Rhys Webb has joined Bath and is set to make his Gallagher Premiership debut against Bristol Bears in Sunday's huge west country derby.
The Lions and Wales star has signed for the Ospreys for next season after leaving French club Toulon.
But he was in limbo and Bath have recruited him on a short-term deal with Webb desperate for game-time.
The 31-year-old came off the Wales bench during their opening fixture of the Six Nations, the win over Italy at the Principality Stadium, but failed to make Wayne Pivac's match-day 23 for the losses to Ireland and France.
Bath director of rugby Stuart Hooper said Webb will be an exciting addition to a Bath squad bidding for a top four finish in the Premiership and who have home advantage against neighbours Bristol.
"We’re very excited to be bringing in an international talent to join the group, and to add some depth and quality to our scrum-half position at such a critical time of the year, and also after losing Max Green last month," said the former lock forward.
"There will be some familiar faces for him here, and a signing of this calibre is something I know will be welcomed by the squad.
"I’m sure he’ll settle in quickly and I know he is looking for some game-time as soon as possible.
"We’re looking forward to getting him in the blue, black and white and out in front of our supporters at The Rec."
Webb was last month released from the final year of his contract with Toulon, with the Professional Rugby Board who run the regional game in Wales granting him special dispensation to play for Wales with immediate effect because he had put pen to paper on a deal with the Ospreys for next season.
That decision caused uproar in Toulon with the club's owner Bernard LeMaitre saying he would never play for them again and blasting Webb. You can read his extraordinary attack here.
Webb, who has scored seven tries in 32 outings for his country, had been ineligible for Wales because he was short of the 60-cap threshold set by the Welsh Rugby Union for exiles.
He had played second-fiddle at Toulon this campaign and his lack of game-time had cost him a real chance of ousting Gareth Davies and Tomos Williams has Pivac's preferred scrum-halves for the Six Nations.
Bath have also signed England Under-20 centre Cameron Redpath, for a six-figure transfer fee, from Sale Sharks.
Redpath, the son of former Scotland captain Bryan Redpath, was in the second year of a five-year contract at Sharks but has struggled for game-time this season.
Redpath, who has been called up by Eddie Jones to train with England ahead of their clash with Wales at Twickenham, has signed a three-year contract with Bath and will be available for the match with Bristol.
Bath are fifth in the Premiership table, a point behind Wales play-maker Dan Biggar's Northampton Saints and Bristol and two astern of second-placed Sale. Runaway leaders Exeter Chiefs are eight points clear.
Sale are away at seventh-placed Gloucester on Friday night with Northampton hosting Europe's Champions Cup kings Saracens on Saturday.
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