Bath Rugby first-team coach Toby Booth remained coy over rumours linking Sale Sharks prop Henry Thomas with a move to The Rec but admitted they are keen to replace the departing Anthony Perenise.
Bath confirmed today that 31-year-old Samoan international Perenise would join Green King IPA Championship side Bristol at the end of the season.
Reports in the Rugby Paper last month claimed 22-year-old former King Edward's School pupil Thomas was likely to join his hometown club this summer.
No deal has been agreed for the two-cap England front-rower but Booth admitted Bath have stepped up their recruitment drive in recent weeks.
"Henry's a good player and we're in a situation where we're trying to finalise a few recruitment things. He is a name who has been mentioned as many others have," said Booth.
"The quality of the squad is paramount. The reason we are where we are is because of the quality of the individuals that we have got and the depth of the individuals.
"As one leaves you have got to replace that with a similar quality."
Perenise joined Bath in 2011 but will make the short journey west this summer to a Bristol side chasing promotion to the Aviva Premiership.
He has made nearly 70 appearances for the club since arriving from New Zealand Super Rugby franchise Hurricanes and has started at both loosehead and tighthead this season.
"We are disappointed," added Booth.
"The club made a big effort to try to keep him here but at this stage of his career he's made a certain decision for his family, and we respect that.
"He will be missed but the challenge for us is bring in the next Anthony Perenise or the person that can push on and be as good, if not better."
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