Bath, impressive midweek conquerors of Leicester, continue their Guinness Premiership title bid on Saturday when they head to Worcester, where they will find a supporter of theirs in Warriors rugby director Mike Ruddock.

Ruddock, whose team has suffered just one league defeat in five games, said: "Bath are a fine team.

"They play some great rugby, the type of rugby I would like my team to eventually be able to play.

"Bath play with width and confidence, so they will be a hard team to stop."

Harlequins, currently third after losing just one of the last eight Premiership games, face Heineken Cup semi-finalists London Irish at the Madejski Stadium.

And Irish rugby director Brian Smith readily recognises the impressive work carried out by his Quins counterpart Dean Richards.

Smith said: "Dean Richards is an experienced director of rugby and coach, and he has added the steel Quins have been looking for for some time.

"Quins have competed well throughout the season, finding a good run of form just when it matters."

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