WINGER Cooper Vuna hopes having home advantage against Exeter Chiefs at The Recreation Ground tonight can inspire Bath Rugby to bounce back from last weekend’s disappointing loss against Saracens.

Todd Blackadder’s men missed out on an opportunity to secure themselves within the top four places after being downed by the current league leaders 50-27 away from home.

Facing another Premiership giant in Exeter this evening (7.45pm) will be no easy task for Bath, admits Vuna – who is hoping to build some consistency in his game having spent the opening months of the season nursing a calf injury.

He said: “Last weekend (against Saracens) was tough for the boys, but we’re back at home this weekend.

“We’re against another heavy weight team so we need to back up our performances on the training ground, we’re looking forward to it and can’t wait to get out there.

“It’s good to face two big teams back to back, it shows where we stand in this competition. And if we want to be competitive we have to stand up to these teams.

“Especially as this game is at home, we want to back up what we’ve done throughout pre-season. Home advantage can help too.”

The 31-year-old Tonga international couldn’t speak highly enough regarding the club’s home support.

A draw at home to Gloucester coupled with a two-point last-gasp win against Northampton has made for two entertaining fixtures at The Rec.

And while Vuna hopes tonight’s tie doesn’t go down to the final kick, he admitted making a positive start to the tie will be crucial if Bath are to put Exeter on the backfoot.

He said: “The crowds are awesome, they always get behind the team.

"There will be moments during games where they (the fans) aren’t too sure what is going to happen.

“The last two games have been nail-biting. And this next fixture is against a big team so we need them on our side early.

“It hasn’t been a great start to the year for me personally after picking up a calf injury. But I got a run last weekend against Gloucester with the Bath United team, that was good to get the legs going.

“Whether I get picked this weekend or not, it will be good to be in the mix and take things from there so I can move forward.”