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Bath Rugby’s recruitment for next season is well under way with the announcement of four new England qualified forwards.

Props Lewis Boyce, Will Stuart and Christian Judge and, as previously reported, Mike Williams will all be plying their trade at the Rec.

Director of rugby Todd Blackadder said: "We’re delighted to bring in four quality players, who will bring significant strength to the pack going into next season.

"They’re all players who are aspiring to achieve, and that’s exactly the ambition we share as a club.

“We are going to go into next season even stronger as a squad, and Lewis, Christian, Will and Mike will play a huge role for us moving forward.

"They have a real hunger to develop and have the traits we look for to enhance the competitive environment both on the training field and matchday."

Here’s the lowdown on each of the new signings…

Lewis Boyce

Aged 22, a loosehead prop from Harlequins

Boyce is one of many players from the Yorkshire Carnegie production line that Bath Academy manager Andy Rock used to run.

Jack Walker, Max Green and Max Wright all came through the same route.

The young loosehead has had a taste of England training, but with Joe Marler retiring from international duty opportunities at Harlequins were going to be restricted next season.

He will have plenty of competition at Bath too, however, with Nathan Catt, Beno Obano and Lucas Noguera all contracted next season.

Academy loosehead Will Vaughan could also be competing for the number-one shirt too.

Boyce said: "I’m really looking forward to continuing my development with Bath Rugby. I’ve hugely enjoyed my time at Harlequins and am fully focused on the next five months as there is a lot of rugby still to be played this season with the club challenging strongly on a number of fronts."

(Image: Henry Browne/Getty Images)

Will Stuart

Aged 22, a tighthead prop from Wasps

Stuart worked his way through Wasps academy and had spells with Blackheath, Moseley and Nottingham before getting first-team action with the Coventry-based side.

He has impressed with his ball-carrying as well as his scrummaging. Stuart is only a year into his first senior contract but is one of a number of players leaving the Ricoh Stadium in the Summer.

Stuart said: “There is a great deal of emphasis placed on developing young players at the club, which was fundamental in my decision to move to Bath.

"I feel there is no better place for me to learn and I have no doubt that I can make big strides forward as a player.”

(Image: Tony Marshall/Getty Images)

Christian Judge

Aged 25, a tighthead prop from Cornish Pirates

The Cornish Pirates prop has impressed while being on loan at Saracens this season.

He played for Launceston in Cornwall as a youngster and went to Bedford Blues before returning to his home county.

The arrival of Judge as well as Stuart means Anthony Perenise, now 36, and Max Lahiff are likely to leave in the Summer.

Henry Thomas and Victor Delmas are both contracted next season, as is versatile prop Sam Nixon from the academy.

Judge said: "I’ve had a great experience this season with Saracens – it’s not only helped to develop my all round game but given me that world-class competition week in, week out.

"To have the opportunity to come to Bath next season is huge for my career, and one that I’m relishing."

(Image: David Rogers/Getty Images)

Mike Williams

Aged 27, a lock/flanker from Leicester Tigers

At his best, Zimbabwe-born Williams has been in the England training squad but that was a while ago now.

Blackadder sees him as a versatile forward, but primarily as a second row first and back-rower second.

Williams said: "I’ve played against Bath on a number of occasions during my time with Worcester and Leicester, so to be able to pull on the shirt at the Rec for the first time will be a really special moment.

"The squad for 19/20 and beyond looks very strong and I’m excited to be part of that.”

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The only two confirmed leavers from Bath Rugby are Darren Allinson, who has already been released from his contract by mutual agreement, and Rhys Priestland, whose time at the club will come to an end this Summer.