³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

Lock Elliott Stooke has re-joined Bath until the end of the season from French Top 14 side Montpellier.

The 30-year-old returns to The Rec just over two years after he ended a five-year spell with the Premiership club.

He has scored one try in seven games for Montpellier this season, having joined them in January after a short-term deal at Bristol came to an end.

Stooke left Bath in 2021 to join Wasps and spent a season with the club before they went bust last year.

"Elliott will offer another option for us in our set-piece," said Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan.

"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."

Stooke, who began his career at Gloucester, played more than 120 games for Bath and has been involved in England's under-20 side and England Saxons.

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

"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."