PROP Anthony Perenise admits Bath “dropped the ball’’ in Europe last season and is anxious to make amends this time around.

Bath breezed through the pool stages of the second-tier Amlin Challenge Cup in the last campaign, winning six matches out of six, only to come unstuck against the might of Stade Francais in March’s quarter final at the Rec.

Seven-times capped Samoa star Perenise agrees there is a sense of some unfinished business for the club this time around.

“For the guys that were here last year, that feeling of losing wasn’t good so we’ve got another opportunity, so hopefully we can go that extra step,’’ said Perenise, who turns 31 today and started last weekend’s opening 15-6 pool win over Bordeauz-Begles in France.

“It was a good start last weekend for us, but the Dragons have had a good start to their season so it’s going to be a hard battle.’’

Perenise is relishing the chance to stake his claim in the shirt having been largely used as a substitute in the opening phase of the season, with front rowers David Wilson and Paul James likely to be away on international duty in November.

“It would be nice to get some more game time,’’ he added.

"The guys who have started have played well and when they get called away, it’s up to the guys that aren’t to step up and play their role.

FOR MORE SPORTS NEWS, REPORTS & PICTURES SEE FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @WTSport