Coach’s abrupt departure Clear improvements despite defeat
Despite a spirited performance Bath Rugby were condemned to another tough defeat on Saturday as they were beaten 24-20 by league leaders Leicester Tigers at The Rec
Three wonderful tries from Will Muir, Max Ojomoh and Josh Bayliss put Bath ahead at the half-time whistle, but a second-half try from Freddie Burns and a Bryce Hegarty penalty proved enough to overturn the deficit and allow Leicester to extend their Premiership lead.
The Blue, Black and White had made evident improvements with a more organised attack and some new-found breakdown strength, but in the end suffered another loss.
■ 15. TOM DE GLANVILLE - 7
A great return to the starting side for the fullback, who dealt with Leicester’s kicking game with an iron grip, not spilling a ball all game. Made an applaud-inducing tackle on Leicester’s winger Nemani Nadolo before kicking a wonderful up and under that would set up the Bayliss try in two key moments in the match.
■ 14. WILL BUTT - 7 The pressure was on for Butt with Nadolo staring him down, but he stood up to the challenge. Butt limited the Fijian as he put in no less than 11 tackles with some excellent breakdown work as well with a pair of turnovers to his name.
■ 13. JONATHAN JOSEPH - 6 The former England man led the backline’s defensive efforts with the hosts suffering a few problems as Tigers combination of Dan Kelly and Guy Porter managed to find gaps to exploit through the centre. However, playing with a penalty advantage, Joseph dinked a perfectly weighted kick through for Max Ojomoh’s try which was right out of the top drawer.
12. max OJOMOH - 7 Chased down centre partner Joseph’s grubber to put Bath within touching distance of victory going into the second half. The young centre flexed some of his breakdown muscle as well with an impressive turnover to his name and brought real energy to his side, celebrating forced knocks on and turnovers in defence like tries, living and breathing every moment like the fans in the stands at the Rec.
11. WILL muir - 7 An electric game from the winger as his yellow card for a dangerous challenge on Harry Potter under a high ball was just a minor blemish on what was a fantastic performance. He started the game off doing what he does best score tries.
■ 10. ORLANDO BAILEY - 6 It was a quieter game for the recent England call-up who struggled with distributing to his centres. Understandably he struggled from the tee as Storm Eunice’s wind played havoc with his kicks, and a couple of unforced handling errors nearly proved costly, but he made some great contributions in defence.
■ 9. BEN SPENCER - 7 The scrumhalf started off well with a lovely dink kick that cut through the Tigers defence and gave Muir a clear chase down the left wide channel to score the opening try of the game. He handled the tricky winds well as his kicks continue to be a reliable foundation for his side to build upon.
1. VALERIY MOROZOV - 6 Another of Bath’s more notable defensive figures today as he continues to impress at his new club. The scrum faltered in the closing minutes, with a tough match-up against Joe Heyes eventually proving too much to handle.
■ 2. JACQUES Du TOIT - 7 Despite a baffling loose pass that was nearly incredibly costly as it missed all his team mates and send Bath scurrying back to recover, it was a positive showing for the hooker, who joint-led his side in tackles today (13). The lineout seemed to function effectively against a Leicester pack that are famous for their prowess in that area, with the South African continuing to take full advantage of the Tom Dunn’s injury enforced absence.
■ 3. D’ARCY RAE - 6 The scrum was solid for the vast majority of the game, Rugby have parted company with attack and backs coach David Williams by mutual consent just nine months after his heralded appointment.
The club confirmed on Monday night that Ryan Davis has assumed responsibility for these areas until the end of the 2021/22 season.
In a starkly short statement, Blue, Black and Whites chief executive Tarquin Mcdonald said: “We would like to thank David for his efforts since returning to Bath Rugby and we wish him all the best with his future endeavours.”
Last month Bath confirmed the club’s new backroom structure under head coach Johann van Graan who will switch Munster for the West Country in the summer.
In that announcement, it was confirmed that Williams would depart at the end of the season with Bath.
But with the Blue, Black and White still stuck to the bottom of the Premiership table and joint with Newcastle Falcons as having scored the fewest tries (31) in the league so far in 2021/22, that timetable has now been accelerated.
An announcement on who will fill the key backs and attack role at Bath under van Grann is yet to be made, with the only new addition confirmed being JP Ferreira who will join his countryman in making but began slipping up as the clock ran down. A common source of carries as he put in another workhorse performance.
■ 4. JOSH MCNALLY - 7 Mcnally’s importance to the side became fully evident when he departed with an injury as the scrum fell apart and his side’s absolutely outstanding maul defence began to struggle more. His defensive efforts were key as the lock lead the side with confidence in the absence of Charlie Ewels.
■ 5. RICHARD DE CARPENTIER 7 A solid late-notice, out of position performance from the versatile former sevens specialist. His work-rate was at its usual best as he was beating defenders in attack while putting in some strong tackles in defence. Bath’s most used option in the lineout today. ■ 6. TAULUPE FALETAU - 7 A typical Faletau performance - with the Wales great absolutely nailing the parts of the game that can go under the radar at times. Made some good gain line metres while more than carrying his weight defensively.
■ 7. JACO COETZEE - 6 With players the quality of Faletau and Hughes accompanying him in the back row it would be understandable for Coetzee to fade to the background, but he continues to perform firmly with some quality tackles to his name today.
■ 8. NATHAN hughes - 8 Another confident performance from the Bristol Bearsloanee on both sides of the ball. Made some important carries that put his side on the front foot while providing defensive foundations to build on with solid tackling, leading his side in that particular statbath the switch from the Irish province.
Williams arrived in the summer having replaced Givan Dempsey in the same role at the end of the 2020/21 campaign.
The South African was formerly academy coach at Bath Rugby from 2012-2014, and returned to the Rec following an eight-year period of coaching attack within Super Rugby, the Pro 14 and the Japanese League One.
In the statement announcing his appointment, Bath described Williams as ‘an innovative attack coach who has a deep knowledge of the game and a real excitement for playing with intent and using possession to pressurise teams.’
Williams joined Bath Rugby after two-and-a-half-years as attack coach with South African Super Rugby side The Sharks.
Before that he held the attack coach position for 14 months with the Free State Cheetahs taking the side to the Pro 14 play-offs during his tenure.
Further to that Williams developed his coaching capability with the Southern Kings during the 2017 Super Rugby season which saw the side cause several upsets and the Kobelco Steelers in Japan’s Top League where he learned from exall Black coach Wayne Smith and current Australia head coach Dave Rennie. line (13). The former England international also finished the day as Bath’s top carrier in the forwards with 41m from 14 carries despite being off the pitch for 10 minutes for a HIA, which thankfully he passed.