Gray released by the club

Utility back Alex Gray left Bath Rugby over the summer the club have confirmed.

The former Atlanta Falcons’ tight-end signed with the Gallagher Premiership club in November 2020 on a short-term deal which has not been extended as he struggled to break into the Blue, Black and White’s matchday squad, making just six appearances.

Gray, 30, had an established career in rugby playing for Yorkshire Carnegie, London Irish, Newcastle Falcons and England Sevens, before switching to American Football where he spent three years in the Falcon’s practice squad.

The practice squad train with the first team but do not dress for games. It is the situation former England winger Christian Wade has been in since switching to the NFL from Wasps.

Gray was brought in as an option both in the centre and on the wing and at 6ft 6in and weighing in at 113kg he added some extra muscle to the backline.

The powerful back made debut in Bath’s 27-22 win over Sale Sharks in February before contributing to last-gasp victory over Leicester Tigers at home as well as helping the club reach the Challenge Cup semi-final by beating London Irish.

However with the likes of England internationals Anthony Watson, Ruaridh Mcconnochie, Joe Cokanasiga and Semesa Rokoduguni able to play on the wing, alongside 2020/21 Breakthrough Player of the Year Will Muir and homegrown trio Gabriel Hamerwebb, Gabe Goss and Darren Atkins, director of rugby Stuart Hooper decided he had enough cover in the backline.

Hooper said: “Alex was fantastic to have at the club and he deserved the appearances he made at the backend of the season,”

“It was good to have him around, but with squad strong in that area, there wasn’t a position for him going into this season.

“We wish him all the best in his next challenge.”

Ins: Will Butt (academy), Arthur Cordwell (academy), Johannes Jonker (Ealing Trailfinders), D’arcy Rae (Glasgow Warriors), Kieran Verden (academy), Jaco Coetzee (The Stormers), Danny Cipriani (unattached)

Outs: Ross Batty (retirement), Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors), Oli Cattell (retired), Will Chudley (Worcester Warriors), Sam Elrick (released), Simone Elrick (released), Alex Gray (released), Xavier Hastings (released), Tom Jeanes (retired) Christian Judge (Worcester Warriors), Zach Mercer (Montpellier), Rhys Priestland (Cardiff Blues), Elliott Stooke (Wasps), Henry Thomas (Montpellier), Jack Walker (Harlequins).