Bath are understood to be keeping tabs on highly-rated Edinburgh scrum-half Hector Patterson ahead of next season.
The 21-year-old has enjoyed an impressive rise in Scotland and is now starting to attract lots of interest.
The Times reported this week that leading clubs in England and France are interested in Patterson, with Edinburgh facing a fight to keep him.
RUCK can now reveal that Bath are among the English clubs monitoring his situation.
No deal has been agreed, and Patterson remains an Edinburgh player.
However, there is an interesting twist to his future.
Despite playing for Scotland at age-grade level, Patterson is also eligible to represent England through a grandparent.
That could make his next move particularly interesting.
Rugby runs in the family
Patterson certainly has rugby in his blood.
He is the son of former Scotland scrum-half Derrick Patterson, who represented his country during the 1990s.
Derrick won two Scotland caps and was also part of their squad for the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
Hector has since followed in his father's footsteps.
He represented Scotland at U18 and U20 level, and helped them win the 2024 World Rugby U20 Trophy.
The scrum-half then signed his first professional deal with Edinburgh after impressing at senior level.
His progress has continued this season, and other clubs are now taking notice.
Bath keeping tabs
Patterson's situation is made more interesting by the length of his current deal.
He is only contracted until the end of the season, meaning clubs are already looking at their options for next term.
Bath are understood to be among them.
Their interest comes at an interesting time, with Ben Spencer now 34.
Bath have also been busy sorting their squad for the future, with Dan Frost recently agreeing a new deal.
For now, Patterson appears happy at Edinburgh.
There is also the international question.
Patterson has come through the Scotland system, but England remains an option until he is tied to Scotland at senior level.
With the 2027 Rugby World Cup now just a year away, his next decision could be a big one.
