In a dramatic finale to the Gallagher PREM play-off semi-final, Bath Rugby’s choice not to attempt a drop-goal has left rugby pundits Sam Warburton and Brian O’Driscoll stunned and questioning the call that arguably cost Bath a place in the final against Northampton Saints.
The match was finely poised with Exeter Chiefs clinging onto a slender 27-26 lead in the dying moments. Bath, pressing close to the Chiefs’ try line, maintained relentless phases of possession while fans roared for the decisive score. Having dominated the first half with a 26-10 lead, Bath seemed on course for victory until Rob Baxter’s Chiefs staged a fierce comeback, edging ahead late in the game.
Amidst continuous phase play, Bath found themselves with Santiago Carreras in an ideal position—directly in front of the posts within the pocket—to attempt a drop-goal that could have clinched the match. Instead, the team chose to persist with pick-and-go phases, eventually being held up short of the try line as the final whistle blew. The result stunned Home supporters and fired jubilant celebrations from the Chiefs.
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Lions legends Warburton and O’Driscoll were vocal in their criticism. O’Driscoll on TNT Sports expressed bafflement, emphasizing the prime position Bath had to land a drop-goal after nearly 20 phases deep in enemy territory. He noted, “You’ve got to fire a shot… If you miss it, so be it. The risk of continuing phase play is making errors or knock-ons, which ultimately happened.”
Warburton echoed these views, saying Carreras needed to “step up” and seize the perfect opportunity. He remarked on how many players at fly-half were likely screaming at their screens to take the three points and stressed the exhaustion in Bath’s forwards after a taxing final quarter.
Carreras, deputizing for the injured Finn Russell, had never previously scored a drop-goal at club or international level, a factor that perhaps influenced the decision not to attempt one under immense pressure.
Bath’s head of rugby, Johann van Graan, provided insight during a post-match interview. He explained that while the team was prepared for both a drop-goal and to spread play wide, the final call was to pick and go. “I back the team,” Van Graan said firmly. “From effort and intent, I can’t fault the players. We win together and lose together.”
Reflecting on the narrow one-point margin, Van Graan acknowledged missed scoring chances and expressed pride in the squad’s performance despite the heartbreaking loss, promising the team would reflect and build on the experiences.
Ultimately, Bath’s decision not to aim for the drop-goal remains a point of heated debate, with experts agreeing the choice to shoot for three points in such a tension-filled moment would have been the more sensible gamble.