BATH head coach Tabai Matson believes last week’s win over Bristol could be crucial in their Premiership push.

While being far from content with the display at The Rec as Bath completed a 16-9 victory over their local rivals, on reflection, Matson understands how important the four points could be in the long run.

With several players missing through international duty and injury, Bath named a relatively inexperienced side but were able to cling on to record a winning return to Premiership action.

“I thought at the end that we were going to grasp defeat from the jaws of victory,” he said.

“When you reflect on the performance, we probably didn’t have the fluency in our game but the defensive effort was outstanding. It was another big effort and that probably kept us in the game.

“Initially I was really disgruntled about our performance but when I went back and looked at the game and there were three people in the back-line playing their first or second game, Max Clarke was coming back from three months off and when we lost Rhys (Priestland), it was another back-line combination.

“There is a bit to work on but it’s also pleasing that we managed to squeeze through with that disruption.”

Bath now have some extra time to recover from what was a bruising encounter with Bristol as they are set to face Harlequins on Sunday.

It is much-needed recovery time for Matson, with Priestland ruled out for the winter with a knee injury picked up last Friday while co-captain Matt Garvey is also recovering from a knee injury.

With Harlequins unbeaten at The Stoop in the league this season, Bath will be fully prepared for anything that may come their way and will not have one eye on a top-of-the-table clash with Saracens a week later.

“We’ll see how we go on Friday with our last major training and hopefully we can put a really strong team together for Quins,” added Matson.

“I think it has been the perfect storm with injuries all in the same positions, we have adjusted really well but it has also been a bit of a blessing in disguise.

“We are having to expose some of the young guys to games and in the long run, that is really beneficial to them and the club.

“We are not actively recruiting at the moment. Those guys we have brought in were to fill in for this period and also in positions we were lacking in.

“We always know that we can expect the unexpected in rugby so whatever we prepare for against Harlequins, it will be something slightly different come Sunday.

“There is no chance of us taking our eye off this game.

“We know, if you look too far ahead then you end up tripping on your shoe laces so we will be head down looking at this week.”