Borth botches it
STEVE BORTHWICK’S decision to rest virtually all of Leicester’s big-name stars – including England half-backs Ben Youngs and George Ford – for his first game in charge at Welford Road, blew up in his face.
The new Leicester head coach paid a heavy price for making no less than 13 changes, as Bath easily strengthened their play-off chances.
Stuart Hooper’s side, with 10 internationals starting, had a bonus point wrapped up before half-time and took their touchdown total to six after the break before easing up.
The home side took a 6-0 lead courtesy of two penalties from Ford’s stand-in Johnny McPhillips but ultimately Bath’s power at close range was too much to handle.
Prop Will Stuart, who made his England debut in this season’s Six Nations, twisted his way over for the opening try in the 18th minute before man-ofthe-match hooker Tom Dunn touched down after a lineout drive.
Ruaridh McConnochie splintered some weak Tigers backline defence for the third try and Lewis Boyce’s score gave Bath a 26-6 interval lead.
Birthday boy Beno Obano continued the front-row theme nine minutes after the break with a try. Tom de Glanville joined him on the scoresheet after some more embarrassing defending from Leicester allowed Josh Matavesi a free stroll from one 22 to the other.
It was 38-6 with 27 minutes still left to play and Leicester were threatening to enter record-defeat territory.
But Toby Faletau was sin-binned and the Tigers were able to salvage two late consolation tries through replacement hooker Charlie Clare and flanker Luke Wallace.
ENGLAND captain Owen Farrell had a classy comeback as relegated Saracens beat Harlequins 38-24. Farrell booted 18 points in his first game since March 7. Northampton kept their play-off hopes alive with a stunning second-half showing against London Irish. Tied 3-3 at the break, they scored four tries and two penalty tries in a 27-3 win.