The Blue, Black and White will face the reigning European Champions off the back of a 7-7 draw with Sale Sharks yesterday at the Rec. The second rower admits that the performance fell below expectations, but is excited about the opportunity that is in front of the squad on Saturday.

Ewels said: “It wasn’t good enough, that was a game that we targeted to win and we missed opportunities. We created chances to win the game, but in other areas we were poor. A draw is better than a loss, but that’s nowhere near where we want to be and where we should be.”

“I think when you look back at games, it’s about finding ways to win however that may be. That’s where we have to get better as a squad - when we have those experiences we then learn from them the next time we are in that situation, we capitalise on it.”

Boosting an array of Irish internationals, 18 of which featured in the recent Autumn Internationals, Ewels is well aware of the challenge that faces Bath. But the 23 year-old England international believes that facing the European giants will be a test welcomed by the squad.

“We’re hugely excited - when the fixtures first got announced at the start of the year, that was one that was highlighted. We want to test ourselves against the best in Europe and that’s where we want to go as a Club.

“Some people may think our league position is quite false in terms of what we have delivered this year. However, as a playing group and as a management group, the ambition of this Club is to be the best in Europe. The only way we are going to get there is by testing ourselves against the current best, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

“The set piece is going to be massive as it is in every game, but even more so in Europe. It’s also just going to be about taking our opportunities and recognising that these European matches against the top sides become more and more like test matches. You don’t get four or five opportunities in a game, you get one or two and you either take them or you don’t.”

A limited number of tickets have been made available for this weekend's game against Leinster by clicking here or by ringing the Ticket Office on 0844 448 1865. There is good availability in Dyson Block C and South Stand Block E.

Ewels braced for Leinster test

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