DIRECTOR of rugby Gary Gold believes his squad’s attitude towards their second team is fulfilling a promise his regime made to the club’s supporters after their appointment in the summer of last year.

Bath face two important games in 24 hours, with Sunday’s Aviva Premiership trip to Wasps being followed by Bath United’s Aviva A League semi-final against Sale Jets at the Rec on Monday (7.30pm).

Gold’s coaching team have constantly made a point of playing up the importance of the fortunes of club’s second team and the players have responded.

United stormed into the A League last four by winning the Southern Conference, gaining eye-catching victories at both Harlequins and Saracens.

And Gold insists it’s no coincidence that the first team’s promising start to the season – nine wins from 11 games – has come with United also firing.

“We’ve spoken about it before, that we never promised supporters we could win every game, but we did promise 100 per cent commitment every time we put on a Bath shirt,’’ he said.

“Supporters pay a lot of money to follow Bath and they deserve to see that from the squad.

“It (the United team) is absolutely vital and very important for us because it brings a different dimension.

“It’s an opportunity for players to put their hands up when it comes to playing in the first team.’’

Bath United games of past years have often been seen as something of an after-thought, but Gold revealed the entire squad will be at the Rec on Monday and says that’s typical of their approach to the side.

“Hopefully the players see that if they play well (for United), they will be considered for selection (for the first team),’’ he added.

“Take someone like Gavin Henson. When he was coming back from injury, he put his hand up to play for United to get some game time.

“He was brilliant for the younger guys in the team because he was encouraging them and very supportive. Tom Biggs has been the same when he’s not been playing in the first team.’’

Kyle Eastmond comes back into the squad reckoning for Sunday’s Aviva Premiership trip to Wasps, with the club drawing a line under his walkout from the squad prior to the LV= Cup game at Sale two weeks ago, for which he was disciplined.

Gold added: “We are lucky that we are in a position where we have had a good run at the start of the season but, in many ways, the hard work starts now.

“We need to maintain that and it’s not a time to neglect the hard work we’ve been putting in.

“If anything, we’re asking the guys to work harder.’’

Bath’s Francois Louw and Paul James have been included in the South Africa and Wales teams respectively, to take on France and Tonga this weekend.

ENTRY to Monday’s A League semi final at the Rec is free, but Bath are asking people to pre-book tickets as availability will be limited. See bathrugby.com or phone the ticket office on 0844 448 1865.

NEWS FROM WASPS V BATH ON SUNDAY AT WILTSHIRETIMES.CO.UK/SPORT AND IN NEXT WEEK'S WILTSHIRE TIMES