Stevens staying in Bath

Prop commits his future to Bath until end of 2011-12 campaign

Last updated: 1st February 2008

Bath Matt Stevens tackled by a Bristol player

Stevens: New contract

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Bath have handed England international Matt Stevens a new four-year contract.

The deal means the 25-year-old Durban-born prop will remain at The Rec until the end of the 2011-12 Guinness Premiership season.

Northampton, who are on course to be back in the top flight next season, were rumoured to be interested in signing Stevens.

However he will be now staying put at Bath - much to the delight of head coach Steve Meehan.

Prime

"I am delighted that Matt is continuing at the club and he has seen fit to sign a new four-year deal with Bath Rugby," he said on the club's website.

"He is about to come into his prime as a player and we are looking forward to working with him and continuing to help him improve.

"He is one of the leading front row players in world rugby and his signing shows that we are continuing to move forward as a club."

Stevens joined Bath in 2002 and has gone on to win international honours, playing a key role in England's run to the World Cup final last year in France.

His decision is a timely boost for the club after it was recently announced Steve Borthwick would be leaving to join Saracens next year.