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Amanaki Mafi has left Bath Rugby after an altercation with the club's head of sports medicine.

The Japan number eight was not selected for either Sale Sharks at home or Northampton Saints yesterday, and had seemingly been rested.

But Mafi has in fact played his last game for the club after a confrontation with Declan Lynch sparked by an appointment for physio treatment.

The Chronicle understands an incident flared up when Mafi wiped the name of another player or players from an appointment board in order to be treated sooner than he was meant to be.

A disagreement with Lynch then escalated and Mafi has now returned to Japan before the end of his contract.

The club said: "Bath Rugby can confirm that Amanaki Mafi is returning to Japan prior to the end of the season by mutual agreement with the club.

"The club would like to thank Amanaki for all his hard work this season and wish him all the best for the future."

(Image: Dianne Manson/Getty Images)

Mafi said: "I would like to thank Bath Rugby for the opportunity to play in the Aviva Premiership and for all the support they have given my family and I throughout our time in England."

Mafi was one of Japan's star players in their most successful ever Rugby World Cup campaign.

He then played the domestic season for NTT Shining Arcs before joining Bath at the end of January.

The 26-year-old made his debut against Worcester Warriors on February 13 and scored four tries in his first four matches; impressing with his relentless carrying and workrate.

The club had been in negotiations to do a deal for his return next season, but that now appears highly unlikely.