Bath Rugby head coach Johann van Graan has granted his squad a few days off following an emphatic 69-12 victory over bottom-ranked Newcastle, securing their place in the Gallagher Premiership play-offs. This marks the third consecutive season Bath has reached the top four, setting the stage for a crucial home semi-final as they aim to defend their title.
England wing Henry Arundell starred with two tries, contributing to an early and commanding 31-0 lead with five tries scored before halftime. After the break, Santiago Carreras and several others added six more tries, sealing the team’s dominance.
Van Graan emphasized the importance of the five points earned from the match rather than focusing on points difference. “Our sole goal tonight was to win and claim a bonus point,” he said. “The players stayed focused, and every one of the 23 performed exceptionally well.”
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He highlighted the benefits of playing a home semi-final, noting, “History shows it’s easier at home, and that’s within our control.” Van Graan expressed satisfaction with how the team managed the game, especially after a red card was issued to an opponent. “We maintained our composure, scored some fantastic tries, and applied consistent pressure throughout the full 80 minutes,” he added.
With two rounds remaining in the regular season, Bath sits at 63 points, trailing leaders Northampton by just four and holding a comfortable six-point lead over third-placed Leicester. Their impressive points difference now stands at +222, a significant edge over Leicester’s +47.
Despite Newcastle’s Alex Hearle scoring twice, Newcastle endured another heavy defeat. Interim coach Stephen Jones acknowledged flashes of resilience but admitted the team struggled to maintain consistency. “For 40 minutes, we fought well, but a late yellow card opened the floodgates,” Jones reflected. “The challenge moving forward is maintaining our performance for the entire eighty minutes.”
As Bath prepares for their next fixture with renewed focus after a brief rest, the team remains poised and confident about continuing their successful campaign.