London Irish at crucial stage - Chris Malone

Malone made over 100 appearances for Bath between 2002 and 2007

London Irish fly-half Chris Malone says this weekend's Premiership fixture against Bath is the start of a vital time for the club.

The Exiles are fourth in the table and are looking to secure a play-off position but have not played a league game for six weeks.

Malone told BBC Berkshire: "We're in a position where we can look towards the top of the table.

"Now it's time for us to concentrate on this competition and go after it."

Irish beat Bath 16-0 when the two teams met at the Rec at the end of November, but Malone says they are expecting a better performance from their opponents this weekend.

"[Bath fly-half] Butch James is back now and he'll make a huge difference. He's world class - he's played for the Springboks for a long time. Bath are a better team with him in it.

"But they have a massively talented squad. They're a big, powerful, abrasive team and they'll bring a lot to this game. We're going to have to be at our best to beat them."

The Exiles go into the game on the back of two defeats to Worcester and Harlequins in the LV= Cup as well as the disappointment of going out of the Heineken Cup against Leinster.

Malone says he has got over his personal disappointment from that match after he missed two late drop-goal attempts.

"It would have been nice to get the guys who've worked so hard here over the line and into the quarter-finals.

"You're either the hero or the villain, being the kicker. It's one of the parts of my game where you always want to deliver for the team.

"It's part of being a rugby player that sometimes it's not going to happen."

Malone said although he has happy memories of the five years he spent at Bath, playing against them now has lost some of its significance.

"The first time I played against them it probably did really matter, but it's just part of professional sport.

"There aren't many guys who are 'one-club'. You just get on and do your job - it's about me doing my part for the team. That's all I'll be concentrating on at the weekend. "