Lawrence pounces to grab Cup place

AFTER the coronation came the procession. Bath will dust down their Champions Cup regalia after sealing eighth spot with their final play of the season following the bizarre decision of Saracens to keep the ball alive in their own half with the countdown clock on zero

- PAUL REES

Instead of kicking the ball dead, Manu Vunipola tried to kick it into space and watched Ollie Lawrence sprint 45 metres to ensure Bath pipped neighbours Bristol on points difference.

Saracens rested their first team ahead of Saturday’s play-off semi-final against Northampton. It gave Bath an advantage over Bristol who had to contend with a fullstrength Gloucester, but it is dangerous to underestimate any Saracens side.

Bath opened their account after a couple of minutes with a try by No.8 Miles Reid. It followed a series of forward rumbles near the line and that was the template for Bath. They used penalties to force close-range lineouts and expose a lack of cohesion in the visiting pack, but a team with Champions Cup ambitions needed more aspiration and vision.