Bath centre Shontayne Hape admits to a drop in form

Hape switched rugby codes when he joined Bath in 2008

Bath and England centre Shontayne Hape says he is still searching for his best club form following the Autumn Internationals in November.

The 28-year-old put in some of his best performances for his country against the southern hemisphere sides but has struggled since returning to Bath.

"After the internationals I've put in some of my worst performances for Bath," Hape told BBC Radio Bristol.

"I just want to get back to the standards I know I'm capable of."

Hape continued: "The most experienced players can hold their consistency and peak for the big games. I just want to be one of those players.

We've got a good chance against Aironi and the pressure's not as great as it was against Ulster when we definitely needed to win Shontayne Hape

"I'm just trying to get some form and momentum, not just for Bath but for myself as well."

Bath take on Italian side Aironi on Saturday, all but mathematically ruled out of the Heineken Cup.

Steve Meehan's side sit bottom of their pool having won just one of their matches, away to their opponents at the weekend.

"Quality teams take all their chances and we just haven't been doing that," admitted Hape.

"We've got a good chance against Aironi and the pressure's not as great as it was against Ulster when we definitely needed to win.

"So maybe the guys will probably perform better."