Three defining weeks for Bath

Last year they managed to escape from their pool despite losing their first two matches, but head coach Mike Ford knows there is little more margin for error as they prepare to play two games against reigning champions RC Toulon and go to Dublin to face Leinster.

"A lot of good things happened for us in Europe last season and the win in Toulouse was huge for our confidence. We will know in just over two weeks' time whether or not we have a future in the Champions Cup this season," said Ford.

"It is a big few weeks for us, but we've known this was coming ever since the first round game was postponed. All the odds were against us last year after losing our first two matches and we know we need to do something special again this year to qualify for the quarterfinals.

"But there is nothing more exciting than going to take on the best teams at their own grounds. Toulon obviously want to make it four titles in a row, but they have found the Champions Cup more difficult this year – they have lost to Wasps and we feel we have a game that can cause them problems."

Having travelled to Newcastle for their last game, Bath now have to trek to the south of France this weekend and then to Dublin next week. That will make a round trip of around 3,500 miles, with a trip to Saracens in the Premiership to come at the end of a massive January.

Saracens are unbeaten this season and are sitting pretty at the top of Pool 1 in the Champions Cup. And as far as Ford is concerned, they are the one of the sides to beat this season.

"Results suggest they are the best team in Europe at the moment, but no trophies are handed out in December or January. Two years ago they reached tow finals and lost them both," said Ford.

"We can't wait to play them at the end of January. We are never going to copy their style, but you have to respect them because they are playing winning rugby."

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