MIKE Ford is keen for Bath Rugby to make a flying start to the new Aviva Premiership season as they bid to go one better than last year.

Bath went agonisingly close to being crowned champions in 2014-15, only to be beaten by Saracens in the final at Twickenham.

Ford reckons that heartbreaking defeat will stand his troops in good stead, although the head coach has stressed the importance of starting well if they are to be in with a chance of mounting another title tilt this time around.

Bath begin their Premiership campaign by welcoming West Country rivals Exeter Chiefs to The Rec on Saturday (2pm) on the back of a World Cup-stunted preparation but Ford has no doubts his side are up to full-speed.

“I think we’re ready - it has been an unusual pre-season with the World Cup but the players have done well and we’ve planned it well but they are itching to play,” said Ford, whose side lost 43-16 at home to the Chiefs in their final West County Challenge match of pre-season last weekend.

“We understand that for you to do well in the season we need a really good start. If you’re around the top four after the first five or six games, then you’re usually there all year, so we understand the importance of a good start.

“It was disappointing last season because I thought we were ready. Not necessarily at this time last year or even halfway through but by the end, we were ready.

“We had a great chance but we came up against a very determined Saracens side - they had the experience and there was probably a bit of naivety from us, and I mean from the players and the coaches.

“I think it will definitely be a good learning curve. You do naturally learn from experiences, especially when you lose.

“You’re disappointed. You think the world’s ended but then you get back on the horse and you’re hungry.

“You know what it’s like to get to Twickenham in a final and it makes you more enthusiastic.

“Hopefully we’ll be back there again this year.”