Leroy Houston heading down under to pursue international dream

Bath Rugby fans have been dealt a blow this week as reports have emerged Leroy Houston will be bringing an end to his days in the Blue, Black and White, to ply his trade in Australia.

Houston, a firm fans' favourite at the Rec, is poised to be a surprise inclusion in the Australian national squad named tomorrow, according to Australian media sources.

Houston has on previous occasions told local media of his ambition to play for the national team, though admitting a compromise would have to be made with regards his reluctance to leave Bath Rugby.

Making 64 Premiership appearances for Bath, Houston scored 11 tries along the way, slowly but surely cementing himself in Blue, Black and White folklore. 

Houston and his family are believed to have already said their goodbyes to friends and team mates, ahead of the move down under.

The club now find themselves light on numbers in the back row department, following the departures of Amanaki Mafi and Alafoti Faosiliva - the latter leaving Bath Rugby following a ABH conviction.

Houston made his first appearance in the Australian set up at under 19 level and then under 21 thereafter, but the New Zealand-born number 8 has never made his full international debut, despite inclusion in Eddie Jones' senior squad in 2005.

Bath Rugby are yet to officially confirm Houston's departure.