AFTER a hard-fought victory away at Leicester Tigers to open the new Aviva Premiership season, forward James Phillips knows things will not get any easier this weekend when they host Saracens.

Bath claimed a first league win at Welford Road for 14 years on Sunday in a gutsy 27-23 success, holding off a late Tigers charge in the process.

Having kicked off the campaign with one of the toughest away trips on the calendar, Todd Blackadder’s side now have the small task of tackling the reigning European Champions Cup holders.

Although confidence in the camp is high after their Leicester heroics, Phillips is well aware that another titanic tussle is just around the corner when Sarries head to the Rec on Saturday.

“It is always good to get off to a winning start and hopefully we can build on it this weekend when we have a massive game against Saracens,” said Phillips, who made his Bath debut at Welford Road after joining the club from Bristol ahead of the new season.

“It’s a tough start to the season but there are no easy games in the Premiership, every week is a big test.

“Saracens obviously went really well at the weekend against Northampton, scoring four tries in the first 25 minutes, so we know we have got to be right on top of our game.

“Personally, it is always good to get the shirt on for the first time and get out on the pitch and now I’m looking forward to that first game at the Rec.”

Two Max Clark tries and one from Semesa Rokoduguni pushed Bath into a 27-11 lead against Leicester, only for indiscipline to hold the visitors back.

Kahn Fotuali’i and Matt Garvey were both sent to the sin-bin, allowing Jonny May to get over the whitewash twice in quick succession.

A third card came Bath’s way after Matt Banahan saw yellow but despite finishing the game with just 13 players on the field, Blackadder’s men held firm to see out the win.

Phillips added: “The last 10 minutes were really frantic. The boys dug really deep and I think that just shows the culture at the club we have built over pre-season and that enabled us to hold Leicester off.

“We talked about that winless record before the game and as a player, I have never been to Leicester and won either.

“From my own personal point of view, it was a big thing anyway, and for the club to get a win there for the first time since 2003, it was a pretty special day.”