TODD Blackadder admitted that Bath's ambition at Allianz Park was limited to playing for a bonus point after naming a significantly weakened team for their 50-27 defeat by Saracens.

Blackadder made 13 changes for the first v fourth battle against the reigning Gallagher Premiership champions, resting senior players including Taulupe Faletau, Luke Charteris, Dave Attwood and Freddie Burns.

Bath suffered an eight-try rout as a result, although they finished one touch down short of securing a bonus point against a team that has now amassed 25 points from five rounds.

Blackadder, the club's director of rugby who on Friday signed a contract extension until 2020, defended his team selection and objective in north London, citing player welfare as one of the reasons for the changes.

"We came here to get a point. We've got Exeter on Friday and we've got a massive month coming up," Blackadder said.

"I stand by the decision, absolutely stand by it. We're doing the best thing for our team and our players. The team we selected was here to perform. We prepared to beat them.

"On the back of this, we are creating more depth, we are freshening people up and we are learning about ourselves.

"We didn't get what we were after - all we were really after was chasing a bonus point to come away with something, I still think we will take a lot out of this.

"I'd rather bring these young guys to play against the best so that they know what the benchmark is. That way we can freshen our squad up for next week.

"Otherwise we'll just end up playing our best team every single week and we'll end up breaking guys. I just don't think that's the way forwards."

Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall declined to comment on Bath's team selection, instead choosing to marvel at the enduring brilliance of full-back Alex Goode.

Goode scored a try and had a hand in numerous others in an outstanding attacking display that yet again called into question Eddie Jones' ongoing decision to overlook him for England.

"It says a lot about his hunger to play at the highest level. He still wants to play for England, that's the one thing you need to know, and he works incredibly hard for it," McCall said.

"He works harder than people think. A lot of people think it's natural ability but he's worked hard to be quicker, to get his body in better shape and you could see that against Bath.

"It wasn't just his footwork, he looked quick and that's as good a performance as he's put in for us. But he has put in hundred of those in fairness. It was an incredible performance."

McCall revealed that captain Brad Barritt has gone to hospital for an examination on the eye injury sustained during a tackle made on Max Clarke.