Bath out to spoil the leaving party

BATH captain Ben Spencer maintains his squad can have no room for sentiment when they face Leicester in tomorrow’s Gallagher Premiership final, which is set to be the last game for England stalwarts Dan Cole and Ben Youngs.

- by JIM VAN WIJK

With departing head coach Michael Cheika making way for Geoff Parling, it will be a summer of change at Leicester.

As well as Cole and Youngs - one-club men who top England’s international appearances list - calling time on their illustrious playing careers, Tigers captain Julian Montoya and South Africa fly-half Handre Pollard are also moving on next season.

England scrum-half Spencer, 32, feels the Leicester contingent have certainly earned their respect in the game, but that will count for little when Bath look to cap a memorable campaign with more silverware and a first Premiership title since 1996.