PROP Nathan Catt believes success in the Anglo-Welsh Cup can inspire Bath Rugby to further glory in future years.

Bath face Northampton in a crunch semi-final clash in the competition at the Rec tomorrow night (7.45pm) before Exeter host Newcastle in the second semi-final on Sunday afternoon in Devon.

With a place in the final up for grabs, Bath have the chance to end a 10-year trophy drought.

And Catt, who has been with the club since he was 16, said a trophy this year would make all the hard work seem worthwhile.

The 30-year-old, who featured in Bath’s 20-5 defeat to Harlequins last week, said: “It was a disappointing result against Harlequins.

“But we have a semi final to look forward to and it’s a chance for us to gain some silverware.

“The boys are hugely excited to try and put our trophy record right and bring something home.

“To win a competition would be nice and feel like reward for the effort everyone has put in.

“This game is a huge positive for the team.

“We’re excited to be in a semi-final and it provides us with a stepping stone to some silverware.

“Other teams previously have used smaller competitions to go on to win bigger and better things.”

Northampton enter tomorrow’s game on the back of two narrow Premiership defeats to Exeter and Sale.

Strong wins against the Sharks and Harlequins in their most recent Anglo-Welsh fixtures provides Bath with a reminder of their attacking threats but Catt expects tonight’s opponents to be no pushovers.

He said: “Northampton have a lot of good players. They’re a big, strong, pack and have a good kicking game.

“We’re preparing for them to come down with a strong team. We’ll have to be ready up front.

“Everyone wants to play in these big games. Hopefully Friday night will be no different.”

Despite going ten years without a trophy, the Bristol-born prop said he’s grown fond of Bath and is ‘attached’ to the place.

He said: “The club looks after players well. So long as you buy into the club you’ll get back what you need.

“On game day you walk through the town and see black and white everywhere.

“There’s lots of heritage here and we’re based right in the city. I grew up living around here, it doesn’t get better.”