JOHN Connolly says that Bath should enjoy the new-found pressure of being the team that everyone wants to beat.

His side's scintillating form has propelled them to the top of the Premiership after nine games and makes them hot favourites to gain Powergen Cup revenge on Northampton Saints at the Rec tomorrow.

Suddenly, confident Bath are there to be shot at, but Connolly insists that is a position his troops should be relishing.

"That's something you have to enjoy,'' said the Australian chief.

"When teams play the top dog, they pull something extra out of their back pocket. That's a compliment to us.''

He added: "We believe we can win every game as we go onto the field.

"We are not arrogant about it, but we are just confident that we will go out and do the business.

"That's the attitude that we take into games.''

Bath dismissed Saints 24-6 in the Premiership back in September, but Connolly is still wary of the threat posed by Wayne Smith's men in the sixth-round tie.

Saints ended Bath's dream at this stage last season as Peter Jorgensen's late try stole a 30-29 victory at the Rec.

"They have (Andrew) Blowers back in the back row this time and he makes a huge difference to them,'' insisted the Bath chief.

"But it's a cup game and it's important we are aware of what they are doing and capable of, but also important that we concentrate on what we do.''