Bath look to Cook up end to Rec woe against London Irish

The Exiles are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the Aviva Premiership table, while Bath are desperately out of form themselves, with just one win in their last nine matches in all competitions.

Mike Ford’s men have yet to taste victory in front of their own fans so far in 2016 and scrum-half Cook says the team are desperate to put that right, but it is by no means a certainty against Irish on Saturday.

“We have already touched on it as a squad that they are going to throw everything at this game,” said Cook.

“We’re down in ninth at the moment so we are within eyesight of them. It’s going to be a big weekend for the both of us and we are fully prepared that they are going to come down from Reading and throw the kitchen sink at us.

“With the success of last year and how things went at The Rec, it’s been very disappointing for the fans this year.

“With the standards we have set, every time we play at The Rec they expect us to win and we expect to win, so every time we don’t, it’s very disappointing for them and us.

“If we can put a big win on the board this weekend and get back on track, I think it will mean a lot to both the fans and us as a team.”

Bath’s disappointing run was extended last Sunday as they were beaten 26-17 away at high-flying Exeter Chiefs.

However, Cook says if Bath can iron out the errors in their game, there will be light at the end of the tunnel.

“It’s our mistakes and our ill-discipline that are costing us. It’s not the fact that we are getting beaten outright, ultimately it’s in our hands,” said Cook.

“If we can cut out those silly mistakes and stop giving away penalties, then we can very much win these games.

“It’s all about trying to keep a positive mind-set, keep believing in what we are doing and try to improve every day.

“I think we are doing that and we get a lot out of the losses and we learn a lot, so hopefully we can bring that into this weekend against Irish.”