Bath Rugby has booked their place in the Gallagher Premiership semi-finals after a commanding 69-12 victory over bottom-ranked Newcastle. Head coach Johann van Graan announced that players will receive a few days off to rest and spend time with their families before focusing on their upcoming home semi-final.
England wing Henry Arundell was a standout performer, crossing the try line twice as Bath raced to a 31-0 lead with five tries before halftime. After the break, Santiago Carreras and others contributed six more tries, sealing a dominant team performance.
Van Graan emphasized the importance of securing five points against Newcastle to confirm their semi-final spot for the third consecutive season. He said, “We’re all looking forward to some time off now. Some players will join the England setup, but otherwise, we’ll have a light training week before gearing up for the last two rounds.”
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The coach highlighted the team’s focus on winning and securing the bonus point without worrying about points difference. “All 23 players stayed focused and committed to our game plan,” van Graan noted. “Playing at home in these crucial matches is a huge advantage, and that’s in our hands now.”
Despite a red card during the match, Bath managed the situation well, maintaining pressure and scoring impressive tries throughout. Van Graan praised the impact of the bench players who entered after 60 minutes, helping to cement the victory.
The impressive win moved Bath to 63 points, just four behind leaders Northampton and six ahead of third-placed Leicester. Their points difference also soared to +222, significantly ahead of their closest rivals.
Newcastle’s interim coach Stephen Jones acknowledged his team’s effort despite the heavy defeat. “In the middle 40 minutes, we showed good fight and effort, but a yellow card late in the game allowed Bath to pull away,” he said. Jones praised his players’ commitment and highlighted the need to maintain intensity for the full 80 minutes in future games.