Bath Rugby closing in on fly-half cover

Bath Rugby are poised to sign an injury replacement for Butch James next week.

The club is closing in on a fly-half who will take James' place in the squad while the Springbok recovers from a cruciate ligament tear – an injury that is set to keep him sidelined until at least Christmas.

The signing will come after Bath announced this week that Australia A outside back Matt Carraro has joined the club on a two-year deal from the New South Wales Waratahs.

Carraro, 24, has played in his homeland at both outside centre or wing, meaning his signing goes some way to filling the gap created by the dramatic close season departures of Alex Crockett (centre) and Andrew Higgins (wing).

After persuading Carraro to put pen to paper, finding cover for James is the final piece in what has turned out to be a mind-boggling summer transfer jigsaw for head coach Steve Meehan.

A fortnight ago the Bath boss thought he was homing in on an overseas stand-off, but was left disappointed after being "slightly misled" by the player's agent.

But now the coaching staff at Bath are confident they are on the right track.

"With Butch being out on a long-term injury there is a possible lack of depth in the number 10 department," said skills and defence coach Brad Davis.

"But we are active in that department and we should have a positive resolution in the next five to eight days."

Davis also indicated that a number of backs may well be popping up in some unexpected places next season.

"We know Olly (Barkley) can step in at 10 and do a more than capable job. His best position – and he'd say this himself – is probably at 12, but I can see him playing at 10,12, 13 or 15.

"If you look at our other centres we have Tom Cheeseman and Shontayne Hape and they can alternate between 12 and 13.

"Jack Cuthbert with his size and hopefully with his on-going development is also an option at outside centre.

"There are plenty of permutations and that gives us plenty of flexibility. Depending on the opposition we can move them about."

The former rugby league half-back is also excited at the platform he believes Bath's new-look pack will provide his backs.

With the recent signings of loose forwards Luke Watson and Julian Salvi on top of the earlier deals struck with England prop Davey Wilson and No 8 Ben Skirving, Davis believes Bath will be a formidable rucking unit.

"It's probably the strongest backrow on paper that Bath have had for a number of years," he said.

"Ben Skirving seems to have fitted in seamlessly. He has already added some views on the pitch. He is going to be one of the leaders on the field."

Of Carraro's imminent arrival, Davis said: "He is a really good acquisition for our club. The three guys we have brought in from Australia and South Africa are very good, quality players. When you get the opportunity to sign those sorts of players you can't turn it down."

Carraro, who will provide an extra goal-kicking option for Bath, said: "I am very excited to be joining Bath Rugby and to be living in a great place like Bath.

"The club has a great reputation in the Southern Hemisphere and all over the world people love Bath the city.

"The squad looks great and I am looking forward to playing with them and to developing my game under Steve Meehan and the other coaches.

"I am really looking forward to the challenge of week-in, week-out rugby, and playing in the Guinness Premiership and in the Heineken Cup against the best players in England and in Europe."

The former Waratah Academy member signed a rookie contract with the Brumbies before returning to the Waratahs Super 14 squad in 2008, playing seven matches and earning a place in the Australia A squad for the IRB Pacific Nations Cup.

Meehan said: "Matt's rugby skills and size will suit us well and we are very pleased that he wants to progress his rugby here at Bath.

"He has a reputation as a hard worker and good bloke off the field and these are the first ingredients we are looking for.

"Being able to play in either centre position or on the wing provides us with great flexibility and, with the added bonus of goal kicking, I am sure he will get plenty of rugby."

Back rower Chris Goodman, who left Bath at the end of last season, has signed for Championship outfit Bedford Blues.

He links up once more with ex-Bath scrum-half Nick Walshe, who took up a player-coaching role with the Blues a year ago.