Leicester miss chance to book play-off spot with loss at Bath

Leicester will require a point from their final Gallagher Premiership game against Newcastle to confirm a play-off place after losing 43-15 against title favourites Bath.

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

Leaders Bath claimed their 14th league win of the campaign in what could prove a dress rehearsal for the Premiership final in mid-June.

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

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 despite lengthy spells inside Bath’s 22.

Michael Cheika’s team would undoubtedly have wanted to get the play-off job done in the West Country, yet it would be a huge surprise if they do not get there.

Bath flew out of the blocks and went ahead after just four minutes when flanker Sam Underhill won a lineout ball before finding Spencer, whose 30-metre run saw him outstrip Tigers’ defence for an outstanding solo try.

Pollard opened Leicester’s account through a 35-metre penalty shortly afterwards, but the visitors temporarily went down to 14 players when England lock Ollie Chessum was yellow-carded following a high challenge on Bath wing Will Muir.

The hosts looked to take charge, but Leicester had other ideas and they went ahead when scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet’s cross-kick was caught by Woodward, who finished strongly.

Bath regained the advantage four minutes later courtesy of a close-range effort from Obano that Russell converted, and a lively opening quarter ended with the home side 12-8 in front.

Referee Anthony Woodthorpe and the television match official were in regular conversation, and Bath hooker Dunn received a yellow card after head contact with Tigers flanker Hanro Liebenberg.

And the visitors cashed in, stretching Bath’s defence before full-back Freddie Steward floated a long pass to Radwan, who scored his eighth try in eight Premiership games since joining the club from Newcastle.

Pollard converted – and Radwan was denied a quickfire second touchdown by Bath flanker Ted Hill’s brilliant cover tackle – before Hill turned provider for Bath’s third score.

His powerful touchline run almost took him clear of Leicester’s defence, but the home side quickly recycled possession and Roux collected Russell’s pass to score, with the fly-half converting for a 19-15 interval lead.

Dunn put Bath further in front when he claimed their bonus-point try eight minutes after the restart, before Stuart went over with 12 minutes left to leave Leicester floundering.

There was no way back for the Tigers after that and Bath still had time for two more tries when Max Ojomoh intercepted a pass deep inside his own 22 before sending Cokanasiga sprinting clear to score, then Butt took his team past 40 points.

But a play-off spot is still firmly in Leicester’s control when Newcastle arrive at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in two weeks’ time.