Guinness Premiership
Bath complete Taylor deal
Scrum.com
March 17, 2010
Simon Taylor takes the ball on during the French Top 14 rugby union match between Stade Français and Clermont Auvergne, Paris, France, April 4, 2009.
Simon Taylor will move to the the Recreational Ground for the beginning of next season after three years in France © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Lewis Moody | Simon Taylor
Tournaments/Tours: Guinness Premiership | French Top 14

Bath have signed Scotland international Simon Taylor on a three-year contract from Stade Francais.

The back-row forward, who has won 68 caps and toured with the 2001 and 2005 British and Irish Lions to Australia and New Zealand, will move to the Recreation Ground for the start of the 2010-11 season.

Taylor, 30, made his Test debut against the USA in 2000. His 2001 Lions trip though, was ended by a knee injury, while he did not play at all four years later after a hamstring problem forced him to fly home early.

He joined Stade Francais three years ago, but he now moves to Bath hot on the heels of them recruiting England flanker Lewis Moody from Leicester for next season.

"I am very excited to be heading to Bath," said Taylor. "Bath has a fantastic squad with a great style of play. I think that they have real vision for the future, and I want to be a part of that. It will also be the first time that I have played in the Guinness Premiership, which is something I am looking forward to. Having played in the Magners League and Top 14, the new challenge that another competition brings will be great."

Bath head coach Steve Meehan said: "Simon is a dynamic, skilful player. Everyone knows him as a back-row forward, but he has already made it clear that he is not adverse to playing lock, which is an extra bonus for the squad. After having a number of conversations with him, he really struck me as a very thoughtful player. He listens, takes things on board and surveys what is around him before acting. We think he will fit in well at Bath, as his vision and ethos clearly matches our own."

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