TOBY Booth believes Bath have emerged from their opening salvos in Europe as a battle-hardened outfit ready to resume their Aviva Premiership campaign.

Back-to-back wins over Bordeaux and the Dragons have given the Rec side the perfect start to their Amlin Challenge Cup challenge but, unlike much of last season’s European campaign, Booth’s men have been thoroughly tested in both fixtures.

“The main thing was to try and get some control in the Amlin Challenge Cup because we’ve actually got quite a tough group,’’ he said.

“To get a result in Bordeaux was important and then to follow it up at home was pleasing.

“There were a lot of positives to take out of that, particularly for our young players who had been gagging for the opportunity.

“We make no secret of what it means for them to wear the Bath shirt and they stepped up. It’s important to keep being tested because we need to improve.

“We’re starting down a journey of trying a new style of play and things like that and it’s been a good opportunity for players coming back from injury to get a run.

“It served a multitude of purposes for us. Take some like Kyle Eastmond, who played more than 2000 minutes of rugby last season. It’s been a chance to give him a bit of a break.’’

Eastmond and lock Dave Attwood, who has recovered from a rib injury, were released back to the club after linking up with Stuart Lancaster’s England squad this week, making them available for tonight’s clash with Gloucester, but prop Davey Wilson remains with the national set-up.

Fly-half Tom Heathcote and prop Paul James, included in training squads for the November tests by Scotland and Wales respectively, were also available, along with Anthony Watson, who has recovered from a hamstring injury.

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