RHYS Priestland says there will be no let-up in intensity from Bath this weekend despite little riding on their latest European Champions Cup clash at home to Wasps.
Both sides are without a win from the opening four rounds of the competition, so have no chance of qualification from Pool One over the final two matches.
Wales international fly-half Priestland, whose departure from the club at the end of the season was announced this week, insists Bath will not allow their performance level to drop even if the result has little significance.
“It is a strange one and I can’t remember being in this situation before,” said 50-cap Priestland.
“We are disappointed there is nothing at stake in terms of what we can achieve in the competition, but I think we have to put pressure on ourselves.
“Hopefully then we can go out and express ourselves and play some good rugby. It’s about the boys sticking their hands up.
“Wasps are an attack-minded team and we want to be as well, so hopefully both teams go out and put on a decent show.
“Hopefully people can see what it means when we put that shirt on and we can put in a performance that we can be proud of.”
Bath are looking to bounce back from a heart-breaking 21-19 defeat away at Worcester Warriors in the Premiership last time out.
Todd Blackadder’s side finished the game with 11 men on the field after a series of cards were shown to visiting players.
Bath had led 19-3 at half time before the Warriors battled back.
Previous wins over Wasps and Leicester saw Bath with two wins from three in the latest batch of Premiership games, but the defeat at Sixways leaves them eighth in the table with 10 games to go.
Priestland said: “I have been in games where we have been under pressure for the last 20 minutes but nothing like that. At the end, it was wild.
“You just didn’t know which way it was going to go. With so many guys off the field, we had to problem-solve on the field.
“We’re very disappointed it ended like that where we ended up giving the lead away.
“There were two great results over the Christmas period, but I don’t think we can get too carried away with it – it was only two results.
“There was some pleasing stuff and we did some good things, but looking at the block, we’re disappointed that we let the Worcester points slip.
“Every point is so vital in the Premiership and that is the difference between us being up in fourth or fifth now.
“The league changes drastically from week to week. You have to keep a level head when it comes to results and just get your house in order.
“Hopefully, results and the table will then take care of themselves.”
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