IT was great to get a win on Saturday and I think the first-half was some of the best rugby we have played all year.

Certainly, when we got the ball in hand we looked pretty dangerous. Our set-piece didn't quite function but hopefully we can get both components right on Saturday, when we travel to Bath.

As the season has progressed we have expanded our game and become far more rounded and I think we are continuing to progress all the time.

The Newcastle game was the perfect send-off for both Thomas Lombard and Andre Van Niekerk.

Those two have put a lot of effort into the team over the last couple of years and it was great to get a win in their last game for us at Sixways.

Thomas will be massively missed by everybody here. The emotion of that game and running out in front of the home crowd might have got to him but there's no doubt it had a good affect on the lads. And I am sure that is a part of the reason why we played so well.

It was also a very big day for Nick Runciman who was making his debut at scrum-half and I thought he was outstanding. He is a genuine lad and he just climbed straight into it and had an outstanding game.

And what a difference one game makes with regard to the table. We were in 11th place at the start of Saturday and if we win against Bath we can finish as high as seventh.

It's very tight which shows you how much quality there is in the league.

I think it is important that we finish as high as possible and we are keen to better last season's ninth place.

We know that we've improved and we're taking big steps forward so it would be nice if the league position reflected that.

Bath have found a bit of form and it will be a big ask to go down there and get a win.

There are a few grounds in the Guinness Premiership where you really look forward to going to as a player.

One of those is Welford Road, another is Gloucester and The Recreation Ground has got a similar sort of feel about it. It's quite a special occasion, but to go there and get a result would be a magnificent achievement.

They have got a good pack and a good set-piece. Obviously that's where the battle starts.

We played them on Boxing Day but they have become a far more expansive team since Brian Ashton took over.

Brian is a very good coach and while John Connolly liked a more structured game plan, he is more liberal and you can see that in the way they are playing.

The first thing we have got to focus on is stopping them scoring points. We are all looking forward to it and eager to finish the season on a high.