KEVIN Maggs has just returned from that most unlikely of rugby assignments a match in Siberia so a Saturday afternoon appointment at the home of the league champions is not likely to faze Bath's all-action centre.

The Ireland midfield man will return to his club's starting XV at Leicester's Welford Road fortress tomorrow (3pm) after helping his country's successful two-match bid to qualify for next year's World Cup.

And after a nightmare 18 hour journey deep into Russia for the first of those qualifying games not including the return trip Maggs is ready for his next big test.

"It was a nightmare trip to get there, the pitch was bad and they did their best to disrupt us ,'' said the ex-Bristol man of his journey into the unknown, which ended in a comfortable 35-3 Irish victory.

"They were pretty bad conditions, but it's a good experience. They actually played quite well but we did the job and won and qualifying for the World Cup was important.''

Leicester are looking for their 50th consecutive league win at home and are still reeling from last Sunday's defeat at Bristol their third this term.

So it's likely to be wounded Tigers that stand between Bath and their second win of the campaign.

Hardly the ideal place to visit for a Bath side still struggling for results at this early stage of the season.

But a defiant Maggs insisted: "The boys are upbeat. It's another chance to turn things around and an opportunity to beat them up there.

"We're starting to find our feet now and we've played well and finished strongly in our matches.

"There's every chance to go up there and beat them and I don't think for one second that we can't do it.''

He added: "They have injury problems but there are no easy games regardless of who you play.

"If you look at results over the last year, they have very big squad which can cope.

"They don't lose many at home and won't want to lose this one.''

"It's good news that they are getting beaten but it's going to be difficult away for us from home.''

Bath have made a habit in recent weeks of starting slowly, before hitting back with dramatic second-half charges.

But a poor start is unlikely to help their cause this time, Maggs admitting: "You can't afford to go behind early, especially against Leicester.

"We have to go from the whistle and then steel ourselves for a strong finish.

"We have a few boys coming back from injury but we still need to get everybody at full strength and keep them that way.''