Tui targets Bath scalp
Hoani Tui believes Exeter Chiefs will have to be "on their toes" when they play host to local rivals Bath in the Aviva Premiership this Saturday (3.15pm).
With vital top flight points up for grabs as the season hits a crucial phase, Tui is well aware he and his team-mates can ill afford another slip-up following last week's last-gasp defeat to league leaders Northampton Saints at Sandy Park.
Currently the Chiefs sit in eighth spot, some seven points adrift of the last play-off spot which is currently occupied by Harlequins on 36 points. Bath, on the other hand, are enjoying an impressive campaign to date and having seen off Newcastle Falcons last time out, they are nicely positioned in third place on 40 points.
They will head into this latest match-up not only buoyed by their current form, but also the fact that they are yet to taste defeat to the Chiefs since they were promoted into the Premiership back in 2010.
The closest Rob Baxter's side have got to overcoming the Bath bogey was last season when they were held to a 12-12 draw - and Tui is hopeful this will be the match where the Chiefs can at last taste victory.
"It's going to be tough, there is no doubt about that," said the Maori tight-head. "Bath have had a tremendous season so far and they have slowly built their squad over the last few years. You are seeing them go from strength to strength and their pack has been one of the best in the league this season. We know we will have to be on our toes come Saturday."
However, Tui - who is to bring to an end his Chiefs career at the end of the season when he moves to French side Lyon - is determined to break the duck.
"We are overdue a win against them," he added. "But for us to do that, we have got to do the basics well in the conditions. Hopefully then we can come out on the right side of the result."
Saturday's match will complete the league double between the two clubs, but then they are due to meet yet again next month in the semi-finals of the LV= Cup.
"That should be an exciting fixture for us because we've never made it to that stage in the LV= Cup before," continued Tui. "I know the squad are looking forward to that, but before then we've got some very important games to play in the league, starting with this weekend's game.
"We won't worry too much about that game for a few weeks because the aim is to do well in the league and hopefully crawl up the ladder a bit in the Premiership."
Supporters are reminded that Saturday's derby encounter is a complete sell-out and that no tickets are available to purchase.
