DAVID Denton reckons Bath Rugby sent out a timely reminder that it is not all doom and gloom at The Rec ahead of the final game of their season.

Bath will bring down the curtain on what has been an overall frustrating season when they host old rivals Leicester Tigers on Saturday.

Having reached the Aviva Premiership final a year ago, Mike Ford’s men cannot climb above their current standing of ninth in the table even with a win over the Tigers.

However, Denton says they can take plenty of heart from their performance at Northampton Saints last weekend despite it ending in defeat.

Bath built up a 14-0 lead at half-time at Franklin’s Gardens, only to be edged out 15-14 after a brave Saints fightback.

“We went down to one of the best teams in Europe and scored two tries in the first half and almost had a third,” said Scotland international Denton.

“I think we sent a reminder to everyone what this team is capable of and that when we really hit our stride we can put teams to the sword.

“We need to learn from that and build on what was a very good performance away from home.

“Yes it was disappointing to lose the game but there were certainly some massive positives to take from it.

“We have been so close in a number of games this year and I think sometimes our performance has not been reflected in the result.

“I think we have got eight losing bonus points this season and even if half of those results were reversed, the league table would be looking much better for us.”

Back-row player Denton joined Bath from Edinburgh after the World Cup and made his debut for the club in the reverse fixture against Leicester back in November.

The 26-year-old says the rivalry between the sides was clear to see as Bath went down 21-11 at Welford Road but he hopes their fortunes can be different at The Rec.

“We are two of the top teams in England and when we come together there is always going to be a competitive edge,” said Denton.

“At Welford Road I could feel there was a lot of animosity towards Bath but this weekend we are playing at home and hopefully that will make a massive difference for us.

“They are an excellent team but we have to go into it with confidence and we feel we are capable of getting a positive result.”

SOUTH African hooker Michael van Vuuren will join Bath next season.

The 24-year-old – a former Baby Bok – moves to the West Country following a stint at Leicester Tigers.

In South Africa, Van Vuuren represented Free State Cheetahs and Eastern Province Kings, in between which he played for Stade Francais in the Top 14.

Meanwhile, Argentina winger Horacio Agulla is to leave Bath at the end of the season.

The 31-year-old joined the club in 2012 from Aviva Premiership rivals Leicester, having arrived in England from French side Brive two years earlier.