What it did provide was a chance for the squad to reenergise before turning their full attention to Newcastle Falcons in Round 9 of the Gallagher Premiership.

The win at The Rec last time out had been building with performances steadily improving over the past month or so.

One player who has been consistent throughout that period is Matt Gallagher. The full-back, brought to Bath from Munster in the summer, has certainly looked at home in Blue, Black and White.

“I’m really enjoying it; the boys have been great with me,” he said.

“We’ve been building up to something special for a while now and we were so happy to get the win. It’s been a slow build and obviously we wanted to get off to a quicker start but we’ve had some great learnings so the opportunities that are hopefully coming up will be great.

“The work we’ve put in over the past 17 weeks or so has created great foundations. This team sees itself as pushing top teams, as we have done in recent weeks, and competing at the top end of the table.”

Bath have won on their last two visits to Kingston Park having previously not won there since 2015.

Forwards Coach Neal Hatley is expecting a tough test in the North East against a side with talent up front and electric pace out wide.

“We have won the last two times we’ve been there but we’re under no illusions as to how tough it can be at Newcastle. Bristol went up there recently and went unstuck and a lot of other good sides have gone up there and struggled to put them away.

They’re a good team with good wings and their pack has gone from strength to strength. They’re very good unstructured and have scored some unbelievable tries. We know when when they get opportunities out wide they’ve got wheels, but I think as a group we’ve been getting better and better defensively so we’re looking forward to that challenge.”

MATCH DETAILS - newcastle falcons v Bath Rugby

When: Saturday 5 November, 15:00
Where: Kingston Park
Competition: R9 Gallagher Premiership
Coverage: Match Centre, BBC Radio Bristol, PRTV Live
Referee: Hamish Smales
Assistant Referees: James Clarke & Gareth Holsgrove
TMO: Dean Richards

NEWCASTLE FALCONS PROFILE

Formed: 1877
Stadium: Kingston Park
Head Coach: Dave Walder
Captain: Will Welch
Finish last season: 12th

HONOURS

Premiership: 1997/98
Championship: 1992/93, 2012/13, 2019/20
Anglo-Welsh Cup: 1975/76, 1976/77, 2000/01, 2003/04
Northumberland Senior Cup: 30 times from 1927 to 1994

ONE TO WATCH – GEORGE MCGUIGAN

A try-scoring hooker is all the range at the moment! Bath have Tom Dunn and Niall Annett. Saracens have Jamie George. Gloucester have Santiago Socino. And Newcastle have George McGuigan. The number two has been in fine form over the past few seasons with 15 Premiership tries last season and four in five this! It identifies a strength for Falcons at the maul which Bath will need to be wary of.

TRY REWIND

Ewan Richards sneaked into the corner to finish off a brilliant move on Bath Rugby's last trip to Kingston Park.

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Leicester Tigers, Fri 11 Nov, 19:45
The Barbarians! Sun 19 Nov, 14:00
Harlequins, Fri 2 Dec, 19:45

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Bath Rugby’s Match Preview is delivered to you by Huboo – the club’s Official Training Wear Partner. For more information on Huboo, visit www.huboo.com

Huboo Match Preview: Newcastle Falcons (A - Round 9)

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