Bath rookie Kepu Tuipulotu lauded after freakish moment against Sale

Bath boss Johann van Graan paid tribute to his side’s squad depth after the reigning champions beat Sale 31-26 in the Gallagher Prem with a thrilling bonus-point victory.

Alex Sanderson’s hosts scored four tries through Tom O’Flaherty, Rob du Preez, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Tom Roebuck, with George Ford claiming three conversions.

But an under-strength Bath side ran in five tries from Dan Frost, Louie Hennessey, Ethan Staddon, Bernard van der Linde and Alfie Barbeary to edge the win, with Santi Carreras converting three of them.

Bath rested several key players ahead of Saturday’s home tie with Saracens in the last 16 of the Investec Champions Cup.

Van Graan said: “Every week is very important, so you’ve got to make sure that you are adaptable and find solutions on the field.

“Every week the squad makes a big impact in many different ways.

“The eight guys who came on made a big impact but let’s not forget that it’s a 23-man effort.”

Replacement hooker Kepueli Tuipulotu, 20, made a big impression off the bench with a fine assist for van der Linde’s try.

Van Graan said: “Kepu’s one of the most explosive players I’ve coached and has huge potential.

“To have the speed of thought to put the ball in behind, it was a massive moment in the game.

“That’s what you want from your players – a point of difference – and his explosiveness is certainly a big point of difference.

“He’s still a young man, he works on his game so much. It’s one thing to sort our your carry and your pass, but at this level it’s about line-out and your scrums.

“He’s got loads to learn, but he’s doing that very well and he’s being guided by Steve Scott and Richard Blaze. He’s got huge potential.”

Kepu Tuipulotu's front row membership has been officially revoked 😮‍💨

Incredible skill from the @BathRugby hooker! pic.twitter.com/X9xUOZMpMJ

— PREM Rugby (@premrugby) March 29, 2026

After Sale slipped to their ninth defeat in 12 games, director of rugby Sanderson said: “I’m crestfallen. I’m just gutted for the amount of effort that the lads put in.

“For the amount of endeavour that went into it to not come away with a result which I believe we were good for, certainly at half-time, is frustrating but it’s seemingly a similar story to how the rest of the season has gone.”

Sale travel to Harlequins next weekend in the Champions Cup and Sanderson added: “I’m extremely excited about next week. Or at least I will be after I’ve watched the game and got the fixes and we’ve reframed the boys because it’s a massive opportunity on a world stage, to put Sale and the north back on the map.

“I can’t wait to go down to London, play Quins and give ourselves a shot in a different competition.”