The 26-year-old - who missed England's 11-9 defeat to Wales on Saturday and is expected to be out of the rest of the RBS 6 Nations with a stress fracture of the foot - was unhappy with how negotiations were going over a new deal at Bath.

An RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam and World Cup-winner with England in 2003, Tindall felt that the offer of a testimonial did not make up for the discrepancy between the wages he wanted and what Bath were prepared to pay him.

A testimonial is not something to be used as a negotiating tool, Tindall told the Mail On Sunday.

A testimonial is something to be awarded after 10 years of good, hard service.

Im pretty angry at the whole affair. Ive got so used to calling this place my home. I have a great relationship with the players, the coaching staff and most of the people in the office too.

I would like people to know that I am very sorry that my time at Bath is almost at an end but after the way the owner (Andrew Brownsword) has treated me I had little choice.