BATH hooker Ross Batty committing his immediate future to the club is huge for the environment at the Rec, says first team coach Tabai Matson.

The 29-year-old, who is one of the longest serving players at Bath, having joined from Rotherham Titans in 2010, has signed up to a further two years at The Rec.

Batty has been an influential player this term, having scored three tries, including a spectacular 70 metre run-in against Cardiff Blues in the European Rugby Challenge Cup in December.

With Bath back in European action this weekend when they play host to Pau on Saturday, the news is a timely boost according to Matson, who has described it as a statement of intent.

“He’s such an integral part of our group, not only on the field but he is an important leader off the field too,” said Matson, who does not foresee any new arrivals as he looks for squad stability for the coming weeks.

“Whenever you have a senior player like that, who is a really valuable commodity on the market, saying he wants to be with us again is really pleasing for the environment and also key for our success in the future.

“I think one of the key things, if we are going to be a genuine contender in the mid-term, is having a stable roster so his signing is a really good step forward.”

Meanwhile, prop Max Lahiff has also signed a two-year extension to his contract, having arrived from Australia in 2015.

The two forwards are the latest players to commit their future to the club after it was announced recently that Max Clark, Tom Homer and Rhys Priestland had all agreed new deals to stay in the West Country.

Director of rugby, Todd Blackadder, said: “We are extremely pleased to have agreed deals with two key players of the first team squad.

“Ross and Max both bring a huge amount to the squad – as well as talented rugby players, they are energetic, hard-working, and have a really positive impact on and off the field.

“We are really looking forward to working with them over the coming seasons and seeing them go from strength-to-strength.”