BATH director of rugby Todd Blackadder wants to see a more ruthless edge to his side if they are to build on the strong foundations they have laid.

The Rec side ended 2016 in disappointing fashion as they slipped to back-to-back defeats against Wasps and Exeter Chiefs.

Despite that not being the way Blackadder would have wanted to sign off what has been an impressive first five months at the club, he saw plenty to be positive about as he looks for Bath to continue their good season to date.

“I thought for most parts of the game, we dominated possession and we weren’t quite ruthless enough at certain moments during the game,” he said.

“Those 11 points were just not enough at the end of the day.

“I have to say, it was probably one of our most complete performances of the season and to not be ruthless on certain occasions probably cost us.

“It was always going to be an epic one because Exeter are a good team and it came down to the wire and we’ll take a lot from it.

“The really pleasing thing was we created enough and we probably could have scored three tries if we executed well, but we didn’t and that is often the difference.

“I think it will be disappointing if we don’t kick on from here.

“A lot of good work has been done and I feel like the effort is going in and there are certainly no issues within our camp, which is really nice.

“We have just got to convert that now and probably be a little bit steelier around some certain things.”

That will start this evening when Bath travel to Newcastle Falcons (7.45pm) and Blackadder is looking for his side to show the characteristics of a title challenger if they are to return to winning ways.

“We’re playing some good rugby, we’ve got some great men but we really need to go to Newcastle and convert the last two weeks, where we have had two losses, into a win,” he added.

“It really is a big game for us.

“I don’t think this competition, this year, is one where you can take anyone lightly, I just don’t see that.

“Every game is a big one and the sides that are really consistent, that are mentally tough and resilient are the ones that are going to do well and we want to be one of those teams.

“I think we really need to step it now and really need to nail those opportunities, get our driving line-out a lot better and get our line-outs functioning so we can convert those points.”