BATH Rugby have reiterated their desire to keep playing at their Recreation Ground home amid suggestions they and Swindon Town may seek to share a new home together.

Town chief executive Pete Rowe admitted yesterday that the prospect of the two sides coming together on a site near the M4 was a possibility.

But Bath, who have been playing on the Rec since 1895, are hoping a High Court judgment next year, on a covenant governing the city centre ground, will pave the way for them to develop that site.

General manager Bob Calleja said: "I don't think our stance has changed. It's our declared intention to stay in Bath and play on the Rec.

"If the ruling went against us, we would have to look at other options. In the meantime I'm aware that to run a sustainable club, we've got to look to increase our capacity."

But Bath haven't ruled out playing a one-off match outside the city with Swindon being one option.

Their annual leasing arrangement with the council on the Rec runs out in mid-May, raising the possibility that progress in the end-of-season Zurich Championship would require them to play games elsewhere.

Bath City's Twerton Park, Bristol City's Ashton Gate and the County Ground would be among the favoured venues.