Welsh and French clubs chase international released by Bath Rugby

D'Arcy Rae played 46 games for Bath during two years at the club

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Cardiff Rugby, despite their well-reported financial problems, are reported to be leading the way to sign released Scottish international tighthead prop D’arcy Rae.

However, according to The Rugby Paper, the financially struggling Welsh region, are now facing competition from French Top 14 new boys Oyonnax who have been promoted from the ProD2 as champions.

READ MORE: Championship club to snap up former Bath Rugby and Bristol Bears players

Cardiff are in need of a replacement for departing Welsh international tighthead Dillon Lewis, who is joining Harlequins next season, and Moldovan mountain Dmitri Arhip who was named amongst 16 players moving on from Arms Park this summer.

Rae, 28 joined Bath in the summer of 2021 from Glasgow Warriors and has been a regular in the blue, black and white ever since featuring in 80 percent of the club's Premiership and European fixtures since his arrival to rack up 46 appearances.

However with England tighthead Will Stuart fit again and the arrival of South African giant Thomas du Toit, Rae's services were deemed surplus to requirement ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Rae won his only Test cap for Scotland against Ireland at Murrayfield in February 2019 while playing for Glasgow.

Meanwhile, Bath still appear to be in the hunt to land Henry Arundell and Tom Pearson from London Irish should the club go under this week, however, The Rugby Paper has shot down suggestions their signings would require former England star Jonathan Joseph to be offloaded to Ealing Trailfinders to make room within the salary cap.