WASPS captain Hugo Southwell admits staying in the top four will take a monumental effort in their remaining nine Premiership matches.

The black and golds climbed up to fourth place with a 29-15 win over Bath on Sunday.

It was their fourth win in five in the league and fourth on the trot in all competitions, but Southwell admits that there are still some huge obstacles to overcome.

He said: “Having got there it would be nice to stay there, but it’s going to be a massive ask. We’ve got some massive games coming up.

“We’ve got a month’s break from the Premiership now but when we come back into it we’ve got Harlequins away.

“It couldn’t get much harder than that.

“It’s great to be in the position we’re in, but we’re not taking anything for granted. We’ve come a long way since last year but having got into this position by winning four games on the trot, we know we could easily slip back again – a couple of bad results and we’re right back down the table.”

Apart from Quins, Wasps also have to go to Leicesterwhile Gloucester, Northampton and Saracens are still to come to Wycombe.

However, Wasps believe they are getting to the stage where they can compete with those clubs on a weekly level.

Southwell said: “Winning gives you that confidence and momentum. I feel on the pitch that there is a massive belief there that we’re not going to lose the game.

“That’s come from winning the last four or five games. Obvsiously you don’t want to get over-confident and come unstuck, but we’re at that level now where we’re a very confident team. We trust each other, we play for each other.”

Having avoided relegation by a single point last season, it’s been a staggering turnaround.

Southwell said: ““We’ve come along way in terms of our consistency. Last year we were pretty hit and miss. We’d have an outstanding game then a not so good game.

“Our squad has changed a bit but there has been a bit of continuity at the club and we’re moving forward.

“We’re improving week on week and at the moment we’re sitting in a good position.”