WITH just six wins from 15 Zurich Premiership matches this season, and on the back of four successive home defeats, Irish wing Darragh O'Mahony is under no illusions as to the importance of the clash with Bath on Sunday, March 17, if Saracens are to halt their alarming slide down the table.

"It is a huge game for both teams as the league table is not lying at the moment," said the 28-year-old. "It is an unusual position for both sides to be in, and a win is vital for us."

Just five points ahead of bottom-of-the-table Harlequins, Sarries' lowly position has surprised the articulate O'Mahony.

"We knew it would be a season of rebuilding, but I didn't think we would end up third from bottom. We knew we weren't going to win the league, but, at worst, I thought we would finish mid-table. Now, relegation is beginning to creep into our minds, we would be lying if we said it wasn't, but I think we just need one or two wins to be safe and then hopefully we can put it to bed."

Ahead of the crunch match, Sarries, Thomas Castaignde aside, are at full strength, which will provide the temporary coaching team of Tim Horan and Tim Wright with a selection headache, something which O'Mahony welcomes.

"The competition for places is what we need and what we want so everyone is being pushed. If you look at the great sides they have competition for places in every position."

To read Kevin Affleck's full interview with Darragh O'Mahony, don't miss this week's issue of The Watford Observer.