BATH Rugby first-team coach Darren Edwards is impressed with the quality in depth the side are building after the addition of Taulupe Faletau on Wednesday.

The Welsh international, who had been set to join The Rec from Gwent Dragons in October before national team coach Warren Gatland blocked the move, will make the transfer when his contract runs out at the end of the season.

“He is a great addition to the squad,” said Edwards.

“To have a world class player like that come in is fantastic.

“We have got a really good back row as it is and the back row is the heartbeat of the team.

“The competition and the quality we have there will really drive us forward.

“We are constantly adding good players to our squad. Not just to roll out as one 15 but to improve our squad as a whole.

“Playing in two very difficult competitions you need a large group of quality players and that is what we try and put together.”

Faletau’s addition will bring more competition to the already abundant back row, but that is a nice problem for Edwards and head coach Mike Ford as they prepare to end a two game losing streak when they head to Wasps in the European Champions Cup on Sunday.

“After the injuries we have been going through it is always nice to have the extra numbers,” added Edwards.

“That is always something we have worked towards and it just takes time to assemble a squad of quality.

“We want competitive players and, as coaches, we want the headache of who to select.

“It is the toughest thing of a coach’s role but also the nicest thing.

“It is all about timing now and getting players out there at the right time to give them a chance to perform to.

“It is important they put down their statement of intent.

“They are all eager and hopefully over the next couple of weeks they will all get their fair chance.”