MATT Garvey admits frequent team errors have cost Bath from progressing further up the Aviva Premiership table this year.

Bath missed out on a chance to land their first piece of silverware in 10 years last Friday when slipping to a 28-11 loss against Exeter Chiefs in the Anglo-Welsh Cup final at Gloucester’s Kingsholm Stadium.

While the loss frustrated Garvey, who wasn’t part of Bath’s squad for the final, he admitted the team must refocus for a must-win game against Leicester Tigers at Twickenham on Saturday.

He said: “It’s a game that us as players and the club have been looking forward to all year. We’re excited.

“Everyone’s looking forward to it. The other side is that it’s another game, we can’t get sucked into the occasion because I’m sure Leicester will want to spoil the party.”

Last year’s Twickenham showdown saw Bath defeat the Tigers 27-21.

And Garvey wants a repeat performance as his men look to climb the table from their current position in eighth.

He said: “What made it a special day last year was the people off the pitch played their part and the boys on the pitch did the same.

“We’ve got to be well-drilled and have good discipline to marry up the work the team behind the scenes have done.

“In the last few years everyone seems to write Leicester off, I don’t know why.

“They’re always there or thereabouts. They’re a dangerous team.

“We have the capability to beat them, that gives us confidence.”

Garvey’s men face an uphill battle to reach the Premiership play-offs though, currently trailing fourth-placed Newcastle Falcons by eight points with four games remaining.

The Bath skipper believes his side could be placed higher had it not been for costly errors at crucial moments.

“Performances have not gone the way we’ve wanted them to go, and that’s the most disappointing thing,” said Garvey.

“I don’t mind losing when you’ve played well, but too many occasions we’ve given away good ball or given the opposition space to play in.

“It’s important we win these next big games.

“We need to work on all aspects of our game. That’s the plan, we’ve licked our wounds and are looking forward to what should be a good game.”