Title bid is over agrees Matson

BATH head coach Tabai Matson conceded his side’s title hopes look over.

He said: “I said after last week’s game against Leicester it’s about who blinked first. We’ve blinked so we’re possibly going to miss out.

“We’ve missed an opportunity here but we’ve got a big semi-final against Stade Francais now and that will get our full focus.”

Worcester lock Will Spencer was delighted to notch the match-clinching try against his old club. Spencer said: “It felt a bit personal and meant a lot. That was a pretty full strength Bath side and we deserved the win.

“It puts us in a good place and gives us a lot of optimism for next season.”

Worcester lost influential props Nick Schonert (hand) and Val Rapava Ruskin (rib) during the week, but boss Gary Gold revealed both may tour with England.

He said: “Val’s been talking to the England selectors and Nick’s very much on their radar.”

Gold praised the influence of veteran lock Donncha O’Callaghan, adding: “Losing some key guys during the week, we could have allowed our heads to drop. But to rely on a guy of Donncha’s stature gave us brilliant leadership.”