McCloskey and Spencer expecting tough opening battle

The Irish province, who won the 1999 tournament, will travel to The Rec hoping for a better start to this year’s campaign than the heavy defeat they suffered on the opening day against Sale Sharks last year. 

“This year we’re trying to focus on ourselves and build throughout the year,” McCloskey explained, “Rather than having peaks and troughs, [we need to] make sure it’s a progression and to ensure we get into the quarters and go from there.” 

But while any away game in the Investec Champions Cup might be hard, McCloskey is quietly confident in both the opening match at Bath and their Round 4 match at Harlequins. 

“If I could pick any two places I could go, we’ve won at The Rec and we’ve won at the Twickenham Stoop so at least we’re happily familiar with playing there,” he said.  

“They’re both good teams and they’ll play very good rugby, but I think we have the beating of them.” 

Spencer, meanwhile, is a three-time winner of EPCR’s elite competition from his time at Saracens, and he hopes to bring all of that experience with him in this new campaign with Bath. 

“I think I could definitely pass on what I've learned,” he said. “But we're lucky in the fact that we have Johann [Van Graan] as a coach who's got a massive history in this competition.” 

Ulster Rugby offer up a challenge Spencer can’t wait to match. “I think that they've been a giant in EPCR competitions for a good few years now,” he said.  

“They'll be hugely physical and they’ll pose a huge challenge up front, but one that we're looking forward to sinking our teeth into.” 

Bath Rugby’s battle with Ulster Rugby kicks off at 15:15 GMT on Saturday, and is available live on TNT Sports, beIN SPORTS, SuperSport and FloRugby.