Match Centre: Gallagher Premiership: Leicester Tigers 15-20 Bath Rugby
Finn Russell was part of the winning Bath side
©PA
Leicester Tigers 15-20 Bath Rugby, Mattioli Woods Welford Road
Bath Rugby continued their strong start to the Premiership season by securing a second consecutive win, defeating Leicester Tigers 20-15 at the Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
The victory marked Bath's first away win against Leicester since August 2020, breaking a five-match losing streak at the Tigers' home ground.
Bath Rugby Win with Clinical Attacking Play
Bath Rugby’s attacking prowess was on full display with tries from Will Muir, Tom de Glanville, and a debut score from Guy Pepper, who made his first start in the Blue, Black and White. The visitors responded swiftly after falling behind to an early penalty from Jamie Shillcock, as Muir capitalized on a smart counter-attack in the 22nd minute to score in the corner.
Leicester Tigers Struggle Despite Home Advantage
Leicester Tigers, despite taking an early lead with a penalty, faced significant setbacks throughout the match. The home side was reduced to 14 men when Izaia Perese received a yellow card for a high tackle on Joe Cokanasiga. Although Jack van Poortvliet’s try put the Tigers ahead 10-5 at halftime, they struggled to maintain their momentum against a resolute Bath defense.
Guy Pepper Scores Crucial Try for Bath Rugby
In the second half, Bath Rugby leveled the match with Tom de Glanville’s try, executed following a strong set-up by Bath's forwards. Guy Pepper, making his debut, then extended Bath’s lead with a crucial score under the posts in the 64th minute, converted by Finn Russell to put the visitors ahead 10-17.
Bath Rugby Secure Win Despite Late Leicester Surge
With five minutes left, a penalty from Ben Spencer further extended Bath’s lead after Freddie Steward was penalized for a deliberate knock-on. Although Dan Cole scored a late try for the Tigers in the 79th minute, Bath held their nerve and secured a hard-fought 20-15 victory.
Team line up:
Leicester: Steward; Watson, Perese, Kelly, Hassell-Collins; Shillcock, van Poortvliet (capt); Smith, Clare, Heyes, Wells, Martin, Liebenberg, Reffell, Cracknell.
Reserves: Theobald-Thomas, Cronin, Cole, Joussain, Hatherell, Youngs, Volavola, Brown.
Bath: De Glanville; Cokanasiga, Lawrence, Butt, Muir; Russell, Spencer (capt); Obano, Dunn, Stuart, Roux, Molony, Bayliss, Pepper, Barbeary.
Reserves: Annett, van Wyk, Sela, Ewels, Hill, Carr-Smith, Bailey, Coetzee.
