Crockett and Lipman to captain Bath

Capped seven-times for England the 28-year-old Lipman moved to the Recreation Ground in 2003 after starting his professional career at neighbours Bristol.

"I'm very honoured to be named, really looking forward to exciting times. Hopefully, we'll have a good season," Lipman told BBC Radio Bristol.

In addition, centre Alex Crockett has been named as club captain. He said: "I will maintain the standards off the pitch and the tempo in training and make sure we're disciplined enough to give ourselves every chance to win something.

"I've got complete confidence in the players we have here and I think we stand a great chance of doing something,"

Bath won the European Challenge Cup last season by winning a thrilling final 24-16 over Worcester to give Steve Borthwick a prefect send off.

The outgoing skipper lead by example and was a tower of strength in the lineout on his way to becoming Fed Ex Man of the match.

Borthwick has joined Saracens and was carried aloft by his jubilant teammates after a titanic tussle in appalling conditions.

Bath Rugby's Head Coach Steve Meehan said about the new captaincy arrangement: "We've divided up the responsibilities, It's a big ask. We are still broadening the leadership base of the club - and these two guys represent, in the way they train and play, exactly what I think is important to the place. They will do a very good job as a result."

"The captaincy has therefore been split into on the field captain and off the field captain. The two roles which will essentially hold very different responsibilities for the pair, but Meehan is confident that this will enhance the club and help it build upon the successes from last season.

"As the club representative away from the playing side, I'm sure Alex will take care of things quite nicely, while on the field, Michael will be an excellent leader. Both of them are the style of player that I like to represent the side."