MAX Lahiff hopes his first return to the Madejski Stadium is a happy one as he looks to help Bath Rugby back on track.

Mike Ford’s men have suffered back-to-back defeats in the Aviva Premiership and travel to London Irish desperate to avoid a hat-trick.

For prop Lahiff, it will be a return to an old stomping ground. The 25-year-old came through Irish’s Academy before leaving the Reading outfit in 2014 to go Down Under with the Melbourne Rebels.

Earlier this year, he was brought back to England as Bath bolstered their front row ranks and Lahiff admits heading into the away dressing room at the Madejski will be a bit surreal.

“It will be my first time back and I am looking forward to it,” said Lahiff, who is one of a number of former Exiles in the Bath squad.

“The guys haven’t really said anything about it or what to expect, it will all just be in my head and it’s about what I do.

“I will always have an affinity for London Irish and a massive respect for the club and their supporters. I owe them a lot and I wouldn’t be where I am in my career without them.

“It will be a tough game. Irish have got a new coach in Tom Coventry and they are looking good, and looking like he is getting something out of a pretty big pack.

“We are going there expecting a physical afternoon.”

Bath were the masters of their own downfall as they were beaten by Harlequins at The Rec on Saturday.

An ill-disciplined performance allowed Quins fly-half Nick Evans to kick eight penalties in a 38-28 triumph.

“It wasn’t a great showcase for what we are about. I felt we had the upper hand in the first half but when you have someone like Nick Evans have that many chances you are going to get punished,” said Lahiff.

“It wasn’t great but it’s not a trend. We are not usually a team that gives away a lot of penalties so it wasn’t good enough by our standards.”