RAISED expectations have compounded the poor run Bath find themselves on as they look for consistency ahead of a difficult trip to Exeter Chiefs on Sunday.

Bath’s defeat to Wasps at the Rec last weekend was their seventh in their last eight outings.

A late rally secured a losing bonus point but with 10 games remaining in the Premiership season, first team coach Toby Booth knows that only they can stop the rot they find themselves in.

“You don’t want to be chasing the game but to show that sort of determination bodes well and it shows we are up for the fight,” he said.

“The reaction it got from the fans is also important. They need to see that they are willing to roll their sleeves up and fight for everything they can.

“We’re all bitterly disappointed with the run we find ourselves in but we’re the only people who can get ourselves out of it.

“Since Christmas we have been much improved and we have to look at the bits we can control that can turn that narrow loss into a victory.

“The expectation gets raised because of what happened last year but that is ancient history.

“There is a massive expectation we put on ourselves to perform well and we haven’t hit the levels we would like to hit consistently.

“All you can look for is the next game and the next performance.”

Bath head to Sandy Park with Exeter lying second and Booth is under no illusions the scale of the task that awaits them.

“They, along with Wasps, have been the model for consistency,” he added.

“That is brought about by consistency in selection and how you play and they have been in a position to do that.

“They will be a very tough ask and we’ll look forward to it and make sure we do everything we can to give us the best chance.”

BATH'S Jonathan Joseph, Anthony Watson and George Ford have retained their places in England's line-up to face Ireland on Saturday.