Leinster lock Ross Molony signs long-term deal with Premiership outfit Bath 

Molony will head to the English Premiership outfit in time for the 2024/25 campaign, as Leinster await the arrival of Springbok RG Snyman from Munster.

EXIT DOOR: Ross Molony of Leinster after the Investec Champions Cup quarter-final match between Leinster and La Rochelle. Pic: Ramsey Cardy, Sportsfile

Johann van Graan has hailed Ross Molony as a “true professional” after the Bath head coach confirmed the Leinster lock’s signing for the English Premiership club on a three-year deal on Tuesday.

Molony will head for the Leinster exit door this summer, as head coach Leo Cullen awaits the arrival of fellow lock RG Snyman, from rivals Munster. 

29-year-old Molony - who has started Leinster's last two Champions Cup finals against Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle - made his debut in blue while still on an academy contract, aged just 19, making his bow against Zebre Parma in February 2015.

The uncapped Dublin-born lock, who has won four league titles with Leinster, has played 15 times for Cullen’s side this season, starting the Round of 16 win over Leicester Tigers and coming off the bench in last Saturday’s quarter-final victory over La Rochelle.

"Ross is a true professional and his journey in rugby is a testament to this," former Munster boss van Graan said of Molony.

"His work ethic and leadership are some of his key characteristics and I believe he will play a huge part in our journey in the next number of years. What struck me is the quality of a human being Ross is.”

Meanwhile, Former All Black head coach Ian Foster will take charge at Japanese club side Toyota Verblitz later this year in preparation for the 2024/2025 season.