BATH centre Mike Tindall has signed a new contract that will keep him at the Recreation Ground until 2005.

England ace Tindall put pen to paper on the deal which runs until the end of the season after next.

The 23-year-old has been capped 18 times in England's midfield since making his international debut during the 2000 Six Nations Championship.

He is also in Clive Woodward's plans for the autumn Test series against South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.

Tindall said: "I am very happy to be extending my stay with Bath.

"This is a great club and there is a real belief within the squad that we are heading in the right direction. I am looking forward to continuing my involvement."

Team director Mike Foley expressed his satisfaction with the deal and marked Tindall down as a possible future captain.

Foley said: "We are extremely pleased to be signing Mike on a longer contract. He not only provides great inspiration with the way that he plays, but will almost certainly be a leadership figure in the future."

Tindall will figure when Bath kick-off the 2002-03 Parker Pen Challenge Cup launched in Bath yesterday against GRAN Parma in Italy on Friday night (7pm).

The competition has been revamped into a knockout format from the old Shield, with two-legged matches until a one-off final next May, and the possible prize of a Heineken Cup Final place next season.

First-round losers get a second chance, in the now-third tier Shield event.

The second leg of Bath's Italian job follows at the Rec next Saturday (October 19) the winners being decided by the aggregate score from the two games.