TODD Blackadder concedes a failure to close out games has cost Bath in the last fortnight, although the director of rugby does not believe it is a big problem to worry about.

Newcastle Falcons scored 14 unanswered points in the final 10 minutes to condemn Bath to a 24-22 defeat on the road in the Aviva Premiership last Friday.

Another poor finish had cost Bath the previous weekend as Exeter Chiefs came from 11-0 down at half-time to earn a 17-11 success at The Rec.

Although Blackadder is frustrated by the late lapses that have cost his side in recent weeks, the New Zealander is sure it is not a long-standing issue, citing the clinical nature in which Bath began the season with eight wins in their opening 10 league games.

“The first half wasn’t very good but I was really pleased with how we came back in the second, so to then put ourselves in a position to win but not close it out is disappointing,” said Blackadder.

“It’s just one of those things that we have to take on the chin and learn from.

“We are usually really good at closing out games and it’s just a case now that it’s something that’s happened two weeks in a row.

“It was one or two cheap penalties here and there and all of a sudden, Newcastle are on our tryline. We put ourselves in a position to win but in the last 15 minutes, we didn’t execute.

“However, it’s important to say that they were two fantastic games against teams that went at us and tried to put us under pressure and tried to win the game.

“It’s not a case of us losing because of our mistakes, it’s a case of the opposition playing really well against us.”

Meanwhile, flanker Sam Underhill has joined Bath on a three-year deal from Ospreys, the club have confirmed this afternoon.

Twenty-year-old Underhill will move to Bath ahead of the 2017/18 season and says he is excited about the prospect of heading to The Rec.

“There is a brilliant environment at the club, and some very talented players, both of which were a huge incentive in joining for me," he said.

"They have a world-class coaching set-up, who I know will help me develop into the best player I can possibly be.

"I’ve enjoyed a really good couple of seasons at Ospreys, and would like to thank everyone who has helped make this move possible, and the fantastic support I’ve received throughout my time in south Wales.”