Leinster lock Ross Molony confirms Bath switch

Leinster second row Ross Molony has confirmed he will join English Premiership side Bath next season.

The 29-year-old has agreed a three-year contract to work under former Munster boss Johann van Graan at The Rec.

The second row has played 177 times for the province since his debut in 2015, has won four URC titles with Leinster, and was part of the wide squad that won the Champions Cup in 2018. Molony also started in each of the 2022 and 2023 Champions Cup final defeats.

"Ross is a true professional and his journey in rugby is a testament to this," Bath coach Van Graan said.

"His work ethic and leadership are some of his key characteristics and I believe he will play a huge part in our journey in the next number of years. What struck me is the quality of a human being Ross is."

While Molony fended off competition from Jason Jenkins to be a first choice lock for Leo Cullen last season, the former St Michael's College man has seen Joe McCarthy leapfrog him in the pecking order, while the future arrival of RG Snyman may well have played a part in his decision to move on.

Moloney, who played for the Irish Wolfhounds in 2022 but has never earned a senior cap for Ireland, will likely have been tempted by the security of his Bath contract.

The 6ft 6in second row, who turns 30 next month, has agreed a three-year deal at The Rec, while Leinster traditionally deal in one and two-year contracts.

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