Rhys Priestland Signing Confirmed by Bath: Full Details, Comments and Reaction

Wales international fly-half Rhys Priestland is joining Bath from Scarlets at the end of the season, the Aviva Premiership club have confirmed:

Priestland had also been linked with a move to London Irish, per Sky Sports, but he has decided to join Bath.

He will become Bath's second big signing for next season after Glasgow Warriors scrum-half Niko Matawalu agreed to join last month, per the Bath Chronicle.

Priestland has scored over 1,000 points in almost 150 games for Scarlets, but the 27-year-old is now ready for a new challenge, telling Bath’s official website:

"

My entire rugby career has been spent in Wales and, although I've enjoyed that time enormously, I need a new challenge. I've been really impressed watching Bath develop over the past couple of years into one of the most exciting teams in the country. It’s a world-class organisation in every sense, including the players, coaching staff and facilities.

"

Bath Rugby head coach Mike Ford is also looking forward to having Priestland at his disposal next season, telling the club’s official website, "Rhys is a fantastic player with an impressive pedigree: his record with Scarlets and Wales speaks for itself. He’s got a wide range of talents that suit our game plan and he’ll make a great addition to our squad."

Priestland has won 32 caps for Wales after making his debut for his country in 2011. He also helped the team to reach the semi-finals of that year’s World Cup, however, he missed the 9-8 defeat by France in the semi-finals through injury.

He is no longer a first choice for Wales, though, after seeing Ospreys’ Dan Biggar reassert his own credentials to be the national team’s fly-half.

Priestland had also not been offered a national dual contract by the Welsh Rugby Union and Wales' four professional regions.

His experience will be of benefit to Bath, but one of the club's former players is not sure it is the right move for Priestland. Jeremy Guscott told BBC Radio Wales of his doubts: "He has a world-class game in him. When he's on form and when he's confident, he can dictate the tempo of the game and the direction of the game. If I was a player of his calibre, Bath would not be the club I would join."

David Rogers/Getty Images

Priestland's move to Bath will see him face stiff competition to get a place in his favoured fly-half position. England international George Ford is currently in possession of Bath's No. 10 shirt, and he will be hard for Priestland to dislodge.

However, Priestland can also play at full-back, and his versatility will provide head coach Mike Ford with quality cover in a couple of key positions.

With the likes of Kyle Eastmond and Sam Burgess also in the Bath ranks, Mike Ford is not short of attacking talent and he has clearly added to that with the signing of Priestland.

Though Priestland may not start next season as Mike Ford's first choice, his natural talent will give him every chance of pushing the head coach's son all the way when he links up with Bath in the summer.