The absolute conviction of one's impending success is the mentality that every professional sportsman strives to attain before he hears the starter's gun, the first whistle or before the lights turn to green.

The prior belief in that victory is not a state of arrogance – although it can become that if mixed with the toxic attitude of disrespect for the opposition. Rather, it's a pre-requisite for sustained success in any sport, whether it be an individual or team game.

Let an iota of doubt creep into your mind and the game is up – unless, of course, the opposition has more doubts than you. For doubt, in its sporting guise, is akin to fear – fear that you've met your match, that the other man is bigger and faster than you...

And as Bath back-row forward Luke Watson quoted approvingly this week: "Fear paralyses, and robs you of even the smallest initiative."

There may just be some sporting anomaly somewhere in the world who won a cabinet-full of trophies despite turning up for matches thinking he might lose. But just imagine how many titles he'd have amassed if all doubt had been expunged from his mind.

For an illustration, take tennis. How many times did Pete Sampras walk out onto centre court thinking he was going to lose a set, let alone a match? (Although do you remember that time in 2001 he lost two sets to that slightly chubby bloke from Southport? What a glorious, life-affirming – and amusing – moment that was).

Likewise, Roger Federer. Federer very occasionally loses a match at Wimbledon. But he doesn't ever tie up his laces thinking defeat is on the cards – that's why he strides out wearing his gold-trimmed, RF-embossed jacket, as though he's some sort of tennis royalty with a divine right to victory.

The outfit may look pompous and artificial to the outsider. But it is a potent element in Federer's mental preparation. When he pulls that jacket on he is reminding himself that Wimbledon is in some strange metaphysical sense his. Wearing it cloaks him with a sense of proprietorial invulnerability.

Contrast that with Tim Henman, who, for all his fist-pumping and inwardly directed existential cries of 'Come on' never convinced us – or himself – that he would win at SW19.

Now to rugby union. A plausible case could be made for drawing a direct comparison between Leicester Tigers and Federer. Like the Swiss superman, the Midlanders have nurtured an aura of invincibility, especially on 'home' turf and for the big occasion.

And what about a comparison between Bath Rugby and Henman? Well, like Henman, Bath have acquired a nasty habit of reaching semi-finals and then stumbling. Over the past decade, a minor trophy may have been won, but the 'grand slam' titles continue to prove elusive.

There are, however, clear signals that Bath's mental resilience is being galvanised into something of championship-winning calibre.

Among teams, confidence can come from one of two directions. The first is from the 'top down', as when a side recruits a sports psychologist to come in and implant confidence among the ranks.

The second is 'bottom up' and arises more spontaneously and organically among players. It cannot be forced, but instead arises when the right blend of players spark off against one another in the right way. Enthusiasm and confidence then infects the whole squad, spreading like some benign contagion from player to player. Moreover, this confidence lasts longer than its 'top down' cousin, prospering thanks to roots that go down deep into the squad.

As Brad Davis pointed out this week, Bath are brimming with tried and tested leaders and ambitious youngsters, not to mention exuberant 'personalities' (understood in the best possible sense). Couple that with the development of new training facilities and the arrival of Sir Ian McGeechan, and the mood at the club can only go in one direction.

So get your hackles down and forget my comparison with Tiger Tim. I reckon all the ingredients are there for Bath to gird their minds – as well as loins – and break away from the peloton this season.

Doubt anyone who thinks otherwise.