Ford: Bath not good enough

Mike Ford highlighted the "small margins" in the wake of their 15-18 defeat by Leinster at the Aviva Stadium that ended hopes of more European glory for the 1998 champions.

And Bath's head coach accepted that they did not play well enough to claim a priceless semifinal place.

"Not good enough," was his no-nonsense assessment after watching Ian Madigan kick Leinster into the semifinals.

"That was not unlike a Test match and our discipline let us down. These games are decided by small margins and we will look at that last penalty but we gave away to many penalties and did not look after the ball.

"We fixed a few things at half-time and played a bit better but that first half was simply not good enough. It was a great experience for the boys and we are still a young team but we are better than that and we don't want any sympathy."

Opposite number Matt O'Connor is now left to wait and see where they will travel and who they will meet in the last four - defending champions Toulon in Marseille or Wasps in Coventry.

"I know who I fancy meeting in the semi-finals but we will wait for the result and then prepare for that team," he said.

Bath outscored the home side 2-0 in tries and if the match had been level at full time there would have been extra time.

"We always knew Bath would be very dangerous with the ball in hand but even if it had got to 18-18 we would have extra time so that was not an issue."

@epcrugby