WINGER Matt Banahan believes last Sunday’s dogfight against London Welsh was the ideal tune-up for the daunting trip to Dublin.

Many would have expected Bath to steamroll a Welsh side who have not recorded a single win in all competitions so far this season when they visited the Kassam Stadium.

However, although the eventual 29-14 success in Oxford did relegate the Exiles from the Aviva Premiership with four games to go, it was far from a routine win for Bath.

Foul conditions made for a difficult contest and they were made to work for their five tries, which eventually yielded a bonus point in the second half.

Banahan says they will be much better for that sort of work out when they bid to topple Leinster in their own back yard and book a place in the European Champions Cup semi-finals.

“When we went there we just said we wanted to get the five points,” said Banahan. “It wasn’t pretty but five points is five points.

“It was as tough situation for us because if we’d gone there and scored 80 points it probably wouldn’t have been the best set up.

“We’ve been in a dogfight and that’s going to be really good for us going away to Dublin this weekend.”

The Welsh game was Bath’s first fixture after a fortnight off and Banahan says the squad have reassembled rejuvenated and are keen to make it a memorable finish to the season.

“If you’ve played week in, week out for 20 odd weeks then it’s great to have a bit of break as it refreshes the body and your mind,” he said.

“If you’ve got a little knock here or there, to just have even one week off means that you’re coming back in thinking you’re ready to go again for the rest of the season.”