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| Bath 47-10 Leicester: Premiership play-off semi-final – as it happened! | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 6.57pm BST18:57 | |
| FULL-TIME! Bath 47-10 Leicester | |
| What a performance from Bath! What a game we have on our hands at Twickenham next weekend. Thanks for reading, I’m off to find a dark room and attempt to catch my breath. Bye! | |
| 6.57pm BST18:57 | |
| TRY! Bath 47-10 Leicester (try: Watson, con: Ford) | |
| 80 min: This is silly. Fearns hammers Salvi, the ball spills kindly into Watson’s pass. He’s almost halted but continues and touched down under the posts. Ford’s kick is good. | |
| 6.55pm BST18:55 | |
| 79 min: Amazingly from the restart Attwood breaks into the 22 but this time there is no try as Ford attempts a chip that runs dead! | |
| 6.54pm BST18:54 | |
| 78 min: That’s six trips to the 22, six tries. Amazing! | |
| 6.54pm BST18:54 | |
| TRY! Bath 40-10 Leicester (try: Banahan hat-trick, con: Ford) | |
| 76 min: We have the first hat-trick in Premiership semi-final history. Matt Banahan crosses for his third after a delightful running move from halfway. It started with Ford, Joseph picked up the pace, evades two tackles. Garvey continues forward and Banahan adds the final touch. Ford’s conversion is good. | |
| 6.51pm BST18:51 | |
| 75 min: Leicester work it to the right, then to the left where Harrison, via Loamanu spilling it backwards, almost reaches the line. But he is repelled again and the move ends with a Leicester penalty. Bath are warned that the next penalty will result in a yellow no matter the offence or player but they are relieved to turn over from the next lineout and Ford ends up clearing deep into the Leicester half. | |
| 6.51pm BST18:51 | |
| 73 min: Leicester are back into the 22 for a 10th time but from the lineout a maul falls apart. Slater and Gonveva can find no way through. | |
| 6.48pm BST18:48 | 6.48pm BST18:48 |
| 72 min: Chris Cook comes on in place of Peter Stringer, whose Bath career will not end here. | 72 min: Chris Cook comes on in place of Peter Stringer, whose Bath career will not end here. |
| 6.47pm BST18:47 | 6.47pm BST18:47 |
| 72 min: Banahan concedes a penalty on Bath’s 10 and Burns goes to the left corner. | 72 min: Banahan concedes a penalty on Bath’s 10 and Burns goes to the left corner. |
| 6.46pm BST18:46 | 6.46pm BST18:46 |
| 71 min: Before play restarts, Briggs, Rizzo and Balmain, De Chaves have all entered the fray for Leicester. | 71 min: Before play restarts, Briggs, Rizzo and Balmain, De Chaves have all entered the fray for Leicester. |
| 6.45pm BST18:45 | 6.45pm BST18:45 |
| TRY! Bath 33-10 Leicester (try: Ford) | TRY! Bath 33-10 Leicester (try: Ford) |
| 69 min: “Icing on the cake,” says Lawrence Dallaglio as the player of the season crosses for a try. Goneva tries to intercept, leaving a space for Rokoduguni to burst clear near the right touchline. He sees Ford on his left, plays a simple pass and the fly-half crosses with consummate ease. He misses his first kick of the evening, though, from way out on the right. No matter, game over. | 69 min: “Icing on the cake,” says Lawrence Dallaglio as the player of the season crosses for a try. Goneva tries to intercept, leaving a space for Rokoduguni to burst clear near the right touchline. He sees Ford on his left, plays a simple pass and the fly-half crosses with consummate ease. He misses his first kick of the evening, though, from way out on the right. No matter, game over. |
| 6.42pm BST18:42 | 6.42pm BST18:42 |
| 67 min: Kyle Eastmond is also off to a big ovation, replaced by Ollie Devoto. | 67 min: Kyle Eastmond is also off to a big ovation, replaced by Ollie Devoto. |
| 6.42pm BST18:42 | 6.42pm BST18:42 |
| 67 min: Leicester have made it into the Bath 22 nine times but have only had one try. Another Leicester change sees the promising youngster George Catchpole come in for Tait, who is joining Bayonne next season. This increasingly looks like his last game for Leicester. | 67 min: Leicester have made it into the Bath 22 nine times but have only had one try. Another Leicester change sees the promising youngster George Catchpole come in for Tait, who is joining Bayonne next season. This increasingly looks like his last game for Leicester. |
| 6.40pm BST18:40 | 6.40pm BST18:40 |
| TRY! Bath 28-10 Leicester (try: Stringer, con: Ford) | TRY! Bath 28-10 Leicester (try: Stringer, con: Ford) |
| 64 min: Bath break into the Leicester 22 for the fourth time and it’s a fourth try! Fearns offloads to Louw who makes a crucial break and he picks out the 37-year-old scrum-half Stringer who crosses to all but end Leicester’s hopes (unless they can manage an unprecedented comeback). Ford’s conversion moves him past 200 points for the season. | 64 min: Bath break into the Leicester 22 for the fourth time and it’s a fourth try! Fearns offloads to Louw who makes a crucial break and he picks out the 37-year-old scrum-half Stringer who crosses to all but end Leicester’s hopes (unless they can manage an unprecedented comeback). Ford’s conversion moves him past 200 points for the season. |
| 6.38pm BST18:38 | 6.38pm BST18:38 |
| 61 min: Some respite for Bath but they lose their own lineout and Goneva zooms forward. You know what happens next? He is met by a wall of blue, white and black and more danger is repelled. | 61 min: Some respite for Bath but they lose their own lineout and Goneva zooms forward. You know what happens next? He is met by a wall of blue, white and black and more danger is repelled. |
| 6.34pm BST18:34 | 6.34pm BST18:34 |
| 58 min: Leicester back on the attack but are being contained well. It’s 35%-65% in possession but again the visitors cannot penetrate and Loamanu loses it. Ford, yet again, boots it away before another wave of orange comes. | 58 min: Leicester back on the attack but are being contained well. It’s 35%-65% in possession but again the visitors cannot penetrate and Loamanu loses it. Ford, yet again, boots it away before another wave of orange comes. |
| 6.32pm BST18:32 | 6.32pm BST18:32 |
| 56 min: Fearns is on for Houston. There have been 16 minutes of play since the half started 27 minutes ago. | 56 min: Fearns is on for Houston. There have been 16 minutes of play since the half started 27 minutes ago. |
| 6.31pm BST18:31 | 6.31pm BST18:31 |
| 55 min: At last we have some action. Leicester ramping up the pressure. They go through 10 phases before reaching the 22 but Bath finally turn it over and get rid. | 55 min: At last we have some action. Leicester ramping up the pressure. They go through 10 phases before reaching the 22 but Bath finally turn it over and get rid. |
| 6.29pm BST18:29 | 6.29pm BST18:29 |
| 54 min: Jordan Crane is off for Leicester and Sam Burgess makes way for Bath – the latter does not look pleased with that. | 54 min: Jordan Crane is off for Leicester and Sam Burgess makes way for Bath – the latter does not look pleased with that. |
| 6.27pm BST18:27 | 6.27pm BST18:27 |
| 53 min: Before it’s reset, Rob Webber comes in for Ross Batty and Bath have a completely changed front row. This scrum is better from the hosts’ point of view and Leicester knock-on. | 53 min: Before it’s reset, Rob Webber comes in for Ross Batty and Bath have a completely changed front row. This scrum is better from the hosts’ point of view and Leicester knock-on. |
| 6.25pm BST18:25 | 6.25pm BST18:25 |
| 52 min: Another Leicester injury – Jordan Crane down with an ankle problem but he looks likely to continue. Bath’s captain, Stuart Hooper, has been replaced by Dominic Day. His first act will be – yep, you guessed it – a scrum, from which Thomas has a little bit of back and forth with Ayerza. | 52 min: Another Leicester injury – Jordan Crane down with an ankle problem but he looks likely to continue. Bath’s captain, Stuart Hooper, has been replaced by Dominic Day. His first act will be – yep, you guessed it – a scrum, from which Thomas has a little bit of back and forth with Ayerza. |
| Updated at 6.26pm BST | Updated at 6.26pm BST |
| 6.23pm BST18:23 | 6.23pm BST18:23 |
| 50 min: Nick Auterac is on for Paul James permanently, now, and one of his first acts is in a scrum. Stringer puts in but Leicester turn over, Burns kicks and Goneva almost capitalises on slack play from the hosts before Ford ends up clearing. | 50 min: Nick Auterac is on for Paul James permanently, now, and one of his first acts is in a scrum. Stringer puts in but Leicester turn over, Burns kicks and Goneva almost capitalises on slack play from the hosts before Ford ends up clearing. |
| 6.20pm BST18:20 | 6.20pm BST18:20 |
| 47 min: Leicester enjoy another prolonged spell of possession and gradually advance towards the Bath 22. after seven phases they finally make it into the red zone but Jordan Crane is punished. David Wilson is replaced by Henry Thomas, while Ford finds touch a couple of metres from halfway. | 47 min: Leicester enjoy another prolonged spell of possession and gradually advance towards the Bath 22. after seven phases they finally make it into the red zone but Jordan Crane is punished. David Wilson is replaced by Henry Thomas, while Ford finds touch a couple of metres from halfway. |
| 6.17pm BST18:17 | 6.17pm BST18:17 |
| 45 min: James concedes a fourth penalty from that scrum having failed to bind correctly. Bell has taken over kicking duties from Burns in a similar position to where Burns missed his last penalty. And this is also sent wide to the left. Houston is back on for Bath, and we’re 15 v 15 again. | 45 min: James concedes a fourth penalty from that scrum having failed to bind correctly. Bell has taken over kicking duties from Burns in a similar position to where Burns missed his last penalty. And this is also sent wide to the left. Houston is back on for Bath, and we’re 15 v 15 again. |
| 6.16pm BST18:16 | 6.16pm BST18:16 |
| 44 min: Morris is off to a standing ovation from both sets of fans. We restart with a scrum. | 44 min: Morris is off to a standing ovation from both sets of fans. We restart with a scrum. |
| 6.12pm BST18:12 | 6.12pm BST18:12 |
| 43 min: Tommy Bell is on for Morris, who is now in tears and about to be stretchered off. | 43 min: Tommy Bell is on for Morris, who is now in tears and about to be stretchered off. |
| 6.11pm BST18:11 | 6.11pm BST18:11 |
| 43 min: Morris is tackled by Batty but the Leicester player turns on his ankle and this looks very serious. Suspect his evening is finished with, he’s almost in tears such is the pain as the medics treat him. | 43 min: Morris is tackled by Batty but the Leicester player turns on his ankle and this looks very serious. Suspect his evening is finished with, he’s almost in tears such is the pain as the medics treat him. |
| 6.08pm BST18:08 | 6.08pm BST18:08 |
| 42 min: Watson returns as Bath concede a penalty on halfway which is sent too far left by Burns. A shot to nothing, according to Lawrence Dallaglio, but you’d reckon Burns’s confidence is taking a hammering. | 42 min: Watson returns as Bath concede a penalty on halfway which is sent too far left by Burns. A shot to nothing, according to Lawrence Dallaglio, but you’d reckon Burns’s confidence is taking a hammering. |
| 6.06pm BST18:06 | 6.06pm BST18:06 |
| Peep! | Peep! |
| Ford gets us going. | Ford gets us going. |
| 5.51pm BST17:51 | 5.51pm BST17:51 |
| @guardian_sport @alansmith90 simply have to love Cockerill...don't like Leicester style but nobody more committed as player (Aggro) or coach | @guardian_sport @alansmith90 simply have to love Cockerill...don't like Leicester style but nobody more committed as player (Aggro) or coach |
| 5.50pm BST17:50 | 5.50pm BST17:50 |
| TRY AND HALF-TIME! Bath 21-10 Leicester (try T Youngs, con: Burns) | TRY AND HALF-TIME! Bath 21-10 Leicester (try T Youngs, con: Burns) |
| 40 min: From the penalty, Leicester force more pressure on a creaking Bath and Ben Youngs picks out his brother Tom over his right shoulder. That is indeed a try. Burns eyes up the kick, adds the extras. And we are given a few precious minutes to catch our breath. | 40 min: From the penalty, Leicester force more pressure on a creaking Bath and Ben Youngs picks out his brother Tom over his right shoulder. That is indeed a try. Burns eyes up the kick, adds the extras. And we are given a few precious minutes to catch our breath. |
| Updated at 6.16pm BST | Updated at 6.16pm BST |
| 5.49pm BST17:49 | 5.49pm BST17:49 |
| 39 min: Leicester advancing well into the 22 and Tait continues with an advantage. Burns then sweeps the ball to the right and Morris is in at the corner. He is not in touch but looks to have knocked on under Rokoduguni’s challenge. NO TRY! Doyle checks with the TMO and we will go back to the penalty awarded against Attwood, who is given a final warning. | 39 min: Leicester advancing well into the 22 and Tait continues with an advantage. Burns then sweeps the ball to the right and Morris is in at the corner. He is not in touch but looks to have knocked on under Rokoduguni’s challenge. NO TRY! Doyle checks with the TMO and we will go back to the penalty awarded against Attwood, who is given a final warning. |
| Updated at 6.16pm BST | Updated at 6.16pm BST |
| 5.45pm BST17:45 | 5.45pm BST17:45 |
| 38 min: Leicester drive back at Bath. Thompstone chases his own kick but Ford is in place as a covering full-back to collect and clear. | 38 min: Leicester drive back at Bath. Thompstone chases his own kick but Ford is in place as a covering full-back to collect and clear. |
| 5.44pm BST17:44 | 5.44pm BST17:44 |
| 37 min: But Ayerza does not hold his weight in the scrum and the pressure has been relieved, allowing Bath to clear without any change on the scoreboard. | 37 min: But Ayerza does not hold his weight in the scrum and the pressure has been relieved, allowing Bath to clear without any change on the scoreboard. |
| 5.43pm BST17:43 | 5.43pm BST17:43 |
| 35 min: Leicester go for the scrum this time with a man-advantage. It collapses, and we have another penalty for Leicester. The count is now 10-3 in terms of penalties conceded. Bath’s support turn up the noise to make up for the deficit on the pitch but Doyle is unhappy with the reset scrum … | 35 min: Leicester go for the scrum this time with a man-advantage. It collapses, and we have another penalty for Leicester. The count is now 10-3 in terms of penalties conceded. Bath’s support turn up the noise to make up for the deficit on the pitch but Doyle is unhappy with the reset scrum … |
| 5.41pm BST17:41 | 5.41pm BST17:41 |
| YELLOW CARD! Leroy Houston | YELLOW CARD! Leroy Houston |
| 34 mins: Bath are now down to 13! Burns goes for the corner. From the lineout, Hooper comes in at the side and Burns goes back to the corner. It’s taken by Slater and the maul crumbles just before the line with Leroy Houston sent to the line for 10 minutes for going in at the side again. | 34 mins: Bath are now down to 13! Burns goes for the corner. From the lineout, Hooper comes in at the side and Burns goes back to the corner. It’s taken by Slater and the maul crumbles just before the line with Leroy Houston sent to the line for 10 minutes for going in at the side again. |
| Updated at 5.41pm BST | Updated at 5.41pm BST |
| 5.39pm BST17:39 | 5.39pm BST17:39 |
| YELLOW CARD! Anthony Watson | YELLOW CARD! Anthony Watson |
| 31 min: Leicester are straight back into the Bath 22 and Salvi makes a crucial break but some supreme defence from Burgess holds Leicester up. Next phase sees Cole head for the line but JP Doyle blows for a penalty and Anthony Watson faces a trip to the sin bin for a high tackle. The away side really need a try with this man advantage. James, bandaged up, is back on. | 31 min: Leicester are straight back into the Bath 22 and Salvi makes a crucial break but some supreme defence from Burgess holds Leicester up. Next phase sees Cole head for the line but JP Doyle blows for a penalty and Anthony Watson faces a trip to the sin bin for a high tackle. The away side really need a try with this man advantage. James, bandaged up, is back on. |
| Updated at 5.39pm BST | Updated at 5.39pm BST |
| 5.37pm BST17:37 | 5.37pm BST17:37 |
| TRY! Bath 21-3 Leicester (try: Eastmond, con: Ford) | TRY! Bath 21-3 Leicester (try: Eastmond, con: Ford) |
| 29 min: Banahan collects a Burns kick on the Bath 22. From the ensuing ruck, Stringer kicks towards halfway and Banahan somehow claims it. Then they spread it quickly to the right. Ford just about finds Rokoduguni, who chips past Morris, Eastmond races past him. The ball bounces, he collects and crosses for their third try. Ford’s kick, from 38m, is perfect. | 29 min: Banahan collects a Burns kick on the Bath 22. From the ensuing ruck, Stringer kicks towards halfway and Banahan somehow claims it. Then they spread it quickly to the right. Ford just about finds Rokoduguni, who chips past Morris, Eastmond races past him. The ball bounces, he collects and crosses for their third try. Ford’s kick, from 38m, is perfect. |
| Updated at 6.14pm BST | Updated at 6.14pm BST |
| 5.34pm BST17:34 | 5.34pm BST17:34 |
| 27 min: The game so far: Leicester have made it into the Bath 22 on seven ocassions so far and have had more ball in hand, Bath have made it into Leicester’s red zone twice and scored tries both times. | 27 min: The game so far: Leicester have made it into the Bath 22 on seven ocassions so far and have had more ball in hand, Bath have made it into Leicester’s red zone twice and scored tries both times. |
| 5.32pm BST17:32 | 5.32pm BST17:32 |
| TRY! Bath 14-3 Leicester (try: Banahan, con: Ford) | TRY! Bath 14-3 Leicester (try: Banahan, con: Ford) |
| 25 min: Banahan is over again. Burgess was crucial in the buildup, making a key break, and after the ball works from Stringer via Ford, Joseph and Burgess it reaches Banahan who dashes over. Another difficult kick for Ford on the far left is good. | 25 min: Banahan is over again. Burgess was crucial in the buildup, making a key break, and after the ball works from Stringer via Ford, Joseph and Burgess it reaches Banahan who dashes over. Another difficult kick for Ford on the far left is good. |
| 5.30pm BST17:30 | 5.30pm BST17:30 |
| PENALTY! Bath 7-3 Leicester (pen: Burns) | PENALTY! Bath 7-3 Leicester (pen: Burns) |
| 24 min: Auterac is on temporarily while James is treated. James was penalised for leading with his head in a tackle, Burns’ kick lacks certainty but it’s between the posts and that should settle his nerves. | 24 min: Auterac is on temporarily while James is treated. James was penalised for leading with his head in a tackle, Burns’ kick lacks certainty but it’s between the posts and that should settle his nerves. |
| 5.28pm BST17:28 | 5.28pm BST17:28 |
| 22 min: Leicester showing lots of energy and are working hard to make ground but they cannot find a decisive break. Tait goes closest but play is stipped for a head injury sustained by James, who collides with Goneva’s knee as the Leicester player ran towards him. There’s quite a lot of blood but he does not appear dazed so should continue once the flow is stemmed. | 22 min: Leicester showing lots of energy and are working hard to make ground but they cannot find a decisive break. Tait goes closest but play is stipped for a head injury sustained by James, who collides with Goneva’s knee as the Leicester player ran towards him. There’s quite a lot of blood but he does not appear dazed so should continue once the flow is stemmed. |
| Updated at 5.29pm BST | Updated at 5.29pm BST |
| 5.25pm BST17:25 | 5.25pm BST17:25 |
| 20 min: The frantic start has been tempered and Leicester have plenty of the ball. Burns finds touch from halfway and Tom Youngs will deliver another lineout inside the Bath 22. | 20 min: The frantic start has been tempered and Leicester have plenty of the ball. Burns finds touch from halfway and Tom Youngs will deliver another lineout inside the Bath 22. |
| 5.23pm BST17:23 | 5.23pm BST17:23 |
| 18 min: Leicester win a second penalty within kicking distance and this time Burns hits the left-sided post. Only two Leicester players follow it up for and Bath clear to halfway. | 18 min: Leicester win a second penalty within kicking distance and this time Burns hits the left-sided post. Only two Leicester players follow it up for and Bath clear to halfway. |
| 5.20pm BST17:20 | 5.20pm BST17:20 |
| 16 min: From the lineout, Leicester go back on the attack via Tait and Bath concede another penalty before the visitors progress to within 10m of the line. Burns gives it to Goneva who gives it to Tait and he is halted. They spill the ball, Stringer picks it up and swiftly hoofs away. | 16 min: From the lineout, Leicester go back on the attack via Tait and Bath concede another penalty before the visitors progress to within 10m of the line. Burns gives it to Goneva who gives it to Tait and he is halted. They spill the ball, Stringer picks it up and swiftly hoofs away. |
| 5.18pm BST17:18 | 5.18pm BST17:18 |
| 14 min: Bath concede a penalty from a second scrum in the same area. Burns kicks to just outside the 22. The lineout progresses to Loamanu and he drives forward before being smashed by Louw. But Leicester recycle, make a few yards through Slater and Crane but the former wraps himself over the ball and Bath force the turnover. Ford clears to touch near halfway. | 14 min: Bath concede a penalty from a second scrum in the same area. Burns kicks to just outside the 22. The lineout progresses to Loamanu and he drives forward before being smashed by Louw. But Leicester recycle, make a few yards through Slater and Crane but the former wraps himself over the ball and Bath force the turnover. Ford clears to touch near halfway. |
| 5.14pm BST17:14 | 5.14pm BST17:14 |
| 10 min: Eight phases later, Leicester take possession on their own 10 but they meet some powerful resistance and fail to make ground, moving sideways, before the move breaksdown near halfway and Bath are awarded a scrum. The evergreen Stringer – he’s now 37! – to put in. | 10 min: Eight phases later, Leicester take possession on their own 10 but they meet some powerful resistance and fail to make ground, moving sideways, before the move breaksdown near halfway and Bath are awarded a scrum. The evergreen Stringer – he’s now 37! – to put in. |
| 5.12pm BST17:12 | 5.12pm BST17:12 |
| 8 min: Bath have started so, so well. A Burns kick is caught by Watson deep in his 22 but he bursts forward and break past halfway with a stunning turn of pace. | 8 min: Bath have started so, so well. A Burns kick is caught by Watson deep in his 22 but he bursts forward and break past halfway with a stunning turn of pace. |
| 5.11pm BST17:11 | 5.11pm BST17:11 |
| 7 min: And Burns cannot find the target, shaping his kick too far to the left. | 7 min: And Burns cannot find the target, shaping his kick too far to the left. |
| 5.10pm BST17:10 | 5.10pm BST17:10 |
| 4 min: Leicester, orange-clad today, are attacking immediately from the restart and soon make it into the Bath 22. Goneva makes a break before Tait feeds Loamanu before Ford produces a really good tackle. Bath are then penalised for offside, Burns goes to touch, and after the lineout, with an advantage to play, attempts a speculative chip which produces nought. We will go back for the penalty a little bit to the right of the posts. | 4 min: Leicester, orange-clad today, are attacking immediately from the restart and soon make it into the Bath 22. Goneva makes a break before Tait feeds Loamanu before Ford produces a really good tackle. Bath are then penalised for offside, Burns goes to touch, and after the lineout, with an advantage to play, attempts a speculative chip which produces nought. We will go back for the penalty a little bit to the right of the posts. |
| 5.06pm BST17:06 | 5.06pm BST17:06 |
| TRY! Bath 7-0 Leicester (try: Banahan, con: Ford) | TRY! Bath 7-0 Leicester (try: Banahan, con: Ford) |
| 2 min: What a start! There are only 90 seconds on the clock when Ford picks out Joseph on his left. His shimmy buys him a yard of space before picking out Banahan who goes over into the corner. The conversion is a difficult one but Ford finds his range. | 2 min: What a start! There are only 90 seconds on the clock when Ford picks out Joseph on his left. His shimmy buys him a yard of space before picking out Banahan who goes over into the corner. The conversion is a difficult one but Ford finds his range. |
| Updated at 5.23pm BST | Updated at 5.23pm BST |
| 5.04pm BST17:04 | 5.04pm BST17:04 |
| 1 min: Eastmond sends it back, Burns skies it back to Eastmond, who is tackled in the air by Watson and Ford sends the penalty to touch on the Leicester 22. | 1 min: Eastmond sends it back, Burns skies it back to Eastmond, who is tackled in the air by Watson and Ford sends the penalty to touch on the Leicester 22. |
| 5.03pm BST17:03 | 5.03pm BST17:03 |
| Peep! | Peep! |
| Freddie Burns gets us going. | Freddie Burns gets us going. |
| 5.02pm BST17:02 | 5.02pm BST17:02 |
| Here come the teams! It looks like a lovely day in Bath – certainly brighter than the charcoal sky outside my office window in London – and the pitch is said to be firm. This should flow a bit more than Saints-Sarries. | Here come the teams! It looks like a lovely day in Bath – certainly brighter than the charcoal sky outside my office window in London – and the pitch is said to be firm. This should flow a bit more than Saints-Sarries. |
| 4.33pm BST16:33 | 4.33pm BST16:33 |
| It has been five years since Bath were last in the play-offs. So much has changed at the Rec since and while it would be easy to list off a series of weak motoring puns about the Fords, much of this season’s success can boil down to the father and son combo. | It has been five years since Bath were last in the play-offs. So much has changed at the Rec since and while it would be easy to list off a series of weak motoring puns about the Fords, much of this season’s success can boil down to the father and son combo. |
| George has been this season’s standout performer at fly-half, deservedly named player of the year, and his father, Mike, displayed such impressive tactical nous throughout he was named coach of the year. “If you’re not feeling good for these kind of games you’re probably in the wrong business,” George says in the run-up to this one. | George has been this season’s standout performer at fly-half, deservedly named player of the year, and his father, Mike, displayed such impressive tactical nous throughout he was named coach of the year. “If you’re not feeling good for these kind of games you’re probably in the wrong business,” George says in the run-up to this one. |
| In Leicester, however, they face sticky opposition. Brad Thorn will retire at the end of the season but he wants one more game. They are, traditionally, the dominant force in the Premiership and having missed last season’s final will be depserate to be back at Twickenham. They only guaranteed third place by beating an under-strength Northampton last weekend, but they are in good form and will fancy their chances of another away win after Saracens did Northampton earlier this afternoon.. | In Leicester, however, they face sticky opposition. Brad Thorn will retire at the end of the season but he wants one more game. They are, traditionally, the dominant force in the Premiership and having missed last season’s final will be depserate to be back at Twickenham. They only guaranteed third place by beating an under-strength Northampton last weekend, but they are in good form and will fancy their chances of another away win after Saracens did Northampton earlier this afternoon.. |
| Since Bath last claimed to be the kings of English rugby, the Tigers have won eight titles. Then again, their last trip to the Rec ended in a 45-0 defeat – their heaviest in top-flight history – and as Robert Kitson points out, many thought they were lucky to get nil. Bath, it must be noted, won 10 of their 11 home games this season and before Sarries’ victory earlier only four away teams have won semi-finals in the past decade. | Since Bath last claimed to be the kings of English rugby, the Tigers have won eight titles. Then again, their last trip to the Rec ended in a 45-0 defeat – their heaviest in top-flight history – and as Robert Kitson points out, many thought they were lucky to get nil. Bath, it must be noted, won 10 of their 11 home games this season and before Sarries’ victory earlier only four away teams have won semi-finals in the past decade. |
| The teams | The teams |
| Bath: 15 Anthony Watson; 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Kyle Eastmond, 11 Matt Banahan; 10 George Ford, 9 Peter Stringer; 1 Paul James, 2 Ross Batty, 3 David Wilson; 4 Stuart Hooper (capt), 5 Dave Attwood; 6 Sam Burgess, 7 Francois Louw, 8 Leroy Houston. Replacements: 16 Rob Webber, 17 Nick Auterac, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Dominic Day, 20 Matt Garvey, 21 Carl Fearns, 22 Chris Cook, 23 Ollie Devoto. | Bath: 15 Anthony Watson; 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Kyle Eastmond, 11 Matt Banahan; 10 George Ford, 9 Peter Stringer; 1 Paul James, 2 Ross Batty, 3 David Wilson; 4 Stuart Hooper (capt), 5 Dave Attwood; 6 Sam Burgess, 7 Francois Louw, 8 Leroy Houston. Replacements: 16 Rob Webber, 17 Nick Auterac, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Dominic Day, 20 Matt Garvey, 21 Carl Fearns, 22 Chris Cook, 23 Ollie Devoto. |
| Leicester: 15 Niall Morris; 14 Adam Thompstone, 13 Mathew Tait, 12 Christian Loamanu, 11 Vereniki Goneva; 10 Freddie Burns, 9 Ben Youngs (capt); 1 Marcos Ayerza, 2 Tom Youngs, 3 Dan Cole; 4 Brad Thorn, 5 Graham Kitchener; 6 Ed Slater, 7 Julian Salvi, 8 Jordan Crane. Replacements: 16 Neil Briggs, 17 Michele Rizzo, 18 Fraser Balmain, 19 Sebastian De Chaves, 20 Jamie Gibson, 21 Sam Harrison, 22 Tommy Bell, 23 George Catchpole. | Leicester: 15 Niall Morris; 14 Adam Thompstone, 13 Mathew Tait, 12 Christian Loamanu, 11 Vereniki Goneva; 10 Freddie Burns, 9 Ben Youngs (capt); 1 Marcos Ayerza, 2 Tom Youngs, 3 Dan Cole; 4 Brad Thorn, 5 Graham Kitchener; 6 Ed Slater, 7 Julian Salvi, 8 Jordan Crane. Replacements: 16 Neil Briggs, 17 Michele Rizzo, 18 Fraser Balmain, 19 Sebastian De Chaves, 20 Jamie Gibson, 21 Sam Harrison, 22 Tommy Bell, 23 George Catchpole. |
| Referee: JP Doyle. Assistant referees: Paul Dix and Ashley Rowden. TMO: Graham Hughes. Kick-off: 5pm. | Referee: JP Doyle. Assistant referees: Paul Dix and Ashley Rowden. TMO: Graham Hughes. Kick-off: 5pm. |