Bath aim to avoid embarrassment

Bath go into Saturday's final-round encounter with Ulster knowing they are out of the running for both a Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final place following just one win in five games.

And Hagg, who was a Heineken Cup winner with Bath 12 years ago, admits that seeing Ulster possibly secure a last-eight spot at The Rec would add further insult to injury for the proud West Country club.

"For me it would be rather embarrassing if Ulster got a bonus-point win," said former second row Haag.
"Ulster can't be underestimated, but it's not about Ulster. It's about what we do.

"If we get our game right - if we have a performance perhaps like the one we had against Gloucester here at The Rec just after Christmas - we know that we can beat any team on our own patch."

Ulster travel to the Georgian city knowing that a bonus-point win could see them pip Stade Francais to top spot in Pool 4 if the Parisians slip up in Edinburgh.

And while all talk seems to surround whether the Irish province can give themselves a fighting chance of qualification, Haag insists Ulster won't have it easy despite the European dream already being beyond his Bath side for at least another season.

"This is an important game - it's the Heineken Cup," added Haag.

"We're in a good place, touch wood, and we've also got people coming back.

"We've got a very fit squad at the moment, with lots of selection issues and lots of people to pick from, so it's great.
"This is an opportunity for us to perhaps relax a bit and play.

"Everyone wants to play in the Heineken Cup, it's going to be another sell-out and we've got to do justice to the competition and the supporters.

"They want to see a win - and also it can help with the confidence. We've got the LV= Cup and then London Irish in the league - there are important games coming up - and we need to make sure we get on a roll.

"If we can get a win here, it will boost confidence and we can keep improving."