Respect: Gary Gold

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• Bath
• Saracens

Bath boss Gary Gold has praised Saracens for "setting the benchmark" in the Aviva Premiership ahead of this weekend's encounter.

After winning the league title in 2011, Saracens are now set to open a new stadium at Allianz Park and have spread their brand with home matches in London, Milton Keynes and Brussels so far this season.

Mark McCall's side will arrive at The Rec fresh off an important Heineken Cup victory over Munster, so with confidence on a high in the visitor's camp Gold is wary of the challenge his side will face this weekend.

"It's probably going to be up there with the ultimate test - Saracens are an outstanding team," said Gold to the Bath Chronicle.

"They are competitive in Europe and competitive in the Premiership. They were Premiership winners a few years ago and every single game they play, they expect to win.

"Saracens have put their plan into action since 2009 and are three or four years down on when they decided to turn their ship around. They've done it brilliantly and have really set the benchmark in English rugby.

"They've got the England ten, 12, full-back and wing, an international second row and front row. They're a world- class, star-studded team, which is the reason why they are able to compete in all competitions. It's going to up there with the toughest challenges we face all year."

"We're very happy with what we did against Quins but it's a new week now and Saracens are a team who travel well."

"They've got a good record on the road and are in a very good position, so we are going to have our work cut out. They'll take a lot of confidence from beating Munster.

"But we are not ashamed to say how much we love playing at The Rec and how awesome the crowd is. We've got much a mad, passionate crowd and The Rec is a very special place for us. It does lift us."