Bath Rugby: Matt Gallagher to join Italian club Benetton from next season

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Matt Gallagher has just a few months left with Bath Rugby before his move it Italy for next season

Matt Gallagher will leave Bath at the end of the 2023-24 season to join Italian side Benetton.

A graduate of Saracens' academy, utility back Gallagher made his senior competitive debut for Sarries against Ospreys in the 2014-15 Anglo-Welsh Cup.

Gallagher, 27, came to the Rec from Munster in the summer of 2022.

His last match, fitness and suspension allowing, could be in the final Premiership game of the season at home to Northampton on Saturday, 18 May.

It has been a busy month for Bath with multiple players signing contract extensions, with flanker Miles Reid the latest to agree new terms.

Benetton compete in the United Rugby Championship - formerly the Pro14 - alongside Irish, Welsh, Scottish and South African opposition.

It will be a different, new challenge for Gallagher who said he had "loved my time at Bath".

"I've probably played the most rugby consecutively in these two years and I've loved every single moment of it.

"The boys have been fantastic ever since I walked through the door and Bath being a big rugby city and The Rec being right in the middle, it has been a really cool experience," Gallagher .

Leaving Bath a 'very tough decision'

A versatile back who can play on either wing or at full-back, Gallagher has so far made 35 appearances, scoring eight tries.

"The decision to leave Bath at the end of this season was a very tough one to make because I am really enjoying my time here, we've still got a long way to go," he said.

"We've got a great core group of players and a world-class coaching set-up, from [head of rugby] Johann [van Graan], to [coaches] Lee [Blackett], JP [Ferreira], and all the backroom staff."

There are family and geographical reasoning behind the move too, as Gallagher explained.

He said: "Every bit of what we do here is aligned, so it was a really difficult decision to make, but my grandparents live in the north of Italy so that was a big factor for me that I can see them a lot more.

"It's also a big opportunity for me and my girlfriend to go and experience something different and we're really excited.

"That said, the season's not done yet at Bath and we really, really want to push on hard and hopefully achieve some silverware at the end of it."