Fan favourite Tom Dunn signs new deal at Bath

New Bath signing Dan Frost will have to get past Tom Dunn if he wants to be the club’s first-choice hooker next season.

Dunn, 32, has signed a new contract, ending fears amongst supporters that the England international might be moved on.

The Bath-born player has penned a new deal – but unlike some of the recent re-signings, Dunn’s is only a one-year extension, which will only take him through to the end of next season.

With Frost, Dunn, England U20s star Kepueli Tuipulotu and other youngsters such as Jasper Spandler and John Stewart providing further options in the number two jersey, Niall Annett’s days at Bath could be numbered. The Ulsterman turns 34 in May and his current deal runs out at the end of the season.

Since joining the club’s academy in 2010 and making his senior debut in 2012, Dunn has made 233 senior appearances and is well-regarded by the Bath faithful for his warrior-like qualities and tenacious tackling.

On signing a new deal,  Dunn said: “I’m so pleased to have the opportunity to renew with this club. I’m proud to be born in Bath and it means the world to me to be a one-club man. I’ve never hidden my aspirations of winning silverware with this team, and I truly believe we have the right people here to do that. I remain as determined as ever to give something back to the club and to all our fans who have given me so much.”

Dunn is the latest in a growing list of players to pledge their futures to the Gallagher Premiership leaders, who narrowly missed out on the title in last year’s final against Northampton.

He joins the likes of current players, Jaco Coetzee, Beno Obamo, Ollie Lawrence and Quinn Roux in staying pout at The Rec, while Henry Arundell, Santiago Carreras, Dan Frost and Bernard van der Linde have all been confirmed as new signings.

Bath’s Head of Rugby Johann van Graan said: “Dunnie extending his contract to remain with Bath is excellent news. He is a one-club man who bleeds Blue, Black and White. His experience and influence are very important to us as a group, specifically in the set piece. Dunnie is such a big part of what we are about, and he is certainly tough to beat.”