The last time the sides met both were battling relegation but since then an incredible run of form has seen Bath sneak into the top four while Leeds’ victory over Worcester secured their safety.

Any slip up would let Wasps or London Irish back into the equation for a semi-final trip to table toppers Leicester and Meehan maintains Leeds will not be prepared to roll over despite having little to play for.

He said: “We know they can't make their way up to the Heineken Cup (qualification), and they can't be relegated.

“At the same time, a side without any pressure at all, a side that plays in certain ways and has been very disciplined might say 'to hell with all this, let's have a dig'.

“All of a sudden, they are chip-kicking, making passes inside their 22 and attacking from all over the place.

“For us, it's a case of expecting the unexpected and trusting our systems in attack and defence.”

Should they fail to win, Wasps who travel to Newcastle, where Alan Tait has taken over from Steve Bates, and Irish, who host play-off bound Northampton, could take advantage.

Victory for the Saints would guarantee a home semi-final against third-place Saracens who face an ominous trip to leaders Leicester.

And Northampton captain Dylan Harltey maintains confidence is high in the Saints camp despite Saracens recent 28-27 victory at Franklin’s Gardens which ended their 100per cent league record on their own patch.

The England hooker said: “We are definitely good enough to win it, I've no doubt at all about that.

"It's ridiculous to suggest otherwise. We've put ourselves in position to get a home semi-final. We can go on and win the final."

In the other fixtures, relegated Worcester host rivals Gloucester who could squeeze into Heineken Cup contention while Harlequins host Sale.