BATH first team coach Toby Booth is pleased to be heading into a European weekend having dealt with business domestically first.

Todd Blackadder’s side sit third in the Premiership table following last Friday’s convincing 30-3 victory over Sale Sharks.

Although the visitors enjoyed large spells of possession, Bath held strong and were clinical when it mattered.

While Booth knows there is still work to be done on and off the field, to win five of their opening six meetings means they can head to Pau this weekend in buoyant mood.

“To sign off that block of Premiership fixtures with a nice win at home was very pleasing,” he said.

“To win five out of six is a really good start, which will hopefully set us up well when we return.

“We can take stock of that little block of fixtures and work out where we need to improve now.

“We need to control possession better than we have done, so that will be a focus for us, but it is much easier to embrace those sort of changes when you have got some brief success.

“Where we are, I think is fantastic. The nature of the wins we have had and how they have come about is also pleasing.

“We know that it is a long road to travel and we need to address the things we aren’t quite as good at, as well as the things we have.

“The one thing about this league is it certainly doesn’t get any easier and we are looking to improve each time.”

Mindful of travelling to the south of France today, playing tomorrow and then having another fixture on Thursday night, Booth is aware that Bath will have to keep their line-up as fresh as possible.

However, that won’t be an excuse for a drop in performance as Booth is keen to fight on all fronts this season.

“Starting off away from home against French opposition is a tough ask for everyone,” he added.

“You look at the players they have got; there are some good players, so we are going to need to build on what we have been doing in the league to be competitive.

“I think it is an important fixture. Every time you put on the jersey to represent Bath, it is important.

“Everyone talks of momentum and how important it is, and all players will talk about opportunities.

“Whoever takes the field, there will be an expectation from them individually to perform well and there is an expectation from that group that if you put on the shirt, you work extremely hard.

“Whoever it is, there will be some rotation over the two games – there has to be. We’re confident that if we perform at our best, then we will give our self the best opportunity to win.”