Wednesday 3 August 2016 10:55, UK
England duo Jonathan Joseph and Anthony Watson have both agreed long-term contract extensions with Bath Rugby that will see them remain at the club until at least 2019.
The backs joined Bath in 2013, making their debuts in the 21-0 win over Newcastle Falcons in the opening game of the Aviva Premiership season, and have become mainstays in both the Bath and England back-line since then.
Centre Joseph, 25, has scored 16 tries in his 58 appearances for Bath, with a further nine touchdowns coming on the international stage in his 25 games for England.
"I'm happy to be staying at Bath," said Joseph. "My game has really progressed during my three years here, and I definitely feel as though I've matured as a player, so I'm looking forward to progressing further over the coming years.
"There's a positive vibe around the club and within the squad for the upcoming season and we've just had a productive camp in Portugal.
"We're all excited about the season ahead of us - we're going to have a really strong coaching unit with Todd Blackadder and Tabai Matson joining Toby Booth and Darren Edwards, so as players we're ready to get going."
Watson, who can play at wing and full-back, has scored 12 tries in 67 appearances for Bath, as well as bagging 12 tries in 24 games for England.
"It was a very easy decision for me to extend my time at Bath," said the 22-year-old.
"I'm really settled here, but know at the same time that it's the perfect environment for me to keep developing and adding to my skills and my game.
"I'm looking forward to learning from Todd and Tabai when they arrive - they have so much experience of southern hemisphere rugby between them, and combining that with Toby and Darren's northern hemisphere experience will give me a great opportunity to add to my game.
"As a squad, we can't wait to get the season under way and build on the foundations we've laid over the last couple of seasons."
Bath first-team coach Toby Booth said: "I've known both Jonathan and Anthony for a long time now, and I'm really pleased they've committed the really important years of their careers to the club.
"They are both exceptionally talented players who, since gaining greater international experience, are having much more of a positive effect on the group - both on and off the pitch.
"They are still young and will improve further over time whilst playing at Bath which is a very exciting prospect."
