Rob Leota leaves Bayonne with immediate effect

Rob Leota is leaving Bayonne immediately after agreeing an early end to his contract with the French rugby club.

The 31-year-old Australian joined Bayonne from the Waratahs and was one of the club’s major signings last year.

He played 11 Top 14 matches and one Champions Cup match during his first season.

A knee injury kept him out of action this season, and his last appearance was against Montauban on March 21.

Leota has played 21 times for Australia’s national team, known as the Wallabies.

Bayonne thanked him for his commitment and wished him well in his career, but gave no further details about the departure.