Lipman, who was appointed the club’s on-field captain at the start of the season, is joined in signing a fresh deal by promising prop Aaron Jarvis.

With Bath lying third in the Guinness Premiership and challenging for a place in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals, Lipman has targeted some major silverware.

“We have been playing some great rugby over the past couple of seasons - I would certainly hate to play against us,” said Lipman.

“Winning the European Challenge Cup last year gave us a taste of the success that we can achieve and I have no doubt that more will come.

Bath head coach Steve Meehan has been impressed by Lipman’s leadership this season.

“I am really pleased with the progression that he has shown, both as an exceptional flanker, but also a leader in his first season as captain at Bath,” said Meehan.

“I want people to embrace the challenges that we face and Michael is one of those people who has the right attitude and mindset - the sort of person I want to see playing for Bath Rugby.”

Jarvis, 22, has signed a two-year deal and Bath forwards coach Bakewell believes he is learning fast from working alongside the likes of senior props Matt Stevens, David Flatman, Duncan Bell and David Barnes.

Jarvis has made 24 first-team appearances and Bakewell said: “He is certainly heading in the right direction to establishing himself as a genuine Premiership level prop.”