Sir Ian McGeechan's son-in-law will be a new arrival at The Rec next season – but there will be no special treatment.

Loosehead prop Charlie Beech will move to Bath Rugby from Wasps on a three-year deal over the summer.

The former England under-20 player, who has chalked up 31 appearances for Wasps, will compete for the Bath number one jersey with Nathan Catt, David Flatman and David Barnes, with the latter poised to exercise his option for another year at The Rec.

Bath forwards coach Martin Haag says Beech, 23, can expect the very opposite of a comfortable ride when he joins his father-in-law in the West Country.

"Irrespective of who he's related to, Charlie still has to do his duties as a rugby player," Haag told the Chronicle.

"There's probably more pressure on him now because his father-in-law is director of rugby.

"We've had a good look at him and we know what he offers.

"He's a big ball carrier, is pretty aggressive and there's potential for him to improve further in the scrum, which is what we want.

"We're looking at him as a loosehead; that's where he's played most of his rugby. He's big enough to play tighthead but we need to make sure he does his loosehead responsibilities first.

"We've got some great guys coming through on the tighthead side – Kane Palma Newport and Mark Lilley – so we've brought Charlie in as a loosehead who's looking to replace some of the guys. We'll see how we go with that.

"There's some great experience from Barnes and Flatman for him to learn from."

Thirty-four-year-old Barnes has the option of another year on his contract and Haag suggested that option would be exercised.

"It's World Cup year next season and we'll see how he goes," he explained. "We'll need all our players."

This week Bath also confirmed the signing of Sale Sharks flanker Carl Fearns.

The openside was nominated for the IRB Junior Player of the Year award in 2009 and Haag knows all about the 21-year-old following his time at the RFU coaching England's junior national sides.

"I worked with Carl with the under-18s and under-20s and he's a great leader," said Haag.

"He's desperate to learn, he's a good ball carrier, he's quick, he's feisty – all the requirements of a good back row.

"I've had involvement with him before and know what he can do and what he can bring. He's done pretty well at Sale and hopefully he can flourish in our environment."

Director of rugby McGeechan is keen to lower the average age of the Bath squad and both Fearns and Beech fit that bill.

McGeechan said: "We are thrilled that these two very promising young players have decided to join the club.

"Both Carl and Charlie have very good set skills in their positions and will only get better over the coming seasons.

"They are both very ambitious players, who are keen to take the next step in their careers."

Head coach Steve Meehan added: "Carl and Charlie will both be very welcome additions to the squad here at Bath.

"They both have top-level experience already, both having made strong first-team appearances, which will be very valuable to us. I also have no doubt they will both fit in very well here."

For his part, Beech is excited by what he believes is a bright future for the club at The Rec.

"I am really excited about moving to Bath Rugby," he said.

"It is a club with a great history, fantastic supporters and a great future, and I am really looking forward to the challenges of next season and my future at Bath."