Cloete the latest to swap Munster for Bath net season

Chris Cloete will follow Munster head coach Johann van Graan to Bath next season.

The South African flanker has agreed to join the Premiership club this summer, ending five seasons at Thomond Park.

Cloete has played 62 times for Munster since joining in 2017, scoring 11 tries, while he claimed the Pro14's Turnover King title in the 2021 for his ability to steal ball at the ruck.

The 31-year-old joins Bath along with Van Graan and the province's defence coach JP Ferreira.

"To play in the Premiership has always been a clear ambition, and I look forward to making a significant contribution as Bath move towards the top of the league," Cloete said.

"It is a fantastic club with great history, and the supporters deserve nothing less than a winning team."

Van Graan has been tasked with a major rebuild at Bath this season, with the club bottom of the Premiership table with just four wins from their 19 games this campaign.

Tarquin McDonald, chief executive of Bath said: "Chris will bring a new dimension to an impressive group of back row forwards, as we maintain our primary recruitment focus of adding power to the pack for next season. Negotiations with second row forwards are continuing."