BATH may have already taken the bragging rights against local rivals Bristol this season but Rhys Priestland knows that by no means guarantees a hat-trick of victories when they face each other this evening.

Todd Blackadder’s side renew hostilities with their near neighbours in the European Challenge Cup tonight, although this will be their first meeting of the season at Bristol’s home ground of Ashton Gate.

After defeats in their opening 10 games of the new season, form that saw Andy Robinson replaced at the helm by Mark Tainton until the end of the campaign, Bristol are enjoying an upturn in fortunes and have five wins in their last nine fixtures.

That included a run of four victories in a row before they were beaten at Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership last weekend.

Bath currently head Pool 4 of the Challenge Cup but only three points separate them, Cardiff Blues and Bristol down in third, so Priestland is well aware that there is more than just West County pride at stake on derby day.

“This will definitely be our toughest game against them,” said the fly-half, who turned 30 on Monday.

“They are playing some decent stuff under Mark Tainton and they have really picked up in the last few weeks and they are playing with confidence too.

“It’s going to be a tough one for us but although we have lost the last few games, we’ve not felt like we’ve played that badly in either of them so we are still doing OK ourselves.

“This will be a crucial game for us when it comes to whether we make the quarter-finals or not but it’s a big chance for them as well as if they win, they are right back in the mix and in with a shout of going into the last round of fixtures, so it’s all to play for.”

Wales international 10 Priestland put pen to paper on a new deal at the club last week and is delighted to be staying on at The Rec.

Priestland has had something of a stop-start career at Bath so far, having coped with a selection battle with England fly-half George Ford as well as injuries that have restricted him to just four Premiership appearances this term.

Now back fully fit, Priestland is looking forward to improving his game at Bath and says he was never tempted by a move elsewhere.

“I am very happy. I have been injured a lot this year and I haven’t been able to show what I can do but hopefully I can do that between now and the end of the season and build some momentum for next year,” said Priestland.

“It was always my preferred option to stay here so I am happy to sign on again.

“Last year didn’t go great in terms of where we finished in the league and this year has been frustrating with injuries but I am convinced this is the right club for me to be at.

“I love it here and I enjoy working with the coaches and all the boys so I am looking forward to the next few years now.”