Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership final was there for Leicester to snatch.
But, ultimately, the best team won. Bath deserved to claim victory in the one-off title decider and they also deserved to be league champions because they were the division’s superior side throughout the league campaign. Hats off to them and their head of rugby Johann van Graan.
The final was not a classic on the field. It was quite a conservative game, with lots of errors made by both teams. Leicester came close to what would have been a big, big upset.
When Emeka Ilione – who was so impressive off the bench – scored to set-up a grandstand finish, I thought the Tigers could do it.
Leicester were deep in their own half after Ilione scored, but I could not understand the decision by Ben Youngs to box kick clear.
In that situation, it takes bravery to keep hold of the ball and attack.
I could not understand Ben Youngs’ decision to box kick clear for Leicester late on against Bath
Choosing to hold onto the ball and attack in that situation would have shown real bravery
Bath deserved to win the one-off title decider and end their 29-year wait for a domestic title
But that is what Youngs and Leicester had to do. There was lots and lots of box kicking throughout the match. But Youngs chose the wrong time to take that option.
He gave possession back to Bath and they were able to run down the clock with their canny captain Ben Spencer controlling things well at the base.
It was a shame for Youngs that his last match and career ended that way. But in many ways, it summed up his time in rugby. Youngs has been a great servant to Leicester and England, but too often he takes the conservative choice. Yes, it would have taken something special for the Tigers to score from deep. But they simply had to try rather than give Bath an easy out.
Karl Dickson’s decision to yellow card Dan Cole towards the end of the game was very harsh. Like Youngs, this was Cole’s last game. So, I’m sure he’ll be hugely disappointed.
Cole simply couldn’t afford to hit Finn Russell late at that moment, but for me the incident was at most a penalty.
I was impressed by Leicester’s resilience to come back from 20-7 down. But they just didn’t have enough and it was cruel that the actions of two of their true greats in Cole and Youngs didn’t help them. Both players now have a long time to think about those moments as they head into retirement!
Bath will wake up on Sunday morning and breathe a big sigh of relief. They were expected to win this final and they did so. But only just.
Unusually for Bath, they made a series of errors in the final. There were a number of spilled balls and the accuracy of Van Graan’s side wasn’t quite what we’re used to seeing.
There was lots and lots of box kicking throughout – but Youngs chose the wrong time to take that option in the last match of his career (Pictured: Leicester players look dejected at full time)
Youngs has been a great servant to Leicester, but too often he takes the conservative choice
Even so, they still had just enough. Bath, as I know from my experience of coaching there, are a great and historic club. For them to not have won the league since 1996 until Saturday is remarkable really given their status and heritage as one of English rugby’s leading lights. But now that long wait for the title is over. Hats off to Van Graan and his players.
When Van Graan came in, Bath had just finished bottom of the league and would have been relegated from the Premiership had such a scenario been in place.
Three years later, they are not only champions but treble winners. That is a hugely impressive achievement. To win the Premiership, European Challenge Cup and Premiership Rugby Cup all in one season amounts to more than a job well done.
What a job Van Graan has done. The decision by maverick Bath owner Bruce Craig to hire the South African has proven a masterstroke. Van Graan has a long-term contract, but I do wonder if Craig will look to extend it even further as I wouldn’t be surprised if international teams soon start to look at him. That will surely be his next step at some stage.
While this Premiership final wasn’t a true classic in terms of the pure sporting action, I thought the overall occasion was wonderful. As a league, the Premiership has really gone to another level this season with big crowds, lots of tries and some sensational action.
The final hasn’t always sold out. But on Saturday, there was a capacity crowd of 81,708 which is just fantastic. Twickenham was packed out with Bath and Leicester fans, but also present were supporters of all the league’s teams. That’s what makes the final so great.
Like Bath, the Premiership has come a long way and is definitely growing. I’m looking forward to next season already.
