Matt Stevens believes Bath's ambition on and off the pitch this season has been rewarded by ending a 10-year trophy drought.

And the west country club have made an immediate statement of intent for next term with Bradford Bulls rugby league star Shontayne Hape agreeing a three-year deal at the Recreation Ground.

New Zealander Hape, 26, has secured an early release from his contract with the Bulls and will leave on June 30 after a six-year stint.

The Bulls say they have received an undisclosed fee for granting that request.

Hape looks set to replace England centre Olly Barkley, who made his Bath farewell in the European Challenge Cup final victory over Worcester. Barkley joins Gloucester later this summer.

The 24-16 win was also saw Bath and England captain Steve Borthwick enjoy a perfect send-off before he heads to Saracens.

And Stevens (pictured), an England colleague of Borthwick and Barkley on tour in New Zealand next month, says Bath must now press ahead after securing their first silverware since the 1998 Heineken Cup triumph.

Stevens, a strong candidate to succeed Borthwick as club captain, said: "We don't want to sit on our laurels. We've still got to push the club and push signings.

"People worked hard in recruiting properly for this season, and I think this is now the first step.

"We managed to get some really good signings for this year and next year, so hopefully we can keep on improving, which is the key aspect.

"There was real intent shown by the club this season, and that ambition was rewarded.

"Bath played (on Sunday) like a team that can win finals. We've possibly not had that edge in the past, and hopefully this is the start of great things for the club.

"Winning a final gives us so much confidence going into the summer and then next season.

"What is important is that we don't see this as the end of things for Bath. We must see it as a beginning, a point to build from - a first step, as it were.

"We want to be challenging for the Heineken Cup and everything else that we are in."

Hape, who has made 14 New Zealand Test appearances but also qualifies for England on residency grounds, is out of contract with the Bulls later this year.

And he will now follow his former Bulls colleague Lesley Vainikolo into the Guinness Premiership. Vainikolo signed for Gloucester last year, then won five England caps during this season's RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Bath head coach Steve Meehan said: "I expect Shontayne will be a success at Bath.

"He has a rugby background, so is no stranger to the game, and the ELV's (experimental law variations) that are being introduced next season will suit his skills and athleticism.

"He has played NRL, Super League and internationally for New Zealand, so he is used to the pressure and demands that surround the top end of sport.

"He arrives without fanfare or fuss and will go about winning the respect of his club-mates as he works hard at being the best he can be."

Hape, who has suffered three major knee injuries during his league career, added: "I am really excited about making the change in my career, and it is a great opportunity to move to one of the biggest clubs in the country.

"The club has tremendous potential, and I really like their style of play which I feel suits me as a player and I think will help me adapt to the new code.

"It will be a learning curve, but Bath has everything to help me get to grips with the new rules and achieve success.

"I am keen to get into training as soon as possible so that I can win that Bath shirt."

As for leaving the Bulls, Hape said: "It was a very difficult decision to make because the Bulls have done so much for me.

"They took me in as a kid - I was only 21 - and I only planned on staying a couple of years, but I loved the club's family-orientated feel, the atmosphere, the coaches, players and the fans.

"They made me want to stay and now it's my second home. I will never forget Bradford.

"The main reason was the opportunities rugby union can offer me, but also I feel I needed a change and a new challenge.

"I have been at Bradford for six years and believe the best thing for me and my family is to move on."

Hape joined the Bulls from New Zealand Warriors and has scored 83 tries in 131 games.

Bulls coach Steve McNamara said: "Shontayne is a fantastic player and he has been a great servant to Bradford Bulls.

"He will be a big loss to us, but I fully understand his position.

"Everyone has big decisions to make at certain stages of their careers and Shontayne is at a crossroads and has decided to follow a certain path."

SportingLife / Eurosport