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Season over for Hape

Image: Hape: Requires an operation

England centre Shontayne Hape has made his last appearance for Bath after being told he needs an operation on his knee.

England centre requires minor operation

England centre Shontayne Hape has made his last appearance for Bath after being told he needs an operation on his knee. Hape is due to leave Bath at the end of the season after agreeing a deal to move to London Irish. And although Bath still have three games left of the regular campaign, as well as the possibility of appearing in the play-offs, Hape will miss out due to surgery. With the World Cup set to get underway in the autumn, the decision has been taken for the 29-year-old to have the minor procedure now. And the New Zealand-born Hape has thanked the club for helping him develop playing union after switching codes from Bradford in 2008. Hape said: "I have had a great time here at Bath, and am so thankful for the help everyone here has given me in making the transition to union, and in fulfilling my international ambitions.

Excited

"It has been a very enjoyable three years, and whilst I am excited about the new challenges awaiting me, I will be sad to leave the guys here. "Hopefully the team can continue on from the win last weekend and make the top four and the play-offs." Bath director of rugby Sir Ian McGeechan has praised Hape for his efforts over the past three seasons at the club. "Shontayne has been a key player for Bath the last few seasons, and we shall be sad to see him go," he said. "He wanted to leave us knowing that he had helped the club to achieve our ambitions for this season, and in creating the decisive score last weekend against Harlequins, I think he has done just that."

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