Bath hero extends stay at the Rec
Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:04
English international hooker Lee Mears has committed himself to Bath rugby for another four years after signing a new contract with the club.
The 29-year-old has already spent ten successful years with the club and is currently enjoying his testimonial season for all his great service to them.
Mears explained that, with his new deal set to end with him aged 33, he also plans to finish his career with his beloved Bath.
The Torquay-born star arrived at the club academy after his time with the England schools side and rose through the ranks under the watchful eyes of former England coach Andy Robinson.
"It's really good news. I've been at the club for a long time and to see out my playing days here will be awesome."
The well respected professional, who has 25 test caps to his name, was obviously delighted with the deal but has already quickly turned his attentions to the task ahead this weekend.
The current Guinness Premiership leaders host Newport-Gwent Dragons in their second Heineken Cup pool match and are in need a all four points following their heartbreaking defeat at Toulouse last weekend.
"Sure, it's great news to have signed the contract, but the focus is now on Sunday," he said.
"We made a big statement to Europe at the weekend as Toulouse is a tough place to go and play, but, of course, it was really hard to take the defeat after the way we played.
"It was a bitter-sweet feeling for us really as we went out there with the intention to play and we did that, but to be pipped at the post like that was hard.
"We had been building for a game like that, especially after the Premiership win at Wasps, but it's no good if you can't follow performances like that up. We simply have to reproduce that form this Sunday.
"The calibre of teams in the competition means you can't underestimate anyone and we will give Newport the same respect as we did Toulouse.
"It's another huge game but we back ourselves because we've developed into a great squad who know the rewards for playing our way are rich."
