Bath wing Maddock raring to face Wasps after break

As one of Bath's self-confessed "old boys", Joe Maddock was pleased to get some rest last week – but now he is ready to fire his side back to the top of the Guinness Premiership.

The winger, who is the leading try-scorer in the Premiership with 11 from his 15 starts, is one of eight players restored to the Bath side for tonight's visit of Wasps.

Head coach Steve Meehan took the opportunity to rest Maddock, Alex Crockett, Matt Banahan, Butch James, David Flatman and Lee Mears for Friday's 23-16 defeat at Sale, while Peter Short and Andy Beattie were both introduced from the bench.

But all will be back on duty from the kick-off at the Recreation Ground this evening as Bath aim to claim the victory which – depending on whether they can record a bonus point – could send them from fourth to first in the Premiership.

"They looked after the old boys – myself, Butch and a few of the others – last week," said Maddock, who is 30.

"It was a nice, lighter week and I feel good for it. With two games in four days – or three in eight for some players – it's going to be tough on whoever takes the field.

"But I'm looking forward to it. These are two pretty important games for Bath coming up and if we can get two wins, we're right up there at the top of the table."

After the visit of Wasps this evening, Bath then face Harlequins – who are currently one point behind them in fifth place – on Saturday.

And with two more of the title rivals – Leicester and Sale – clashing this weekend, Maddock is thrilled to be playing a part in the most fascinating Premiership title race yet.

"There's not a lot at all between the top six sides," he said. "Depending on how results go over the next couple of weeks, things could change quite dramatically.

"These are exciting times. Every point we can get now is vital – so we really need to go out against Wasps and put in a good performance.

"For us, it's a chance to climb the table a little bit more. Wasps really need it, too, because they are aiming for seventh place – which still doesn't guarantee you a Heineken Cup spot.

"We know we're in for a tough game – but it's a chance for us to complete a home and away double against them, which is always good against Wasps.

"They are one of those teams that everyone loves to beat, so we'll certainly be doing everything we can to get the right result."

Wasps, who have been English champions four times in the last six seasons, head into this evening's match sitting 10th in the Premiership table.

But that is of no concern to Maddock, who is focused only on Bath's ambition of securing a home Premiership semi-final by ending the regular season in the league's top two. "There's potentially 20 points still up for grabs – and whether we get those 20 is up to us," he said. "Certainly if we can win three or four of those games, we'll be looking pretty sweet for a home semi.

"Last year, we missed out and it was the difference between playing Wasps away or Leicester at home – and we all know which we would have preferred.

"But the aim is to get a semi-final spot on the Rec – and it's up to the guys who get the chance every week between now and the end of the season to make sure that happens."

Bath: N Abendanon; J Maddock, A Crockett, S Hape, M Banahan; B James, S Bemand; D Flatman, L Mears, D Bell, J Harrison, P Short, A Beattie, M Lipman (capt), J Fa'amatuainu. Reps: R Hawkins, A Jarvis, S Hooper, J Scaysbrook, M Baxter, S Berne, A Higgins.

Wasps: M van Gisbergen; T Voyce, D Waldouck, R Flutey, L Mitchell; D Cipriani, J Simpson; T French, J Ward, T Payne, S Shaw, R Birkett, J Worsley, S Betsen (capt), J Hart. Reps: R Webber, B Baker, G Skivington, J Haskell, J Honeyben, J Staunton, T Rees.