Bath warn 'we will do what’s best for us' after topping Prem ladder

Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan declared himself “very proud of ending first on the log” after his side secured top seeding in the Gallagher Premiership play-offs with a 55-19 victory over Newcastle.

However, he cautioned against looking too far ahead, adding: “Who knows what will happen in the next six weeks before a home semi-final in the Premiership?

“We have put ourselves in a position where I can use the squad. This is all about us. We can’t control what the other teams do. We’ve put our destiny in our own hands.

“We’ve played 35 games across all competitions, including warm-up games and friendlies. You will see squad players getting opportunities over the next few weeks, as we have done all season. Strategically we will do what’s best for us.

Fixture

Gallagher Premiership

Bath

55 - 19

Full-time

Newcastle

All Stats and Data

“There’s no point talking about Twickenham. We’ve got to win that home semi-final on the weekend of June 7-8 to get there.”

The immediate focus is on a European Challenge Cup semi-final at Edinburgh next Saturday afternoon and Van Graan said: “We are looking forward to it very much. It’s a great opportunity to keep the squad involved.”

Reflecting on the win against Newcastle, he added: “It’s five very good points. The last two minutes of the game summed up the spirit of this team – be tough to beat, defend our goal-line with pride, drive Newcastle back and get a penalty. Then see an opportunity, go 90 metres and score a fantastic try.”

One concern was the penalty count.

He said: “We conceded three yellow cards which was too much. We are one of the best-disciplined sides in all three competitions that we have played in – 8.1 penalties per game – so we will review and take the learnings.”

Player of the match was 22-year-old fly-half Ciaran Donoghue, marking his Premiership debut with a wonder try in the second minute.

Van Graan said: “Ciaran has used every opportunity he’s been given. We as a group gave him his jersey at the hotel because he was making his debut. I’ve just told him just to be himself and he’s been brilliant.”

Newcastle senior coach Alan Dickens was proud of the character shown by his side when they went down to 14 men following the red card shown to full-back Louis Brown late in the first half.

“To put them under pressure from the kick-off after half-time and to score again straight away was a real positive,” he said.

“One of the disappointments of the second half was that the first chance they got to attack we fell off a couple of tackles, they capitalised and went back in front.”

Missing out on a bonus-point try was also a cause for regret.

“That’s certainly a disappointment,” he added. “We talked in the week how coming here is always a challenge. It’s one we look forward to. Coming away with a bonus point would have been a positive.”

He was also pleased with the talent coming through at the Falcons, saying: “Oscar Usher (who came off the bench) is still at Northumbria University. I thought he did well.

“Mickey Rewcastle at loosehead is getting experience and opportunities. Oli Spencer too, in the backs, and Ollie Leatherbarrow. They’re all getting experience and hopefully that will stand them in good stead.”