Bath Rugby head coach Gary Gold has revealed that fly-half Olly Barkley will always be "welcome" at the club following the player's shock switch to French outfit Racing Metro.
The Aviva Premiership side have confirmed the impending exit of the 30-year-old, who will be available for two more games at Bath.
"Barks is a great bloke and a top player," said Gold. "I could not have been more impressed with both his attitude and his incredibly professional approach since I arrived at the club.
"As a senior player, he could not have worked harder or been more welcoming to us as a group of coaches, but every now and then an offer lands on the table that a bloke just can't refuse. We are sorry to see him go, but he goes with our blessing. He will always be welcome here."
Barkley racked up over 200 appearances for Bath during his time at the club.
