“We’ll have to dominate up front if we want to beat Exeter,” – Neal Hatley

Bath return to Premiership duties with a mouth-watering West Country derby against Exeter at The Rec tomorrow.
For forwards coach Neal Hatley, the battle up front will be key against on the best pack in the league.
He told The Rugby Paper: “If we have any aspiration of winning, there is no doubt we’ll have to come on top in those forwards exchanges.
“They pride themselves on their set piece and they are one of the top sides at the breakdown. They work really hard whether it is to slow you down or produce quick ball for themselves.
“Despite two very good displays, they were very unlucky against Leinster and Clermont so they’ll go out to make amends tomorrow. We’ll have to be ready for the battle.”
Bath struggled with consistency in the Premiership but go into the game on the back of two bonus-point wins away from home in the Amlin Cup.
Last week, they trailed Agen all game but managed to clinch a 27-22 win with a try on the siren from Francois Louw.
Even though the moral is high, Hatley is adamant they are aware of the challenge that lies ahead.
He said: “We’re very pleased with the nature of the win down in Agen. We stayed in the contest for 80 minutes to pick up the win and the bonus-point.
“We’re in good form right now but we’re under no illusion about how challenging Exeter will be. We know they are a very good side.
“Derby days are never easy especially when you play a side as good as Exeter.”
NICK VERDIER