BATH have appointed finance and strategy director Tarquin McDonald to the role of managing director with immediate effect.

The new role coincides with owner Bruce Craig’s recently announced title change to executive chairman and will follow the departure of CEO Nick Blofeld, who is stepping up to a wider group role.  

McDonald said, “It is an honour to take on this new position within Bath Rugby.

"The club has a fantastic heritage, passionate and loyal supporters, and is an important part of the local community.

"The club remains focused on both becoming one of the best rugby clubs in Europe and keeping Bath Rugby playing at its spiritual home, the Rec. I am excited about continuing to build a business which supports success on the pitch, and which will enable the club to remain in the heart of the city.”

Craig said, “I’m delighted that Tarquin has stepped up to become the managing director of Bath Rugby. In his previous position he made significant progress in moving forward our ambitions for re-developing the Rec, and worked closely with Nick and myself in developing the business.

"We are all incredibly excited about the season ahead and I would like to thank all our supporters for their continued support both on and off the pitch”.

McDonald has been finance and strategy director at Bath since December 2012. The rugby side of the business will continue to be managed by head coach Mike Ford and his team, together with performance director David Thompson.

Meanwhile, former Bath hooker Eusebio Guinazu has signed for Munster on a four-month deal to offset Mike Sherry's long-term shoulder injury.

The 32-year-old Argentina international joins the Guinness Pro12 province after two seasons at Bath, following stints at Biarritz, Toulouse and the Stormers.

The 36-cap front-rower will ease Munster's hooker shortage with Sherry recovering from shoulder surgery.

"We need to hit the ground running this season and to do this we need to have a full complement of players available to us," said Munster head coach Anthony Foley.

"We have short-term setbacks with Niall Scannell rehabbing from wrist injury and Damien Varley managing a foot injury, but with Sherry ruled out until next year it is great that we can call on the services of an experienced, versatile player such as Eusebio.

"His availability will certainly help us get through the opening period of the season."

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