The LV= Cup remains high on Bath Rugby's agenda despite other competitions taking precedence in recent weeks.
A sixth straight Pool 4 win last Saturday secured their place in the Amlin Cup quarter-finals, while improved form in the Aviva Premiership – where Bath currently sit eighth – is the club's priority.
The Anglo-Welsh competition has been on the backburners since November but with a place in next season's Heineken Cup awarded to the LV= Cup winner, head coach Gary Gold says it is still a key part of Bath's plans.
"I'm really excited about this competition and we are taking it very seriously," said Gold, whose side entertain Exeter Chiefs at The Rec on Saturday (2.15pm).
"It's an important competition for us because it's the route of least resistance to get a Heineken Cup place for next year. It's not easier, but there's just less games.
"We are desperate to try to win silverware and just want to play at the highest level and play against the best."
Bath currently sit second in Pool 4 after kicking off the competition with a home win over Newport Gwent Dragons before falling to defeat at Harlequins.
They trail Northampton Saints by a single point but have a good chance of closing that gap during Exeter's visit to The Rec, with Bath holding an unbeaten record over Chiefs since their promotion to the Premiership in 2010.
Having seen Exeter push current Heineken Cup champions Leinster all the way in a 29-20 defeat last Saturday, however, Gold says nothing can be taken for granted this weekend.
"We were gutted with the result up at Harlequins and are really quite keen to carry on our winning ways," said Gold.
"We know how tough Exeter can be. We've played them twice before this season and thankfully haven't lost to them.
"[First-team coach] Mike Ford will tell you that, from an attacking point of view, they are as good as anyone.
"They will take a lot of confidence in that they've competed well at Heineken Cup rugby.
"They are an outstanding team, are a real handful and we've got another tough challenge this weekend." FOUR PAGES OF BATH RUGBY COVERAGE IN TOMORROW'S BATH CHRONICLE
A sixth straight Pool 4 win last Saturday secured their place in the Amlin Cup quarter-finals, while improved form in the Aviva Premiership – where Bath currently sit eighth – is the club's priority.
The Anglo-Welsh competition has been on the backburners since November but with a place in next season's Heineken Cup awarded to the LV= Cup winner, head coach Gary Gold says it is still a key part of Bath's plans.
"I'm really excited about this competition and we are taking it very seriously," said Gold, whose side entertain Exeter Chiefs at The Rec on Saturday (2.15pm).
"It's an important competition for us because it's the route of least resistance to get a Heineken Cup place for next year. It's not easier, but there's just less games.
"We are desperate to try to win silverware and just want to play at the highest level and play against the best."
Bath currently sit second in Pool 4 after kicking off the competition with a home win over Newport Gwent Dragons before falling to defeat at Harlequins.
They trail Northampton Saints by a single point but have a good chance of closing that gap during Exeter's visit to The Rec, with Bath holding an unbeaten record over Chiefs since their promotion to the Premiership in 2010.
Having seen Exeter push current Heineken Cup champions Leinster all the way in a 29-20 defeat last Saturday, however, Gold says nothing can be taken for granted this weekend.
"We were gutted with the result up at Harlequins and are really quite keen to carry on our winning ways," said Gold.
"We know how tough Exeter can be. We've played them twice before this season and thankfully haven't lost to them.
"[First-team coach] Mike Ford will tell you that, from an attacking point of view, they are as good as anyone.
"They will take a lot of confidence in that they've competed well at Heineken Cup rugby.
"They are an outstanding team, are a real handful and we've got another tough challenge this weekend." FOUR PAGES OF BATH RUGBY COVERAGE IN TOMORROW'S BATH CHRONICLE
