Bath have confirmed former Australian international Justin Harrison will join the club next season.

 
The 33-year-old Ulster second row has agreed a one-year deal and follows Stuart Hooper to the Rec.”The Recreation Ground is one of the picturesque and unique settings in world rugby,” he told the club website.

“It is a fantastic opportunity to become part of a team that represents the qualities required to challenge in the Premiership and in Europe.”
 

Harrison made his Test debut against the Lions in 2001 and played in the 2003 World Cup final defeat by England.

Bath coach Steve Meehan said: “Justin has considerable experience of rugby at the very highest level, both internationally with the Wallabies and in the Super 12 with the ACT Brumbies and in the Heineken Cup with Ulster.

“A natural leader on the park, Justin’s qualities fit in perfectly with the ambitions of the club and will assist in raising existing performance standards.”

Harrison served a three-game ban in 2005 for making a racial slur against black South African player Chumani Booi in a Super 12 match.

Bath captain Steve Borthwick is to leave the club at the end of the season to join Premiership rivals Saracens.
 
The 28-year-old England second row has been at The Rec for 10 years but says he wants a fresh challenge.

“After 10 years here I feel the time is right for a new challenge. A change in club provides that and I am excited about what the future holds,” he said.

“My commitment for the rest of the season will continue to be of the highest standard,” he added.

Bath head coach Steve Meehan is confident Borthwick’s decision will not have a negative impact on the team, which is currently second in the Premiership.

“We need to concentrate on the rest of the season,” Meehan told the club website.
“Steve Borthwick has committed himself to still playing hard for the club until the end of the season.

“At the same time, we have had considerable wins on and off the pitch and that will continue.

“Over the coming months positive announcements will be made that will reassure fans that we will continue to move in the right direction.”

England rugby player Olly Barkley has pleaded not guilty to assaulting a fellow guest at a wedding.

The 26-year-old Bath fly-half is accused of attacking Simon Cole following a reception at Stowe School in Buckinghamshire on 15 July.

Mr Barkley, from Bath, denied assault occasioning actual bodily harm at Aylesbury Magistrates’ Court.

He opted for a crown court trial before a jury. The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Mr Barkley appeared for England during the 2007 World Cup in France and has earned 21 caps during his career.

Magistrates granted him unconditional bail to return to the same court on 11 February for a committal hearing.

England rugby player Olly Barkley has been charged with assault occasioning bodily harm in connection with an alleged incident in the summer.

Police said the 26-year-old Bath back had been charged following a decision made by the Crown Prosecution Service.

The charge relates to an allegation of assault at a private event at Stowe, Buckingham, on 15 July.

Thames Valley Police said he will appear at Aylesbury Magistrates’ Court on 31 December.

Mr Barkley, who was born in Hammersmith, was brought up at Wadebridge in Cornwall and has collected 21 caps for England at number 10 or inside centre.

The Bath has issued a statement confirming Mr Barkley had been charged with actual bodily harm arising from an incident that took place before the current season started.

A spokeswoman said: “Olly vigorously contests wrongdoing on his part, as he has done from the outset.

“As demonstrated this season, Olly remains completely focused on his rugby and will not allow this matter to distract him from his immediate rugby commitments.