The 23-year-old, who made his senior debut for the Falcons in the 2006/2007 season, said he was delighted to join one of the biggest clubs.

"Bath have a great brand of rugby which fits the way that I like to play perfectly," Batty told the club website. "It is an exciting time for me and the club. I am really glad to be joining one of the biggest clubs in the league and one with such a bright future.

"I can't wait to join up with the boys in a few weeks' time for pre-season training."

Commenting on the move, Bath's chief executive Nick Blofeld said: "Ross is a young talent who we are sure will thrive and develop well at the club and will add more strength in depth to the number two position."

Gloucester last faced Agen in the 2006-7 Heineken when the French side emerged triumphant in both fixtures. Gloucester have also taken on La Rochelle before in European competition, in the European Challenge Cup in 2001-2 and won both legs.

Pool 3 sees two English clubs in action with Newcastle Falcons and Exeter Chiefs drawn alongside Bourgoin and Montpellier. Harlequins face Connacht, Bayonne ad Cavalieri Prato in Pool 1 of the competition whilst Sale Sharks must face Brive, Petrarca and Cetransa El Salvador in Pool 2.

And Leeds Carnegie will have to negotiate the might of Stade Francais and face further ties against Parma ad Bucuresti Oaks in Pool 4.

The J.P. Morgan Asset Management Premiership Rugby 7s Series is a new Friday evening Sevens series that will take place in July and August and be broadcast live and exclusively on ESPN.

The innovative tournament is designed to attract a new audience to the game and create a thrilling new opportunity for existing rugby fans to watch their favourite clubs during the summer.

The 12 Premiership Rugby clubs will be divided into three groups for the tournament, with the winner and runner up of each regional event going through to the final on Friday, August 6, 2010.

The three regional events will take place at The Twickenham Stoop, Welford Road and Franklin's Gardens. Tickets for all events will be £10 for adults and £5 for juniors and can be purchased from Ticketmaster.co.uk or through the host clubs. The venue for the final will be confirmed shortly.