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Nathan Charles joins Rebels after Bath departure

Nathan Charles of Bath
Image: Nathan Charles has returned to Australia to join the Rebels

Former Australia hooker Nathan Charles has returned home to take up a short-term deal with the Rebels in Super Rugby, after a year-long stint in the Aviva Premiership with Bath.

Charles, the only known professional rugby player with cystic fibrosis, has been drafted in by the Rebels as injury cover for Jordan Uelese who is expected to be sidelined for a month with an arm injury.

Hooker Sama Malolo has also returned to international duties with the Junior Wallabies to compete in the Oceania U20s Championships.

Charles trained with the Rebels on Tuesday and could slot into the side for Friday's home match against the Crusaders at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

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He will be contracted to the Rebels until the end of the season.

The 29-year-old takes up to 30 pills a day to treat cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder with no known cure that causes lung infections and breathing problems.

He played 86 matches with the now-defunct Western Force and inspired his home nation in 2014 when he earned four caps for the Wallabies.

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Nathan Charles in action for Bath against Sale
Image: Charles in action for Bath against Sale

Charles, who has also played for Clermont Auvergne and Gloucester, took up a short-term deal with Bath in March last year and hinted at his departure from the Premiership side on Twitter last week.

He wrote: "When one door closes another one opens. It's up to you to decide how far you can go!! Always be open to new opportunities, I have made some lifelong friends taking mine! Bath I've had an absolute blast."

Rebels general manager of rugby Nick Ryan said: "We are fortunate to add an experienced player like Nathan to our squad mid-season and we look forward to him adding depth and competition in our hooking ranks.

"We have identified our set-piece work as an area of improvement. We see Nathan being a great acquisition in support of Anaru (Rangi), and in the absence of Jordan and Sama."

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