Johann van Graan's 'message to the players' as Bath eye triple

Bath boss Johann van Graan hailed his players for “going 12 rounds” with Gallagher Premiership title rivals Leicester in a 43-15 victory at the Recreation Ground.

A home play-off already secured, Bath moved 15 points clear at the Premiership summit after keeping Leicester scoreless in the second half.

“We spoke in the week about a heavyweight boxing contest. Number one versus number two on the log, going 12 rounds, 80 minutes, and I thought we did that,” Van Graan said.

“We weren’t perfect, but we went the full 80 minutes and I loved the attitude. We are very happy with the five points.

“We got our preparation spot-on for this week. It was a real 23-man effort, and to keep Leicester scoreless in the second half takes some doing.”

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

2.6

16

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

1.2

10

Entries

Tries from Ben Spencer, Beno Obano, Quinn Roux, Tom Dunn, Will Stuart, Joe Cokanasiga and Will Butt – plus four Finn Russell conversions – gave Bath the send-off they required going into next Friday’s EPCR Challenge Cup final appointment with Lyon.

They then face Saracens eight days later before a Premiership play-off the following weekend, and Van Graan added: “We would love to get to Twickenham again, but knockout games are one-off.

“The important thing today was that we went 12 rounds with the number two team in the league and kept punching for the 80 minutes.

“We have been on a journey for three seasons. It is important we stick to our process, which we have become very good at, and just enjoy it.

“It is a great time to be at Bath Rugby. We have got a home semi-final, we have won the Premiership Cup and we are in a European final, and my message to the players is to absolutely love it.”

Leicester will require a point from their final Premiership game against Newcastle to confirm a play-off place.

And victory for Leicester over the Premiership’s bottom club on May 31 would also secure a home semi-final.

Leicester were in contention for much of the Recreation Ground clash and led just before half-time.

But despite tries by Joseph Woodward and Adam Radwan, plus a Handre Pollard penalty and conversion, they could not make pressure count.

Leicester head coach Michael Cheika said: “I thought we worked really hard in defence – we were quite physical there.

“I just didn’t think we had that extra edge in attack that could put pressure back on them.

“I thought at half-time we were right in the contest. We had some opportunities that we didn’t nail, and when you are playing against a top team away from home you have got to make sure you nail as many as you can. We paid the price in the end.”