Second string beaten by Saracens

Bath Rugby’s youthful ‘reserves’ once again did themselves proud, scoring four tries against a ‘full noise’ Saracens outfit at the StoneX Stadium, albeit in a 36-26 defeat in the final regular season league game of the campaign.

- John Evely

Runaway leaders Bath had already booked a home semi-final tomorrow (Friday) night where they will face derby rivals Bristol Bears, enabling them to pick an entirely new matchday 23 to the one that defeated Lyon in the EPCT Challenge Cup final, and they were duly dispatched, before a late rally gave them something to hang their hats with the majority of the travelling squad unlikely to play again this season.

Victories for Sale, Gloucester and Bristol meant a top-four finish was out of Saracens' reach, regardless of events in north London and they finished a disappointing campaign in sixth.

Bath fielded seven debutants in their squad but there was no sense of inferiority as they raced into an early lead when a series of strong carries ended with number eight Arthur Green powering over.