Beno Obano, the 31-year-old loose-head prop, has announced that he will be leaving Bath to join Top 14 side Pau at the conclusion of the upcoming season. This decision marks a significant moment in Obano's career as he opts to pause his international ambitions with England in favor of a new challenge in France.
Obano, who has earned five caps for England, last featured in the national team during a match against South Africa in July, where he came off the bench to replace first-choice prop Ellis Genge. His move to Pau aligns with a growing trend among English players seeking opportunities abroad, particularly in the competitive environment of the French league.
Under the current structure of the Rugby Football Union's relationship with Premiership clubs, head coach Steve Borthwick is limited to selecting players who are based domestically. This situation has become increasingly relevant as England's loose-head prop position is well-stocked with younger talent. Players like Fin Baxter from Harlequins, Emmanuel Iyogun from Northampton, and Bevan Rodd from Sale are all vying for a spot, making competition fierce for Obano.
Additionally, Sale's Asher Opoku-Fordjour, who is just 22 years old, adds to the depth in this position, further complicating Obano's chances of regular selection in the national team. Despite these challenges, it remains uncertain whether Obano will be completely ruled out of England's plans this season, especially given the precedent set by Tom Willis, who found himself excluded from the squad after announcing his own move to Bordeaux-Begles.
Willis had a successful run in the 2025 Six Nations and was awarded a central contract, yet he was overlooked in favor of players who would be available for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. In contrast, Obano, who does not hold a central contract, will still be eligible for selection for the upcoming tournament, similar to David Ribbans and Joe Marchant, who also agreed to moves to France while maintaining their availability for international duty.
Obano's transition to Pau will add him to a notable list of English players currently plying their trade in France. Stars such as Jack Willis, Kyle Sinckler, Billy Vunipola, Manu Tuilagi, Lewis Ludlam, and Sam Simmonds are all competing in the Top 14, which has implications for their eligibility to represent England moving forward.
This move is expected to create further upheaval in Bath's front-row options, particularly following the departure of South African prop Thomas du Toit to the Sharks at the end of the last season. The arrival of Scotland international Jamie Bhatti earlier this summer adds another layer of change to the Bath squad as they look to rebuild and adapt to these significant roster shifts.
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