THIRTEEN years on, Brad Davis still holds the all-time record for the number of tries scored in a single match for York Wasps.

The city legend notched up seven against Highfield in September 1995 in a distinguished rugby league career which also took in stops at Huddersfield, Wakefield and Castleford.

But it's now in the 15-man game where the 39-year-old Australian is making his mark - as the defence and skills coach at Guinness Premiership giants Bath.

Davis joined the team at the Recreation Ground in September 2006 after being assistant coach at the Wildcats and has had an amazing impact despite the notoriously difficult transition from league to union.

Under his tenure, Bath have become one of the meanest defences in Europe and - after knocking off leaders Gloucester 10-5 last week - lie just two points behind the Cherry and Whites in the Premiership table.

With the club already through to the latter stages of the European Challenge Cup and a Heineken Cup berth next season virtually sewn up, Davis believes this is just the beginning.

And that's why he, along with head coach Steve Meehan and forwards coach Mark Bakewall, have all committed themselves this week to a further two years at Bath.

"I think first of all that I feel I am part of a club moving forward in every direction. Since joining, I have seen a big impact not only on the pitch but off it," Davis said.

"As a coach, I am looking forward to developing myself within what is a great coaching staff and a group of players and it really is an exciting place to be at the moment."

It was fellow Wasps stalwart Graham Steadman, now defence coach with Ireland, who helped pave the way for Davis's move from league to union and he said he has no regrets at making the shift.

"The first six months were the most difficult," he added. "There are a lot of laws to the game that you need to address and you soon realise the two codes are vastly different.

"That obviously took a while to get through and I had to do a lot of research to get to grips with it. Then it was about just trying to get the players to understand what you are about as a coach."

It seems they are listening. Bath have conceded just 163 points in a record of eight wins and just two Guinness Premiership defeats. It's a far cry from last season when Bath finished a disappointing eighth.

Davis added: "When I arrived, in the first eight weeks, we did leak a lot of points. We changed some things - things which had been in place for a number of years and, when a new coach comes in, it takes time for the players to understand and respond.

"I felt, in the second half of last season, we were a lot harder to score against and we have carried on from that.

"We've also been more ruthless in attack and the guys understand the more effective they are with the ball the less defence they have to do."

If consistency is the key, then Davis believes the future could be trophy-laden. But he admits he still has a lot to learn about union.

"I am still fairly new to the game. I want to keep developing as a coach. Obviously I would like Bath to achieve Heineken Cup success and, over the next two years, we are looking for Bath to win trophies and to be in a position where, year in, year out, we are in the frame to win." he added.

"If you are in the top four or five of the Premiership and in the Heineken Cup every year that helps to attract better players to the club and helps you really develop as a team."

Davis says Bath, with its Roman remains, reminds him a lot of York and he has only fond memories of his time in the Minster city.

"It is a beautiful city and Wasps were a great club who were very friendly. Every memory I have of York is positive and I had a very similar feeling when I went to Bath," he said.

"They are both Roman cities and I saw a lot of similarities. When I look at Bath, I always think back to York. It really was a great time for me."