Johann van Graan's Bath went '12 rounds' with Handre Pollard's Tigers and won
Bath boss Johann van Graan hailed his players for “going 12 rounds” with Premiership title rivals Leicester in a 43-15 victory at the Recreation Ground.
A home play-off already secured, Bath moved 15 points clear at the Premiership summit after keeping Leicester scoreless in the second half.
“We spoke in the week about a heavyweight boxing contest,” Van Graan said, ADDING: “Number one versus number two on the log, going 12 rounds, 80 minutes, and I thought we did that.
“We weren’t perfect, but we went the full 80 minutes, and I loved the attitude. We are very happy with the five points.
“We got our preparation spot-on for this week. It was a real 23-man effort, and to keep Leicester scoreless in the second half takes some doing.”
Tries from Ben Spencer, Beno Obano, Quinn Roux, Tom Dunn, Will Stuart, Joe Cokanasiga and Will Butt – plus four Finn Russell conversions – gave Bath the send-off they required going into next Friday’s Challenge Cup final appointment with Lyon.
They then face Saracens eight days later before a Premiership play-off the following weekend, and Van Graan added: “We would love to get to Twickenham again, but knockout games are one-off.
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“The important thing today was that we went 12 rounds with the number two team in the league and kept punching for the 80 minutes.
“We have been on a journey for three seasons. We must stick to our process, which we have become very good at, and just enjoy it.
“It is a great time to be at Bath Rugby. We have got a home semi-final, we have won the Premiership Cup, and we are in a European final, and my message to the players is to love it.”
Leicester will require a point from their final Premiership game against Newcastle to confirm a play-off place.
And victory for Leicester over the Premiership’s bottom club on May 31 would also secure a home semi-final.
Leicester were in contention for much of the Recreation Ground clash and led just before half-time.
But despite tries by Joseph Woodward and Adam Radwan, plus a Handre Pollard penalty and conversion, they could not make pressure count.
Leicester coach Michael Cheika said: “I thought we worked hard in defence – we were quite physical there.
“I just didn’t think we had that extra edge in attack that could put pressure back on them.
“I thought at half-time we were right in the contest. We had some opportunities that we didn’t nail, and when you are playing against a top team away from home, you have to make sure you nail as many as you can. We paid the price in the end.”
