Saracens and England scrum-half Ben Spencer has been confirmed as one of three new arrivals at Bath, signing a long-term contract.
In addition to Spencer, Bath have bolstered their pack with agreed deals for Leicester lock Will Spencer and Sharks prop Juan Schoeman.
As revealed by TRP on February 23, Saracens’ relegation to the Championship sees Spencer leave the club he joined almost a decade ago in order to maintain his England ambitions.
Spencer, who will turn 28 next month, has agreed a three-year contract to make his move to the Rec permanent. While teammates Max Malins, Ben Earl and Jack Singleton have all agreed loan deals to remain in the Premiership with other clubs.
The 27-year-old told Sarries’ official website: “I’m sad to be leaving a club that’s been my life for nine years,” said Spencer.
“I’ll treasure the memories that I’ve made at this club for the rest of my life. I leave with incredible memories.”
As Bath plot to shift the ethos of their squad to the influence of its academy, aiming to have 50 per cent of its squad homegrown by 2023, Gabe Hamer-Webb has penned a long-term senior contract after impressing in the Premiership and Champions Cup.
This ties in with Will Spencer’s return to the west country from Leicester.
The second row returns to the club where he began his career as a youngster and made 11 professional appearances, before departing for Worcester Warriors and a spell at Tigers.
Bath have already consolidated the strength of their squad with extensions for Sam Underhill, Tom Ellis and Jack Walker.
The club has followed this up with new terms for Max Clark, Max Green and Henry Thomas, while extending centre Josh Matavesi’s short-term deal.
Bath squad update
Departures
Lucas Noguera
Levi Douglas
Sam Nixon
Will Britton
Matt Garvey
Jack Davies
Alex Davies
Aled Brew
Chris Cook
Tom Homer
Jackson Willison
Rhys Webb
Levi Davis
Rhys Davies
Retirement
Francois Louw
New Signings
Ben Spencer (Saracens)
Will Spencer (Leicester Tigers)
Juan Schoeman (The Sharks)
Josh Matavesi (mid season signing and extension – Newcastle Falcons)
Cameron Redpath (mid season signing – Sale Sharks)
Contract Extensions
Sam Underhill
Jack Walker
Max Clark
Max Green
Max Wright
Tom Ellis
Henry Thomas
Promoted to Senior Squad
Gabriel Hamer-Webb
Senior Academy Intake
Orlando Bailey
Gabe Goss
John Stewart
Ethan Staddon
Ewan Richards
Frankie Read
Tom Carr-Smith
