MIKE Ford has challenged his Bath Rugby troops to build on their morale-boosting win over Worcester Warriors by claiming another success, this time at Newcastle Falcons on Saturday.

Defeat against the Warriors would have been a third in a row in the Aviva Premiership, and fourth in five games in all competitions.

However, having avoided that scenario with a 21-14 success at The Rec, Bath head coach Ford is keen to kick the new year off with a bang at Kingston Park this weekend.

“It’s a step forward. Did we want to play better, did we want to win by more, of course but the most important thing is that we got the win,” said Ford.

“We are looking at the bigger picture and there are still a lot of games left to play in the Premiership. We have to find that bit of momentum now and back it up with another win this weekend.

“I know their coaching staff really well. They haven’t got the results they would have wanted so far but there is a long way to go.

“If you write-off or underestimate anyone in the Premiership then you will lose. It’s going to be a tough game.”

The Falcons clash is Bath’s last in the Premiership for almost a month as the rescheduling of their European Champions Cup match away at champions Toulon to next weekend has seen the home game against Sale Sharks postponed.

That means Bath are likely to fall further off the pace in the league but Ford says they cannot get distracted by the table.

“That fixture against Sale would have been at home so what it means is that we have got four away games out of five,” said Ford.

“I like a challenge and it’s also three European games in a row and I don’t think that’s ever been done before.

“We need to put the Premiership aside after this weekend, hopefully with a win, and not look at the table. What happens in the interim we can’t control.

“Hopefully we’ll come back into it having qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions Cup and go into a juicy one against Saracens.”

Bath have bolstered their ranks over the Christmas period by signing two new players. Japan number eight Amanaki Mafi and New Zealander Dan Bowden, who can play at both fly-half and centre, are to arrive at the club in January.

Ford added: “Amanaki is a talented young player who had a great Rugby World Cup, and we’re excited to see what he can do in a Bath jersey.

“We have some very good players in our back row already, but we’re always looking to strengthen the squad, and Amanaki will give us another option in a hugely competitive position.

“Dan’s versatility, goal kicking and experiences both in Super Rugby and the Premiership make him a very good fit for us.

“I’ve seen him play many times before and know his personality, so I’m confident he’ll be a big hit at the club.”