BATH prop Henry Thomas might not know if his side have turned any corner in their campaign, but he has an Aviva Premiership top-six finish firmly in his sights after a derby victory over Gloucester.

A brace from Semesa Rokoduguni added to an opening try from Chris Cook to secure a third consecutive victory at Kingsholm last weekend for Mike Ford’s side.

That victory moved Bath within three points of their hosts in eighth place and eight points outside the European places and with big hitters like George Ford, Anthony Watson and Rhys Priestland back from international duty, Thomas sees no reason why the team can’t sneak in to the top half.

“It was always going to be a big game being a derby and we were hurting from the home defeat so we owed them one,” said Thomas, whose side host Saracens tomorrow night (7.45pm).

“We finished three tries to nil but it was pretty close and we came through some pretty tough defensive sets.

“People keep saying to me about us turning a corner and I am not really sure what it means.

“I think it was a big difference having the Six Nations guys coming back. Having George (Ford) and Rhys (Priestland) coming back at 10, I don’t think people understand how important that nine 10 axis is and we lacked that during the Six Nations.

“It keeps us on line for a big push for the top six.

“It is time for the guys to step up and finish the season well to give us and the fans European rugby next season.

“The games coming up are tough but we are starting to show a bit of form and back to where we were or where we should be.”

Bath start that aim of making the top six with the toughest of tasks as they play host to league-leading Saracens at the Rec this evening, but Thompson believes they can take heart from their narrow six-point defeat at Allianz Park in January.

“It is going to be a big challenge and it is going to be a big night,” he added.

“They are probably one of the best teams in Europe at the moment.

“We probably should have won away at their place three or four weeks ago. They have players back now but us being at home and beating them last season, we have good memories.

“We are going to go at them and give them everything we have got.”