Mears keeps the plug in at Bath
October 16 2008
England hooker Lee Mears has agreed a new four-year contract with Guinness Premiership leaders Bath.
Mears' deal follows a new three-year agreement recently penned by the west country club's South African fly-half Butch James.
Mears, 29, has spent his entire professional rugby career at the Recreation Ground, making more than 170 appearances.
He has also won 25 England caps and was part of the 2007 World Cup squad.
"We have produced a (Bath) team now that can really challenge for some silverware," said Mears.
"We won the European Challenge Cup last season, and now we want to compete for the Guinness Premiership and the Heineken Cup. We really want to impose ourselves."
Bath forwards coach Mark Bakewell added: "Lee has always been a very good thrower at the line-out, and he is a very good scrummager, but his game around the park has definitely evolved.
"If you look at his performance last weekend against Toulouse, you can see he really is superb."
Meanwhile, hooker Dave Ward has joined Sale Sharks from Northampton Saints.
23-year-old Ward, who weighs 102kg has also played for Bath. In Northampton's promotion season from National One, Ward made six appearances (one off the bench) and scored four tries. Away from rugby, he is a Derby County supporter.
"This is a great opportunity for him to develop his career," said Sharks' Director of Rugby Philippe Saint Andre.
"I immediately jumped at the chance to join Sale Sharks, a team playing so well at the moment. There are a lot of talented players here," added Ward.