Bath Rugby delivered a commanding performance at the Recreation Ground on a rainy Saturday, securing a bonus-point 20-0 victory over Sale Sharks. This win keeps Bath firmly in contention for a spot in the PREM Rugby Cup semi-finals.
The hosts dominated the first half with three well-executed tries from Dan Frost, Tom de Glanville, and Arthur Green, while Sale had a try disallowed, ending the half 15-0 in Bath’s favor.
In the second half, Bath added one more try through Will Butt and maintained a strong defensive effort to keep Sale scoreless.
READ MORE: Four People Rescued After Vehicle Crashes into Ditch on A303 in Somerset
READ MORE: Death Notices and Funeral Announcements from the Somerset Area This Week
Rugby writer Sam Jess offers a breakdown of the Bath Rugby players' individual performances:
15 Tom de Glanville – 6
Back at fullback, de Glanville produced some sharp attacking plays but struggled with kicking, missing all his conversion attempts from difficult wide angles after a perfect kicking display last week.
14 Sam Winters – 6
After scoring a try last week, Winters showed promise with smart running lines but was hampered by handling errors in the wet conditions. He improved as the match progressed.
13 Chris Harris – 6
Returning to the side, Harris provided much-needed midfield stability and demonstrated his knack for attacking close to the defensive line.
12 Will Butt – 6
A composed performance from Butt, who was solid in defense and earned his try by finishing cleverly to the corner off a Le Roux kick.
11 Charlie Griffin – 6
Operating on the wing, Griffin had limited involvement and might have benefitted from seeking more ball during the contest.
10 Cameron Redpath – 7
In his first fly-half appearance since January 2022, Redpath impressed with excellent distribution and made incisive line breaks.
9 Tom Carr-Smith – 8
Making his first start in a month, Carr-Smith controlled the game’s tempo, used his kicking well, and cleverly caught Sale off guard with a quick tap that led to Bath’s third try.
1 Scott Kirk – 6
After a brief injury scare last week, Kirk bounced back with solid carries, though the scrum showed some vulnerability.
2 Dan Frost – 7
Starting in a rare appearance, Frost was reliable in the lineout and scored an opportunistic try with a smart supporting run.
3 Kieran Verden – N/A
Verden was forced off early due to a head injury.
4 Harvey Cuckson – 6
The lock quietly disrupted Sale’s lineout and maul tactics throughout the match.
5 Ewan Richards – 7
Back from England A duty, the captain strengthened the lineout and proved a constant threat in contesting Sale’s ball.
6 Ethan Staddon – 6
A hardworking display from Staddon, contributing in numerous facets of the game.
7 Miles Reid – 7
Reid continued his strong work at the breakdown and provided valuable support lines to maintain momentum for Bath.
8 Arthur Green – 8
A standout performance from Green, who followed up last week’s impactful bench display with powerful carries, incisive breaks, and a well-earned try before halftime.
Replacements:
16 Tom Dunn – 6
Maintained the lineout’s structure after coming on.
17 Francois van Wyk – 7
His first scrum appearance immediately resulted in a penalty for Bath.
18 Vilikesa Sela – 7
Stepping in for Verden, Sela showed his value with a busy and effective performance.
19 Quinn Roux – 6
Brought physical presence and forced errors from Sale after coming off the bench.
20 Ross Molony – 6
Helped staunch Sale’s attacking efforts in the closing stages.
21 Neil Le Roux – 6
Although not as dynamic as Carr-Smith, Le Roux’s savvy kick contributed to Bath’s fourth try.
22 Ted Hill – 6
Returned from injury and showed promising flashes of skill.
23 Kepueli Tuipulotu – 6
The poor weather limited his attacking opportunities, but he made his power felt in physical confrontations.