Bath Rugby’s aim for the final three games of the season is to finish as high in the Gallagher Premiership table as possible and secure a place in the 2021/22 Heineken Champions Cup.
The Blue, Black and White lie ninth in the table with trips to Harlequins and Gloucester as well as a home match against Northampton Saints remaining.
Scotland international Jamie Bhatti has played nine times for the club since joining in January and while he will be departing at the end of the campaign, his aim – as is the group’s – is to ensure the Rec sees top-tier European rugby next term.
“The goal is to qualify for Europe for the guys who are going to be here next year,” he said.
“I’d love to see the club in the Champions Cup next year and I want to play my part in getting them there as well and I’ll play my part whatever that may be.”
The prop added: “We’ve also spoken a lot as a group about giving the guys who are leaving a proper send off as well; giving them good memories.
“Hopefully we can win the last few games and give these guys who have given a lot to the club a good send off.”
Harlequins sit in the Premiership play-off places, 11 points clear of Northampton in fifth.
Centre Max Clark is wary of their attacking exploits going into the game.
“They chuck the ball around and have threats across the park.
“You cannot switch off against Quins. They have class across the team because they are ready to go from anywhere.”
Bath’s last trip to The Stoop saw them run out 41-27 winners with prop Lewis Boyce scoring the pick of the bunch – sprinting home after picking off a James Lang pass.
MATCH DETAILS
Date: 29 May 2021
Kick-off: 14:00
Competition: Gallagher Premiership
Where: The Stoop
Referee: Tom Foley
Assistants: Paul Dix & Jamie Leahy
TMO: Claire Hodnett
Citing Commissioner: Chris Catling
Media Coverage: BT Sport 3
HARLEQUINS’ CURRENT FORM
(LWWWL)
Leicester Tigers 35-29 Harlequins | Gallagher Premiership
Harlequins 48-46 Wasps | Gallagher Premiership
London Irish 21-25 Harlequins | Gallagher Premiership
Harlequins 50-26 Worcester Warriors | Gallagher Premiership
Harlequins 21-57 Ulster | Challenge Cup
A CLASSIC IN THE RESTART
Two tries from England wing Ruaridh McConnochie saw Bath ease to a bonus-point win over Harlequins in front of around 2,700 fans.
McConnochie crossed in each half as the return of supporters to The Stoop failed to inspire Quins to victory.
Harlequins centre Joe Marchant's try opened the scoring, but Bath took control soon after and never let up.
Rhys Priestland kicked 21 points in the victory while Elliott Stooke and Jonathan Joseph also dotted down for tries ahead of Lewis Boyce's interception score.
