BENO Obano has signed a new three-year deal to remain at Bath.

The 23-year-old made his first-team debut in 2015 against Ospreys in the Anglo-Welsh Cup, and has gone on to make over 50 appearances in the blue, black and white.

It’s been a breakthrough 18 months for the powerful prop, who was promoted from the Academy ranks at the start of the season.

Obano has since established himself as a first-team regular and was named ‘Most Improved Player’ and ‘Best Forward’ at the club’s annual awards evening for his fine form throughout the 2017/18 campaign.

Obano said: “I’ve really enjoyed my rugby this year. Undoubtedly we would have liked to have finished higher, but the club is ambitious and I anticipate great things will follow.

“We will continue to work hard and hopefully we will reap what we sow.

“I’ve got to give big credit to the coaches, S&C and physios for investing so much time in me, and hopefully I’ve gone some way to acknowledging that support.”

Bath director of rugby Todd Blackadder added: “Beno is a huge character, who will play a significant role in the club’s future. He has delivered performance after performance throughout this season, and with the fact he’s only 23, he can only get better.

"As with Toby (Faletau), Beno is part of the core group of players committing to the club and who we will build the long-term future around, which is really exciting.

“Beno sets high standards for himself, and it’s his attention to his craft which will see him go on to achieve big things for Bath and England when the opportunity comes around.”