Bath Rugby 10 Saracens 30: Player ratings

A passionate Recreation ground saw a ruthless Saracens outfit clinically beat a valiant Bath Rugby side. A topic of discussion that will last for weeks to come, the game will forever be remembered for Anthony Watson's red card. Saracens finished any chances they created, not only winning but also gaining a try bonus point. The final score at the Rec was 10-30.

 

Nathan Catt - 6 - It's fantastic to see Catty back in the starting line up after a long run of unfortunate injuries. Adding stability to the set piece, Catt held his own against a Saracens pack that is notorious for being one of the best in the league. He also went looking for the ball and carried well into contact on numerous occasions. Was part of a Bath pack that won penalty after penalty in the second half.

 

Rob Webber - 6 - A mixed game from Webber who carried well but had a few dodgy throws. The choice to throw to the back of the line out, five meters away from Bath's own try line, cost the team dearly. Saracens picked off the ambitious call and scored through resulting phase play. Although they had to deal with the imposing figures of Itoje and Kruis, Webber did still miss a few throws in a slightly inconsistent line out. However he did carry extremely well in the loose, frequently offering himself as a ball carrier and constantly getting Bath on the front foot. He also defended well, especially against big ball carriers like Billy Vunipola.

 

Henry Thomas - 6 - Thomas again seemed to get on the wrong side of the referee early on into the match, conceding a few scrum penalties. However as the game continued his opposite number, Mako Vunipola, became the one who was infringing at scrum time. Thomas carried well in the loose and made yards with the ball in hand however he did drop the ball a few times which haunted any momentum that Bath were building up.

 

Charlie Ewels - 7 - Ewels' best game in a Bath shirt. Was given the near impossible challenge of having to deal with Kruis and Itoje at the line out but held his own. Was vocal on the pitch and made a few fantastic carries, whilst also making some big hits in defence. Ewels always seemed to give Bath go forward, providing some much needed bulk in the pack and in the loose. He looked at home in the 4 shirt and has developed well this season.

 

Dave Attwood - 7 - Similarly to Ewels, Attwood had his work cut out trying to keep Kruis and Itoje quiet but played well. This was Attwood's first game back for Bath since picking up an injury earlier on in the season, not that it showed at all. His performance showed Bath fans what they'd been missing, a big ball carrier who isn't afraid to front up while also chucking his weight around in defence. Tackling is a massive strength of Attwood and he was seen putting in some trademark big hits whilst also getting his team on the front foot with some strong carries.

 

Matt Garvey - 5 - Garvey was forced off early due to injury but performed well whilst on the field of play. He wasn't afraid to get stuck into Sarries and took the ball to the game line, whilst also punching a few holes in the Wolfpack defence. He tackled well and was part of a Bath pack looking to assert some dominance in the scrum during the first half.

 

Francois Louw - 6 - Came off injured late on into the match, receiving a huge ovation from the Bath faithful for all his efforts. Another industrious performance from the Springbok who was constantly making a nuisance of himself around the breakdown. Although he wasn't able to make many turnovers he certainly made up for it through his work in the loose and in defence. A few strong carries from Francois got Bath on the front foot in very promising positions on the field. He also defended valiantly against a constant string of Sarries attacks.

 

Amanaki Mafi - 7 - Another big game from Mafi who has to be a contender for signing of the season. A player who always get you on the front foot Mafi carried extremely well, bouncing off defenders and breaking numerous tackles. He also defended well and was part of a Bath pack that asserted a certain amount of dominance in the second half. He did well to recover from a nasty looking injury early on when Billy Vunipola accidentally kneed him in the back, both were contesting a high ball at the time.

 

Chris Cook - 5 - A mixed game from Cook who generally supplied pace and tempo to the Bath back line through his passing but made a few crucial mistakes. His clearance kick after an error at the line out didn't make touch and instead landed straight into the path of Chris Ashton. After a few phases Saracens then scored from this initial error. He was also later yellow carded for a dangerous tackle on a Saracens player.

 

George Ford - 6 - Early injuries meant that the back line suffered from inconsistency as it had to be chopped and changed a few times during the match. Ford generally kicked well out of hand and converted both a first half penalty and a difficult conversion attempt in the second half. He looked dangerous with the ball in hand and you could start to see fluency return to the Bath back line. However he occasionally got caught out by the on rushing Saracens defence, resulting in a few poor decisions being made. However a few handling errors are to be expected from a player who has played so much rugby over the past year. You do wonder just when Ford will get a break, as both mental and physical fatigue could start to affect him at some point.

 

Horacio Agulla - 5 - Was taken off after 20 minutes due to injury and so wasn't really able to impose himself on the game. Unfortunately Horacio didn't look happy after contesting a high ball early on however he did still make a few carries before being taken off. While on the field he made his presence felt both in the loose and in defence.

 

Ollie Devoto - 5 - Added some bulk to the Bath back line, not only in defence but also in attack. Devoto hit some good lines and tested the Saracens defence on numerous occasions. Unfortunately his kicking out of hand wasn't up to his usual standards and seemed to run out of ideas in an attacking sense as the game went on. He also defended well, ultimately it is clear that the club will miss his services next season.

 

Jonathan Joseph - 6 - Since returning JJ has added greater fluidity to the back line and always provides a constant threat when on the attack. However Saracens did very well to limit his space but he did occasionally get on the outside of defenders, creating opportunities for other in the process. He defended well but as the game went on, similarly to Ford, he seemed to slightly run out of ideas and start to make a few risky decisions.

 

Semesa Rokoduguni - 7 - A contender for Bath's player of the season, Roko had another great game. Although he didn't end up on the scoresheet he constantly looked dangerous with the ball in hand. The combination of quick feet, a lethal sidestep and a bit of bulk makes him a fantastic winger. He managed to find holes in a Saracens defence which to many appeared impenetrable, whilst also creating space for others. He won a few penalties due to the problems he was creating and showed a great turn of pace when given a chance to attack out wide. Like all great wingers he also has the habit of looking for work in the middle of the park and doesn't just stand out on his wing.

 

Anthony Watson - 5 - A tough day for Watson who was shown his first ever red card. The debate still rages on as to whether he should have seen red but the current laws see what he did as a red card offence. Whilst attempting to collect a George Ford cross field kick Watson bumped into Chris Ashton, meaning he didn't have enough time to try and get the ball. He ended up colliding with Alex Goode, who was in the air at the time. Goode landed on his neck and after receiving treatment was fine but unfortunately for Watson he was shown red, a decision he was clearly devastated about. However when on the field of play Watson was a massive threat and broke the line a few times with a number of scintillating breaks. He looked like Bath's key to open the Saracens defence but being shown red ultimately ended the contest between the two sides.

 

Replacements

 

Tom Dunn - 5 - Came on for Webber with 20 minutes remaining. Was generally accurate when throwing into the line out, with one resulting in a driving maul which set up Bath's only try of the night. Dunn carried well in the loose, making a few bulldozing runs however being a man down against Saracens meant that the contest was pretty much over once Dunn stepped out onto the field.

 

Max Lahiff - 6 - Came on for Catt after 52 minutes. Lahiff continued Catt's good work, maintaining stability at scrum time while also making a few big carries in the loose. He was part of a Bath pack that began to assert dominance in the second half at scrum time. He also managed to showcase his devastating hand off, with a few Sarries players falling victim to it and ending up on their backsides. Lahiff added a bit of grunt up front whilst also doing his bit in defence.

 

David Wilson - 5 - Came on for Thomas after 53 minutes. Similarly to Lahiff he was part of a Bath pack that began to assert their dominance and he continued Thomas' good work. He made some big hits in defence and added his bulk to a driving maul that resulted in Bath's only try of the night. However he might be sighted after it appeared that Wilson might have gouged Kruis' face, with some saying it was directly in the eyes.

 

Leroy Houston - 7 - Replaced Matt Garvey after 35 minutes. Came on earlier expected and made an instant impact. The combination of Mafi and Houston is something to behold and Bath can count themselves pretty fortunate to have two such exceptional ball carriers. Leroy consistently made ground and scored Bath's only try, brilliantly driving over and finishing from the back of a rolling maul. The try ignited belief in Bath and although short lived it proved that Bath can front up to the Sarries pack, even when they only have 13 men on the field.

 

David Denton - 6 - Came on for Amanaki Mafi after 53 minutes. A slightly different player to Mafi, Denton offers a lot more bulk and grunt. After a few weeks out Denton looks to be gelling well within the Bath set up and was confidently running with the ball in hand. His size was definitely felt by a few Sarries defenders, as he tried to smash his was up the park. He also added his weight to numerous driving maul, one of which resulted in Houston's try.

 

Guy Mercer - 5 - Brought on for the injured Francois Louw with 12 minutes remaining. Although he didn't have much time to make an impact Mercer made a nuisance of himself around the breakdown. He tackled well and at no point did he look like giving up. While watching him it is clear to see that he gives his all for the club, no matter how much time he's on the field for.

 

Will Homer - 5 - Replaced Cook with six minutes remaining, having previously come on for a few minutes in the first as medical cover for Rhys Priestland. Although he was only on for a short amount of time Homer looked incredibly lively, using his quick turn of pace around the fringes of rucks. He also provided quick, clean ball for the Bath backs. Overall Homer offered glimpses of what's to come from a player who looks very talented.

 

Rhys Priestland - 6 - Came on for the injured Horacio Agulla after 20 minutes. A slight reshuffle in the back line meant that Priestland ended up at full back, with Watson going onto Agulla's wing. Priestland looked confident with the ball in hand, not being afraid to take the ball to the line or having a go at the Saracens defence himself. He made a few breaks whilst also creating a few half opportunities through his passing. It's clear to see now that they're regularly training together, an understanding between Priestland and Ford is beginning to develop. Although he didn't kick much he made up for it in his passing and work with the ball in hand.