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Wasps continue winning run by edging out Bath in high-scoring clash

By PA
Rhys Priestland /PA

Wasps recorded a fifth successive victory in all competitions as they beat Bath 52-44 in an epic Gallagher Premiership encounter at the Recreation Ground.

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Lee Blackett’s team followed up a demolition of champions Exeter last weekend by scoring seven tries during a pulsating contest that bristled with adventurous, attacking rugby.

Wing Paolo Odogwu and hooker Tom Cruse each claimed two touchdowns, while flanker Brad Shields and wing Josh Bassett also crossed, and there was a penalty try, while full-back Lima Sopoaga kicked 15 points.

Bath fly-half Rhys Priestland easily outscored Sopoaga, amassing 26 points that included an early try, with flanker Sam Underhill, centre Cameron Redpath and lock Elliott Stooke also breaching Wasps’ defence, and scrum-half Ben Spencer kicked a late penalty.

But despite twice leading by 13 points and holding a half-time advantage, Bath ultimately conceded a half-century of points at home in front of England head coach Eddie Jones.

Bath made one personnel change following a narrow defeat against Leicester last weekend, with Tom de Glanville returning at full-back, while England star Anthony Watson switched to wing duty instead of Semesa Rokoduguni.

Wasps restored Thomas Young to the back-row and Jack Willis started at number eight after a hip problem forced him off during the Exeter game.

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Bath made a dream start, storming 10 points clear after just seven minutes with an onslaught that left Wasps reeling.

De Glanville was instrumental in the game’s first attack, breaking clear from deep before Bath number eight Zach Mercer’s pass found Priestland, and the Wales international surged clear to score from 50 metres out.

Priestland added the touchline conversion and then kicked a long-range penalty as Bath made their intentions clear in scintillating fashion.

Priestland quickly landed a second penalty. and although Wasps hit back through a penalty try after Bath collapsed a maul that saw their captain Charlie Ewels sin-binned, the home side soon conjured a second touchdown.

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This time it was created and finished by their back-row, with Taulupe Faletau’s superbly-timed pass sending fellow flanker Underhill over, and Priestland’s conversion made it 20-7.

But just as Wasps fell 13 points behind for a second time, they again responded as Odogwu’s searing midfield break saw scrum-half Dan Robson act as decisive link, and Cruse finished off.

It ended a blistering opening quarter that produced 34 points, and there remained no let-up by Priestland, as two further penalties give him a 21-point haul in less than 30 minutes as Bath moved 26-14 in front.

A Sopoaga penalty cut Wasps’ deficit, but Priestland’s fifth successful penalty soon cancelled that out as half-time approached.

Wasps’ Wales lock Will Rowlands departed for a head injury assessment two minutes before the break, but there was still time for Wasps to claim a third try.

Their forwards drove ferociously at the heart of Bath’s defence, and Shields, on for Rowlands and making his first appearance following a seven-week injury absence, claimed a score that Sopoaga converted, ending a turbo-charged half that generated 53 points at 29-24 in Bath’s favour.

It took Wasps just four minutes of the second period to go ahead for the first time, and their bonus point try arrived through another high-class Cruse finish.

Sopoaga’s conversion put Wasps two points in front, yet their lead lasted less than two minutes as Bath regained pole position after a quality solo try by Redpath that Priestland converted.

But back came Wasps, and Odogwu served further notice of his defence-splitting skill when he powered over from 25 metres out, breaking Underhill’s challenge in the process, and another Sopoaga conversion made it 38-36 to the visitors.

Priestland went off for a head injury assessment, but not before Wasps had eased past 40 points through Odogwu’s second try in six minutes, and Bath were now chasing the game, with Wasps in no mood to let things slip once they had taken charge, despite a late yellow card for Willis.

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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