Bristol Bears No8 Nathan Hughes has impressed on loan at Bath this season
(Picture: Getty Images)London Irish are set to miss out to Clermont in the race to sign former England No8 Nathan Hughes.
The 30-year-old, who last played for England in 2019, is currently on loan at Bath from Bristol Bears.
Bath had been keen on keeping Hughes, who has impressed at the Rec this term, but he is now set for a move to France.
Clermont are close to wrapping up a deal for the No8 and he is set to join them in the summer when his current £500,000-a-year contract expires.
London Irish had also expressed an interest in Hughes, particularly when he was available on loan earlier this season, but he has chosen to go to France.
Hughes is due to return to Bristol in April, when his loan at Bath expires, and he will finish the season with them.
A move to France will mean he is officially unable to play for England, but he has recently been linked with switching allegiances to Fiji anyway under new eligibility laws introduced by World Rugby in January.
