England international winger Semesa Rokoduguni will leave Bath Rugby at the end of the current Premiership season, ending a 10-year stay at the Rec.
The 34-year-old Fiji-born flier has amassed more than 70 tries in 190-plus games for the Blue, Black and Whites since his debut in 2012.
Rokoduguni has worked his club and country commitments around his role as a British Army Lance Corporal.
He said he was “extremely proud and honoured” to have played for the club. I’m also grateful to the British Army for their support and the opportunity to fulfil my dream of playing professional rugby in the Premiership,” added Rokoduguni, who won four England caps.
“I have experienced and learned so much throughout my career here, and I’ve been fortunate to work with so many amazing coaches, players and people.”
The 2014-15 season was his biggest highlight, scoring ten tries to help Bath to the Premiership final, and he later played in the 2015 Rugby World Cup for England.
The Fijian-born backline player has made 194 appearances for Bath over his extended period at the club, earning four England caps in the process.
Bath head coach Neal Hatley commended Rokoduguni’s contribution to the Premiership club and his character’s influence on the squad.
“Rocco is one of the most exciting players I have had the pleasure of working with at Bath Rugby,” he said.
“Since he joined us and over the last decade, we have seen him consistently turn matches on their head with moments of instinctive brilliance, and you can hear the supporters’ excitement when he gets the ball. Added to this he is one of the most humble and selfless people in our squad. Rocco will be sorely missed by everyone associated with our club. We wish him, Annie and Elijah, all the very best for the future.”
Roko joined LMRFC in Feb 2008 while training with the army at Bovington camp. Roko played for just over a season playing in the centre, where he scored many tries and helped the club gain promotion to Hampshire 1.
Rokoduguni has represented the Army Rugby Union XV, and German Rugby-Bundesliga team DRC Hannover. He represented the army twice in the 2011-2012 season, scoring four tries against the RAF and three against the Navy. He has also represented the Army Sevens team in the Middlesex Sevens and the International Defence Sevens, the latter of which was won by the Army.
In October 2012, it was announced that Rokoduguni had been signed on a senior contract with Bath after impressing for their second side, Bath United.
Rokoduguni made his debut for the Bath senior team on 10 November 2012, in their LV= Cup match against Newport Gwent Dragons. He scored a try after just 9 minutes and finished the game with two tries.
