Sunday 25 October 2015 19:29, UK
Rhys Priestland will take a break from Wales international duty for 18 months and focus on club duties with Bath.
The fly-half made his debut in Bath's 16-9 defeat to Wasps on Saturday afternoon.
Priestland, who won his 40th Wales cap in their World Cup quarter-final loss to South Africa, came off the bench for Kyle Eastmond in the second half.
Bath coach Mike Ford, whose son George is the first-choice No 10 at The Rec, said: "We want Rhys with us and he's going to take a break from international rugby for the next 18 months.
"It's his choice and he wants to develop here, get settled at Bath and put a lot of effort and time into being the best player he can be at Bath.
"When George is away with the Six Nations, Rhys will be our 10. Eighteen months later is still two years away from the next World Cup and he's still young enough, if he wants to carry on playing for his country, he can do."
And Ford was pleased with what he saw from the former Scarlet against Wasps.
"I thought he did well. He's trained really well and fitted in," he said. "He's just learning the calls at the moment, but the way he plays will suit us because he's a guy who can make decisions. He's a guy who can play first or second receiver.
"He can kick, he kicks goals as well, he has that experience and he's an attacking-minded player."
