The 21 year-old hooker – capped by England at Under 21 level – has signed a two-year contract that will begin from the start of next season (2007/08).

Ward made his Bath first team debut while still a teenager on the biggest stage of all – the Heineken Cup against Leinster – winning the man of the match award in the process. This season he has made appearances in all three competitions Bath have been involved in and scored the match-winning try against Newcastle in November.

Ward is looking forward to the prospect of playing for the Saints.

“It’s a great opportunity for me,” he said. “Especially to play the style of rugby that Northampton play, and for such a well-supported club.

“Coming from Bath – which has a great history – I wanted to play for a club that also has a great history, and Northampton has that.

“I’ve also played there with England Under 21s so I know that the stadium is fantastic, and having played with the likes of Paul Diggin, Mark Hopley and Dylan Hartley there will be a few familiar faces around.”

Saints’ head coach Paul Grayson is also excited by the signing.

“Dave is a great young English hooker,” he said. “And will put pressure on Dylan next season. With the two of them challenging each other their standards can only go up.

“That will be fantastic for us, but for England as well.”