Bath Rugby secured a vital home semi-final spot in the Gallagher Premiership play-offs after a dramatic 24-22 victory over Leicester Tigers at a rain-soaked Recreation Ground on the final weekend of the regular season.
With this win, Bath finished second behind Northampton Saints and will host Exeter Chiefs next Saturday. Their opponents, Leicester Tigers, will face a challenging away fixture against Northampton as the Premiership title race heats up.
The star of the match was Bath’s South African tighthead prop Thomas du Toit, who scored an impressive hat-trick of tries—all from close range—in what was a memorable farewell performance before his move to the Sharks in Durban at the season’s end.
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Winger Joe Cokanasiga also crossed the line for Bath, with fly-half Santi Carreras contributing two crucial conversions. Leicester matched Bath’s intensity, with tries from Orlando Bailey, Jack van Poortvliet, and George Pearson, alongside goal-kicking by James O’Connor who added two conversions and a penalty.
Despite Leicester’s fierce contest, Bath remained resilient, on course for their third consecutive Premiership final appearance—after a narrow loss to Northampton in 2024 and a triumph over Leicester last year.
Leicester struck early when O’Connor quickly set up Bailey’s try in the fourth minute. Bath responded swiftly, registering a try from Thomas du Toit’s powerful surge. Du Toit added a second try following a dominant lineout drive, putting Bath ahead 12-7 after Carreras’ conversion.
Leicester narrowed the gap with a penalty, but Bath extended their lead with a third try just before halftime, as Cokanasiga broke through multiple defenders. Leicester fought back before the break with Van Poortvliet’s try and O’Connor’s conversion leveling the score at 17-17.
In the second half, Tigers adjusted by moving Bailey to fly-half. However, Bath seized control deep inside Leicester’s 22, with du Toit completing his hat-trick, putting Bath up 24-17 after another Carreras conversion.
Leicester pressed hard in the final quarter. Despite some misses and errors, Pearson’s late try off a Bath yellow card brought the Tigers within two points. Yet, Bath held firm to claim a hard-fought and emotionally charged victory.
Bath’s team featured key players including Carreras, Cokanasiga, du Toit, and Sam Underhill, demonstrating strength and teamwork essential for their Premiership ambitions.
This victory sets up a tantalizing semi-final weekend, with Bath eager to defend their title on home turf.