BATH have moved to fill the gaps left by their World Cup-bound stars by snapping up centre Andrew Higgins from relegated neighbours Bristol Shoguns.
Higgins, 21, becomes the fourth summer signing at the Rec, following the arrivals of props Duncan Bell and David Flatman and Wasps scrum-half Martyn Wood.
The youngster will provide welcome cover for Bath's midfield area which is likely to be decimated by World Cup call-ups for the likes of Ireland's Kevin Maggs and England's Mike Tindall.
Rec director of rugby Jack Rowell said: "Andrew joins us as an exciting young prospect in the centre/wing position.
"While at Bristol learned alongside Jason Little and Daryl Gibson and is an established first team performer.
"He joins with ambitions, through playing alongside the Bath stars Perry, Balshaw and Tindall, to establish himself at the club and to thereby knock on the England door.''
Higgins, one of the young English prospects to come to the fore in the Zurich Premiership last season, said: "This is a great opportunity for me and I am looking forward to a new challenge with Bath next season.
"Bath is a club with a great tradition of nurturing England internationals, and I am looking forward to further developing my career."
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