ROSS Batty insists the return of England players from World Cup duty can add weight to Bath’s trophy challenge as they begin the next phase of their season.

England skipper Lewis Moody, hooker Lee Mears and prop David Wilson have all returned to the club after last week’s quarter final exit to France, as cup commitments begin to take centre stage in the domestic game.

Mears’ return has implications for Batty, 25, who will be jostling for the No 2 shirt with the England man and Zimbabwean Pieter Dixon.

But the ex-Rotherham forward, who replaced Dixon after half an hour of last Sunday’s 27-24 Aviva Premiership defeat at Wasps, has welcomed the challenge and believes Bath will soon feel the benefits of a fully restored squad.

“With all that competition (in the squad) nobody is holding anything back. it’s only going to help develop everyone more,’’ said Batty.

“Players want to go out there and show the coaches what they can do and that includes all the young lads training with the first team.

“It’s better from a squad point of view because everyone wants to be a part of things and Bath has a massive future in front of it.’’ Bath travel to Newport-Gwent Dragons to get their LV= Cup campaign tomorrow (2.30pm) and despite probably figuring below the Aviva Premiership and Heineken Cup on the list of priorities, Batty refuses to see it as a distraction.

“It’s a difficult challenge and another chance for some silverware so we will not be taking it lightly,’’ he added.

“We want to put on a performance and it’s a chance for the players to do that.’’

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