elliott Stooke honoured to re-sign for Gallagher Premiership Rugby side Bath on loan - two years after leaving for Wasps

Lock Elliott Stooke says it's "an honour" to return to Gallagher Premiership Rugby side Bath - two and a half years after his move to Wasps.

The lock has rejoined the club on a loan spell until the end of the season from French Top 14 side Montpellier, just days after the French club announced the shock departure of head coach Richard Cockerill.

He had started all seven games in the Pro14 this season, and now returns to The Rec, where he will be looking to add to the 127 games he played for the club between 2016 and 2021.

"It's great to be back at Bath," he said. "Playing at The Rec is always such a memorable experience so to be able to come back to the club is an honour.

"I'm familiar with some of the faces here, from both my days at the club the first time around but also from my time at Wasps. It'll be good to work with Lee [Blackett] again and to get to play with Alfie [Barbeary] too.

"It's funny how things work out and I'm grateful to be given the opportunity to pull on the Blue, Black and White hoops once again."

It has been a turbulent couple of years for Stooke, who swapped Bath for Wasps in 2021, only for the club to go into administration 18-months later, leading to his departure.

The former Gloucester man, who stands at 6ft6, then had a short spell with Bristol, before moving to Montpellier at the start of the year.

He joins a club who are currently in second place in the Premiership, raising hopes they could be able to lift a first English title since 1996.

Johann van Graan's side have won four of their six fixtures so far, meaning they sit just two points behind table-topping Sale - whom they face at the Salford Stadium on Friday.

"Elliott will offer another option for us in our set-piece," said the Director of Rugby.

“Our line-out, maul and scrum are elements we’re consistently working on, so to add Elliott’s experience to these will only be a positive for us.

“He is familiar face with the Bath Rugby supporters and I’m sure they’ll give him a warm welcome when they see him at The Rec.”

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