In a thrilling showdown at Twickenham, Bath Rugby finally ended a 29-year wait for Premiership glory, edging out Leicester Tigers 23–21 to cap a stunning season sweep—the Premiership Cup, Challenge Cup, and now the Premiership title.
Leicester burst out the blocks with scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet crashing over inside five minutes. But Bath answered with snarling intent—Thomas du Toit powering through a maul on 27 minutes, before fly-half Finn Russell kicked them ahead with a 50-metre penalty and a conversion. Bath’s forwards commanded the physical exchanges, setting the tone against a determined Leicester side.
A pivotal moment came when Russell intercepted Handré Pollard inside his own half, delivering a perfectly weighted pass to pack-mate Max Ojomoh, who scored to put Bath comfortably in front. Ojomoh’s try marked a statement of intent—as Bath began to resemble the unstoppable juggernaut they’d been all season.
The Tigers didn’t give up easily. Solomone Kata crashed over in the 68th minute, and Emeka Ilione followed three minutes later to reduce the gap to just two points. A yellow card shown to replacement prop Dan Cole for a late hit on Russell handed Bath a crucial penalty—but Leicester pressed furiously in the final minutes.
Bath’s win is the culmination of an extraordinary turnaround. Just three years ago, they finished at the bottom of the Premiership. Now, under Johann van Graan, they’ve completed a breathtaking treble. Van Graan, drawing on a mix of disciplined structures and “togetherness,” reshaped a struggling club into champions. Owner Bruce Craig and the city of Bath now celebrate a campaign that will go down in local lore.
As that final whistle blew, Bath had struck a blow not just for the club, but for English rugby—proving resilience, depth, and belief can overcome decades of frustration. Finn Russell, man of the match, is already shifting focus to the Lions tour, while Bath regroup for European campaigns. And Leicester? Their valiant run ended in heartbreak, but they’ll take heart from a resurgent season.
For Bath, it’s redemption and rebirth—a dream season wrapped in orange and blue. Premiership champions at last, and a powerhouse reborn.
My Goat Sports 