MATT Banahan admits the wealth of talent in the Bath back line leaves him beaming from ear to ear – and he’s convinced his own try-scoring tally will be boosted as a result.

The summer arrivals of George Ford, Jonathan Joseph, Gavin Henson and Anthony Watson have boosted a set of backs that already contained the likes of Banahan, Kyle Eastmond, Tom Biggs and Semesa Rokoduguni.

Banahan has played a significant role, on the wing or at centre, scoring a crucial try in the 27-20 victory over Leicester Tigers – and he’s determined to add plenty more before the season is out.

“It’s fantastic to see so much talent at this club, obviously every season is different but there is a huge amount of positivity at the club at the moment,” he said.

“Even in training, it’s fantastic to see some of the things that these new players can do, it leaves you with a smile on your face.

“And it obviously brings competition for places and makes you raise your game. On a personal level, it leaves me thinking that I will get plenty more chances to cross the whitewash and it’s up to me to take them.

“The really pleasing thing about it is that it has made the players who have been here for a while, maybe what you would call squad players, really raise their game and push the whole club further.”

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